Rig Veda Sukta 5
Mandala 2Sukta 58 Mantras

Sukta 5

Sukta 2.5

Rishi

Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)

Chandas

Gāyatrī (probable for RV 2.5.1)

Este himno alaba a Agni específicamente en su oficio sacerdotal como Hotṛ y las potencias rituales coordinadas a su alrededor, pidiendo que el sacrificio sea llevado adelante correctamente y hecho eficaz. Se invoca a Agni como guía consciente y paternal de la línea ancestral y como quien reúne las ofrendas, ordena el rito y concede «riqueza noble» mediante el recto ordenamiento (yama) y la pericia en el sacrificio.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 2.5

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Agnias Hotṛ/ritual fire, hymn 2.5 is Agni-focused in priestly functions

    Agni is the born-and-kindled fire, the divine priest (Hotṛ) who knows the paths of the rite, carries offerings to the gods, and makes the sacrifice successful through right form and right timing.

Mantras

Mantra 1

होताजनिष्ट चेतनः पिता पितृभ्य ऊतये । प्रयक्षञ्जेन्यं वसु शकेम वाजिनो यमम् ॥

Ha nacido el Hotṛ — consciente, luminoso — como un Padre, para auxilio de los Padres. Avanzando en el sacrificio, podamos alcanzar el tesoro noble, el yama de los vājins: la recta contención y el orden que llevan la fuerza a su meta.

Mantra 2

आ यस्मिन्त्सप्त रश्मयस्तता यज्ञस्य नेतरि । मनुष्वद्दैव्यमष्टमं पोता विश्वं तदिन्वति ॥

Aquel en quien se tienden los siete rayos — el guía del sacrificio — impulsa toda esa octava potencia, divina, que obra en nosotros como en el hombre: el Pota, el purificador, que hace avanzar toda la ofrenda hacia su verdad.

Mantra 3

दधन्वे वा यदीमनु वोचद्ब्रह्माणि वेरु तत् । परि विश्वानि काव्या नेमिश्चक्रमिवाभवत् ॥

Y cuando él, sosteniendo y sustentando, pronuncia las palabras inspiradas en su verdadera secuencia, entonces todos los secretos del poeta giran en torno a él: se vuelve el cubo, como la llanta de una rueda, sosteniendo todo el movimiento de la obra.

Mantra 4

साकं हि शुचिना शुचिः प्रशास्ता क्रतुनाजनि । विद्वाँ अस्य व्रता ध्रुवा वया इवानु रोहते ॥

Pues, puro con lo puro, nace el sabio guía por la fuerza de la voluntad (krátu). Conociendo sus firmes votos‑leyes, asciende tras ellos como un ave por sus sendas — subiendo en grados seguros de vuelo ordenado.

Mantra 5

ता अस्य वर्णमायुवो नेष्टुः सचन्त धेनवः । कुवित्तिसृभ्य आ वरं स्वसारो या इदं ययुः ॥

A su resplandor se adhieren las vacas nutridoras — las hermanas del Neṣṭṛ, llenas de vida. ¿Vendrán desde lo triple a la excelencia elegida, esas hermanas que han entrado en este obrar?

Mantra 6

यदी मातुरुप स्वसा घृतं भरन्त्यस्थित । तासामध्वर्युरागतौ यवो वृष्टीव मोदते ॥

Cuando la hermana se acerca a la Madre llevando ghee, toma su puesto; y a su llegada el Adhvaryu se regocija como la cebada con la lluvia — así la energía de la ofrenda se alegra con el descenso del flujo nutriente.

Mantra 7

स्वः स्वाय धायसे कृणुतामृत्विगृत्विजम् । स्तोमं यज्ञं चादरं वनेमा ररिमा वयम् ॥

Que Svah, la fuerza celeste, para su propio sostén, forme al recto ṛtvij dentro del ṛtvik; entonces podamos ganar el himno, el sacrificio y el gozo debido — y llegar a ser dadores en el intercambio conforme al ṛta.

Mantra 8

यथा विद्वाँ अरं करद्विश्वेभ्यो यजतेभ्यः । अयमग्ने त्वे अपि यं यज्ञं चकृमा वयम् ॥

Para que el conocedor haga que todo sea adecuado para los adoradores — este sacrificio que hemos dispuesto, oh Agni, está también en ti: acógelo en ti mismo y llévalo a su recto cumplimiento.

Inside Sukta 5

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Agni is ‘born’ as the conscious Hotṛ—fatherly and ancestral-supporting—so the sacrifice may move forward rightly.

  2. Development

    The hymn expands Agni’s priestly network and powers (radiance, ordering, and the supportive ‘cows’/nourishing energies), emphasizing correct ritual coordination and fruitful approach to the gods.

  3. Climax

    The prayer that the knower makes everything ‘fitting’ for worshippers, with the decisive claim that the sacrifice the humans have fashioned is already ‘in’ Agni.

  4. Where it settles

    A closing request that Agni take the rite into himself, perfect it, and deliver its intended results—order, accomplishment, and worthy gain.

The deity: Agni

  • Cosmic functionMediator between human and divine realms: he transforms oblations into a subtle, god-reaching form, maintains the sacrificial order (ṛta), and sustains continuity between ancestors, worshippers, and deities.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and discerning intelligence that ‘kindles’ aspiration; the inner priest that organizes energies, purifies intention, and turns effort into effective offering.

The seer

  • Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)Bhṛgu/Bhārgava lineage (Gṛtsamada family of Mandala 2) · Principal seer of Rig Veda Mandala 2, renowned for hymns that establish Agni and Indra as central ritual powers and for a strongly priestly, yajña-oriented style.

Famous verses

hotā ajaniṣṭa cetanaḥ
Verse 2.5.1Sets the keynote: Agni as newly-born Hotṛ, conscious and fatherlike, aiding the Fathers and granting ‘noble treasure’ through right ordering (yama).Read verse 2.5.1 →
ता अस्य वर्णमायुवो नेष्टुः सचन्त धेनवः । कुवित्तिसृभ्य आ वरं स्वसारो या इदं ययुः ॥
Verse 2.5.5Uses the potent image of ‘cows’ clinging to Agni’s radiance—ritual/gnostic powers supporting the Neshṭṛ function—highlighting coordinated priestly energies within the yajña.Read verse 2.5.5 →
ayam agne tve api yaṃ yajñaṃ cakṛmā vayam
Verse 2.5.8Concluding seal: the sacrifice is said to be within Agni himself; he is asked to make it fully fitting and accomplished for all worshippers.Read verse 2.5.8 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Hotṛ (invoking priest)
  • Knower of the rite (kratu-vit)
  • Bearer/transporter of offerings (havyavāhana)
  • Guardian of ṛta (cosmic order)
  • Luminous, conscious, ever-young
  • Fatherly protector linked with the Fathers (Pitṛs)

Also by this seer

  • Primary attribution of most of Rig Veda Mandala 2 (2.1–2.43)
  • Noted Agni hymns emphasizing Hotṛ and sacrificial correctness (e.g., RV 2.1, 2.3–2.6)
  • Indra hymns in Mandala 2 highlighting victory, strength, and ritual support (e.g., RV 2.12–2.16)

The rite, step by step

  • Kindling/awakening Agni and establishing the fire as the Hotṛ of the rite
  • Formal invocation: asking Agni to lead the sacrifice forward and align it with ṛta
  • Offering oblations into Agni while reciting the hymn to strengthen priestly functions (Hotṛ/Neshṭṛ imagery)
  • Requesting ‘noble wealth’ and right ordering (yama) as the fruit of well-performed yajña
  • Concluding prayer that Agni internalize the sacrifice and make it fully fitting for all worshippers

Offerings

  • Ājya (clarified butter/ghee)
  • Samidh (fuel sticks)
  • Havis (general oblations, as appropriate)
  • Soma-related offerings when part of a soma rite

Frequently Asked Questions

Agni is praised, especially as Hotṛ—the divine priestly fire who invokes the gods and carries offerings in the sacrifice.

That Agni lead the ritual correctly, make it fitting and effective, and grant worthy gains through right order and successful offering.

It links Agni with ancestral continuity: he protects and supports the lineage of worshippers, connecting present sacrifice with the ancestral tradition and its blessings.

Ask anything about Sukta 5 of the Rig Veda

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