Rig Veda 4.6.3: Mandala 4, Sukta 6, Mantra 3
Sukta 4.6
- Rishi
- Vāmadeva Gautama
- Devata
- Agni
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Shringara (love)
यता सुजूर्णी रातिनी घृताची प्रदक्षिणिद्देवतातिमुराणः । उदु स्वरुर्नवजा नाक्रः पश्वो अनक्ति सुधितः सुमेकः ॥
yatā́ su-jūrṇī́ rātínī ghṛtā́cī pradakṣiṇíd deva-tātím urāṇáḥ | úd u svárur nava-jā́ nā́kraḥ paśvó anakti sú-dhitaḥ su-mékaḥ ||
Il s’y meut, d’un bel élan ; le donateur dont la voie est de ghee, dans son ardeur, tourne à droite autour de la troupe des dieux. Il soulève le bois d’allumage (samidh), nouveau-né, tel un puissant coursier ; le (feu) bien établi, bien ajusté, oint et illumine l’être vivant.
Word by Word
- यथा
- just asIndeclinableसम्बन्ध/उपमानार्थ अव्यय (यथा = as, just as)Role Adhikaraṇa (तुलनासम्बन्धे) / अव्यय-सम्बन्धRoot यथा (अव्यय)
- सुजूर्णी
- well-worn / well-agedAdjective (f.)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (उपमान-वाक्ये) / विशेषणRoot सु- + जूर्णी (प्रातिपदिक; √जॄ/जॢ ‘to wear/decay’ से ‘जूर्ण’)
- रातिनी
- the giver / bestowerNoun (f.)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (उपमान-वाक्ये)Root रातिनी (प्रातिपदिक; √रा/रद् ‘to give’ से ‘राति’)
- घृताची
- ghee-anointed / moving with gheeAdjective (f.)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (उपमान-वाक्ये) / विशेषणRoot घृत- + अची (प्रातिपदिक; ‘घृत’ + ‘अच्/अञ्च्’ ‘to smear/anoint’ से)
- प्रदक्षिणित्
- right-circling (moving sunwise)Adjective (indeclinable-like in RV usage) / Participle(वेदिक) प्रथमा एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग/सामान्य-लिङ्ग प्रयोग; ‘right-circling’Role Kartā-विशेषणRoot प्र- + दक्षिणि- (प्रातिपदिक) + त् (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय; ‘प्रदक्षिणित्’ = having gone/turned to the right)
- देवतातीम्
- the host/procession of the godsNoun (f.)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot देवता- + अति (प्रातिपदिक; ‘देवताओं की पंक्ति/समूह/यात्रा’)
- उराणः
- impetuous / eagerAdjective (m.)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (मुख्य-वाक्ये) / विशेषणRoot उराण (प्रातिपदिक; वेदिक विशेषण, ‘उत्साही/वेगवान्/उद्गत’ अर्थ)
- उत्
- up, forthIndeclinableउद्गमन/उत्थानार्थ उपसर्गRole (क्रियाविशेषण)Root उत् (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- स्वः
- to heaven / in the skyNoun (n., indeclinable in RV) / Indeclinableस्वर्ग/दिव् अर्थे; प्रायः अव्ययवत्Role Adhikaraṇa (गन्तव्य/स्थान) / क्रियाविशेषणRoot स्वः (अव्यय/नाम; ‘स्वर्’)
- उरुः
- broad, wideAdjective (m.)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā-विशेषणRoot उरु (प्रातिपदिक)
- नवजा
- new-born / newly arisenAdjective (m.)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā-विशेषणRoot नव- + जा (प्रातिपदिक; √जन् ‘to be born’)
- नाक्रः
- crocodile / water-monster (Vedic nākra)Noun (m.)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot नाक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- पश्वः
- of the cattle / of the beastNoun (m.)पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (वेदिक रूप: पश्वः = पशोः)Role Sampradāna/सम्बन्ध (अधिकार/सम्बन्धे)Root पशु (प्रातिपदिक)
- अनक्ति
- anoints, smearsVerbलट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, 3 पुरुष, एकवचनRole KriyāRoot √अञ्ज् (अनक्ति) ‘to smear/anoint’
- सुधितः
- well-disposed / well-orderedAdjective (m.)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā-विशेषणRoot सु- + धित (कृदन्त; √धा ‘to place/think’ से ‘धित’ = well-set/well-disposed)
- सुमेकः
- very singular/unique; excellent oneAdjective (m.)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā-विशेषणRoot सु- + मेक (प्रातिपदिक; वेदिक ‘एक/अद्वितीय/श्रेष्ठ’ भाव)
Sandhi Notes
- पाठ-समाधान (मुख्य): प्रदक्षि॒णिद्दे॒वता॑तिमुरा॒णः → प्रदक्षिणित् + देवतातीम् + उराणः। उदु॒ स्वरु॑र्नव॒जा नाक्रः → उत् + स्वः + उरुः + नवजा + नाक्रः। प॒श्वो अ॑नक्ति → पश्वः (षष्ठी एकवचन, वेदिक) + अनक्ति। शेष पद प्रायः असन्धित/पदपाठ-समान।
The meaning
Outer meaning
Agni moves swiftly as a giver, with ghee as his course, circumambulating the gods to the right in ardour. He lifts the kindling-stick, newborn, like a strong steed; the well-set fire anoints and brightens the creature.
Inner meaning
The inner Fire, fed by the clarified substance (ghṛta = purified mind-substance), moves with swift right-going progress (pradakṣiṇa: movement in harmony with ṛta). He ‘circles’ the devatātim—the host of divine powers—meaning he activates and harmonizes them in the being through ardour (urāṇaḥ). The newborn kindling-stick (svaruḥ navajā) is the fresh igniting impulse in the embodied nature; lifted up like a strong horse (aśva-force), it becomes dynamic vital energy yoked to the divine Will. The well-set, well-joined fire (sudhitaḥ sumekaḥ) ‘anoints’ the paśu—not an animal, but the embodied life-consciousness—so that it becomes bright, consecrated, and fit for higher growth.
Universal truth
Right progress is not random acceleration but a rhythmic, lawful circling that integrates all inner powers. When purified clarity fuels the will, vital energy becomes a steed for the soul, and embodied life is consecrated into luminosity.
Themes
Right-ordered movement, Consecration of life-force, Newborn flame, Establishing divine host
The seer
- Rishi
- Vāmadeva Gautama
- Lineage
- Gautama
- Other hymns
- RV 4.4, RV 4.5, RV 4.6
Family tradition
Vāmadeva’s Agni is dynamic and integrative: he not only kindles but organizes the god-powers through right movement (pradakṣiṇa) and consecrates embodied life (paśu).
Significance
The rishi’s vision turns ritual motions (circumambulation, anointing) into inner disciplines: right-ordered circulation of force and consecration of the embodied nature.
The deity
- Devata
- Agni
- Epithets
- Rātinī (giver, in motion), Ghṛtācī (ghee-moving), Urāṇa (ardent), Sudhita, Sumeka
- Related deities
- Indra (horse-force and victory), Soma (delight as anointing), Viṣṇu (right strides; pradakṣiṇa resonance)
Cosmic role
Transformer: receives offering, circulates power among the gods, renews life and strength.
Inner power
Integrative tapas that harmonizes divine faculties and converts raw vital energy into a consecrated force for ascent.
In ritual
Where it is used
Circumambulation and kindling imagery in Agni-kindling sequences; supports the moment of feeding ghee and raising kindling.
य॒ता सु॑जू॒र्णी रा॒तिनी॑ घृ॒ताची॑ प्रदक्षि॒णिद्दे॒वता॑तिमुरा॒णः । उदु॒ स्वरु॑र्नव॒जा नाक्रः प॒श्वो अ॑नक्ति॒ सुधि॑तः सु॒मेक॑: ॥
य॒ता । सु॒ऽजू॒र्णिः । रा॒तिनी॑ । घृ॒ताची॑ । प्र॒ऽद॒क्षि॒णित् । दे॒वऽता॑तिम् । उ॒रा॒णः । उत् । ऊँ॒ इति॑ । स्वरुः॑ । न॒व॒ऽजाः । न । अ॒क्रः । प॒श्वः । अ॒न॒क्ति॒ । सुऽधि॑तः । सु॒ऽमेकः॑ ॥
yatā | su-jūrṇiḥ | rātinī | ghṛtācī | pra-dakṣiṇit | deva-tātim | urāṇaḥ | ut | oṃ iti | svaruḥ | nava-jāḥ | na | akraḥ | paśvaḥ | anakti | su-dhitaḥ | su-mekaḥ
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4 × ~11
Kinetic and circling; the meter supports movement (yatā, pradakṣiṇit, ud).
Energizes the vital being while keeping it ordered; good for transforming restlessness into disciplined drive.
- घृताची (ghṛtācī)
- Literal: having ghee as her course. Symbolic: movement supported by clarified mind-substance; luminous understanding as fuel
- प्रदक्षिणित् (pradakṣiṇit)
- Literal: circles to the right. Symbolic: right-ordered movement in harmony with ṛta; integrative progression
- देवताते/देवतातिम् (devatātim)
- Literal: host/establishment of gods. Symbolic: the array of divine faculties being awakened
- उराणः (urāṇaḥ)
- Literal: ardent, eager. Symbolic: tapas, spiritual intensity
- स्वरु (svaruḥ)
- Literal: kindling-stick. Symbolic: the initiating spark/impulse that kindles aspiration
- नवजा (navajā)
- Literal: newborn. Symbolic: fresh emergence of higher movement in nature
- अक्रः (akraḥ)
- Literal: strong, vigorous (as steed). Symbolic: robust life-force capable of carrying the ascent
- पशु (paśu)
- Literal: creature. Symbolic: the embodied life/physical-vital nature to be consecrated
- अनक्ति (anaktti)
- Literal: anoints. Symbolic: consecrates, makes luminous and fit for the divine work
- सुधित/सुमेक (sudhitaḥ/sumekaḥ)
- Literal: well-set/well-joined. Symbolic: collected, integrated fire—steady aspiration and unified energy
Kindling and circumambulation (pradakṣiṇā) imagery; inner use—right-ordered circulation of force around the established divine powers, consecrating the embodied life (paśu) by the clarified substance (ghṛta).
During kindling/feeding and the rightward movements around the fire in solemn rites.
Offer ghee; circumambulate; raise kindling; consecrate the offering/participant symbolically.
For channeling energy before work or practice: ‘right-order’ your drive; offer mental clarity (ghṛta) to guide action.
ghṛtá ‘ghee’ from √ghṛ ‘sprinkle/anoint’ (also symbol of clarified substance/mind); pradakṣiṇá ‘rightward’ (ritual/psychological right order); svarú ‘kindling-stick’ (instrument of ignition); nava-jā́ ‘newborn’; anakti from √añj ‘anoint’ (cf. Latin unguo); paśu ‘creature’ (life in its instinctive formation); su-dhita from √dhā ‘place well’; su-meka ‘well-joined’ (integration).
dakṣiṇa/right order, consecration (añj), integration (su-dhita, su-meka)
Pradakṣiṇa is ṛta made gesture: lawful circulation that maintains harmony among powers.
Consecration (anointing) aligns embodied life with the truth of the soul’s aim.
Newborn fire/impulse (navajā) as continual recreation of the ascent in time.
Integral yoga of transformation: vital force yoked to will, life consecrated rather than rejected.
Ghee = clarified mind; kindling = initiating aspiration; horse = vital energy; anointing = infusion of light into the embodied nature.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The rightward circling (pradakṣiṇā) of the devatā-host and the newborn kindling—mythically, the flame’s ritual dance that establishes order and consecrates the creaturely life into a divine economy.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √añj ‘anoint’ has clear IE cognates (Latin unguo ‘anoint’). The consecration-by-anointing is an inherited sacral action across IE traditions, here internalized as illumination and purification of paśu (instinct-life).
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi presents the method: feeding with ghṛta and moving in right order; Agni reciprocates by integrating (su-meka) and consecrating (anakti) the embodied nature, making it fit to host the devatā-tati (divine extensions).
Transform raw drive into right-ordered force: feel energy circulate clockwise through the body’s field, then rise.
Maṇipūra (fire) with a harmonizing circuit through the nāḍīs; integration toward Anāhata
Breath with gentle ‘circling’ attention: inhale up the spine, exhale down the front (microcosmic orbit style), coordinating with recitation.
Ardent yet ordered; integrated vitality.
Offer ‘ghṛta’ as clear intention before action. Visualize a newborn flame at navel/heart; let it ‘anoint’ the whole body with warmth and brightness, especially areas of inertia.
Keep the motion-words (yatā, pradakṣiṇit, ud) cleanly articulated; let svarita glides mirror ‘circling’ rather than forceful stress.
Maintain even pāda pacing; avoid rushing—this verse is swift in image but steady in chant.
ghṛtācī: pronounce ghṛ with vocalic ṛ; avoid ‘gri’., pradakṣiṇid: retroflex ṇ; clear kṣ cluster., svaruḥ: pronounce sv- cluster smoothly., anakti: keep ‘kt’ crisp; do not insert vowel.
Warm, energized, slightly rounded tone; maintain steadiness through the circling imagery.
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