Rig Veda Sukta 14
Mandala 6Sukta 146 Mantras

Sukta 14

Sukta 6.14

Rishi

Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya (Mandala 6 attribution)

Devata

Agni

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable; requires metrical confirmation)

Ce bref hymne à Agni enseigne que le mortel qui sert Agni avec une intention vraie et une pensée inspirée devient rayonnant et progresse en force, en abondance de nourriture et en protection. Agni est loué comme la puissance antique qui accorde un héros ferme, capable d’endurer l’assaut, et comme le médiateur qui peut « parler pour nous » auprès des autres dieux. L’hymne culmine dans une prière répétée : être conduits au bien-être et à une bonne demeure, et, par l’aide d’Agni, franchir au-delà de la haine, de la détresse et des voies erronées.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 6.14

Mantras

Mantra 1

अग्ना यो मर्त्यो दुवो धियं जुजोष धीतिभिः । भसन्नु ष प्र पूर्व्य इषं वुरीतावसे ॥

Le mortel qui, pour Agni, rend le service et accroît la pensée par des intuitions inspirées, celui-là brille en vérité ; alors la Puissance antique fait surgir l’élan de la plénitude pour son aide et sa croissance.

Mantra 2

अग्निरिद्धि प्रचेता अग्निर्वेधस्तम ऋषिः । अग्निं होतारमीळते यज्ञेषु मनुषो विशः ॥

Agni, en vérité, est l’Éveillé en conscience ; Agni est le connaissant le plus accompli, le rishi. Agni, comme hotar, prêtre invocateur, est adoré par les peuples humains dans les sacrifices.

Mantra 3

नाना ह्यग्नेऽवसे स्पर्धन्ते रायो अर्यः । तूर्वन्तो दस्युमायवो व्रतैः सीक्षन्तो अव्रतम् ॥

Oui, ô Agni, multiples sont les luttes de l’Arya pour ton secours et pour les plénitudes: pressant les forces dāsyu aux ruses magiques, les chercheurs, par les vœux (vratá) du rite, disciplinent l’homme sans vœu, sans loi.

Mantra 4

अग्निरप्सामृतीषहं वीरं ददाति सत्पतिम् । यस्य त्रसन्ति शवसः संचक्षि शत्रवो भिया ॥

Agni donne un héros qui supporte les assauts, un vrai seigneur (satpáti); devant sa puissance les ennemis tremblent, vus ensemble, saisis de peur.

Mantra 5

अग्निर्हि विद्मना निदो देवो मर्तमुरुष्यति । सहावा यस्यावृतो रयिर्वाजेष्ववृतः ॥

Car Agni, par sa connaissance, protège le mortel des négations hostiles; avec lui pour compagnon — pour qui la plénitude n’est pas close — sa richesse de force, dans les victoires, n’est pas close.

Mantra 6

अच्छा नो मित्रमहो देव देवानग्ने वोचः सुमतिं रोदस्योः । वीहि स्वस्तिं सुक्षितिं दिवो नॄन्द्विषो अंहांसि दुरिता तरेम ता तरेम तवावसा तरेम ॥

Ô Agni, dieu de grandeur bienveillante, parle pour nous aux dieux, apportant la bonne pensée du Ciel et de la Terre. Conduis-nous au salut et à une demeure heureuse, vers les puissances lumineuses des hauteurs ; puissions-nous franchir les haines, les étroitesses et les voies mauvaises — oui, les franchir par ton secours, les franchir par ton secours.

Inside Sukta 14

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn opens by stating the principle: the mortal who serves Agni and strengthens inspired thought becomes radiant, and Agni brings forward nourishing impulsion and help.

  2. Development

    Agni is then described as an active bestower—granting endurance, heroic force, and ‘true lordship’ that makes opponents tremble.

  3. Climax

    Agni is asked explicitly to speak on behalf of the worshipper to the gods, bringing the ‘good mind’ of Heaven and Earth and leading the community toward welfare and good settlement.

  4. Where it settles

    It ends with a strong, repeated petition to cross beyond hatreds, constrictions, and misfortunes—‘by thy help’—sealing the hymn as a protective and guiding prayer.

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaAgni is the shining fire-principle—kindled on the altar, dwelling in many forms, and acting as Hotṛ who carries offerings and words to the gods. He is invoked as ancient (pūrvya), radiant, protective, and as a giver of heroic power and right-mindedness.
  • Cosmic functionMediator between human and divine realms: he conveys oblations, awakens the gods, and establishes ṛta (right order) through sacrifice, ensuring prosperity and safe passage through dangers.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and luminous intelligence in the human being—transforming aspiration into effective action, burning obstacles, and guiding the mind toward clarity, courage, and right direction.

The seer

  • Bharadvāja BārhaspatyaBharadvāja gotra; called Bārhaspatya as connected with Bṛhaspati/Angiras line · Foremost seer of the Bharadvāja family and principal voice of Mandala 6, noted for powerful Agni hymns that unite ritual precision with inner illumination (dhī) and divine mediation.

Famous verses

अग्ना यो मर्त्यो दुवो धियं जुजोष धीतिभिः । भसन्नु ष प्र पूर्व्य इषं वुरीतावसे ॥
Verse 6.14.1States the core teaching of the sukta: sincere service and inspired insight toward Agni make the worshipper radiant and draw down plenitude and fostering help.Read verse 6.14.1 →
अग्निरप्सामृतीषहं वीरं ददाति सत्पतिम् । यस्य त्रसन्ति शवसः संचक्षि शत्रवो भिया ॥
Verse 6.14.4Highlights Agni’s boon of heroic, assault-enduring strength and stable leadership (satpati), portraying Agni as a giver of victory and fearlessness.Read verse 6.14.4 →
tavāvasā tarema
Verse 6.14.6The culminating prayer: Agni as mediator ‘speaks to the gods’ and leads to svasti and sukṣiti; the repeated ‘tarema’ frames Agni as the one who helps us cross beyond all distress.Read verse 6.14.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Mediator (dūta) who ‘speaks to the gods’
  • Ancient, ever-renewed power (pūrvya)
  • Giver of heroism and steadfast lordship (vīra, satpati)
  • Protector who helps one ‘cross beyond’ troubles
  • Radiant, kindled brilliance that increases inspired thought (dhī)

Also by this seer

  • Majority of Rigveda Mandala 6 hymns (traditional attribution to the Bharadvājas)
  • Numerous Agni and Indra praises emphasizing priestly mediation, protection, and victory
  • Bharadvāja is remembered in later Vedic-Itihāsa tradition as a great ṛṣi and transmitter of sacred lore

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the vedi (altar) and kindle Agni with kindling (samidh) and ghee.
  • Invoke Agni as Hotṛ/mediator; recite the sukta as praise and request for guidance.
  • Offer oblations while affirming dhī (inspired intention) and service (duvas) to Agni.
  • Pray for a steadfast hero/leadership and for the trembling of adversities before divine strength.
  • Conclude with the crossing-prayer: ask Agni to lead to svasti (well-being) and sukṣiti (good dwelling), and to help pass beyond hatred and wrong paths.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Kindling sticks (samidh)
  • Optional milk/curds or simple havis as per household rite

Frequently Asked Questions

To bless the worshipper with radiant strength, protection, and prosperity, and to act as a messenger who speaks to the other gods for our welfare and right guidance.

Because Agni is invoked as the power that leads safely through hatred, distress, and wrong paths—both outward obstacles and inward confusion—so one reaches well-being and a stable home.

It can be recited at a simple fire offering (with ghee and kindling) or as a prayer at dawn/evening, focusing on clarity of intention (dhī), seeking courage, protection, and right direction through Agni.

Ask anything about Sukta 14 of the Rig Veda

Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.

Not sure where to start?

A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.

Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app

Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Continue reading in the Vedapath app

Open in App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play