Rig Veda Sukta 36
Mandala 1Sukta 3620 Mantras

Sukta 36

Sukta 1.36

Rishi

Kaṇva (Kāṇva lineage; RV 1.36 is Kaṇva-associated)

Devata

Agni

Chandas

Gāyatrī (hymn RV 1.36 is predominantly Gāyatrī)

Yah mantra Agni ko bulata hai jo sabke liye priya hota hai. Kanva rishi ke anuyayi Agni ko pukarte hain ki woh hamari puja le kar devataon tak pahunchaye. Agni ko brahman ke roop mein bataya gaya hai jo sab jagah pooja jata hai. Ismein Agni se kaha gaya hai ki woh is mantra se shaktishali ho. Ant mein prarthana hai ki Agni ki agni rakshas aur dushman taakaton ko jala de. Yeh badh aur tedhe logon ko khatam karne ki baat hai.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.36

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्र वो यह्वं पुरूणां विशां देवयतीनाम् । अग्निं सूक्तेभिर्वचोभिरीमहे यं सीमिदन्य ईळते ॥

Hum log Agni bhagwan ko bulaa rahe hain. Bahut saare log bhagwan ki taraf jaana chahte hain. Hum achhe se gaana gaake aur puja karke unhe pukarte hain. Dusre log bhi unhi ki puja karte hain.

Mantra 2

जनासो अग्निं दधिरे सहोवृधं हविष्मन्तो विधेम ते । स त्वं नो अद्य सुमना इहाविता भवा वाजेषु सन्त्य ॥

Logon ne Agni ko sthaan par bithaaya hai. Woh taakat badhaane waala hai aur log samet laakar puja karte hain. Aaj tumhara mann khush rahe aur tum humaare kaam aao. Jab bhi kuch jeetna ho, tum humaare saath raho.

Mantra 3

प्र त्वा दूतं वृणीमहे होतारं विश्ववेदसम् । महस्ते सतो वि चरन्त्यर्चयो दिवि स्पृशन्ति भानवः ॥

Hum tumhe apna paigambar maanke bula rahe hain. Tum sab jaante ho aur puja karne waale ho. Tumhari aag chaaron taraf failti hai. Tumhari roshni aasman tak jaati hai.

Mantra 4

देवासस्त्वा वरुणो मित्रो अर्यमा सं दूतं प्रत्नमिन्धते । विश्वं सो अग्ने जयति त्वया धनं यस्ते ददाश मर्त्यः ॥

Varun, Mitra aur Aryaman jaise devta tumhe purana paigambar maanke jalaate hain. Agni, jo insaan tumhe samet deta hai, woh tumhare saath poora dhan jeetta hai.

Mantra 5

मन्द्रो होता गृहपतिरग्ने दूतो विशामसि । त्वे विश्वा संगतानि व्रता ध्रुवा यानि देवा अकृण्वत ॥

Agni, tum ek aise pandit ho jo khushi deta hai. Tum ghar ke malik ho. Tum sab logon ka paigambar ho. Bhagwan ne jo niyam banaye hain, woh sab tum mein hain. Woh niyam pakke hain, hilte nahi.

Mantra 6

त्वे इदग्ने सुभगे यविष्ठ्य विश्वमा हूयते हविः । स त्वं नो अद्य सुमना उतापरं यक्षि देवान्त्सुवीर्या ॥

Agni, tum bhagwanon mein sabse chhote ho, lekin tumhara bhag bahut accha hai. Jab log havan karte hain, woh sab tumhein bulate hain. Aaj tum hamare liye acche dil se raho. Bhagwanon ko hamari taraf se offering do. Humare liye taakat aur bal laao.

Mantra 7

तं घेमित्था नमस्विन उप स्वराजमासते । होत्राभिरग्निं मनुषः समिन्धते तितिर्वांसो अति स्रिधः ॥

Log Agni ke paas jaake baithte hain. Agni apna kaam khud karta hai, kisi ka kahna nahi sunta. Log apne puja ke saaman se Agni ko jalate hain. Raste mein jo rukawatein aati hain, woh sab door ho jaati hain.

Mantra 8

घ्नन्तो वृत्रमतरन्रोदसी अप उरु क्षयाय चक्रिरे । भुवत्कण्वे वृषा द्युम्न्याहुतः क्रन्ददश्वो गविष्टिषु ॥

Badhaai ko maar ke, woh dono duniya se paar chale gaye. Unhone paani ko faila diya taaki jagah ban jaaye. Kanva ke liye Agni ek bail ban jaaye, taakat wala, jab usko offering di jaaye. Woh ek ghode ki tarah daudta hai, roshni dhoondne mein.

Mantra 9

सं सीदस्व महाँ असि शोचस्व देववीतमः । वि धूममग्ने अरुषं मियेध्य सृज प्रशस्त दर्शतम् ॥

Agni, tum apni jagah par aake baith jaao. Tum bahut bade ho. Jal ke chamakna shuru karo, bhagwan tumse khush hote hain. Agni, tum apna laal dhuan bahar bhejo. Woh sabko dikhe, sab tumhare gun gaayein. Bhagwan aayein aur kaam ban jaaye.

Mantra 10

यं त्वा देवासो मनवे दधुरिह यजिष्ठं हव्यवाहन । यं कण्वो मेध्यातिथिर्धनस्पृतं यं वृषा यमुपस्तुतः ॥

Agni, tu woh aag hai jo bhagwan logon ne Manu ke liye yahan bithayi. Yeh aag yagya mein sabse taakatwar hai. Rishi Kanva ne isse dhan jeetne ke liye aage lagaya. Mazboot log iski tarif karte hain. Yeh aag hamare kaam mein hamein sahi raasta dikhaye.

Mantra 11

यमग्निं मेध्यातिथिः कण्व ईध ऋतादधि । तस्य प्रेषो दीदियुस्तमिमा ऋचस्तमग्निं वर्धयामसि ॥

Rishi Kanva ne us Agni ko jalaya jo sachchai se nikla hai. Uski chamak fail rahi hai. Hum apni baaton se us aag ko aur bada karte hain. Hum andar ki taakat ko mazboot karte hain.

Mantra 12

रायस्पूर्धि स्वधावोऽस्ति हि तेऽग्ने देवेष्वाप्यम् । त्वं वाजस्य श्रुत्यस्य राजसि स नो मृळ महाँ असि ॥

Agni, hume dhan aur khushi se bhar de. Tu bhagwano ke paas ja sakta hai. Tu us shakti ka raja hai jo log sunte hain aur maante hain. Humein apni kripa de. Tu bada hai.

Mantra 13

ऊर्ध्व ऊ षु ण ऊतये तिष्ठा देवो न सविता । ऊर्ध्वो वाजस्य सनिता यदञ्जिभिर्वाघद्भिर्विह्वयामहे ॥

Humein bachane ke liye khada ho ja. Jaise Savita bhagwan sabko uthata hai. Tu shakti dene wala hai. Jab hum apne haath utha ke pukarte hain, tab tu aage aaja.

Mantra 14

ऊर्ध्वो नः पाह्यंहसो नि केतुना विश्वं समत्रिणं दह । कृधी न ऊर्ध्वाञ्चरथाय जीवसे विदा देवेषु नो दुवः ॥

Upar uth ke humein buri cheezon se bacha. Apni roshni se saare dushman aur buraai ko jala de. Hamein aage badhne ka raasta bana de. Bhagwano ke paas hamari puja kabool karwa.

Mantra 15

पाहि नो अग्ने रक्षसः पाहि धूर्तेरराव्णः । पाहि रीषत उत वा जिघांसतो बृहद्भानो यविष्ठ्य ॥

Agni, humein bacha. Andhere mein chhup ke maare wale logon se humein rakh. Jhootha insaan se bhi bacha. Jo humein takleef pahunchaana chahe, jo humein maarna chahe, un sab se bacha. Tu itna chamakdaar hai, tu naya aur taazaa hai. Humein surakshit rakh.

Mantra 16

घनेव विष्वग्वि जह्यराव्णस्तपुर्जम्भ यो अस्मध्रुक् । यो मर्त्यः शिशीते अत्यक्तुभिर्मा नः स रिपुरीशत ॥

Jaise koi bada hathauda maarta hai, waise hi dushman ko har taraf se maaro. Jo humare saath gaddari kare, jo raat mein humein nuksan pahunchaane ke iraade rakhe, aisa dushman humare upar kabhi raaj na kare. Usko humare paas nahi aane dena.

Mantra 17

अग्निर्वव्ने सुवीर्यमग्निः कण्वाय सौभगम् । अग्निः प्रावन्मित्रोत मेध्यातिथिमग्निः साता उपस्तुतम् ॥

Agni ne bahut taakat paayi hai. Usne Kanva ke liye accha bhagya banaya hai. Agni ne Mitra aur Medhyatithi dono ko aage badhaya. Jo log uski tarif karte hain, unko bhi success milta hai. Agni sabki madad karta hai.

Mantra 18

अग्निना तुर्वशं यदुं परावत उग्रादेवं हवामहे । अग्निर्नयन्नववास्त्वं बृहद्रथं तुर्वीतिं दस्यवे सहः ॥

Agni ki madad se hum door baithne wale Turvasha aur Yadu ko bulaate hain. Agni ne Navavastva aur Brihadratha aur Turviti ko lead kiya. Yeh sab bade log ban gaye. Agni ne dushman logon ke saamne taakat dikhayi.

Mantra 19

नि त्वामग्ने मनुर्दधे ज्योतिर्जनाय शश्वते । दीदेथ कण्व ऋतजात उक्षितो यं नमस्यन्ति कृष्टयः ॥

Manu ne Agni ko logon ke liye roshni banaya hai. Yeh hamesha ke liye hai. Agni chamakta hai, Kanva. Yeh sachchai se paida hua hai aur mazboot hai. Saari duniya usko salaam karti hai. Log uske saamne jhukte hain.

Mantra 20

त्वेषासो अग्नेरमवन्तो अर्चयो भीमासो न प्रतीतये । रक्षस्विनः सदमिद्यातुमावतो विश्वं समत्रिणं दह ॥

Agni ke jwale chamak rahe hain, bade taqat ke saath. Jo bhi samne aaye use darrana. Andheri taqaton ko poora jala do. Rakshas aur jadu karne wale sab ko khatam kar do. Jo log galat kaam karte hain unhe mita do.

Inside Sukta 36

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn opens by bringing forward the mighty Agni for the many god-seeking peoples, approached through well-woven hymns and words.

  2. Development

    Agni is affirmed as kindled on the foundation of Ṛta; the seer’s speech is presented as a means to strengthen and intensify the divine flame and its shining impulsion.

  3. Climax

    A forceful protective turn: Agni’s blazing, powerful flames are invoked as terrifying to opposition and capable of destroying hostile and crooked powers.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn resolves in purification and safeguarding—Agni is asked to burn away the entire devouring darkness and all Rakṣasa influences, leaving the sacrificer aligned with Ṛta.

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaAgni is praised as yahvá (mighty/impetuous), widely worshipped by many peoples, kindled and increased by well-crafted hymns; his shining impulse (preṣa/īṣ) blazes forth when established on Ṛta. He is also invoked as the fierce purifier whose flames terrify opposition and consume Rakṣasa and sorcerous distortions.
  • Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods (hotṛ and messenger), transformer of offerings into divine reach, maintainer of Ṛta through sacrificial order, and cosmic purifier who repels disorder and hostility.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and clarity in the seeker—inner fire that digests confusion, energizes aspiration, and protects the mind by burning crooked impulses and tamasic ‘darkness’.

The seer

  • Kaṇva (Kāṇva tradition; with a key verse by Medhyātithi Kaṇva)Kāṇva (Kaṇva gotra/pravara tradition) · A प्रमुख (major) seer-family of the Rig Veda, especially prominent in Maṇḍala 1 and 8, known for Agni-centered hymns that blend ritual precision with inner spiritual intent (strengthening the ‘flame’ through speech and Ṛta).

Famous verses

प्र वो यह्वं पुरूणां विशां देवयतीनाम् । अग्निं सूक्तेभिर्वचोभिरीमहे यं सीमिदन्य ईळते ॥
Verse 1.36.1Sets the central frame: Agni is universally adored and approached through inspired speech; the hymn itself becomes the vehicle of aspiration toward the divine Fire.Read verse 1.36.1 →
यमग्निं मेध्यातिथिः कण्व ईध ऋतादधि । तस्य प्रेषो दीदियुस्तमिमा ऋचस्तमग्निं वर्धयामसि ॥
Verse 1.36.11Explicitly links Agni’s kindling to Ṛta and states the key ritual-spiritual act of the sukta: ‘by these ṛcs we increase Agni,’ i.e., mantra strengthens the inner and outer fire.Read verse 1.36.11 →
त्वेषासो अग्नेरमवन्तो अर्चयो भीमासो न प्रतीतये । रक्षस्विनः सदमिद्यातुमावतो विश्वं समत्रिणं दह ॥
Verse 1.36.20Culminating protective petition: Agni’s fierce flames are invoked to burn Rakṣasa and all devouring darkness—an archetypal Vedic use of Agni as purifier and guardian.Read verse 1.36.20 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Hotṛ (priestly invoker) and dūta (messenger)
  • Established on Ṛta (truth-order)
  • Purifier and protector against Rakṣasa/hostile forces
  • Blazing, force-filled flames (tveṣa, amavant)
  • Universally adored and approachable through speech (vacas, sūkta)

Also by this seer

  • Numerous Kaṇva hymns in Rig Veda Maṇḍala 1 (Agni and allied deities)
  • Large Kaṇva corpus in Rig Veda Maṇḍala 8
  • Verses attributed to Medhyātithi Kaṇva and other Kaṇva seers across early Rigvedic collections

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and kindle fire with reverence, establishing intention in accord with Ṛta
  • Invoke Agni with sūkta and measured speech, inviting him as priest and carrier of offerings
  • Offer oblations while reciting key verses, ‘increasing’ Agni through praise (vṛddhi by mantra)
  • Conclude with protective petition: may Agni’s flames burn Rakṣasa, deceit, and obstruction; seal the rite with quiet contemplation of inner fire

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Samidh/fuel sticks
  • Grain or simple havis (as customary)
  • Aromatic offerings where appropriate (resins/herbs, per local śrauta/smārta practice)

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Agni as the divine Fire who carries our prayers, is kindled on Ṛta (cosmic order), and protects by burning away hostile and deceptive forces.

In Vedic thought, mantra and praise are not just description—they are an offering. Recitation ‘feeds’ Agni, intensifying the ritual fire and the inner fire of will and clarity.

It can be recited at the lighting of the sacred fire or during daily fire worship, especially when seeking purification, steadiness in Ṛta, and protection from negativity or obstruction.

Ask anything about Sukta 36 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