Rig Veda 1.144.6: Mandala 1, Sukta 144, Mantra 6
Sukta 1.144
- Rishi
- Dīrghatamas Aucathya
- Devata
- Agni
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder) and Shanta (peace)
त्वं ह्यग्ने दिव्यस्य राजसि त्वं पार्थिवस्य पशुपा इव त्मना । एनी त एते बृहती अभिश्रिया हिरण्ययी वक्वरी बर्हिराशाते ॥
tváṃ hí agne divyásya rā́jasi tváṃ pārthivásya paśupā́ iva tmánā | enī́ te eté bṛhatī́ abhí-śriyā hiraṇyáyī vakvarī́ bárhir āśāte ||
अग्नि, तुम ऊपर वाली दुनिया के राजा हो। नीचे ज़मीन पर भी तुम खुद ही रहते हो, जैसे कोई अपने जानवरों की रक्षा करता है। दो चीज़ें तुम्हारे लिए तैयार बैठे हैं, एक बहुत बड़ी, एक चमकदार। दोनों सोना जैसी चमकती हैं, दोनों अच्छी तरह से बनी हैं। यह तुम्हारे लिए पूजा की जगह हैं।
Word by Word
- त्वम्
- thou (you)Pronounपुं/स्त्री/नपुं; प्रथमा; एकवचनRole कर्तृRoot युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- हि
- indeed, forIndeclinableनिपात (अव्यय)Root हि (निपात)
- अग्ने
- O AgniNounपुं; संबोधन; एकवचनRole सम्बोधनRoot अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
- दिव्यस्य
- of the heavenly, celestialAdjectiveपुं/नपुं; षष्ठी; एकवचनRole सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी)Root दिव्य (प्रातिपदिक; दिव् + य)
- राजसि
- in the realm/space (rajas)Nounनपुं; सप्तमी; एकवचनRole अधिकरणRoot रजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
- त्वम्
- thouPronounपुं/स्त्री/नपुं; प्रथमा; एकवचनRole कर्तृRoot युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- पार्थिवस्य
- of the earthlyAdjectiveपुं/नपुं; षष्ठी; एकवचनRole सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी)Root पार्थिव (प्रातिपदिक; पृथिवी-सम्बन्धी)
- पशुपाः
- a herdsman, protector of cattleNounपुं; प्रथमा; एकवचन (वेदिक-रूप: -पाः = -पाः/पाः, nom. sg.)Role कर्तृ (उपमान-रूपेण)Root पशुपा (प्रातिपदिक; पशु + पा ‘पालने’)
- इव
- like, asIndeclinableउपमानवाचक-अव्ययRoot इव (निपात)
- त्मना
- by thyself, in thine own personNounपुं; तृतीया; एकवचनRole करण/सहायक (स्वयम्-भावे ‘by oneself’)Root त्मन् (प्रातिपदिक; ‘स्व’/‘आत्मन्’ अर्थे, वेदिक)
- एनी
- the two ‘Eṇī’ (two does/antelope-maidens; a dual pair)Nounस्त्री; प्रथमा; द्विवचनRole कर्तृRoot एनी (प्रातिपदिक; स्त्री)
- ते
- of thee, for theePronounषष्ठी; एकवचन (enclitic)Role सम्प्रदान/सम्बन्ध (genitive: ‘of/for thee’)Root युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- एते
- these twoPronounस्त्री; प्रथमा; द्विवचनRole विशेषण-भावे (एनी इति कर्तृ-पदस्य)Root एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- बृहती
- great, lofty (two)Adjectiveस्त्री; प्रथमा; द्विवचनRole विशेषण (एनी इति)Root बृहती (प्रातिपदिक; ‘बृहत्’ से)
- अभिश्रिया
- with (their) splendourNounस्त्री; तृतीया; एकवचन (अव्ययीभाव/करणार्थे: ‘with splendour’)Role करणRoot अभिश्री (प्रातिपदिक; अभि-श्री ‘splendour/ornament’)
- हिरण्ययी
- golden (two)Adjectiveस्त्री; प्रथमा; द्विवचनRole विशेषण (एनी/एते)Root हिरण्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
- वक्वरी
- fair/bright (two)Adjectiveस्त्री; प्रथमा; द्विवचनRole विशेषण (एनी/एते)Root वक्वरि/वक्वरी (प्रातिपदिक; वेदिक, ‘कुटिल/वक्र’ अथवा ‘सुशोभने’ अर्थे व्याख्येय)
- बर्हिरा
- on the barhis (sacrificial grass)Indeclinable (compound adverbial) / Noun-compoundसमास/अव्ययीभाव: ‘बर्हिषि/बर्हिः प्रति’ (on/at the sacred grass)Role अधिकरण (क्रियाविशेषण)Root बर्हिस् (प्रातिपदिक) + आ (उपसर्ग/अव्यय-पूर्वक)
- आशाते
- they two lie down/restVerbलट् (वर्तमान); प्रथमपुरुष; द्विवचन; आत्मनेपदRole क्रिया (कर्तृ: एनी/एते)Root √शा (आ + √शा/√शि ‘to lie, rest, settle’; वेदिक)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेद (सन्धि-निरसन): त्वम् | हि | अग्ने | दिव्यस्य | राजसि | त्वम् | पार्थिवस्य | पशुपाः | इव | त्मना । एनी | ते | एते | बृहती | अभिश्रिया | हिरण्ययी | वक्वरी | बर्हिरा | आशाते ॥ मुख्य-सन्धयः: (1) ह्यग्ने = हि + अग्ने (इ- + अ- → य्-आगमः)
- (3) पशुपा इव = पशुपाः + इव (विसर्ग-सन्धि: ḥ + i → ḥ/र्-आदेश परम्परा; संहिता-पाठ में ‘पशुपा इव’)
- (4) एनी त = एनी + ते (एनी ते)
- (5) बर्हिरा-शाते = बर्हिरा + आशाते (आ-आ संयोग; संहिता में दीर्घ/संयोग-प्रभाव)
The meaning
Outer meaning
Agni is praised as ruler in the luminous (heavenly) realm and also present on earth as a protector of herds; two splendid, golden, well-woven “seats” (barhis) are prepared for him.
Inner meaning
Agni is the sovereign power of the inner Flame that governs both the higher luminous consciousness (divya rajas) and the embodied life (pārthiva). As “guardian of the herds,” he protects and guides the inner riches—especially the rays of knowledge (go) and the life-energies—so they are not lost to confusion. The “two vast radiant ones” that sit as his barhis suggest a dual foundation for the inner sacrifice: wide peace and luminous delight (or knowledge and bliss) laid down as the seat where the divine Will can descend and work.
Universal truth
The guiding will of consciousness must be enthroned on a stable inner foundation—broad, radiant, and refined—so that higher light can rule life on earth without being scattered. Spiritual progress requires both ascent to the luminous planes and protection/ordering of the energies in the embodied field.
Themes
Agni king, protector of the herds, barhis foundation, dual supports
The seer
- Rishi
- Dīrghatamas Aucathya
- Lineage
- Aucathya (Angirasa-related seer-lineage in traditional listings)
- Other hymns
- RV 1.140–1.164 (traditional attribution cluster includes Dīrghatamas), RV 1.145 (this hymn)
Family tradition
Visionary-poet of paradox and inner symbolism; associated with deep contemplative seeing (dīrgha-tamas: ‘long darkness’ transformed into sight).
Significance
Dīrghatamas’ voice often moves from outer ritual images to inner cosmology: the hidden light, the ordered Truth (ṛta), and the Flame that leads from obscurity to illumination—well aligned with an Aurobindonian psychological reading.
The deity
- Devata
- Agni
- Epithets
- rājā (ruler/sovereign implied by rājasi), paśupā (guardian of the herds), hiraṇyaya (golden, truth-bearing)
- Related deities
- Uṣas, Sūrya, Indra, Soma, Bṛhaspati
Cosmic role
Mediator between heaven and earth; establishes the sacrifice as the means of interchange between higher worlds and embodied existence.
Inner power
Aspiring will and discerning flame that protects, purifies, and enthrones higher light in the life-nature.
In ritual
Where it is used
Agni-stotra/Agni-invocation within Soma and non-Soma śrauta sequences; general Agni praise in daily offerings.
त्वं ह्य॑ग्ने दि॒व्यस्य॒ राज॑सि॒ त्वं पार्थि॑वस्य पशु॒पा इ॑व॒ त्मना॑ । एनी॑ त ए॒ते बृ॑ह॒ती अ॑भि॒श्रिया॑ हिर॒ण्ययी॒ वक्व॑री ब॒र्हिरा॑शाते ॥
त्वम् । हि । अ॒ग्ने॒ । दि॒व्यस्य॑ । राज॑सि । त्वम् । पार्थि॑वस्य । प॒शु॒पाःऽइ॑व । त्मना॑ । एनी॒ इति॑ । ते॒ । ए॒ते इति॑ । बृ॒ह॒ती इति॑ । अ॒भि॒ऽश्रिया॑ । हि॒र॒ण्ययी॒ इति॑ । वक्व॑री॒ इति॑ । ब॒र्हिः । आ॒शा॒ते॒ इति॑ ॥
tvam | hi | agne | divyasya | rājasi | tvam | pārthivasya | paśupāḥ-iva | tmanā | enī iti | te | ete | iti | bṛhatī iti | abhi-śriyā | hiraṇyayī iti | vakvarī iti | barhiḥ | āśāteiti
44
4 pādas of ~11 syllables each
Forward-driving, declarative cadence suited to sovereignty and establishment.
Builds a sense of inner rulership and grounded wideness; supports concentration with expansive steadiness.
- अग्नि (Agni)
- Literal: fire; sacrificial flame. Symbolic: divine Will/aspiration; leader of the inner yajña
- दिव्यस्य राजसि (divyasya rājasi)
- Literal: in the heavenly/luminous region. Symbolic: higher mind/supramental light-field where truth-illumination governs
- पार्थिवस्य (pārthivasya)
- Literal: of the earthly. Symbolic: embodied nature—body-life-mind field to be transformed
- पशुपाः (paśupāḥ)
- Literal: guardian of cattle/herds. Symbolic: protector and organizer of inner riches: rays of knowledge (go) and vital powers
- त्मना (tmanā)
- Literal: by self; by own nature. Symbolic: self-existent flame within; intrinsic spiritual law of being
- एनी (enī)
- Literal: the two (feminine) ones; pair. Symbolic: two supporting powers for the sacrifice (e.g., knowledge & bliss; peace & light)
- बृहती (bṛhatī)
- Literal: vast, expansive. Symbolic: wideness of consciousness; inner spaciousness
- अभिश्रिया (abhiśriyā)
- Literal: with radiance/splendour. Symbolic: luminous beauty of awakened awareness
- हिरण्ययी (hiraṇyayī)
- Literal: golden. Symbolic: truth-light; solar illumination
- वक्वरी (vakvarī)
- Literal: well-woven/skillfully fashioned. Symbolic: refined, harmonized inner formation (ordered mind-life texture)
- बर्हिः (barhiḥ)
- Literal: sacrificial grass-seat. Symbolic: the prepared inner ground—purified receptivity for descent of the Flame
Barhis preparation and kindling: the ‘two’ (enī) can align with araṇis (fire-sticks) and the prepared seat; inner sense: establishing dual supports (heavenly and earthly) for the descent and rule of Agni
At the kindling/establishing of Agni and during hymnic praise preceding offerings.
Preparing the seat (barhis), inviting Agni to preside; offering ghee/oblations with mantra.
As a pre-meditation ‘inner altar’ verse: prepare receptivity (barhis) and affirm Agni’s governance in both higher and earthly consciousness.
rājasi from √rāj ‘to shine, rule’—kingship as luminosity and ordering power. paśupā́ ‘protector of cattle’ (paśu ‘living wealth’ + pā ‘protect’): inner sense, guarding rays/knowledges and vital energies. tmán ‘self’ (reflexive/inherent nature). enī́ is a Vedic term often for a pair; here likely the two kindling sticks/paired supports of Agni, re-read psychologically as dual supports of the sacrifice. barhís ‘sacrificial grass/seat’ (< √bṛh ‘to grow, expand’ or related to ‘cover/spread’), the prepared foundation.
divine sovereignty across planes, self-nature (tman), guardianship of luminous wealth (go as knowledge-rays)
Agni’s rulership in the luminous realm implies governance by ṛta; the barhis indicates ordered receptivity for ṛta’s descent.
Golden (hiraṇya) imagery aligns with truth-light establishing itself as the seat of action.
Heaven–earth linkage: the same Flame rules above and organizes below, enabling manifestation of higher order in matter.
Proto-Vedāntic and yogic-psychological reading (Aurobindo/Kashyap): ascent/descent, transformation of nature via inner sacrifice.
Fire = will and aspiration; heaven/earth = higher/embodied planes; golden radiance = truth-illumination; barhis = prepared inner ground of calm, wideness, and receptivity.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- Agni as sovereign of heaven and earth and as the herdsman-guardian: the mythologem is the fire that rules both realms and protects the ‘cows’—the luminous riches—while the paired supports prepare his seat (barhis).
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √rāj ‘rule/shine’ reflects the IE link between kingship and radiance (cf. Latin rēx is from *h₃rḗǵs ‘king’, a different root than √rāj, but the semantic convergence is pan-IE). paśu ‘cattle/wealth’ participates in the IE cattle-as-wealth ideology. √pā ‘protect’ is widely IE (cf. Latin pāstor ‘shepherd’ from *peh₂- ‘protect/feed’).
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi recognizes Agni’s total jurisdiction (divine and earthly) and therefore seeks stable installation: the barhis and the paired supports are prepared for him. The reciprocity is structural: human preparation of the ‘seat’ enables Agni’s guarding action within the human field.
Establish the inner altar: feel a steady flame in the heart/solar plexus that governs both thought (luminous realm) and action (earthly realm).
Anāhata (heart) and Maṇipūra (will/force)
Gentle nāḍī-śodhana for 6–8 rounds, then natural breath while ‘seating’ the flame on a wide calm base.
Widened, luminous receptivity with a firm inner governance.
Begin by invoking Agni as the ruler of your higher mind; then offer scattered impulses into the flame. Visualize a golden, well-woven seat—calm, wide, radiant—on which the will can rest and act without disturbance.
Vedic tri-svara (udātta/anudātta/svarita) as per śākhā tradition; key lifts typically on vocatives and divine attributes (e.g., agne, divyasya, hiraṇyayī).
Maintain clear udātta rises on marked syllables; avoid flattening compound accents (divyasya rājasi; paśupā iva).
Keep ‘agne’ as with clear e-ending (not ‘agni’)., Pronounce ‘rājasi’ with soft ‘j’ and short final i., In ‘paśupā iva’ keep ś (palatal) distinct from s., ‘hiraṇyayī’—clear retroflex ṇ and long ī at the end., ‘barhiḥ’—final visarga lightly aspirated before vowel in sandhi context.
Steady, warm, slightly resonant; emphasize wideness on bṛhatī.
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