Sukta 150
Sukta 1.150
This short Agni hymn is a personal refuge-prayer: the worshipper repeatedly calls Agni as “one of his own,” seeking shelter in the god’s vast protecting power. Agni is praised as the divine force that separates the hostile and ungenerous from the path, never siding with the godless, and as the forward-leading light by whom mortals become inspired and increase in the “heaven” of higher consciousness.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
पुरु त्वा दाश्वान्वोचेऽरिरग्ने तव स्विदा । तोदस्येव शरण आ महस्य ॥
मैंने बहुत बार तुम्हे पुकारा है अग्नि, मैं तुम्हारा ही हूँ। मैं तुम्हारी शरण में आता हूँ जैसे कोई बड़ा आदमी की शरण लेता है। तुम्हारी महानता मुझे बचाती है।
Mantra 2
व्यनिनस्य धनिनः प्रहोषे चिदररुषः । कदा चन प्रजिगतो अदेवयोः ॥
तुम कंजूस और दुश्मन लोगों को अलग कर देते हो। जब वो भी ज़ोर से जीत के खुश हों, तब भी तुम उनके ख़िलाफ़ चमकते हो। तुम कभी भी उनके साथ नहीं चलते जो भगवान को मानते ही नहीं।
Mantra 3
स चन्द्रो विप्र मर्त्यो महो व्राधन्तमो दिवि । प्रप्रेत्ते अग्ने वनुषः स्याम ॥
वो इंसान जो रोशनी वाला है और समझदार है, आसमान में बड़ा बन जाए। अग्नि, तुम्हारी वजह से हम आगे बढ़ते रहें और तुम्हारी सेवा करते रहें जो भगवान के काम में लगे हैं।
Inside Sukta 150
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Repeated personal calling to Agni and a direct movement into his shelter, like one seeking refuge from danger.
- Development
Agni’s ethical and protective role is stated: he drives apart the hostile and the miserly, and does not advance with the godless.
- Climax
The vision of the ‘luminous inspired mortal’ who, through Agni, becomes a mighty increaser in the higher realm (divi).
- Where it settles
A closing petition for continual guidance—“led forward by you”—and for devoted service and effective striving (vanuṣaḥ).
The deity: Agni
- Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods through sacrifice; purifier and transmitter of offerings; guardian who upholds ṛta by separating the devout from the godless.
- Inner significanceThe inner flame of aspiration and discernment—spiritual heat that burns away inertia and hostility, leading the seeker forward into clarity and inspired action.
Famous verses
śaraṇa ā mahasya
व्यनिनस्य धनिनः प्रहोषे चिदररुषः । कदा चन प्रजिगतो अदेवयोः ॥pra-pra it te agne
Attributes of the deity
- Hotṛ (priestly fire) and messenger
- Protector and refuge (śaraṇa)
- Discerner: rejects the adeva (godless)
- Luminous guide who leads ‘forward’ (pra-pra)
- Power that enlarges and strengthens the worshipper
Also by this seer
- No additional hymns can be securely attributed to this sukta’s rishi in the Rigvedic tradition due to the anukta (unnamed) attribution.
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar and kindle/rekindle the sacred fire (āhavana/gārhapatya as appropriate).
- Offer opening oblation with Agni-invocation, verbally taking refuge in Agni’s ‘greatness’ (śaraṇa).
- Recite the hymn while maintaining attentive presence to the flame, affirming separation from the adeva (ungodly/anti-ṛta) tendency.
- Conclude with a forward-leading prayer: ask to be guided into inspired service (vanuṣaḥ) and increase in higher ‘heaven’ (divi).
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya)
- Kindling sticks (samidh)
- Optional: grains or soma substitute depending on the rite
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Agni for shelter and protection, praising him as the power that keeps the worshipper on the right path and leads them forward into greater clarity and strength.
It means Agni supports actions aligned with ṛta (truth and right order) and does not aid forces or attitudes that deny the divine law and sacred work.
It can be recited when lighting a lamp or fire as a prayer for protection, moral discernment, and steady progress—asking the inner “Agni” to guide one’s thoughts and actions.
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