Sukta 26
Sukta 1.26
वसिष्ठ (Vasiṣṭha) (traditional attribution for RV 1.26)
गायत्री (Gāyatrī) (RV 1.26.1 is commonly Gāyatrī in the Agni hymns)
RV 1.26 is an Agni hymn that invites the sacrificial Fire to “clothe” himself in strengthening powers and to carry the rite forward as a straight, effective movement (adhvara). It emphasizes Agni’s unique role as the universal mouth and mediator: whatever deity is worshiped, the offering is truly kindled into Agni, who then conveys it to all the gods. The hymn culminates in a prayer that Agni, in all his forms, uphold both the sacrifice and the inspired word so that the offering becomes victorious and fruitful.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
वसिष्वा हि मियेध्य वस्त्राण्यूर्जां पते । सेमं नो अध्वरं यज ॥
हे साफ करने वाले, तू शक्ति पहन ले। तू सब कुछ देने वाला है। हमारी यह यज्ञ को अपने पास ले ले। हमारे काम को सही बना दे।
Mantra 2
नि नो होता वरेण्यः सदा यविष्ठ मन्मभिः । अग्ने दिवित्मता वचः ॥
अग्नि, हमने तुम्हे अपना गाइड चुना है। तुम्हारी ताकत कभी पुरानी नहीं होती। हमें वो बात दे जो हमारे मन को ऊपर ले जाए, जैसे आसमान की तरफ। वो बात जो सच्चाई तक पहुँचा दे।
Mantra 3
आ हि ष्मा सूनवे पितापिर्यजत्यापये । सखा सख्ये वरेण्यः ॥
जैसे बाप अपने बेटे के पास आता है, वैसे ही तुम आओ। जैसे कोई खास दोस्त मदद के लिए आता है, वैसे तुम हमारे पास आओ। हमने तुम्हे अपना दोस्त चुना है, अब इस रिश्ते को मजबूत बनाओ।
Mantra 4
आ नो बर्ही रिशादसो वरुणो मित्रो अर्यमा । सीदन्तु मनुषो यथा ॥
हमारी पूजा के लिए जगह साफ करो। वरुण, मित्र और अर्यमन, यह तीन शक्तियां बुरी चीजों को काट देती हैं। इन्हे बुलाओ और बिठाओ, जैसे किसी इंसान के साथ बैठते हैं जब वो सही काम करता है।
Mantra 5
पूर्व्य होतरस्य नो मन्दस्व सख्यस्य च । इमा उ षु श्रुधी गिरः ॥
अग्नि, तुम बहुत पुराने हो, बहुत पहले से हो। हमारी पूजा से खुश हो जाओ, हमारी दोस्ती से भी। जो हम बोल रहे हैं, वो सुनो, यह सब बातें हमने ध्यान से बोली हैं।
Mantra 6
यच्चिद्धि शश्वता तना देवंदेवं यजामहे । त्वे इद्धूयते हविः ॥
हम कितने भी भगवान की पूजा करें, कितने भी साल गुज़र जाएं, सब कुछ तुम्हारे थ्रू ही होता है। जो भी हम भगवान को चढ़ाते हैं, वो तुम्हारे हाथ से जाता है। तुम ही रास्ता हो।
Mantra 7
प्रियो नो अस्तु विश्पतिर्होता मन्द्रो वरेण्यः । प्रियाः स्वग्नयो वयम् ॥
अग्नि भगवान हमारे घर के मालिक हों। वो हमारे लिए प्यारे हों। वो खुशी देने वाले हैं, सबसे बेहतर हैं। और हम भी उनके लिए प्यारे हों। हम अंदर अच्छी अग्नि रखें, और उनके साथ सही रहें।
Mantra 8
स्वग्नयो हि वार्यं देवासो दधिरे च नः । स्वग्नयो मनामहे ॥
भगवान ने हमारे अंदर एक खज़ाना दिया है। यह खज़ाना है कि हम अच्छी अग्नि के धारक बनें। इसलिए हम यह सोच रखते हैं। हम भी स्वग्नि बनना चाहते हैं, सही आग में स्थित रहना चाहते हैं।
Mantra 9
अथा न उभयेषाममृत मर्त्यानाम् । मिथः सन्तु प्रशस्तयः ॥
हे अमृत वाले, अब दोनों तरफ से तारीफ हों। देवता भी हमारे काम की तारीफ करें, हम भी उनकी। इससे दोनों की सही मेल होती है। भगवान की शक्ति और इंसान की मेहनत एक दूसरे को समझें।
Mantra 10
विश्वेभिरग्ने अग्निभिरिमं यज्ञमिदं वचः । चनो धाः सहसो यहो ॥
अग्नि भगवान, तुम्हारी सारी आगों से इस यज्ञ को पक्का करो। यह वचन भी पक्का करो। हमारे अंदर यह बसा दो ताकि हम खुश रहें और बढ़ें। तुम शक्ति से पैदा हुए हो, इसलिए यह काम जीत में बदल जाए।
Inside Sukta 26
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Agni is addressed as the worship-worthy purifier and lord of vigor, asked to clothe himself in strengthening ‘vestures’ and to perform the rite.
- Development
The hymn expands Agni’s function from a single altar-fire to the indispensable mediator of all worship, making every invocation effective through him.
- Climax
The key insight: whatever deity is adored across ages, the oblation is truly offered into Agni—he is the gateway of sacrifice to every god.
- Where it settles
A final prayer that Agni, with all his fires, uphold both the sacrifice and the sacred word, establishing joy, increase, and victorious movement in the offering.
The deity: अग्नि
- In the VedaHe is invoked to perform the yajña, to bear the oblation, and to make the rite unbroken and effective.
- Cosmic functionMediator between humans and devas: he receives offerings, transforms them through fire, and conveys them to the divine realm; he also represents the principle of ordered sacrifice that sustains ṛta (cosmic order).
- Inner significanceThe awakened will and aspiration in the seeker—an inner fire that purifies, concentrates, and carries intention (vāc and karma) toward higher consciousness; the “gateway” through which all spiritual offerings pass.
The seer
- वसिष्ठ (Vasiṣṭha)वसिष्ठ-गोत्र (Vasiṣṭha gotra); traditionally counted among the सप्तर्षि (Seven Seers) · A foremost Vedic seer celebrated for brahman (sacred utterance) and priestly mastery; in later tradition, the purohita of the Ikṣvāku/Raghu line and a paradigmatic Brahmarṣi.
Famous verses
ūrjām pate; adhvaraṃ yaja
tve id dhūyate haviḥ
viśvebhir agne agnibhiḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Purifier (miyedhya)
- Priest and messenger (hotṛ/dūta)
- Bearer of oblations (havyavāhana)
- Many-formed fires (agnibhiḥ)
- Source of strength and plenitude (ūrj)
- Sustainer of rite and sacred speech (yajña, vacas)
Also by this seer
- Major portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 (many hymns attributed to Vasiṣṭha and his family)
- Numerous Agni and Indra hymns in the Vasiṣṭha family collection (RV 7)
- Vasiṣṭha-related traditions in later Vedic/Itihāsa-Purāṇa literature (e.g., Vasiṣṭha as teacher of kings)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare and tend the sacred fires; cleanse the altar space and establish attention (saṃskāra/śauca).
- Kindle Agni with fuel (samidh) and invoke him as miyedhya and ūrjām pati to ‘clothe’ himself in strength.
- Offer ghee/oblations with mantras, requesting Agni to ‘yaja’—to conduct the adhvara without obstruction.
- Acknowledge Agni as the universal recipient: whatever deva is intended, the havi is truly called into Agni (tve id hūyate haviḥ).
- Conclude with a strengthening prayer that Agni in all his fires uphold the yajña and the inspired word (vacas), granting increase and success.
- Perform śānti/closing oblations and maintain the fire according to vrata (discipline).
Offerings
- Ghṛta (clarified butter)
- Samidh (fuel sticks)
- Havis (general oblation: grains/oblatory portions as per rite)
- Optional soma-related offerings in larger śrauta contexts
Frequently Asked Questions
It teaches that Agni is the essential priest and purifier of the sacrifice: he receives the offering and carries it to whichever deity is being worshiped, ensuring the rite succeeds.
Because in Vedic ritual the offering is placed in fire; Agni is the ‘mouth’ and messenger who transmits the oblation to all devas, so every worship passes through him.
It can be recited when lighting a sacred lamp or fire, at the start of a homa, or before any prayer—asking for purification, strength (ūrj), and a clear, unobstructed spiritual effort (adhvara).
Ask anything about Sukta 26 of the Rig Veda
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