Sukta 74
Sukta 1.74
Gopavana Ātreya (traditional for RV 1.74)
Gāyatrī (probable; short 3-pāda structure typical of gāyatrī in this hymn style)
This hymn is an approach-prayer to Agni as the ever-near priest of the sacrifice, asking him to hear the singers both “from afar” and “here” at the rite. It praises Agni by epithets—well-invoked, godly, mighty, well-seated on the barhis—and presents him as the one who makes radiant hero-power and prosperity manifest for the offering worshipper and for the gods.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
उपप्रयन्तो अध्वरं मन्त्रं वोचेमाग्नये । आरे अस्मे च शृण्वते ॥
हम यज्ञ की तरफ बढ़ रहे हैं और अग्नि के लिए मंत्र बोल रहे हैं। अग्नि हमारी बात सुनो, दूर से भी और पास से भी।
Mantra 2
यः स्नीहितीषु पूर्व्यः संजग्मानासु कृष्टिषु । अरक्षद्दाशुषे गयम् ॥
जब लोग इकट्ठे होते थे, अग्नि ने पुराने ज़माने से दाने वाले की जान बचाई। अब भी वही अग्नि हमारी पूजा का फल संभाल के रखे।
Mantra 3
उत ब्रुवन्तु जन्तव उदग्निर्वृत्रहाजनि । धनंजयो रणेरणे ॥
सब लोग कहें कि अग्नि उठ खड़ा हुआ है। वो बड़े दुश्मन को हराने वाला है। हर लड़ाई में वो जीता है और धन पाता है।
Mantra 4
यस्य दूतो असि क्षये वेषि हव्यानि वीतये । दस्मत्कृणोष्यध्वरम् ॥
जिस घर में तुम दूत हो, वहाँ तुम हमारी पूजा की चीज़ें पहुँचाते हो। तुम अपनी शक्ति से यज्ञ को सही बना देते हो।
Mantra 5
तमित्सुहव्यमङ्गिरः सुदेवं सहसो यहो । जना आहुः सुबर्हिषम् ॥
लोग अंगिरस को कहते हैं, वो जल्दी बुलाया जाता है, वो अच्छा भगवान है, वो बड़ा बलवान है, और उसकी पूजा में सब अच्छा होता है।
Mantra 6
आ च वहासि ताँ इह देवाँ उप प्रशस्तये । हव्या सुश्चन्द्र वीतये ॥
अग्नि, तुम देवियों को यहाँ ला रहे हो। वो सब लोग तुम्हारी तारीफ करें, यह इसलिए। भगवान, जो हवन में सामग्री दी जाती है, उसे खुशी से अक्सेप्ट करो। तुम चमकते हो और अच्छे हो।
Mantra 7
न योरुपब्दिरश्व्यः शृण्वे रथस्य कच्चन । यदग्ने यासि दूत्यम् ॥
अग्नि, जब तुम भगवान का काम करने के लिए जाते हो, तब कोई आवाज़ नहीं आती। तुम्हारे घोड़ों के पैरों की आवाज़ नहीं सुनाई देती। तुम्हारी गाड़ी की भी कोई आवाज़ नहीं आती। चुप-चाप काम करते हो।
Mantra 8
त्वोतो वाज्यह्रयोऽभि पूर्वस्मादपरः । प्र दाश्वाँ अग्ने अस्थात् ॥
अग्नि, तुम्हारी मदद से एक इंसान आगे बढ़ गया। वो पहले वाले को पीछे छोड़ दिया। जो लोग दान करते हैं, वो तुम्हारे सामने खड़े हो जाते हैं। तुम उनको ताकत देते हो।
Mantra 9
उत द्युमत्सुवीर्यं बृहदग्ने विवाससि । देवेभ्यो देव दाशुषे ॥
अग्नि, तुम चमकते हो और बड़े हो। तुम जो लोग दान करते हैं, उनमें ताकत दिखाते हो। वो ताकत चमकती है और अच्छी होती है। भगवान, तुम देवियों के लिए यह करते हो।
Inside Sukta 74
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The singers ‘advance toward the sacrifice’ and voice the mantra to Agni, asking for his attentive hearing near and far (invocation and access).
- Development
Agni is praised through functional titles and epithets—well-invoked, divine, mighty, properly seated—highlighting his priestly competence and readiness to receive.
- Climax
Agni is affirmed as the revealer of radiant, great hero-power (dyumat suvīryam bṛhat), the turning-point where praise becomes requested manifestation.
- Where it settles
The hymn closes by linking Agni’s gift to the dāśuṣ (the giver/offerer) and to the devas, completing the circuit of offering, conveyance, and blessing.
The deity: Agni
- Cosmic functionMediator between human and divine realms: he conveys oblations to the devas, sustains ṛta through the rite, and kindles vitality, protection, and prosperity in the world.
- Inner significanceThe awakened will and inner fire of aspiration—discernment, zeal, and the power that turns intention into realized strength and clarity.
The seer
- Gopavana ĀtreyaĀtreya (Atri-gotra) · An early Ṛgvedic seer associated with Agni hymns that emphasize the right invocation (havana) and Agni’s role as the immediate hearer and carrier of prayer.
Famous verses
āre asme ca śṛṇvate
tam it suhavyam
dyumat suvīryam bṛhat
Attributes of the deity
- Suhavya (easy to invoke)
- Dūta/Hotṛ (messenger-priest)
- Bṛhat (vast, expansive)
- Dyumat (radiant)
- Sahasas (of might/impulse)
- Subarhiṣ (well-seated on the sacred grass; properly installed in ritual order)
Also by this seer
- Traditionally linked with select Agni stotras in Maṇḍala 1 (Anukramaṇī attributions vary by recension)
- Ātreya lineage is prominent across the Ṛgveda in hymns to Agni, Indra, and allied deities (family-style praise and ritual orientation)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the vedi and barhis (sacred seat/grass), establishing ritual purity and direction.
- Kindle or rekindle Agni (ādhāna/dīpana), inviting him to be present “here” and attentive even “from afar.”
- Recite the hymn as an invocation and praise, naming Agni’s epithets to ‘fix’ his functions as hotṛ and dūta.
- Offer oblations with the mantra-flow, requesting protection, radiant vigor, and successful conveyance to the devas.
- Conclude with a sealing praise: Agni makes manifest dyumat suvīrya and opens the way of giving between worshipper and gods.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya)
- Kindling sticks (samidh)
- Grain/cakes where appropriate (puroḍāśa in extended rites)
- Aromatic offerings as local śrauta/gṛhya practice allows
Frequently Asked Questions
It invites Agni into the sacrifice and praises him as the priest-fire who listens to the hymn, receives offerings, and brings strength and success to the worshipper.
Agni is both cosmic and immediate: he is present in the ritual fire before the singers, and also the divine power that can respond beyond the visible rite.
“Suhavya” means ‘easy to invoke’—Agni responds readily to proper calling. “Subarhiṣ” means ‘well-seated on the barhis,’ indicating Agni is correctly installed in ritual order and therefore effective.
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