Sukta 77
Sukta 1.77
Gautama
Triṣṭubh
This short Triṣṭubh hymn of the Gautamas asks what fitting, god-accepted word can truly praise Agni, the radiant Hotṛ who makes the Gods present in sacrifice. It then celebrates Agni as ṛtāvā (upholder of cosmic order), as inner resolve and right guidance, and as the power that increases glory, strength, and nourishment for the worshipper.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
कथा दाशेमाग्नये कास्मै देवजुष्टोच्यते भामिने गीः । यो मर्त्येष्वमृत ऋतावा होता यजिष्ठ इत्कृणोति देवान् ॥
अग्नि को हम कैसे अपना कहें? उस चमकता देव को कौन सा शब्द कहना चाहिए जो भगवान पसंद करें? वो इंसानों में रहता है पर मरता नहीं। वो धरम का पालतू है, सबसे बड़ा पुजारी है। वो भगवानों को हमारे पास लाता है।
Mantra 2
यो अध्वरेषु शंतम ऋतावा होता तमू नमोभिरा कृणुध्वम् । अग्निर्यद्वेर्मर्ताय देवान्त्स चा बोधाति मनसा यजाति ॥
यज्ञ के सफर में जो सबसे ज़्यादा शांति देता है, वही होत्री है जो सच्चाई को पकड़ के रखता है। उस्से अपना बना लो, उसकी रेस्पेक्ट दो। जब अग्नि इंसान के लिए भगवान को जीत लेता है, तब वो मन से जाग उठता है और मन से ही यज्ञ करता है।
Mantra 3
स हि क्रतुः स मर्यः स साधुर्मित्रो न भूदद्भुतस्य रथीः । तं मेधेषु प्रथमं देवयन्तीर्विश उप ब्रुवते दस्ममारीः ॥
वही इंसान की सोच और ताकत है। वही मज़बूत योद्धा है, वही अच्छा साथी है, जैसे कोई दोस्त हो। वो चमत्कारों के सफर का रथी बनता है। यज्ञ में सबसे पहले लोग उसे ही बुलाते हैं, हर तरफ से उसे पुकारते हैं।
Mantra 4
स नो नृणां नृतमो रिशादा अग्निर्गिरोऽवसा वेतु धीतिम् । तना च ये मघवानः शविष्ठा वाजप्रसूता इषयन्त मन्म ॥
वो अग्नि जो सबसे बड़ा है और बुराई को मारता है, वो हमारे पास आए और हमारी बात को पूरा करे। जो बड़े बलवान हैं, वो हमारे इरादे को आगे बढ़ा दें, ताकि हम आगे बढ़ सकें।
Mantra 5
एवाग्निर्गोतमेभिॠतावा विप्रेभिरस्तोष्ट जातवेदाः । स एषु द्युम्नं पीपयत्स वाजं स पुष्टिं याति जोषमा चिकित्वान् ॥
अग्नि, जो जन्मों का जाननेवाला है, सच्चाई के साथ है। गौतम रिशियों ने उसे खूब तारीफ की है। वो काम में चमक बढ़ाता है, ताकत लौटाता है, और खुशी से बढ़ता है क्योंकि वो सब जानता है।
Inside Sukta 77
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A reflective question: what worthy, god-approved word can be spoken to Agni, the radiant immortal among mortals.
- Development
Agni is praised as ṛta-aligned Hotṛ and as the effective power that ‘fashions’ the Gods—making them present and operative in the sacrifice; he is also described as will, noble force, and friend-like helper.
- Climax
Agni is recognized as the first called in consecrated acts (medhā/medheṣu), the charioteer of the wondrous course, approached from all sides by god-seeking clans.
- Where it settles
The Gautamas affirm their praise of Jātavedas; Agni increases glory and strength and brings growth and nourishment with glad acceptance.
The deity: Agni
- Cosmic functionMediator between human and divine realms: he kindles the sacrifice, conveys oblations to the Gods, and establishes effective contact so the deities ‘arrive’ and act.
- Inner significanceThe awakened flame of discernment and aspiration: the inner ‘kratu’ (resolute intelligence) that guides action, purifies intention, and turns speech into effective offering.
The seer
- Gautama (of the Gautama/Gotama seer-family)Gautama (Gotama) gotra; the Gautamas · A leading early Ṛgvedic seer-lineage renowned for Agni-centered hymns and for articulating Agni as Hotṛ and guardian of ṛta in the sacrificial order.
Famous verses
devajuṣṭā gīḥ
स हि क्रतुः स मर्यः स साधुर्मित्रो न भूदद्भुतस्य रथीः । तं मेधेषु प्रथमं देवयन्तीर्विश उप ब्रुवते दस्ममारीः ॥jātavedāḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Hotṛ (chief invoking priest)
- Ṛtāvā (upholder/knower of ṛta)
- Jātavedas (knower of births, all-beholding)
- Radiant (bhāmin)
- Friend-like helper (mitra iva)
- Bringer of dyumna (luminous glory), vāja (vital force/strength), and puṣṭi (nourishment)
Also by this seer
- Agni hymns attributed to the Gautamas in Maṇḍala 1 (including the cluster RV 1.76–1.79)
- Broader Gautama family presence across early Ṛgvedic liturgy emphasizing Hotṛ-priestly speech (stuti) and correct ritual performance
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar/hearth and kindle Agni with attentive silence and purification.
- Invoke Agni as Hotṛ and ṛtāvā, asking for the ‘devajuṣṭā gīḥ’—speech pleasing to the Gods.
- Offer oblations while reciting the verses, affirming Agni as guide/charioteer of the rite.
- Conclude with a request for dyumna, vāja, and puṣṭi—glory, strength, and nourishment—through Agni’s favor.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) oblations
- Samidh/fuel sticks (kindling wood)
- Grain or simple havis (as appropriate to the rite)
Frequently Asked Questions
It teaches that Agni is the key mediator of worship: the right, God-pleasing praise and offering through Agni makes the Gods present and brings strength, glory, and nourishment.
Fire appears in human homes and rituals, yet its divine power is treated as deathless and cosmic—an immortal presence working within mortal life.
It means “a hymn/word accepted by the Gods”—speech that is not just poetic, but ritually true and effective when offered through Agni.
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