Sukta 97
Sukta 1.97
Agni
Gāyatrī-like refrain structure (short, repetitive; exact metrical classification may vary by recension)
This short Agni-hymn is built around a repeated prayer: “Burn away from us the clinging evil (agham).” Agni is invoked as an all-facing, all-surrounding purifier who not only consumes impurity but also kindles prosperity (rayi) and carries the worshipper across danger like a boat over a flood. The sukta’s purpose is apotropaic and restorative—removal of sin/ill-luck and establishment of well-being (svasti).
Mantras
Mantra 1
अप नः शोशुचदघमग्ने शुशुग्ध्या रयिम् । अप नः शोशुचदघम् ॥
अग्नि, हमसे सारा बुरापन जला दो। अपनी आग से हम में बरकत पैदा कर। हमसे सारा बुरापन जला दो।
Mantra 4
प्र यत्ते अग्ने सूरयो जायेमहि प्र ते वयम् । अप नः शोशुचदघम् ॥
अग्नि, हम तेरे रोशनी में पैदा होना चाहते हैं। हम तेरे साथ आगे बढ़ना चाहते हैं। तू हमारे पाप को जला के साफ कर दे।
Mantra 5
प्र यदग्नेः सहस्वतो विश्वतो यन्ति भानवः । अप नः शोशुचदघम् ॥
जब अग्नि की ताकत से किरणें चारों तरफ फैलती हैं, वो बहुत ताकतवर होती है। तू हमारे पाप को जला के साफ कर दे।
Mantra 6
त्वं हि विश्वतोमुख विश्वतः परिभूरसि । अप नः शोशुचदघम् ॥
अग्नि, तेरे चारों तरफ चेहरे हैं। तू सब का मालिक है। तू हमारे पाप को जला के साफ कर दे।
Mantra 7
द्विषो नो विश्वतोमुखाति नावेव पारय । अप नः शोशुचदघम् ॥
अग्नि, दुश्मनों से हमे बचा। जैसे कश्ती में लोग पार करते हैं, वैसे हमे पार ले जा। तू हमारे पाप को जला के साफ कर दे।
Mantra 8
स नः सिन्धुमिव नावयाति पर्षा स्वस्तये । अप नः शोशुचदघम् ॥
वो हमे जैसे नदी में कश्ती से पार करता है, हमारे भले के लिए। तू हमारे पाप को जला के साफ कर दे।
Inside Sukta 97
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct plea to Agni to burn away the ‘clinging evil’ (agham), voiced with an insistent refrain.
- Development
Agni is praised as an intense purifier who simultaneously kindles prosperity (rayi) and establishes well-being (svasti).
- Climax
Agni is revealed as viśvatomukha and paribhū—an all-facing, all-surrounding master—capable of protecting from every side while removing evil.
- Where it settles
The hymn ends with the repeated refrain, sealing the prayer: may Agni carry us safely across dangers and burn away the remaining impurity.
The deity: Agni
- In the VedaAgni is the divine Fire—kindled among humans, living in the hearth and altar, yet radiant as a cosmic power. He is invoked as a purifier (burning away agha), as one with “faces on all sides” (viśvatomukha), and as a lord who surrounds and protects from every direction.
- Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods (carrier of offerings), purifier of the ritual space, and sustaining force that transforms matter to subtle essence through heat and light.
- Inner significanceThe flame of discernment and tapas that consumes inner negativity—fear, guilt, inertia, and harmful tendencies—while awakening vitality, clarity, and the capacity for right action.
Famous verses
apa naḥ śośucad agham
tvaṃ hi viśvatomukha
sindhum iva nāvayā
Attributes of the deity
- Purifier who burns away evil (agha)
- All-facing, all-surrounding protector (viśvatomukha, paribhū)
- Bestower and kindler of prosperity (rayi)
- Guide who carries across danger like a boat
- Ritual messenger and offering-bearer (hotṛ/vehītṛ aspect)
Also by this seer
- Because the rishi is not securely identified in the received headings, no additional, confidently attributable hymns can be assigned on internal evidence alone.
The rite, step by step
- Prepare and kindle the fire (āhavana/gārhapatya as applicable), establishing clean space and intention.
- Invoke Agni with the refrain, focusing on removal of “clinging evil” (agham) from self and household.
- Offer ghee with each recitation or at the end of a cycle, visualizing impurity being consumed and transformed.
- Conclude with a well-being intention (svasti), asking Agni to ‘carry across’ dangers as over a flood.
- Sit briefly in silence, contemplating clarity and renewed strength, then close the rite respectfully.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya)
- Dry kindling sticks (samidh)
- Grains such as barley or rice (optional, per rite)
Frequently Asked Questions
It repeatedly asks Agni to burn away “agham” (clinging evil/impurity/ill-luck) and to kindle “rayi” (prosperity), bringing safety and well-being (svasti).
The refrain makes the prayer easy to recite in ritual and intensifies its protective power—like a sustained petition for purification and removal of obstacles.
It means Agni is asked to guide and protect the worshipper through dangers and crises, carrying them across hardship into safety and steadiness.
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