Sukta 128
Sukta 10.128
Triṣṭubh (probable; requires syllable-count verification)
This hymn is a victory-and-protection prayer centered on Agni as the inner and outer commander of strength (varcas) in conflict, asking that all directions and powers become favorable. It expands from Agni’s lordship to a wider divine coalition—Goddesses, All-Gods, Soma, Indra–Agni, and the divine classes (Vasus, Rudras, Ādityas)—to secure offspring, bodily integrity, and the defeat of rivals.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
ममाग्ने वर्चो विहवेष्वस्तु वयं त्वेन्धानास्तन्वं पुषेम । मह्यं नमन्तां प्रदिशश्चतस्रस्त्वयाध्यक्षेण पृतना जयेम ॥
हे अग्नि, मेरे अंदर जो ताकत है वो हर जगह काम आए। तुझे अपने अंदर जगा के हम अपना जीवन आगे बढ़ाएंगे। चारों दिशा मुझे झुकें। तेरे सहारे हम हर लड़ाई जीतेंगे।
Mantra 2
मम देवा विहवे सन्तु सर्व इन्द्रवन्तो मरुतो विष्णुरग्निः । ममान्तरिक्षमुरुलोकमस्तु मह्यं वातः पवतां कामे अस्मिन् ॥
सब देवता मेरे साथ हों। इंद्र के साथ मरुत, विष्णु और अग्नि सब मेरे काम आएं। मेरा आसमान और धरती वाइड हो जाए। हवा मेरे लिए अच्छी चले, मेरे काम बन जाएं।
Mantra 3
मयि देवा द्रविणमा यजन्तां मय्याशीरस्तु मयि देवहूतिः । दैव्या होतारो वनुषन्त पूर्वेऽरिष्टाः स्याम तन्वा सुवीराः ॥
भगवान मुझपर अपनी पूरी ताकत डालें। मेरे लिए आशीर्वाद हो, मेरे लिए भगवान की पूजा हो। पुराने देवता हमारे लिए काम करें। हम किसी तरह नुकसान न उठाएं, हम में ताकत बनी रहे।
Mantra 4
मह्यं यजन्तु मम यानि हव्याकूतिः सत्या मनसो मे अस्तु । एनो मा नि गां कतमच्चनाहं विश्वे देवासो अधि वोचता नः ॥
मेरा जो भी भोग है, वो भगवान के लिए लगे। मेरा मन सच में लगे। कोई भी पाप मुझपर न आए, किसी तरह नहीं। सारे भगवान हमारे लिए बोलें।
Mantra 5
देवीः षळुर्वीरुरु नः कृणोत विश्वे देवास इह वीरयध्वम् । मा हास्महि प्रजया मा तनूभिर्मा रधाम द्विषते सोम राजन् ॥
देवियां हमारे लिए चारों तरफ जगह बना दें। सारे भगवान हमें ताकतवाला बना दें। हम अपनी औलाद से जुदा न हों, अपनी ताकत से भी न हों। हमें दुश्मन के हाथ न देना, सोम राजा।
Mantra 6
अग्ने मन्युं प्रतिनुदन्परेषामदब्धो गोपाः परि पाहि नस्त्वम् । प्रत्यञ्चो यन्तु निगुतः पुनस्तेऽमैषां चित्तं प्रबुधां वि नेशत् ॥
अग्नि, दुश्मन के गुस्से को वापस कर दे। तू हमें हर तरफ से बचा, तू कभी हाथ नहीं छोड़ता। छुपे हुए दुश्मन वापस जाएं। उनका दिमाग टूट जाए, उनकी चाल चले नहीं।
Mantra 7
धाता धातॄणां भुवनस्य यस्पतिर्देवं त्रातारमभिमातिषाहम् । इमं यज्ञमश्विनोभा बृहस्पतिर्देवाः पान्तु यजमानं न्यर्थात् ॥
धाता भगवान, जो दुनिया का आधार है, वो हमारे साथ हो। अश्विन दोनों भाई, बृहस्पति और सारे भगवान इस यज्ञ को बचाएं। जो यज्ञ कर रहा है उसको भी कोई नुकसान न हो।
Mantra 8
उरुव्यचा नो महिषः शर्म यंसदस्मिन्हवे पुरुहूतः पुरुक्षुः । स नः प्रजायै हर्यश्व मृळयेन्द्र मा नो रीरिषो मा परा दाः ॥
इंद्र को पुकारा जा रहा है। वो बड़े हैं, सब जगह फैलते हैं। यह दुआ है कि वो हमें सुरक्षा दें। बहुत लोग उन्हें बुलाते हैं, वो बहुत लोगों की मदद करते हैं। इंद्र, तुम्हारी घोड़े चमकदार हैं। हमारी औलाद के लिए, हमें आशीर्वाद दो। हमें तकलीफ़ मत देना, हमें मत भूल जाओ।
Mantra 9
ये नः सपत्ना अप ते भवन्त्विन्द्राग्निभ्यामव बाधामहे तान् । वसवो रुद्रा आदित्या उपरिस्पृशं मोग्रं चेत्तारमधिराजमक्रन् ॥
जो लोग हमारे दुश्मन हैं, वो दूर हो जायें। इंद्र और अग्नि की मदद से हम उन्हें पीछे कर देंगे। वसु, रुद्र और आदित्य जैसे देवता हैं। उन्होंने एक बड़े राजा को बनाया है जो सबसे ऊपर है। वो हमारी हिफ़ाज़त करता है।
Inside Sukta 128
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Agni is invoked for varcas in the ‘calls of conflict,’ with the worshipper kindling him inwardly and outwardly to strengthen embodied life (tanū).
- Development
Requests widen: the quarters/directions are asked to become favorable; then the hymn gathers allied deities—Devīs, Viśve Devāḥ, and Soma—to ensure broad space, heroism, offspring, and bodily integrity.
- Climax
The hymn turns explicitly against rivals (sapatna), calling on Indra–Agni to thrust them down and secure dominance under divine command.
- Where it settles
It seals protection by invoking the great divine classes (Vasus, Rudras, Ādityas) as establishing a fierce, vigilant over-king/guardian principle that watches from above and keeps the worshipper safe.
The deity: Agni
- In the VedaIn this hymn he is explicitly asked to preside over contests and battles, making space, safety, and dominance for the singer.
- Cosmic functionMediator between human and divine realms; organizer of sacred order in ritual; transformer who converts offering into divine nourishment and converts fear into courage and victory.
- Inner significanceThe awakened will and clarity that burns through obstruction—discipline, courage, and focused intention—so the practitioner’s ‘embodied being’ (tanū) and lineage (prajā) are protected and strengthened.
Famous verses
mamāgne varco vihaveṣv astu
mā hāsmahi prajayā mā tanūbhiḥ
ye naḥ sapatnā apa te bhavantu
Attributes of the deity
- Kindled presence (indhāna) within the worshipper and the altar
- Bestower of varcas (radiant power, charisma, victory-force)
- Protector in conflict and remover of rivals (sapatna)
- Ritual lord/overseer (adhyakṣa sense)
- Allied with Indra for forceful subduing of obstacles
- Linked to Soma and the collective gods for wholeness: body, offspring, and social strength
Also by this seer
- Mandala 10 contains many late, mixed-attribution hymns; this sūkta’s seer is not securely fixed without consulting the Sarvānukramaṇī/Anukramaṇī tradition.
- If confirmed by Anukramaṇī, the rishi’s family line and related hymns should be cross-listed from the same rishi’s cluster in RV 10.
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the fire (āhavanīya or domestic gārhapatya) and establish calm, protective intention.
- Kindle Agni with dry fuel while reciting RV 10.128.1 to invoke varcas and Agni’s overlordship.
- Offer ghee in small āhutis during key refrains/requests for protection and victory.
- Invoke the wider divine support (Devīḥ/Viśve Devāḥ/Soma) for space, heroism, and continuity of prajā and tanū (cf. RV 10.128.5).
- Conclude with a rival-removal and guarding formula invoking Indra–Agni and the divine classes (cf. RV 10.128.9), followed by a final oblation and silent dedication.
- Optionally perform a protective circumambulation of the fire/space and conclude with śānti-style settling of breath and mind.
Offerings
- Ghṛta (clarified butter) āhutis
- Samidh (fuel sticks)
- Optional: Soma-symbolic offering (if Soma rite is not possible, a symbolic substitute per tradition), or simple water offering with intention
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a protective and victory-oriented hymn: it asks Agni to grant radiant strength (varcas), make all forces favorable, and help the worshipper win conflicts while safeguarding body and offspring.
Agni is the central power and ritual leader, but the hymn gathers a full protective alliance—Devīs, Viśve Devāḥ, Soma, and Indra–Agni—so strength, space, lineage, and defense are secured from every side.
Yes. It can be recited while lighting a lamp or small fire with a ghee offering (if appropriate), focusing on courage, clarity, and protection; the intent is defensive—warding off obstacles and rivalry, not harming others.
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