Sukta 140
Sukta 10.140
Trishtubh (probable)
This six-verse hymn praises Agni as the wide-radiant, all-illumining power whose rays and strength establish victorious plenitude (vāja) in the worshipper. It asks Agni to expand among the people, enrich the sacrificer with wealth and effective will (kratu), and affirms that humanity in every age sets Agni in front for blessing, singing him as the divine, ṛta-bearing leader.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
अग्ने तव श्रवो वयो महि भ्राजन्ते अर्चयो विभावसो । बृहद्भानो शवसा वाजमुक्थ्यं दधासि दाशुषे कवे ॥
अग्नि, तुम्हारी बड़ाई और शक्ति बहुत बड़ी है। तुम्हारी चमक वाली किरणें निकलती हैं जो सब को रोशन करती हैं। तुम्हारी चमक दूर तक फैलती है। तुम अपनी ताकत से जो लोग भगवान को देंगे उनमें जीत की शक्ति भर देते हो। तुम रिशि हो जो सब कुछ जानते हो।
Mantra 2
पावकवर्चाः शुक्रवर्चा अनूनवर्चा उदियर्षि भानुना । पुत्रो मातरा विचरन्नुपावसि पृणक्षि रोदसी उभे ॥
अग्नि, तुम साफ करने वाली चमक के साथ उगते हो। तुम्हारी रोशनी इतनी चमकदार है। तुम कभी कम नहीं होते। जैसे बेटा अपनी दो माओं के बीच चलता है, वैसे तुम आसमान और धरती के बीच आते हो हमारे काम आने के लिए। तुम दोनों दुनिया को भर देते हो।
Mantra 3
ऊर्जो नपाज्जातवेदः सुशस्तिभिर्मन्दस्व धीतिभिर्हितः । त्वे इषः सं दधुर्भूरिवर्पसश्चित्रोतयो वामजाताः ॥
अग्नि, तुम शक्ति के बेटा हो और जनम जनम का ग्यान रखते हो। हमारी अच्छी बातों से तुम खुश हो जाओ। हमारी सोच तुम में पक्की हो। तुम्में बहुत सारी शक्तियाँ इकट्ठी हैं। वो अलग-अलग रूप में हैं, बहुत चमकदार हैं, और मदद करती हैं। यह खुशी से पैदा होती हैं।
Mantra 4
इरज्यन्नग्ने प्रथयस्व जन्तुभिरस्मे रायो अमर्त्य । स दर्शतस्य वपुषो वि राजसि पृणक्षि सानसिं क्रतुम् ॥
अग्नि, तुम अपनी इच्छा से जलते हो और चमकते हो। लोग तुम्हारे साथ जुड़ के बड़े बनते हैं। तुम अमर हो और हमें धन देते हो। तुम्हारा रूप देखने में इतना अच्छा है कि तुम चमक उठो। तुम काम करने की शक्ति और जीत की इच्छा को भर देते हो।
Mantra 5
इष्कर्तारमध्वरस्य प्रचेतसं क्षयन्तं राधसो महः । रातिं वामस्य सुभगां महीमिषं दधासि सानसिं रयिम् ॥
अग्नि, तुम यज्ञ को सही करते हो और दूर तक देखते हो। तुम बड़ी धन वाली जगह पे रहते हो। तुम खुशी देने वाली देन को पक्का करते हो जो बड़ी और भाग्य वाली है। तुम बड़ी शक्ति और जीत वाला धन देते हो।
Mantra 6
ऋतावानं महिषं विश्वदर्शतमग्निं सुम्नाय दधिरे पुरो जनाः । श्रुत्कर्णं सप्रथस्तमं त्वा गिरा दैव्यं मानुषा युगा ॥
लोगों ने अग्नि को आगे बिठाया है ताकि खुशी मिले। यह अग्नि सच का पालन करता है, बड़ा है, और सबको दिखता है। इंसानों के युगों ने तुम्हे गाया है, तुम जो देवता हो, फैला हुआ है, और कान खोले सुनता है।
Inside Sukta 140
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Agni’s vast glory and plenitude are proclaimed; his shining rays and force are invoked to place vāja in the giver (RV 10.140.1).
- Development
The hymn turns to practical blessing: Agni is asked to widen among the peoples and bring wealth, while his visible beauty and power perfect the winning will (kratu) (cf. RV 10.140.4).
- Climax
Agni is declared ṛtāvān—aligned with cosmic order—mighty and universally seen, established ‘in front’ for bliss by men (RV 10.140.6).
- Where it settles
The tradition of continual human praise across ages is affirmed: Agni is the divine listener and wide-spreading presence who receives the hymn and sustains prosperity.
The deity: Agni
- Cosmic functionHe mediates between humans and gods, carries offerings, awakens and orders sacrifice according to Ṛta, and kindles prosperity and victory-power (vāja) in the community.
- Inner significanceAgni symbolizes awakened aspiration and discernment—an inner flame that expands through the ‘peoples’ (faculties) within, clarifies intention, and strengthens effective will (kratu) for right action.
Famous verses
bṛhadbhāno … vājam ukthyam
pṛṇakṣi sānasiṃ kratum
ṛtāvānam … viśvadarśatam
Attributes of the deity
- All-illumining (vibhāvasu)
- Wide-radiant (bṛhadbhānu)
- Ṛta-bearing (ṛtāvān)
- Mighty/bull-like (mahiṣa)
- Visible to all (viśvadarśata)
- Hearer with awakened ear (śrutkarṇa)
- Front-placed leader of rites (purohita sense implied)
Also by this seer
- Associated broadly with the Agni praise tradition used in household and soma-rite settings rather than a single identifiable poet-lineage
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar/hearth and arrange kindling (samidh) with purity and silence.
- Kindle Agni and recite the opening praise, contemplating his rays and ‘wide radiance’ (vibhāvasu, bṛhadbhānu).
- Offer oblations while requesting vāja (victorious energy) and rāyas (plenitudes/wealth) for the sacrificer and community.
- Invoke Agni’s expansion ‘with the peoples’—i.e., for household/community welfare and harmony.
- Conclude with affirmation of Agni as ṛtāvān and ‘set in front’ by men in every age, sealing the rite with final oblations and thanksgiving.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya)
- Kindling sticks (samidh)
- Grain/cakes as appropriate to the homa (caru/puroḍāśa, optional)
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Agni as the radiant divine fire who brings prosperity and victorious energy (vāja) and strengthens the worshipper’s effective will (kratu), while upholding Ṛta (cosmic order).
Because Agni is placed at the beginning of worship as the leading power of the rite—he receives offerings first and carries them to the gods, so he is established ‘puro’ (in front).
Vāja is victorious strength and plenitude that helps one succeed; kratu is the capable will or effective intelligence that makes the sacrifice and one’s work fruitful.
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