Sukta 156
Sukta 10.156
This brief Agni hymn urges that inspired thoughts and praise should impel Agni forward like a swift horse in contest, so that the worshipper wins repeated abundance (dhanam-dhanam). It asks Agni to bring broad, solid wealth—light, cattle, and swift powers—while striking down the inner Paṇi (the hoarding, obstructing tendency) and awakening to the hymn as the banner-light of the peoples.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
अग्निं हिन्वन्तु नो धियः सप्तिमाशुमिवाजिषु । तेन जेष्म धनंधनम् ॥
हमारे अच्छे खयाल अग्नि को आगे बढ़ा दें, जैसे रेस में तेज़ घोड़ा भागता है। उस ताकत से हम धन पे धन जीते रहें।
Mantra 2
यया गा आकरामहे सेनयाग्ने तवोत्या । तां नो हिन्व मघत्तये ॥
अग्नि, जिस ताकत से हम रोशनी जीत सकते हैं, वो ताकत तुम्हारी मदद से आती है। वही ताकत हमारे अंदर बड़ा काम करने के लिए जगाओ।
Mantra 3
आग्ने स्थूरं रयिं भर पृथुं गोमन्तमश्विनम् । अङ्धि खं वर्तया पणिम् ॥
अग्नि, बड़ा धन लाओ, रोशनी वाला, ताकत वाला। अंदर जो रुकावट है, जो चीज़ें रोक के रखता है, उसे हटा दो।
Mantra 4
अग्ने नक्षत्रमजरमा सूर्यं रोहयो दिवि । दधज्ज्योतिर्जनेभ्यः ॥
अग्नि, तुम आसमान में सूरज को उठा रहे हो। यह सूरज कभी नहीं बुझता। तुम लोगों के लिए रोशनी दे रहे हो। यह रोशनी अंदर भी है, बाहर भी।
Mantra 5
अग्ने केतुर्विशामसि प्रेष्ठः श्रेष्ठ उपस्थसत् । बोधा स्तोत्रे वयो दधत् ॥
अग्नि, तुम सबके लिए एक चमकता निशान हो। सबसे प्यारे हो, सबसे बड़े हो। हमारे पास बैठे हो। हमारी पूजा सुनो और हम में ताकत भर दो।
Inside Sukta 156
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Inspired thoughts drive Agni forward like a swift steed in contests, aiming at repeated winning of abundance.
- Development
The prayer expands into a request for broad, solid prosperity—light and swift powers—paired with an ethical-psychological demand: smite constraint and turn away the Paṇi (hoarder/withholder).
- Climax
Agni is hailed as the ketu (banner-light) of the peoples—most beloved, most excellent—whose awakened presence ensures increase.
- Where it settles
The hymn ends by asking Agni to awaken to the chant and establish vayas (life-force, vigor) in the worshipper.
The deity: Agni
- In the VedaHe is praised as dearest and best, seated near the worshipper, responsive to hymn and intention.
- Cosmic functionMediator between human and divine realms; transformer who conveys oblations to the gods, kindles order (ṛta) through sacrifice, and empowers victory, increase, and protection.
- Inner significanceThe awakened will and discerning flame of aspiration that turns thought into effective action; it burns away inner hoarding and inertia (Paṇi) and establishes vitality (vayas) and strength.
Famous verses
dhanam-dhanam
आग्ने स्थूरं रयिं भर पृथुं गोमन्तमश्विनम् । अङ्धि खं वर्तया पणिम् ॥ketur viśām
Attributes of the deity
- Hotṛ and messenger of the sacrifice
- Ketu (banner-light) of the peoples
- Bringer of wealth, cattle, and swift powers
- Destroyer of obstruction and hoarding
- Near-seated, intimate protector
- Awakener of life-force (vayas) through praise
Also by this seer
- RV 10.156 is preserved as a short Agni-stuti (praise hymn) emphasizing victory and abundance through inspired thought (dhī) and the removal of Paṇi-like obstruction.
The rite, step by step
- Prepare and purify the altar/fire-place; arrange kindling (samidh) and seating near the fire.
- Kindle Agni with focused dhī (inspired intent) and recite the sukta as an impelling praise.
- Offer ghee into the fire while asking for broad, solid rayi (wealth/plenitude) and for the turning away of the Paṇi (withholding force).
- Conclude with a final oblation and a request that Agni ‘awake to the hymn’ and establish vayas (vital strength) in the sacrificer.
- Silent contemplation: internalize Agni as ketu (inner clarity) and release grasping/hoarding tendencies.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya)
- Samidh (kindling sticks)
- Optional: grains (yava) or milk as household oblations
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Agni to be powerfully kindled by inspired thought, to grant repeated abundance (wealth and strength), and to help the worshipper win in life’s ‘contests’ or efforts.
In Vedic imagery the Paṇi is a hoarder who withholds; here it also points to an inner tendency to clutch, block, or deny—an obstruction Agni is asked to strike down and turn away.
Because Agni is the visible sign and guiding light of the community—both the ritual fire that gathers people and the symbolic inner clarity that leads and protects.
Ask anything about Sukta 156 of the Rig Veda
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
