Sukta 8
Sukta 2.8
Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava) (traditional attribution for RV 2.8)
Agni
Gāyatrī (probable)
This short hymn to Agni praises his swift “yokes and chariots”—his powers of rapid approach and effective action in the sacrifice—and celebrates his radiant, heaven-like brilliance that surrounds the worshipper with imperishable light. It culminates in a communal prayer for protection and victory in conflict through the allied helps of Agni together with Indra, Soma, and the other gods.
Mantras
Mantra 1
वाजयन्निव नू रथान्योगाँ अग्नेरुप स्तुहि । यशस्तमस्य मीळ्हुषः ॥
अब अग्नि की स्तुति करो। जैसे रथ और जुग आगे बढ़ते हैं, वैसे अग्नि भी आगे बढ़ता है। वो सबसे बड़ा दाता है, उसकी जय बोलो।
Mantra 2
यः सुनीथो ददाशुषेऽजुर्यो जरयन्नरिम् । चारुप्रतीक आहुतः ॥
यह अग्नि है जो दान देने वाले का साथ देता है। वो कभी फेल नहीं होता। वो अंदर के दुश्मन को खत्म करता है। उसका चेहरा अच्छा है और हवन में जलता है।
Mantra 3
य उ श्रिया दमेष्वा दोषोषसि प्रशस्यते । यस्य व्रतं न मीयते ॥
अग्नि की चमक इतनी है कि लोग रात और सुबह उसकी तारीफ करते हैं। घर-घर में उसका नाम लिया जाता है। उसका काम कभी कम नहीं होता। वो सच्चाई पे चलता है।
Mantra 4
आ यः स्वर्ण भानुना चित्रो विभात्यर्चिषा । अञ्जानो अजरैरभि ॥
अग्नि ऐसा आता है जैसे आसमान की रोशनी हो। उसकी चमक अलग-अलग रंगों जैसी है। वो अपनी आग से चमक रहा है। वो हम सब तरफ से उम्र से भी बड़ी ताकत देता है।
Mantra 5
अत्रिमनु स्वराज्यमग्निमुक्थानि वावृधुः । विश्वा अधि श्रियो दधे ॥
रिशि अत्रि के साथ चले के उसके अपने राज पर, इन सब गानों ने अग्नि को बड़ा किया। और उसने ऊपर वाली सब चमक अपने पास कर ली। वो रोशनी और पूरेपन को स्थित किया।
Mantra 6
अग्नेरिन्द्रस्य सोमस्य देवानामूतिभिर्वयम् । अरिष्यन्तः सचेमह्यभि ष्याम पृतन्यतः ॥
अग्नि, इंद्र और सोम, इन तीन देवताओं की मदद से हम सेफ रहते हैं। हम उनका साथ पकड़ के चलते हैं। और जो हमसे लड़ते हैं, उनपर हम जीत पाते हैं। यह अंदर की लड़ाई जीतने का रास्ता है।
Inside Sukta 8
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A call to praise Agni’s ‘yokes and chariots’—his means of swift, forceful advance and benefaction.
- Development
Agni is portrayed as supremely glorious and bounteous, approaching with radiant, variegated flame that illumines and empowers the worshipper.
- Climax
Agni appears like heaven’s own light, shining forth and ‘anointing’ on all sides with ageless illuminations (ajaraiḥ).
- Where it settles
A collective petition: by the helps of Agni, Indra, Soma, and the gods, may we remain unharmed and prevail over those who wage war against us.
The deity: Agni
- In the VedaAgni is the luminous fire-principle: the sacrificial priest (hotṛ), messenger who carries offerings, and radiant power who shines with flame (arciṣ) like the light of heaven.
- Cosmic functionMediates between humans and gods by conveying oblations; sustains order through the regularity of sacrifice; kindles vitality and drives forward divine aid in battle and prosperity.
- Inner significanceThe awakened will and discernment (inner fire) that yokes the senses and energies, illumines the mind, and enables progress and victory over inner opposition.
The seer
- Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)Bhṛgu/Bhārgava lineage (Gṛtsamada family within Mandala 2) · Principal seer of Rigveda Mandala 2, renowned for hymns that establish Agni as the indispensable priest and protective power of the sacrifice.
Famous verses
वाजयन्निव नू रथान्योगाँ अग्नेरुप स्तुहि । यशस्तमस्य मीळ्हुषः ॥आ यः स्वर्ण भानुना चित्रो विभात्यर्चिषा । अञ्जानो अजरैरभि ॥अग्नेरिन्द्रस्य सोमस्य देवानामूतिभिर्वयम् । अरिष्यन्तः सचेमह्यभि ष्याम पृतन्यतः ॥Attributes of the deity
- Hotṛ/priest of the sacrifice
- Dūta/messenger between worlds
- Radiant, many-colored flame (citra arciṣ)
- Swiftly advancing power (yokes/chariots imagery)
- Protector and giver of strength/boons (mīḻhuṣ)
- Purifier and illuminator with “ageless” energies
Also by this seer
- Most of Rigveda Mandala 2 (the Gṛtsamada collection), predominantly Agni-hymns
- Traditional association with shaping the family-style (gṛha/śrauta) orientation of early Agni praise in RV 2
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar/vedi and establish the sacred space.
- Kindle or rekindle Agni; arrange fuel (samidh) and maintain a steady flame.
- Recite the hymn as stuti (praise), inviting Agni’s swift approach and radiant presence.
- Offer oblations while invoking Agni as carrier and protector; extend the request for allied divine supports (Indra, Soma, Viśve Devāḥ).
- Conclude with a protective prayer for wellbeing and victory over adversarial forces.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya)
- Kindling sticks/fuel (samidh)
- Grain or simple food offerings (havis)
- Soma (by association in the concluding invocation)
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Agni as a swift, powerful helper in the sacrifice and as a radiant light that strengthens the worshipper, ending with a prayer for safety and victory over opponents.
It is a poetic way to describe Agni’s means of rapid action—how the fire-power quickly reaches the offering and carries it effectively to the gods, and how that same force drives inner progress.
The hymn is primarily to Agni, but it concludes by invoking allied divine supports—Agni with Indra, Soma, and the other gods—so the worshipper’s protection and success are reinforced from multiple powers.
Ask anything about Sukta 8 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.
