Sukta 18
Sukta 3.18
Viśvāmitra Gāthina
Agni
Tr̥ṣṭubh (likely)
This brief Agni hymn asks the Fire-god to approach as a benevolent friend and fatherly protector, repelling the many hostile forces that arise among human settlements. The seer kindles Agni with fuel and ghee for strength, victory, and the “jewel” of well-won riches, so that the worshipper’s dwelling becomes radiant and prosperous with Agni’s forms.
Mantras
Mantra 1
भवा नो अग्ने सुमना उपेतौ सखेव सख्ये पितरेव साधुः । पुरुद्रुहो हि क्षितयो जनानां प्रति प्रतीचीर्दहतादरातीः ॥
अग्नि, जब तुम पास आओ तो खुश रहना हमारे लिए। जैसे दोस्त दोस्ती में साथ देता है, वैसे ही तुम भी साथ देना। जैसे बाप अपने बच्चे की मदद करता है, वैसे तुम भी मदद करना। लोगों के घरों में बहुत दुश्मन लोग रहते हैं। जो बुरा इरादा लेकर आए, उनको जलाके वापस भगा देना।
Mantra 2
तपो ष्वग्ने अन्तराँ अमित्रान्तपा शंसमररुषः परस्य । तपो वसो चिकितानो अचित्तान्वि ते तिष्ठन्तामजरा अयासः ॥
अग्नि, अपनी गर्मी से अंदर के दुश्मनों को जला देना। जो हमारे खिलाफ बुरा सोचता है, उसकी बुरी बात को भी जला देना। तू सब देख सकता है, तुझे पता है क्या सही है क्या गलत। तेरी आग कभी पुरानी नहीं होती, कभी थकी नहीं। जो लोग गलत काम में लगे हैं, उनके ऊपर तेरी आग चमकती रहे।
Mantra 3
इध्मेनाग्न इच्छमानो घृतेन जुहोमि हव्यं तरसे बलाय । यावदीशे ब्रह्मणा वन्दमान इमां धियं शतसेयाय देवीम् ॥
अग्नि, मैं लकड़ी और घी दे के तुम्हारे लिए हवन कर रहा हूँ। यह सब मैं ताकत और बल के लिए कर रहा हूँ। मैं जितना कर सकता हूँ, उतना मंत्र बोल के पूजा कर रहा हूँ। भगवान मुझे सौ गुना जीत दे, यही मेरी इच्छा है।
Mantra 4
उच्छोचिषा सहसस्पुत्र स्तुतो बृहद्वयः शशमानेषु धेहि । रेवदग्ने विश्वामित्रेषु शं योर्मर्मृज्मा ते तन्वं भूरि कृत्वः ॥
अग्नि, अपनी आग के साथ ऊपर उठ। लोग तुम्हारी तारीफ करते हैं, तुम ताकत के बेटे हो। जो लोग सच्चे दिल से भगवान को ढूंढते हैं, उनको बड़ी ताकत दे। विश्वामित्र रिशियों के बीच में तुम बहुत धनी हो। हम तुम्हारे शरीर को साफ और चमकदार बनाना चाहते हैं। शांति और अच्छे जीवन के लिए यह करते हैं।
Mantra 5
कृधि रत्नं सुसनितर्धनानां स घेदग्ने भवसि यत्समिद्धः । स्तोतुर्दुरोणे सुभगस्य रेवत्सृप्रा करस्ना दधिषे वपूंषि ॥
अग्नि, हमारे लिए कोई अच्छा तोहफा बना दे। जो लोग धरम के रास्ते चलते हैं, उनको धन मिलता है। जब तुम जलते हो तब तुम वो शक्ति बन जाते हो। जो भक्त तुम्हारी पूजा करते हैं, उनके घर में तुम चमकदार रूप में रहते हो। उनका घर रोशनी से भर जाता है।
Inside Sukta 18
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Agni is invited to approach with a happy, benevolent mind—like a friend and like a fatherly helper.
- Development
The hymn recognizes pervasive human hostility and asks Agni to counter it by burning back ill-will; the act of kindling with fuel and ghee is linked to strength and power.
- Climax
The worshipper offers with brahman (sacred word) and raises a ‘divine thought’ (dhī) aiming at hundredfold victory and mastery.
- Where it settles
The hymn ends by asking Agni to fashion the ‘jewel’ of well-won riches and to establish his radiant forms in the singer’s dwelling, making it opulent with light.
The deity: Agni
- In the VedaAgni is the bright, kindled Fire—mouth of the gods, carrier of offerings, guest in the house, and the vigilant power that burns away harm and brings auspiciousness when invoked with right speech.
- Cosmic functionHe mediates between human and divine realms by conveying oblations, sustaining sacrifice, and maintaining the order of exchange (ṛta) through the sacrificial flame.
- Inner significanceAgni symbolizes awakened will and luminous intelligence that digests experience, purifies impulses, and turns adversity into strength and clarity.
The seer
- Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthin (Viśvāmitra) lineage; traditionally connected with the Kuśika line · A royal-turned-seer (rājarṣi) celebrated for powerful mantras, spiritual striving, and establishing Vedic vision through the Viśvāmitra family hymns; later tradition associates him with the Gāyatrī mantra.
Famous verses
भवा नो अग्ने सुमना उपेतौ सखेव सख्ये पितरेव साधुः । पुरुद्रुहो हि क्षितयो जनानां प्रति प्रतीचीर्दहतादरातीः ॥śataseyāya devīm
kṛdhi ratnaṃ
Attributes of the deity
- Messenger and priest of the sacrifice (hotṛ)
- Protector who repels hostility and ill-will
- Purifier and transformer
- Bearer of light, vigor, and victory
- Household guest and friend of the worshipper
Also by this seer
- Major portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 3 (many hymns to Agni, Indra, and allied deities)
- Hymns connected with the Viśvāmitra family’s praise of Indra and the Maruts
- Later Vedic-Itihāsa tradition remembers Viśvāmitra as a paradigmatic tapasvin and mantra-draṣṭā
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar/hearth; establish cleanliness and intent.
- Kindle or rekindle Agni with dry fuel (idhma).
- Offer ghee (ghṛta) with recitation of the hymn, inviting Agni to come near with good will.
- Pray for protection: that Agni burns back returning attacks and hostile powers.
- Conclude with requests for ‘ratna’ (treasure/inner plenitude) and for Agni’s radiant presence to abide in the home.
Offerings
- Fuel sticks (samidh/idhma)
- Clarified butter (ghṛta)
- Optional: grains or soma-substitutes as customary in domestic offerings
Frequently Asked Questions
To come near with goodwill like a friend or father, protect the worshipper by burning away hostile forces, and grant strength, victory, and prosperity.
They are the classic means of kindling and feeding the sacred fire; the hymn ties these offerings to gaining vigor (bala), power, and successful outcomes.
It can mean material prosperity, but also the inner treasure of well-won capacities—clarity, strength, and a luminous home of consciousness where Agni’s radiance abides.
Ask anything about Sukta 18 of the Rig Veda
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