Sukta 25
Sukta 3.25
Viśvāmitra Gāthina (attributed for RV 3.25)
Agni
Triṣṭubh (probable; requires metrical verification on full hymn)
This brief Agni hymn presents the fire-god as Heaven’s son and Earth’s embodied presence, the all-knowing priest who correctly arranges the gods in sacrifice. It praises Agni as a universal, deathless radiance that grows through reverent homage and, when kindled “amid the waters,” widens and protects the shared seats of human life.
Mantras
Mantra 1
अग्ने दिवः सूनुरसि प्रचेतास्तना पृथिव्या उत विश्ववेदाः । ऋधग्देवाँ इह यजा चिकित्वः ॥
अग्नि, तुम आसमान के बेटा हो और पहले से जाननेवाले हो। तुम्हारी बॉडी धरती से भी है, तुम सब कुछ जानते हो। तुम समझदारी से भगवानों की पूजा करो, सबको सही जगह पे।
Mantra 2
अग्निः सनोति वीर्याणि विद्वान्त्सनोति वाजममृताय भूषन् । स नो देवाँ एह वहा पुरुक्षो ॥
अग्नि जो सब जानता है, वो हमारे लिए ताकत लाता है। वो हमारे लिए पूरा सुख लाता है जो कभी खत्म न हो। अग्नि, तुम बहुत जगह रहते हो, भगवानों को यहाँ लाओ और हमारे पास लाओ।
Mantra 3
अग्निर्द्यावापृथिवी विश्वजन्ये आ भाति देवी अमृते अमूरः । क्षयन्वाजैः पुरुश्चन्द्रो नमोभिः ॥
अग्नि आसमान और धरती के लिए चमकता है, सबके लिए है यह। यह भगवान की तरह है, कभी न मरनेवाला, बिल्कुल पक्का। यह बहुत जगह है और बहुत रोशनी देता है, हमारी पूजा से बड़ा होता है।
Mantra 4
अग्न इन्द्रश्च दाशुषो दुरोणे सुतावतो यज्ञमिहोप यातम् । अमर्धन्ता सोमपेयाय देवा ॥
अग्नि और इंद्र, यह जिसका घर है और जहाँ सोम रस निकाला है, वहाँ पूजा के लिए आओ। तुम दोनों भगवान हो, कभी कमजोर नहीं होते, सोम पियो और ताकत पाओ।
Mantra 5
अग्ने अपां समिध्यसे दुरोणे नित्यः सूनो सहसो जातवेदः । सधस्थानि महयमान ऊती ॥
अग्नि, घर में पानी के पास तुम्हे जलाया जाता है। तुम हमेशा से हो, ताकत के बेटा हो, जनम-जनम जानते हो। तुम हमारे लिए जगह बना रहे हो, बड़ा कर रहे हो, हमारी मदद कर रहे हो।
Inside Sukta 25
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Agni is hailed as Heaven’s son, Earth’s embodied power, and the all-knowing, discerning priest who can conduct the sacrifice properly.
- Development
Agni’s universal radiance and immortality are emphasized: he shines for Heaven-and-Earth and grows through homage and right acts.
- Climax
The hymn’s central ritual claim: Agni can worship and place the gods ‘each in their distinct order and power,’ making the rite effective and complete.
- Where it settles
Agni, ever kindled within the dwelling, is asked to protect and enlarge the common seats of life—stabilizing the community through his fostering help.
The deity: Agni
- In the VedaAgni is the divine fire and the yajña-priest (hotṛ/adhvaryu in function), “Jātavedas” (knower of births), radiant and discerning, who brings the gods to the offering and carries oblations to them.
- Cosmic functionMediator between worlds—linking Heaven and Earth, conveying offerings to the gods, kindling order (ṛta) through sacrificial flame and luminous intelligence.
- Inner significanceThe awakened will and inner fire of aspiration—clarity, discernment, and transformative energy that ‘orders’ the powers within and makes spiritual practice effective.
The seer
- Viśvāmitra GāthinaViśvāmitra (Gāthin) lineage; traditionally connected with the Kauśika/Viśvāmitra gotra · A royal-turned-seer celebrated for powerful mantra-vision, especially hymns to Indra and Agni and for shaping major portions of Maṇḍala 3.
Famous verses
ṛdhag devān iha yajā cikitvaḥ
amṛte amūraḥ
apāṃ sam idhyase duroṇe
Attributes of the deity
- Son of Heaven (divaḥ sūnuḥ)
- All-knowing (viśvavedāḥ/jātavedas)
- Discerning/foreknowing (pracetāḥ, cikitvaḥ)
- Universal in birth (viśvajanya)
- Deathless/firm in the immortal (amṛte amūraḥ)
- Many-luminous (puruścandra)
- Protective helper who enlarges the common seats (ūtī; sadhasthāni mahayamāna)
Also by this seer
- Large share of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 3 (Viśvāmitra family collection)
- Hymns to Indra, Agni, and allied deities across RV 3.x attributed to the Viśvāmitras
- Later tradition associates Viśvāmitra with the Gāyatrī mantra (RV 3.62.10), though attribution is within the Viśvāmitra family corpus
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar/hearth (vedi) and arrange kindling (samidh) with purity and intention.
- Ignite Agni and recite invocations acknowledging him as Heaven’s son and Earth’s presence (e.g., RV 3.25.1).
- Request Agni to ‘yaj’—to worship/offer to the gods distinctly and in due order (ṛdhag devān… yaja).
- Offer oblations with reverent salutations (namas), sustaining Agni’s radiance and steadiness (cf. RV 3.25.3).
- Conclude by seeking protection and the widening of the shared life-space (ūtī; sadhasthāni) (cf. RV 3.25.5).
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya)
- Kindling sticks (samidh)
- Grain/oblations (havis)
- Optional soma-related offerings depending on the larger rite
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Agni as the wise sacrificial priest who connects Heaven and Earth, brings the gods to the rite in proper order, and protects and strengthens human life.
It highlights Agni’s twofold nature: his divine origin (linked to Heaven) and his tangible presence in the earthly fire that people kindle and rely upon.
It means Agni is invoked to conduct the sacrifice correctly—inviting and honoring each deity according to their distinct role, so the offering becomes complete and effective.
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