Sukta 10
Sukta 4.10
This hymn praises Agni as the swift, heart-touching power of right will (kratu) that makes the worshipper prosper through inspired effort and divine impulse. Agni is celebrated as the ever-present seer—shining by day and night—who brings beauty, harmony, and increase, and who establishes a friendly, brotherly bond between humans and the host of gods. The sukta’s purpose is to invoke Agni’s luminous guidance and protective companionship so the sacrificer’s home and inner “navel-centre” become a steady source of nourishment and strength.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
अग्ने तमद्याश्वं न स्तोमैः क्रतुं न भद्रं हृदिस्पृशम् । ऋध्यामा त ओहैः ॥
अग्नि, आज हमारे गानों से तुम्हारी इच्छा को आगे बढ़ाओ। जैसे तेज़ घोड़ा दौड़ता है, वैसे तुम्हारी भलाई हमारे दिल को छू जाए। तुम्हारी ताकत से हम भी बढ़ें।
Mantra 3
एभिर्नो अर्कैर्भवा नो अर्वाङ्स्वर्ण ज्योतिः । अग्ने विश्वेभिः सुमना अनीकैः ॥
अग्नि, इन आगों के साथ हमारे पास आओ। रोशनी की दुनिया से आओ, खुद रोशनी बन के। अपने सारे चेहरे और शक्ति से हमारे ऊपर मेहरबानी रखो।
Mantra 4
आभिष्टे अद्य गीर्भिर्गृणन्तोऽग्ने दाशेम । प्र ते दिवो न स्तनयन्ति शुष्माः ॥
अग्नि, आज हमारे शब्दों के साथ तुम्हारी तारीफ करते हैं। अपनी पूरी मेहनत तुम्हे समर्पित करते हैं। तुम्हारी ताकत आगे बढ़ जैसे आसमान में बादल गरजता है। अंधेरा दूर हो जाए।
Mantra 5
तव स्वादिष्ठाग्ने संदृष्टिरिदा चिदह्न इदा चिदक्तोः । श्रिये रुक्मो न रोचत उपाके ॥
अग्नि, तुम बहुत मीठे हो। तुम्हारी नज़र हमेशा साथ में चमकती है। दिन में भी, रात में भी। जैसे सोने का गहना चमकता है, वैसे तुम चमक रहे हो। यह चमक इंसान के लिए अच्छी लगती है।
Mantra 6
घृतं न पूतं तनूररेपाः शुचि हिरण्यम् । तत्ते रुक्मो न रोचत स्वधावः ॥
तुम्हारा शरीर बिल्कुल साफ है, जैसे घी को साफ किया हो। कोई दाग नहीं, बिल्कुल सोने जैसा। तुम अपने आप से बने हो, तुम्हारे अंदर ही शक्ति है। वही तुम्हारे अंदर चमक रही है।
Mantra 7
कृतं चिद्धि ष्मा सनेमि द्वेषोऽग्न इनोषि मर्तात् । इत्था यजमानादृतावः ॥
कोई भी दुश्मनी हो, उसको भी हम पार कर सकते हैं। अग्नि, तुम इंसान से नफ़रत दूर कर देते हो। इसलिए जो यज्ञ करता है, उसे तुम बचाते हो। तुम उसको सही रास्ते पर चलाते हो।
Mantra 8
शिवा नः सख्या सन्तु भ्रात्राग्ने देवेषु युष्मे । सा नो नाभिः सदने सस्मिन्नूधन् ॥
अग्नि, तुम्हारे साथ हमारी दोस्ती अच्छी होनी चाहिए। जैसे भाई होता है, वैसे तुम देवता लोगों में भाई हो। यह दोस्ती हमारे घर में रहनी चाहिए। जैसे माँ बच्चे को दूध देती है, वैसे यह हमें खाना देती है।
Inside Sukta 10
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Agni is invoked as swift and beneficent—his good kratu ‘touching the heart’—so the worshipper may prosper through his impulses and energies.
- Development
The hymn deepens from outer praise to inner vision: Agni’s ‘perfect seeing’ is near, shining both day and night, and his radiance becomes a beautifying power that increases harmony and well-being.
- Climax
The relationship peaks in intimacy and trust: Agni is asked to be a gracious friend and ‘brother among the gods,’ forming a stable bond between the human home and the divine community.
- Where it settles
The hymn settles into a sustaining image—Agni as the nābhi (central hub) and as a nourishing udder within the dwelling—promising ongoing support, protection, and increase.
The deity: Agni
- In the VedaHe is invoked as swift like a steed, beneficent in resolve, and intimately “touching the heart.”
- Cosmic functionMediator between human and divine realms: he conveys oblations, awakens and sustains order (ṛta) through right action, and manifests light that dispels darkness across day and night.
- Inner significanceThe awakened flame of aspiration and discernment—inner will (kratu) that becomes luminous, steady, and heart-guiding; the friendly divine presence that stabilizes the psyche and nourishes life from within.
The seer
- Vāmadeva GautamaGautama gotra (Vāmadeva line) · A major seer of Mandala 4, renowned for profound Agni and Indra hymns that unite ritual precision with inward, psychological insight (Agni as vision, will, and friendly divine presence).
Famous verses
hṛdispṛśam ("touching the heart")
idā cid ahna idā cid aktoḥ ("by day and also by night")
śivā naḥ sakhyā ("a gracious friendship for us")
Attributes of the deity
- Messenger and carrier of offerings
- Luminous seer (vision that shines day and night)
- Swift, energizing impulse (ohaḥ)
- Heart-touching beneficence
- Protector and household centre (nाभि / nābhi)
- Bringer of prosperity, beauty, and harmony (śrī)
Also by this seer
- Primary author of many hymns in Rig Veda Mandala 4 (traditional attribution to Vāmadeva)
- Noted contributor to Agni and Indra praise-poetry emphasizing inner illumination and strength
- Associated in later tradition with mantric formulations used in domestic and soma-related rites
The rite, step by step
- Prepare and tend the sacred fire (kindling, arranging fuel, establishing steadiness of flame).
- Invoke Agni with recitation, emphasizing his swift aid and heart-guiding kratu (right resolve).
- Offer oblations while contemplating Agni’s all-seeing light present by day and night.
- Pray for friendly alliance: Agni as ‘brother among the gods’ and as the household’s nābhi (central support).
- Conclude with a request for sustained nourishment, protection, and increase in the dwelling and in one’s inner life.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya)
- Kindling sticks (samidh)
- Grains or simple food-offerings (as applicable in domestic rite)
- Soma-related offering context (where integrated into śrauta sequences)
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Agni to awaken a good, luminous resolve in us, to guide the heart, and to bring steady prosperity—like a swift power that helps our efforts succeed.
It highlights Agni as constant vision and protection: not only the physical fire, but also an ever-present light of awareness that stays near in all conditions.
Agni is invoked as an intimate ally among the gods, and as the household’s central support—like a living centre that nourishes, protects, and holds the family together.
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