Rig Veda 4.6.3: Mandala 4, Sukta 6, Mantra 3
Sukta 4.6
- Rishi
- Vāmadeva Gautama
- Devata
- Agni
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Shringara (love)
यता सुजूर्णी रातिनी घृताची प्रदक्षिणिद्देवतातिमुराणः । उदु स्वरुर्नवजा नाक्रः पश्वो अनक्ति सुधितः सुमेकः ॥
yatā́ su-jūrṇī́ rātínī ghṛtā́cī pradakṣiṇíd deva-tātím urāṇáḥ | úd u svárur nava-jā́ nā́kraḥ paśvó anakti sú-dhitaḥ su-mékaḥ ||
अग्नि घी के साथ तेज़ी से आगे बढ़ रहा है। वो भगवानों के सामने दक्षिण की तरफ घूमेगा, अपने पूरे जोश में। वो नया जन्मा है, जैसे कोई मज़बूत घोड़ा। यह आग जीवन को चमका देती है और उसे साफ करती है।
Word by Word
- यथा
- just asIndeclinableसम्बन्ध/उपमानार्थ अव्यय (यथा = as, just as)Role Adhikaraṇa (तुलनासम्बन्धे) / अव्यय-सम्बन्धRoot यथा (अव्यय)
- सुजूर्णी
- well-worn / well-agedAdjective (f.)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (उपमान-वाक्ये) / विशेषणRoot सु- + जूर्णी (प्रातिपदिक; √जॄ/जॢ ‘to wear/decay’ से ‘जूर्ण’)
- रातिनी
- the giver / bestowerNoun (f.)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (उपमान-वाक्ये)Root रातिनी (प्रातिपदिक; √रा/रद् ‘to give’ से ‘राति’)
- घृताची
- ghee-anointed / moving with gheeAdjective (f.)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (उपमान-वाक्ये) / विशेषणRoot घृत- + अची (प्रातिपदिक; ‘घृत’ + ‘अच्/अञ्च्’ ‘to smear/anoint’ से)
- प्रदक्षिणित्
- right-circling (moving sunwise)Adjective (indeclinable-like in RV usage) / Participle(वेदिक) प्रथमा एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग/सामान्य-लिङ्ग प्रयोग; ‘right-circling’Role Kartā-विशेषणRoot प्र- + दक्षिणि- (प्रातिपदिक) + त् (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय; ‘प्रदक्षिणित्’ = having gone/turned to the right)
- देवतातीम्
- the host/procession of the godsNoun (f.)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot देवता- + अति (प्रातिपदिक; ‘देवताओं की पंक्ति/समूह/यात्रा’)
- उराणः
- impetuous / eagerAdjective (m.)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (मुख्य-वाक्ये) / विशेषणRoot उराण (प्रातिपदिक; वेदिक विशेषण, ‘उत्साही/वेगवान्/उद्गत’ अर्थ)
- उत्
- up, forthIndeclinableउद्गमन/उत्थानार्थ उपसर्गRole (क्रियाविशेषण)Root उत् (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- स्वः
- to heaven / in the skyNoun (n., indeclinable in RV) / Indeclinableस्वर्ग/दिव् अर्थे; प्रायः अव्ययवत्Role Adhikaraṇa (गन्तव्य/स्थान) / क्रियाविशेषणRoot स्वः (अव्यय/नाम; ‘स्वर्’)
- उरुः
- broad, wideAdjective (m.)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā-विशेषणRoot उरु (प्रातिपदिक)
- नवजा
- new-born / newly arisenAdjective (m.)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā-विशेषणRoot नव- + जा (प्रातिपदिक; √जन् ‘to be born’)
- नाक्रः
- crocodile / water-monster (Vedic nākra)Noun (m.)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot नाक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- पश्वः
- of the cattle / of the beastNoun (m.)पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (वेदिक रूप: पश्वः = पशोः)Role Sampradāna/सम्बन्ध (अधिकार/सम्बन्धे)Root पशु (प्रातिपदिक)
- अनक्ति
- anoints, smearsVerbलट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, 3 पुरुष, एकवचनRole KriyāRoot √अञ्ज् (अनक्ति) ‘to smear/anoint’
- सुधितः
- well-disposed / well-orderedAdjective (m.)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā-विशेषणRoot सु- + धित (कृदन्त; √धा ‘to place/think’ से ‘धित’ = well-set/well-disposed)
- सुमेकः
- very singular/unique; excellent oneAdjective (m.)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā-विशेषणRoot सु- + मेक (प्रातिपदिक; वेदिक ‘एक/अद्वितीय/श्रेष्ठ’ भाव)
Sandhi Notes
- पाठ-समाधान (मुख्य): प्रदक्षि॒णिद्दे॒वता॑तिमुरा॒णः → प्रदक्षिणित् + देवतातीम् + उराणः। उदु॒ स्वरु॑र्नव॒जा नाक्रः → उत् + स्वः + उरुः + नवजा + नाक्रः। प॒श्वो अ॑नक्ति → पश्वः (षष्ठी एकवचन, वेदिक) + अनक्ति। शेष पद प्रायः असन्धित/पदपाठ-समान।
The meaning
Outer meaning
Agni moves swiftly as a giver, with ghee as his course, circumambulating the gods to the right in ardour. He lifts the kindling-stick, newborn, like a strong steed; the well-set fire anoints and brightens the creature.
Inner meaning
The inner Fire, fed by the clarified substance (ghṛta = purified mind-substance), moves with swift right-going progress (pradakṣiṇa: movement in harmony with ṛta). He ‘circles’ the devatātim—the host of divine powers—meaning he activates and harmonizes them in the being through ardour (urāṇaḥ). The newborn kindling-stick (svaruḥ navajā) is the fresh igniting impulse in the embodied nature; lifted up like a strong horse (aśva-force), it becomes dynamic vital energy yoked to the divine Will. The well-set, well-joined fire (sudhitaḥ sumekaḥ) ‘anoints’ the paśu—not an animal, but the embodied life-consciousness—so that it becomes bright, consecrated, and fit for higher growth.
Universal truth
Right progress is not random acceleration but a rhythmic, lawful circling that integrates all inner powers. When purified clarity fuels the will, vital energy becomes a steed for the soul, and embodied life is consecrated into luminosity.
Themes
Right-ordered movement, Consecration of life-force, Newborn flame, Establishing divine host
The seer
- Rishi
- Vāmadeva Gautama
- Lineage
- Gautama
- Other hymns
- RV 4.4, RV 4.5, RV 4.6
Family tradition
Vāmadeva’s Agni is dynamic and integrative: he not only kindles but organizes the god-powers through right movement (pradakṣiṇa) and consecrates embodied life (paśu).
Significance
The rishi’s vision turns ritual motions (circumambulation, anointing) into inner disciplines: right-ordered circulation of force and consecration of the embodied nature.
The deity
- Devata
- Agni
- Epithets
- Rātinī (giver, in motion), Ghṛtācī (ghee-moving), Urāṇa (ardent), Sudhita, Sumeka
- Related deities
- Indra (horse-force and victory), Soma (delight as anointing), Viṣṇu (right strides; pradakṣiṇa resonance)
Cosmic role
Transformer: receives offering, circulates power among the gods, renews life and strength.
Inner power
Integrative tapas that harmonizes divine faculties and converts raw vital energy into a consecrated force for ascent.
In ritual
Where it is used
Circumambulation and kindling imagery in Agni-kindling sequences; supports the moment of feeding ghee and raising kindling.
य॒ता सु॑जू॒र्णी रा॒तिनी॑ घृ॒ताची॑ प्रदक्षि॒णिद्दे॒वता॑तिमुरा॒णः । उदु॒ स्वरु॑र्नव॒जा नाक्रः प॒श्वो अ॑नक्ति॒ सुधि॑तः सु॒मेक॑: ॥
य॒ता । सु॒ऽजू॒र्णिः । रा॒तिनी॑ । घृ॒ताची॑ । प्र॒ऽद॒क्षि॒णित् । दे॒वऽता॑तिम् । उ॒रा॒णः । उत् । ऊँ॒ इति॑ । स्वरुः॑ । न॒व॒ऽजाः । न । अ॒क्रः । प॒श्वः । अ॒न॒क्ति॒ । सुऽधि॑तः । सु॒ऽमेकः॑ ॥
yatā | su-jūrṇiḥ | rātinī | ghṛtācī | pra-dakṣiṇit | deva-tātim | urāṇaḥ | ut | oṃ iti | svaruḥ | nava-jāḥ | na | akraḥ | paśvaḥ | anakti | su-dhitaḥ | su-mekaḥ
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4 × ~11
Kinetic and circling; the meter supports movement (yatā, pradakṣiṇit, ud).
Energizes the vital being while keeping it ordered; good for transforming restlessness into disciplined drive.
- घृताची (ghṛtācī)
- Literal: having ghee as her course. Symbolic: movement supported by clarified mind-substance; luminous understanding as fuel
- प्रदक्षिणित् (pradakṣiṇit)
- Literal: circles to the right. Symbolic: right-ordered movement in harmony with ṛta; integrative progression
- देवताते/देवतातिम् (devatātim)
- Literal: host/establishment of gods. Symbolic: the array of divine faculties being awakened
- उराणः (urāṇaḥ)
- Literal: ardent, eager. Symbolic: tapas, spiritual intensity
- स्वरु (svaruḥ)
- Literal: kindling-stick. Symbolic: the initiating spark/impulse that kindles aspiration
- नवजा (navajā)
- Literal: newborn. Symbolic: fresh emergence of higher movement in nature
- अक्रः (akraḥ)
- Literal: strong, vigorous (as steed). Symbolic: robust life-force capable of carrying the ascent
- पशु (paśu)
- Literal: creature. Symbolic: the embodied life/physical-vital nature to be consecrated
- अनक्ति (anaktti)
- Literal: anoints. Symbolic: consecrates, makes luminous and fit for the divine work
- सुधित/सुमेक (sudhitaḥ/sumekaḥ)
- Literal: well-set/well-joined. Symbolic: collected, integrated fire—steady aspiration and unified energy
Kindling and circumambulation (pradakṣiṇā) imagery; inner use—right-ordered circulation of force around the established divine powers, consecrating the embodied life (paśu) by the clarified substance (ghṛta).
During kindling/feeding and the rightward movements around the fire in solemn rites.
Offer ghee; circumambulate; raise kindling; consecrate the offering/participant symbolically.
For channeling energy before work or practice: ‘right-order’ your drive; offer mental clarity (ghṛta) to guide action.
ghṛtá ‘ghee’ from √ghṛ ‘sprinkle/anoint’ (also symbol of clarified substance/mind); pradakṣiṇá ‘rightward’ (ritual/psychological right order); svarú ‘kindling-stick’ (instrument of ignition); nava-jā́ ‘newborn’; anakti from √añj ‘anoint’ (cf. Latin unguo); paśu ‘creature’ (life in its instinctive formation); su-dhita from √dhā ‘place well’; su-meka ‘well-joined’ (integration).
dakṣiṇa/right order, consecration (añj), integration (su-dhita, su-meka)
Pradakṣiṇa is ṛta made gesture: lawful circulation that maintains harmony among powers.
Consecration (anointing) aligns embodied life with the truth of the soul’s aim.
Newborn fire/impulse (navajā) as continual recreation of the ascent in time.
Integral yoga of transformation: vital force yoked to will, life consecrated rather than rejected.
Ghee = clarified mind; kindling = initiating aspiration; horse = vital energy; anointing = infusion of light into the embodied nature.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The rightward circling (pradakṣiṇā) of the devatā-host and the newborn kindling—mythically, the flame’s ritual dance that establishes order and consecrates the creaturely life into a divine economy.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √añj ‘anoint’ has clear IE cognates (Latin unguo ‘anoint’). The consecration-by-anointing is an inherited sacral action across IE traditions, here internalized as illumination and purification of paśu (instinct-life).
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi presents the method: feeding with ghṛta and moving in right order; Agni reciprocates by integrating (su-meka) and consecrating (anakti) the embodied nature, making it fit to host the devatā-tati (divine extensions).
Transform raw drive into right-ordered force: feel energy circulate clockwise through the body’s field, then rise.
Maṇipūra (fire) with a harmonizing circuit through the nāḍīs; integration toward Anāhata
Breath with gentle ‘circling’ attention: inhale up the spine, exhale down the front (microcosmic orbit style), coordinating with recitation.
Ardent yet ordered; integrated vitality.
Offer ‘ghṛta’ as clear intention before action. Visualize a newborn flame at navel/heart; let it ‘anoint’ the whole body with warmth and brightness, especially areas of inertia.
Keep the motion-words (yatā, pradakṣiṇit, ud) cleanly articulated; let svarita glides mirror ‘circling’ rather than forceful stress.
Maintain even pāda pacing; avoid rushing—this verse is swift in image but steady in chant.
ghṛtācī: pronounce ghṛ with vocalic ṛ; avoid ‘gri’., pradakṣiṇid: retroflex ṇ; clear kṣ cluster., svaruḥ: pronounce sv- cluster smoothly., anakti: keep ‘kt’ crisp; do not insert vowel.
Warm, energized, slightly rounded tone; maintain steadiness through the circling imagery.
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