Sukta 7
Sukta 4.7
Vāmadeva Gautama (traditional for RV 4.7)
Triṣṭubh (probable; verify in critical edition)
RV 4.7 is an Agni hymn that recalls the primordial “establishing” of the sacrificial Fire and his rediscovery/rekindling by the Bhṛgus, so that he shines for every clan. It praises Agni as hotṛ and as the carrier of ṛta (cosmic truth/order), moving powerfully like wind and a swift steed to bring offerings to the gods and prosperity back to humans.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
अयमिह प्रथमो धायि धातृभिर्होता यजिष्ठो अध्वरेष्वीड्यः । यमप्नवानो भृगवो विरुरुचुर्वनेषु चित्रं विभ्वं विशेविशे ॥
यह अग्नि सबसे पहले बनाया गया था। वो लोग जिन्होंने दुनिया को बनाया, उन्होंने यह किया। यज्ञ में यह सबसे बड़ा पूजा योग्य है। भृगु वंश के लोगों ने जंगल में इसको ढूंढा। फिर हर खानदान के लिए यह एक बड़ी ताकत बन गया।
Mantra 2
अग्ने कदा त आनुषग्भुवद्देवस्य चेतनम् । अधा हि त्वा जगृभ्रिरे मर्तासो विक्ष्वीड्यम् ॥
अग्नि, बताओ कब तुम्हारी पूरी जागृति होगी? जब यह होती है, तब इंसान तुम्हे पकड़ लेते हैं। फिर वो तुम्हे हर खानदान में पूजा के लायक मान के रखते हैं।
Mantra 4
आशुं दूतं विवस्वतो विश्वा यश्चर्षणीरभि । आ जभ्रुः केतुमायवो भृगवाणं विशेविशे ॥
विवस्वत का एक तेज़ दौड़ने वाला संदेशवाला है जो सब जगह जाता है। उसकी रोशनी का निशान भृगु वंश के लोग लाए हैं। वो हर खानदान में पहुँच गया है।
Mantra 6
तं शश्वतीषु मातृषु वन आ वीतमश्रितम् । चित्रं सन्तं गुहा हितं सुवेदं कूचिदर्थिनम् ॥
हम उसको ढूंढते हैं पुरानी माताओं में, जंगल की ग्रोथ में। वो वहाँ बैठ गया है। यह एक अनोखी चीज़ है जो छुपी हुई गुफा में है। जो सच में ढूंढता है, उसे यह मिलता है।
Mantra 7
ससस्य यद्वियुता सस्मिन्नूधन्नृतस्य धामन्रणयन्त देवाः । महाँ अग्निर्नमसा रातहव्यो वेरध्वराय सदमिदृतावा ॥
जब देवताओं ने सच्चाई के घर को तैयार किया, उस समय बड़ा अग्नि आया। लोगों की भक्ति से जो आहुति दी जाती है, वो उसे मिलती है। वो हमेशा सच्चाई को धारण करता है।
Mantra 8
वेरध्वरस्य दूत्यानि विद्वानुभे अन्ता रोदसी संचिकित्वान् । दूत ईयसे प्रदिव उराणो विदुष्टरो दिव आरोधनानि ॥
अग्नि यज्ञ का दूता है। वो आसमान और धरती दोनों के किनारे जानता है। वो उजली ऊंचाई से निकल के आता है। वो आसमान के सारे रास्ते जानता है।
Mantra 10
सद्यो जातस्य ददृशानमोजो यदस्य वातो अनुवाति शोचिः । वृणक्ति तिग्मामतसेषु जिह्वां स्थिरा चिदन्ना दयते वि जम्भैः ॥
जब अग्नि पैदा होता है, उसकी पावर तुरंत दिखती है। हवा उसकी आग को भड़काती है। वो अपनी जीभ बाहर निकालता है और पक्का खाना भी तोड़ देता है।
Mantra 11
तृषु यदन्ना तृषुणा ववक्ष तृषुं दूतं कृणुते यह्वो अग्निः । वातस्य मेळिं सचते निजूर्वन्नाशुं न वाजयते हिन्वे अर्वा ॥
अग्नि खाने के बीच में बड़ा है। वो भूखा है और आगे बढ़ता है। हवा के साथ मिल के वो तेज़ी से चलता है। जैसे तेज़ घोड़ा दौड़ता है, वैसे ही वो अपना काम करता है।
Inside Sukta 7
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Agni is proclaimed as the first-established priest, most worthy of worship in the sacrifice, set in place by the cosmic ‘ordainers.’
- Development
The hymn expands Agni’s mythic history (Bhṛgus making him blaze in the forests) and his social function—radiant power serving every community—while deepening his identity as messenger and upholder of ṛta.
- Climax
Agni is revealed as mighty and truth-bearing: the gods prepare the dwelling of ṛta, and Agni—receiving oblation through reverence—comes to the sacrifice as the ever-ṛtāvān (truth-bearer).
- Where it settles
Agni’s dynamic energy is affirmed—thirsting, swift, wind-allied—so he may drive the rite forward and secure plenitude and well-being for the worshippers.
The deity: Agni
- Cosmic functionMediator of heaven and earth: he carries offerings to the gods, awakens divine presence in the rite, and sustains ṛta by making the sacrifice effective.
- Inner significanceThe awakened flame of aspiration and discernment: the inner priest that transforms raw impulse into clarified intention, and aligns the person with truth (ṛta) through disciplined offering.
The seer
- Vāmadeva GautamaGautama gotra (Vāmadeva line; traditionally linked with the Gotamas of Mandala 4) · A major seer of Mandala 4, celebrated for profound Agni-centered vision and for hymns that connect ritual fire with ṛta (truth/order) and inspired poetic insight.
Famous verses
hotā yajiṣṭho
sadām id ṛtāvā
तृषु यदन्ना तृषुणा ववक्ष तृषुं दूतं कृणुते यह्वो अग्निः । वातस्य मेळिं सचते निजूर्वन्नाशुं न वाजयते हिन्वे अर्वा ॥Attributes of the deity
- Hotṛ (chief priest of the sacrifice)
- Dūta (messenger) between humans and gods
- Bearer/guardian of ṛta (truth, right order)
- Primordial and continually rekindled
- Radiant, vast, clan-supporting power
- Swift-moving, wind-allied energy
Also by this seer
- Many hymns of Rigveda Mandala 4 (traditionally attributed to Vāmadeva Gautama)
- Associated in later tradition with the Vāmadeva motif and with foundational Agni praise used in śrauta-style fire ritual contexts
The rite, step by step
- Purification and preparation of the altar/fire-space (vedi) and fuel arrangement
- Kindling/establishing Agni with reverent invitation as hotṛ and īḍya (adorable one)
- Recitation to recall Agni’s primordial establishment and Bhṛgu-kindling, affirming his rightful place in the rite
- Offerings into the fire with namas (reverence), requesting Agni to carry them and to uphold ṛta
- Concluding praise for Agni’s swift, wind-like movement and his power to bring abundance back to the sacrificer
Offerings
- Ghṛta (ghee/clarified butter)
- Samidhs (kindling sticks)
- Havis (simple oblations such as grains/cakes, as appropriate to the rite)
Frequently Asked Questions
It celebrates Agni as the primal sacrificial Fire—first set in place, rekindled by the Bhṛgus, and active in every sacrifice as the priest who carries offerings and upholds ṛta (truth/order).
The Bhṛgus are remembered as discoverers/rekindlers of Agni, making him blaze in the forests; the hymn uses this to show Agni’s ancient legitimacy and his availability to all clans.
It can be recited at the start of a homa or simple lamp/fire offering to invoke Agni as the inner and outer priest—asking for clarity, right order (ṛta), and the successful ‘carrying’ of one’s offerings and intentions.
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