Sukta 17
Sukta 5.17
Vasiṣṭha
Triṣṭubh (likely)
This short Agni hymn of Vasiṣṭha draws the mortal worshipper near to the “more powerful” divine Helper through well-made sacrifice, praising Agni as protector, guide, and increaser. Agni is depicted in luminous, cosmic imagery—clothed in flame, driven by inspired speech—while the poet asks him to guard the desired good, grant well-being, and blaze up for strength in conflicts.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
आ यज्ञैर्देव मर्त्य इत्था तव्यांसमूतये । अग्निं कृते स्वध्वरे पूरुरीळीतावसे ॥
इंसान भगवान के पास जाता है जब यज्ञ करता है। वो मदद माँगने आता है जो शक्ति उससे बड़ी है। पुरु नाम का राजा भी अग्नि की पूजा करता है अपनी हिफाजत के लिए। वो कहता है, भगवान मुझे सही रास्ता दिखाए और बचाए।
Mantra 2
अस्य हि स्वयशस्तर आसा विधर्मन्मन्यसे । तं नाकं चित्रशोचिषं मन्द्रं परो मनीषया ॥
अग्नि की खुद की चमक है, किसी और की नहीं। वो आग वाला भगवान जो ऊपर बैठता है, उसकी ज्योति अलग-अलग रंगों में चमकती है। जो लोग समझदार हैं, वो उससे अंदर से महसूस करते हैं। वो खुशी देता है।
Mantra 3
अस्य वासा उ अर्चिषा य आयुक्त तुजा गिरा । दिवो न यस्य रेतसा बृहच्छोचन्त्यर्चयः ॥
अग्नि ने आग का कपड़ा पहना है। उसकी आवाज़ इतनी तेज़ है जैसे कोई उसे खींच रहा हो। उसकी किरणें आसमान से निकलती हैं और चारों तरफ फैल जाती हैं। बड़ी-बड़ी रोशनियाँ जगमग करती हैं।
Mantra 4
अस्य क्रत्वा विचेतसो दस्मस्य वसु रथ आ । अधा विश्वासु हव्योऽग्निर्विक्षु प्र शस्यते ॥
अग्नि समझदार है, उसकी सोच साफ है। वो अच्छी चीज़ें लाता है जैसे कोई रथ में बैठ के माल ले कर आता है। हर जगह लोग उसकी तारीफ करते हैं। हर गाँव में, हर खानदान में लोग उसे बुलाते हैं।
Mantra 5
नू न इद्धि वार्यमासा सचन्त सूरयः । ऊर्जो नपादभिष्टये पाहि शग्धि स्वस्तय उतैधि पृत्सु नो वृधे ॥
अब जो लोग रोशनी में रहते हैं वो अच्छे काम के साथ जुड़ जाते हैं। हे ऊर्जा के बेटा, हमारे काम के लिए हमें बचा। अपनी शक्ति दे ताकि हम साथ-साथ रह सकें। और लड़ाई में हमें आगे बढ़ा।
Inside Sukta 17
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The mortal approaches the stronger divine Helper through sacrifice; Agni is adored in the rightly fashioned rite for protection and guidance.
- Development
Agni’s luminous nature is unfolded—flame as his raiment, mantra as the force that yokes and drives him, and vast rays blazing like a heavenly seed of light.
- Climax
The prayer turns urgent and practical: Agni as ūrjó napāt is asked to protect the sought goal and grant strength and harmony.
- Where it settles
The hymn closes with a communal petition for welfare and increase—Agni is asked to blaze within and aid the people in their struggles.
The deity: Agni
- Cosmic functionMediator who carries offerings to the gods, sustains the sacrificial order (ṛta) through the rightly formed rite, and manifests as light and heat that vitalize and protect.
- Inner significanceThe awakened will and aspiration in the human being—clarity, ardor, and discerning force that transforms offerings (intentions) into spiritual gain, guarding the seeker and strengthening resolve in inner battles.
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha (Maitrāvaruṇa) gotra; one of the principal seers of the Vasiṣṭha family of Ṛgvedic poets · Foremost among the Saptaṛṣi in Vedic memory; celebrated as a master of mantra-craft and as the priestly seer closely associated with the Bharatas and royal consecratory tradition
Famous verses
su-adhvare ("in the well-made rite")
अस्य वासा उ अर्चिषा य आयुक्त तुजा गिरा । दिवो न यस्य रेतसा बृहच्छोचन्त्यर्चयः ॥ūrjó napāt ("Child of Energy")
Attributes of the deity
- Hotṛ (sacrificial priest) and dūta (messenger)
- Protector and guardian of the worshipper
- Radiant, flame-clad, far-shining (great rays)
- Kindled and “yoked” by inspired speech (gīr)
- Bestower of strength, welfare (svasti), and victory in struggles
Also by this seer
- Large portions of Maṇḍala 7 of the Ṛgveda are attributed to Vasiṣṭha and his lineage
- Hymns to Agni, Indra, Varuṇa–Mitra, and the Rivers in the Vasiṣṭha family corpus (especially RV 7)
- Vasiṣṭha is later remembered in Itihāsa-Purāṇa traditions as a paradigmatic brahmarṣi and royal purohita
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar and establish/rekindle the sacred fire with due purity and intention
- Invoke Agni with praise (stuti) as the nearer Helper approached by yajña
- Offer oblations while affirming the rite as su-adhvara (“well-formed offering-journey”)
- Recite verses emphasizing Agni’s radiance and his being driven/yoked by the mantra-word
- Conclude with petitions: protection for the aim (abhiṣṭi), well-being (svasti), and increase in conflicts (pṛtsu)
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) oblations
- Samidhs (kindling sticks)
- Optional: grains/cakes (puroḍāśa) depending on the larger rite
Frequently Asked Questions
It teaches that through a well-formed sacrifice one draws near to Agni, the powerful divine helper, who protects, guides the rite, and increases strength and well-being.
“Ūrjó napāt” means “Child of Energy,” highlighting Agni as the living force of vitality and power that can protect the worshipper’s aim and kindle strength within.
It is suitable for Agni worship at the start of a fire rite (morning/evening), recited with ghee offerings to seek protection, right progress of the ritual, and inner and outer strength.
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