Sukta 24
Sukta 5.24
This brief Agni hymn is a protective prayer: the poet asks Agni to be the nearest presence (antama) and a steadfast shelter (varūthya) for the worshippers. Agni is invoked to awaken, hear the call, expand his guarding power, and rescue the community from hostile intent. The sukta culminates in seeking Agni’s grace and auspicious well-being for one’s companions engaged in the sacred work.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
अग्ने त्वं नो अन्तम उत त्राता शिवो भवा वरूथ्यः ॥
अग्नि, तुम हमारे पास रहो। तुम हमारे रक्षक बनो। हमें अच्छा करो, हमारे लिए सुरक्षा बनो।
Mantra 2
वसुरग्निर्वसुश्रवा अच्छा नक्षि द्युमत्तमं रयिं दाः ॥
अग्नि अच्छा है और अच्छे का नाम सुनाता है। हमारे पास आ और हमारे लिए सबसे बड़ा धन दे। यह धन चमकदार है।
Mantra 3
स नो बोधि श्रुधी हवमुरुष्या णो अघायतः समस्मात् ॥
हमें जगाओ, हमारी पुकार सुनो। हमें बड़ाओ और उस से बचाओ जो हमारे लिए बुरा चाहता है। बुरी नज़र से हमें बचाओ।
Mantra 4
तं त्वा शोचिष्ठ दीदिवः सुम्नाय नूनमीमहे सखिभ्यः ॥
हम तुम्हे बुला रहे हैं, तुम जो सबसे ज़्यादा चमकते हो और हमेशा उजते रहते हो। अभी हम तुम्हे अपने दोस्तों के लिए माँग रहे हैं। तुम हमारे काम में साथ दो और अच्छा करो।
Inside Sukta 24
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Agni is invoked as the closest divine ally—both ‘within reach’ and protective—asked to become auspicious and sheltering.
- Development
The prayer turns urgent and practical: Agni should awaken, listen, and expand his protective guard.
- Climax
A clear petition for rescue from the one who intends harm—protection from hostile will and evil purpose.
- Where it settles
The hymn settles into trust and aspiration: the worshippers seek Agni’s grace and good fortune for their companions engaged in the sacred endeavor.
The deity: Agni
- Cosmic functionMediator between humans and the gods: he carries oblations, safeguards the rite, and functions as a divine guardian who wards off harm and hostility.
- Inner significanceThe awakened flame of awareness and will: the inner fire that listens, protects, purifies intention, and gathers the community into a shared, auspicious purpose.
The seer
- Atri (Ātreya tradition; exact attribution uncertain in this sukta)Ātreya (Atri-gotra) · One of the great ṛṣis closely associated with Agni-invocation, protection-prayers, and the Atri family’s strong presence in Maṇḍala 5.
Famous verses
agne tvaṃ no antama uta trātā
sa no bodhi śrudhī havam
śociṣṭha dīdivaḥ sumnāya
Attributes of the deity
- Nearest presence (antama)
- Protector and rescuer (trātā)
- Auspicious, beneficent (śiva)
- Sheltering power (varūthya)
- Radiant/most luminous (śociṣṭha)
- Listener to prayer and awakener (bodhi, śrudhi)
Also by this seer
- Numerous hymns of the Rig Veda attributed to the Atri family, especially within Mandala 5
- Atri is a prominent seer in later Vedic-Itihāsa tradition and is counted among the Saptarṣi
The rite, step by step
- Prepare and consecrate the hearth/altar; arrange kindling and maintain ritual purity.
- Kindle Agni and establish the fire with a steady flame.
- Recite the sukta as a protective invocation: ask Agni to be ‘nearest’ and a ‘shelter’.
- Offer oblations while requesting widened guardianship and removal of harmful intent.
- Conclude with a grace-seeking prayer for the community/companions in the work, and maintain the fire respectfully or close the rite per tradition.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya)
- Kindling sticks (samidh)
- Grains or simple food-offerings (as customary)
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Agni to be very near, to protect like a shelter, to listen to prayer, and to save the worshippers from harmful intentions.
Because Agni is present as the visible ritual fire and is felt as the closest divine helper—immediately available to hear and protect.
It can be recited at the start of a fire offering or lamp-lighting as a prayer for safety, clarity, and auspicious support for one’s household or group work.
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