Sukta 12
Sukta 6.12
Bharadvāja
Triṣṭubh
This short Triṣṭubh hymn of Bharadvāja praises Agni as the royal Hotṛ seated on the barhis within the home-altar, whose far-reaching flame spreads like the sun. It asks Agni Jātavedas to advance with the worshipers’ zeal, to ripen and perfect the sacrifice, to lead them to abundance, and to drive away harmful paths so the community may thrive for a full lifespan with heroic progeny.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
मध्ये होता दुरोणे बर्हिषो राळग्निस्तोदस्य रोदसी यजध्यै । अयं स सूनुः सहस ऋतावा दूरात्सूर्यो न शोचिषा ततान ॥
अग्नि मंदिर के बीच में बैठा है, राजा की तरह। यह दोनों दुनिया के लिए यज्ञ करता है। यह बल का बेटा है, धरम पे चलता है। दूर से आग फैला रहा है, जैसे सूरज चमकता है।
Mantra 2
आ यस्मिन्त्वे स्वपाके यजत्र यक्षद्राजन्त्सर्वतातेव नु द्यौः । त्रिषधस्थस्ततरुषो न जंहो हव्या मघानि मानुषा यजध्यै ॥
हे राजा अग्नि, जब तू चमकता है तो आसमान भी तुझे पूजा करता है। तू तीन स्थान पे खड़ा है, कोई रोक नहीं सकता। लोग तुझे सामान और तोहफे दे के पूजा करते हैं।
Mantra 3
तेजिष्ठा यस्यारतिर्वनेराट् तोदो अध्वन्न वृधसानो अद्यौत् । अद्रोघो न द्रविता चेतति त्मन्नमर्त्योऽवर्त्र ओषधीषु ॥
उसकी ताकत बहुत तेज़ है, जंगल में राज करता है। रास्ते पे आग चमकता है, बढ़ता जाता है। किसी को नुकसान नहीं करता, तेज़ दौड़ने वाले की तरह जागता है। वो अमर है, जड़ी-बूटियों में घूमता है।
Mantra 4
सास्माकेभिरेतरी न शूषैरग्निः ष्टवे दम आ जातवेदाः । द्र्वन्नो वन्वन्क्रत्वा नार्वोस्रः पितेव जारयायि यज्ञैः ॥
हमारी ताकत से वो आगे बढ़ता है, जैसे तेज़ चलने वाला। अग्नि घर में पूजा करते हैं, यह जनम का जानकार है। तेज़ी से आगे बढ़ता है, घोड़े की तरह दौड़ता है। बाप की तरह यज्ञ को पूरा करता है।
Mantra 5
अध स्मास्य पनयन्ति भासो वृथा यत्तक्षदनुयाति पृथ्वीम् । सद्यो यः स्यन्द्रो विषितो धवीयानृणो न तायुरति धन्वा राट् ॥
उसकी चमक फैलती है। जो कुछ वो बनाता है, वो व्यर्थ नहीं होता, पूरी ज़मीन पे काम करता है। जैसे ही वो आज़ाद होता है, तेज़ी से बहता है। कर्ज़ लेने वाले की तरह पीछे पड़ता है, रेगिस्तान को पार करता है।
Mantra 6
स त्वं नो अर्वन्निदाया विश्वेभिरग्ने अग्निभिरिधानः । वेषि रायो वि यासि दुच्छुना मदेम शतहिमाः सुवीराः ॥
अग्नि, तुम हमारे सफ़र का घोड़ा हो। तुम्हे आग से जलाया है। तुम हमको सारी चीज़ों तक ले जाते हो। बुरी रास्ते को तुम दूर भगा देते हो। हम खुश रहें, सौ साल तक जिएँ, और हिम्मत वाले बनें।
Inside Sukta 12
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Agni is enthroned at the center of the home-rite as kingly Hotṛ, fit to be worshiped for the two worlds, his flame spreading like the sun (6.12.1).
- Development
The hymn emphasizes Agni’s dynamic advance with the worshipers’ energies—driving forward, conquering by will, and maturing the sacrifice like a father nurturing growth (notably 6.12.4).
- Climax
Agni is asked to lead the community to plenitudes (rāyaḥ) and actively separate them from harmful ways, functioning as guide and protector (6.12.6).
- Where it settles
It ends in a blessing-aspiration: joyful flourishing through a full lifespan (“a hundred winters”) with strength and heroic progeny under Agni’s guidance (6.12.6).
The deity: Agni
- In the VedaAs Jātavedas, he is the knower of births and the one to be hymned in the dwelling.
- Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods: he carries offerings, establishes the rite, and maintains the bridge between the two worlds (rodasī), sustaining order through sacrificial exchange.
- Inner significanceThe awakened flame of will and discernment that kindles aspiration, matures inner offerings into clarity, and burns away wrong courses (ducchunā), guiding the seeker toward plenitude (rāyaḥ).
The seer
- BharadvājaBharadvāja gotra (Āṅgirasa lineage; traditional epithet: Bārhaspatya) · A प्रमुख (major) seer of the Rig Veda’s sixth maṇḍala, celebrated for lucid Agni-hymns that link domestic ritual precision with cosmic order (ṛta).
Famous verses
dūrāt sūryo na śociṣā tatāna
सास्माकेभिरेतरी न शूषैरग्निः ष्टवे दम आ जातवेदाः । द्र्वन्नो वन्वन्क्रत्वा नार्वोस्रः पितेव जारयायि यज्ञैः ॥śatahimāḥ suvīrāḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Hotṛ/priest of the sacrifice
- Jātavedas (knower of births)
- Bearer of offerings and messenger
- Solar-like radiance and far-reaching flame
- Protector and path-clearer
- Upholder of ṛta
- Domestic presence (dame, in the home)
Also by this seer
- Primary seer of much of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6 (many sūktas to Agni, Indra, and allied deities)
- Bharadvāja tradition influential in Śrauta/Smārta fire-ritual lineages and later Vedic memory (gotra-pravara usage)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar/seat (barhis) and arrange the sacred space in the dwelling or ritual enclosure
- Kindle Agni (idhāna) with kindling while reciting praise to establish him as Hotṛ
- Offer oblations with invocations to Agni as mediator for the two worlds (rodasī)
- Recite hymns requesting forward movement, victory by resolve (kratvā), and the ripening of the rite
- Conclude with petitions for wealth/plenitude, removal of evil paths, long life, and heroic offspring
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya)
- Samidhs (kindling sticks)
- Havis/oblations (simple cooked offering where applicable)
Frequently Asked Questions
Agni is praised—especially as the Hotṛ (chief priest of the sacrifice) in the home and as Jātavedas, the “knower of births,” who carries offerings and protects the worshipers.
Agni is the central sacred fire who makes the ritual effective, spreads light like the sun, leads people toward prosperity, and turns them away from harmful or wrong paths.
It is suited for fire worship such as dawn/dusk offerings: kindle the fire, offer ghee and kindling with recitation, and conclude with prayers for abundance, protection, long life, and strength.
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