Sukta 14
Sukta 6.14
Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya (Mandala 6 attribution)
Agni
Triṣṭubh (probable; requires metrical confirmation)
This short Agni-hymn teaches that the mortal who serves Agni with true intention and inspired thought is made radiant and is advanced in strength, food-plenty, and protection. Agni is praised as the ancient power who grants a steadfast, assault-enduring hero and as the mediator who can “speak for us” to the other gods. The hymn culminates in a repeated prayer to be led to welfare and good dwelling, and to cross beyond hatred, distress, and wrong paths by Agni’s aid.
Mantras
Mantra 1
अग्ना यो मर्त्यो दुवो धियं जुजोष धीतिभिः । भसन्नु ष प्र पूर्व्य इषं वुरीतावसे ॥
जो इंसान अग्नि के लिए काम करता है और अपना दिमाग लगाता है, वो चमकता है। अग्नि पुराना और ताकतवर है। वो उस इंसान की मदद करता है और उसको आगे बढ़ाता है। उसकी वजह से उसका काम पूरा होता है।
Mantra 2
अग्निरिद्धि प्रचेता अग्निर्वेधस्तम ऋषिः । अग्निं होतारमीळते यज्ञेषु मनुषो विशः ॥
अग्नि सबसे जागरूक है। वो सब जानता है और रिशि जैसा समझदार है। लोग यज्ञ में अग्नि को बुलाकर पूजा करते हैं। वो सबसे पहले आता है और सबसे आखरी जाता है।
Mantra 3
नाना ह्यग्नेऽवसे स्पर्धन्ते रायो अर्यः । तूर्वन्तो दस्युमायवो व्रतैः सीक्षन्तो अव्रतम् ॥
अग्नि, लोग तुझे पाने के लिए अलग-अलग तरह से कोशिश करते हैं। अच्छे लोग बुरी ताकतों से लड़ते हैं। जो लोग नियम फॉलो करते हैं, वो बुरी ताकतों को सिखाते हैं कि सही रास्ता क्या है। वो उनको ठीक करने की कोशिश करते हैं।
Mantra 4
अग्निरप्सामृतीषहं वीरं ददाति सत्पतिम् । यस्य त्रसन्ति शवसः संचक्षि शत्रवो भिया ॥
अग्नि ऐसा वीर देता है जो हर ताकत सहन कर सकता है। यह सच्चा मालिक है। दुश्मन उसकी ताकत देख के डर के मारे काँपते हैं। वो सब मिलके डरते हैं कि अब क्या होगा।
Mantra 5
अग्निर्हि विद्मना निदो देवो मर्तमुरुष्यति । सहावा यस्यावृतो रयिर्वाजेष्ववृतः ॥
अग्नि अपनी समझ से इंसान को बुरी बातों से बचाता है। जो लोग अग्नि के साथ रहते हैं, उनको खुल के मिलता है। जीत में उनका खज़ाना खुला रहता है।
Mantra 6
अच्छा नो मित्रमहो देव देवानग्ने वोचः सुमतिं रोदस्योः । वीहि स्वस्तिं सुक्षितिं दिवो नॄन्द्विषो अंहांसि दुरिता तरेम ता तरेम तवावसा तरेम ॥
अग्नि, तू देवताओं के पास हमारी बात रख। धरती और आसमान की अच्छी सोच हमारे लिए माँग। हमें अच्छी जगह ले जा, जहाँ शांति हो। बुराई और दुश्मनी से पार लगा दे। तेरी मदद से हम सब से पार कर लें।
Inside Sukta 14
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The hymn opens by stating the principle: the mortal who serves Agni and strengthens inspired thought becomes radiant, and Agni brings forward nourishing impulsion and help.
- Development
Agni is then described as an active bestower—granting endurance, heroic force, and ‘true lordship’ that makes opponents tremble.
- Climax
Agni is asked explicitly to speak on behalf of the worshipper to the gods, bringing the ‘good mind’ of Heaven and Earth and leading the community toward welfare and good settlement.
- Where it settles
It ends with a strong, repeated petition to cross beyond hatreds, constrictions, and misfortunes—‘by thy help’—sealing the hymn as a protective and guiding prayer.
The deity: Agni
- In the VedaAgni is the shining fire-principle—kindled on the altar, dwelling in many forms, and acting as Hotṛ who carries offerings and words to the gods. He is invoked as ancient (pūrvya), radiant, protective, and as a giver of heroic power and right-mindedness.
- Cosmic functionMediator between human and divine realms: he conveys oblations, awakens the gods, and establishes ṛta (right order) through sacrifice, ensuring prosperity and safe passage through dangers.
- Inner significanceThe awakened will and luminous intelligence in the human being—transforming aspiration into effective action, burning obstacles, and guiding the mind toward clarity, courage, and right direction.
The seer
- Bharadvāja BārhaspatyaBharadvāja gotra; called Bārhaspatya as connected with Bṛhaspati/Angiras line · Foremost seer of the Bharadvāja family and principal voice of Mandala 6, noted for powerful Agni hymns that unite ritual precision with inner illumination (dhī) and divine mediation.
Famous verses
अग्ना यो मर्त्यो दुवो धियं जुजोष धीतिभिः । भसन्नु ष प्र पूर्व्य इषं वुरीतावसे ॥अग्निरप्सामृतीषहं वीरं ददाति सत्पतिम् । यस्य त्रसन्ति शवसः संचक्षि शत्रवो भिया ॥tavāvasā tarema
Attributes of the deity
- Mediator (dūta) who ‘speaks to the gods’
- Ancient, ever-renewed power (pūrvya)
- Giver of heroism and steadfast lordship (vīra, satpati)
- Protector who helps one ‘cross beyond’ troubles
- Radiant, kindled brilliance that increases inspired thought (dhī)
Also by this seer
- Majority of Rigveda Mandala 6 hymns (traditional attribution to the Bharadvājas)
- Numerous Agni and Indra praises emphasizing priestly mediation, protection, and victory
- Bharadvāja is remembered in later Vedic-Itihāsa tradition as a great ṛṣi and transmitter of sacred lore
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the vedi (altar) and kindle Agni with kindling (samidh) and ghee.
- Invoke Agni as Hotṛ/mediator; recite the sukta as praise and request for guidance.
- Offer oblations while affirming dhī (inspired intention) and service (duvas) to Agni.
- Pray for a steadfast hero/leadership and for the trembling of adversities before divine strength.
- Conclude with the crossing-prayer: ask Agni to lead to svasti (well-being) and sukṣiti (good dwelling), and to help pass beyond hatred and wrong paths.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya)
- Kindling sticks (samidh)
- Optional milk/curds or simple havis as per household rite
Frequently Asked Questions
To bless the worshipper with radiant strength, protection, and prosperity, and to act as a messenger who speaks to the other gods for our welfare and right guidance.
Because Agni is invoked as the power that leads safely through hatred, distress, and wrong paths—both outward obstacles and inward confusion—so one reaches well-being and a stable home.
It can be recited at a simple fire offering (with ghee and kindling) or as a prayer at dawn/evening, focusing on clarity of intention (dhī), seeking courage, protection, and right direction through Agni.
Ask anything about Sukta 14 of the Rig Veda
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