Sukta 11
Sukta 7.11
Vasiṣṭha (traditional attribution for Maṇḍala 7)
Triṣṭubh (probable; hymn of Maṇḍala 7 commonly in Triṣṭubh—needs metrical verification by syllable count)
This five-verse hymn invokes Agni as the foremost Hotṛ who makes the sacrifice intelligible and effective, without whom even the immortals do not attain their gladness. Agni is asked to arrive together with the Viśve Devāḥ, to perform the offering “in the human way,” to serve as messenger and protector against hostile speech, and finally to establish the rite among the gods in heaven for lasting well-being.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
महाँ अस्यध्वरस्य प्रकेतो न ऋते त्वदमृता मादयन्ते । आ विश्वेभिः सरथं याहि देवैर्न्यग्ने होता प्रथमः सदेह ॥
अग्नि, यह बड़ा यग्य है और तुम इसका मैन समझदार हो। तुम्हारे बिना देवता लोग भी खुश नहीं होते। सब देवता लेके एक ही रथ में यहाँ आओ। तुम होता बन के पहले बैठो यहाँ।
Mantra 2
त्वामीळते अजिरं दूत्याय हविष्मन्तः सदमिन्मानुषासः । यस्य देवैरासदो बर्हिरग्नेऽहान्यस्मै सुदिना भवन्ति ॥
लोग तुम्हे पुकारते हैं क्योंकि तुम तेज़ हो और काम में मदत करते हो। जो इंसान भगवान के लिए सामग्री लाते हैं, वो तुम्हे सदा मानते हैं। जिसके लिए देवता आके बैठ जाते हैं, उसके दिन अच्छे हो जाते हैं।
Mantra 3
त्रिश्चिदक्तोः प्र चिकितुर्वसूनि त्वे अन्तर्दाशुषे मर्त्याय । मनुष्वदग्न इह यक्षि देवान्भवा नो दूतो अभिशस्तिपावा ॥
रात में तीन बार तुम्हारे पास पैसा और समझ आती है। जो इंसान देता है, उसके लिए यह होता है। अग्नि, इंसान की तरह देवता लोगों को बोलो। तुम हमारे लिए पैगम लेके जाओ और बुरी बातें दूर करो।
Mantra 4
अग्निरीशे बृहतो अध्वरस्याग्निर्विश्वस्य हविषः कृतस्य । क्रतुं ह्यस्य वसवो जुषन्ताथा देवा दधिरे हव्यवाहम् ॥
अग्नि इस बड़े यग्य का मालिक है। जो भी सामग्री तैयार होती है, उसकी भी अग्नि मालिक है। वसु देवता लोग इसकी इच्छा मानते हैं। इसलिए सब देवता ने अग्नि को सामग्री उठाने वाला बनाया है।
Mantra 5
आग्ने वह हविरद्याय देवानिन्द्रज्येष्ठास इह मादयन्ताम् । इमं यज्ञं दिवि देवेषु धेहि यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
अग्नि, आज के लिए देवता लोगों को ले आओ। इंद्र सबसे बड़ा है, वो सब मिलके खुश हों। यह यग्य आसमान में देवता लोगों के पास पहुँचा दो। तुम लोग हमेशा हमारे लिए अच्छा करो।
Inside Sukta 11
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Agni is proclaimed the great ‘praketu’ of the sacrifice; without him the immortals do not enter their delight.
- Development
Agni is invited to come in one accord with all the gods and to take his seat as the first priest; he is then asked to perform the rite in the proper human manner and to act as messenger and protector.
- Climax
Agni’s mediatorship peaks in the request that he bring the gods (Indra foremost) to rejoice in the offering and that he establish the sacrifice ‘in heaven among the gods.’
- Where it settles
The hymn closes with a communal benediction: may the gods protect us always with svasti—harmonies of well-being and safe passage.
The deity: Agni
- In the VedaHe is praised as praketu (clear discerning intelligence) of the adhvara (well-ordered sacrifice) and as a purifier who repels harmful speech.
- Cosmic functionMediator between human and divine realms: he transports offerings upward, brings the gods downward, and stabilizes the sacrifice within the order of ṛta so it can be ‘placed in heaven among the gods.’
- Inner significanceThe awakened will and illumined discernment in the practitioner that gathers scattered powers into harmony, converts intention into effective offering, and protects the mind from hostile impulses and destructive speech.
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha-gotra (Āṅgirasa-related priestly lineage; traditional attribution of Maṇḍala 7 to the Vasiṣṭhas) · Foremost Brahmarṣi and royal purohita in Vedic tradition, celebrated for hymns of insight, ritual mastery, and the articulation of ṛta (cosmic order) through the fire-sacrifice.
Famous verses
na ṛte tvad amṛtā mādayante
bhavā no dūto abhiśastipāvā
imaṃ yajñaṃ divi deveṣu dhehi
Attributes of the deity
- Hotṛ (chief invoking priest)
- Dūta (messenger between worlds)
- Praketu (discerning intelligence)
- Pāvaka (purifier)
- Devānām āvahana-kartṛ (summoner/convener of the gods)
- Rakṣohā/abhiśasti-pāvā (warder-off of harm and hostile word)
Also by this seer
- Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 (traditional family book of the Vasiṣṭhas)
- Hymns to Agni, Indra, Varuṇa–Mitra, and the Viśve Devāḥ across RV 7
- Later tradition associates Vasiṣṭha with key narratives of Vedic kingship and priesthood (purohita role), though these are post-Rigvedic developments
The rite, step by step
- Kindle/brighten Agni and prepare the altar and ladles for offering.
- Invite Agni to ‘sit first’ as Hotṛ, establishing him as leader of the rite.
- Request Agni to arrive ‘together with all the gods’ (Viśve Devāḥ) in shared accord.
- Ask Agni to perform the offering ‘manuṣvat’ (according to proper human/ancestral ritual procedure).
- Commission Agni as dūta (messenger) and as purifier who wards off hostile speech and harm.
- Conclude by asking Agni to bring the gods for today’s oblation (havis), let them rejoice, and to ‘set the sacrifice in heaven among the gods,’ ending with a prayer for enduring svasti (well-being).
Offerings
- Havis (clarified butter/ghṛta and other cooked offerings as appropriate to the rite)
- Samidh (fuel sticks) and ājya (ghee) in the fire
- Optional soma context implied by Indra and ‘rejoicing,’ though the hymn itself foregrounds havis
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Agni to sit first as the Hotṛ, bring all the gods together to the sacrifice, carry the offering properly, and secure the rite’s success and protection for the worshippers.
Because Agni is the mediator of the yajña: he makes the offering effective and provides the ‘path’ by which the gods participate and receive their share.
It means Agni is a purifier who protects us from harmful or hostile speech—words meant to curse, accuse, or cause injury—by burning away their negative force.
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