Rig Veda Sukta 74
Mandala 1Sukta 749 Mantras

Sukta 74

Sukta 1.74

Rishi

Gopavana Ātreya (traditional for RV 1.74)

Devata

Agni

Chandas

Gāyatrī (probable; short 3-pāda structure typical of gāyatrī in this hymn style)

Kidung ini merupakan doa pendekatan kepada Agni, imam kurban yang senantiasa dekat, memohon agar ia mendengar para penyanyi baik “dari jauh” maupun “di sini” pada upacara. Agni dipuji dengan gelar-gelar—yang dipanggil dengan baik, bersifat ilahi, perkasa, bersemayam mantap di atas barhis—dan ditampilkan sebagai dia yang menampakkan daya kepahlawanan yang bercahaya serta kemakmuran bagi pemuja yang mempersembahkan korban dan bagi para dewa.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.74

Mantras

Mantra 1

उपप्रयन्तो अध्वरं मन्त्रं वोचेमाग्नये । आरे अस्मे च शृण्वते ॥

Saat kami maju menuju adhvara (kurban suci) yang batin, kami hendak mengucapkan mantra kepada Agni—semoga ia mendengar kami dari jauh, dan juga di sini, dekat di dalam.

Mantra 2

यः स्नीहितीषु पूर्व्यः संजग्मानासु कृष्टिषु । अरक्षद्दाशुषे गयम् ॥

Dia yang sejak dahulu, dalam pertemuan-pertemuan rapat di antara kaum-kaum, melindungi daya-hidup sang pemberi—semoga Agni itu menjaga apa yang telah kami peroleh melalui persembahan.

Mantra 3

उत ब्रुवन्तु जन्तव उदग्निर्वृत्रहाजनि । धनंजयो रणेरणे ॥

Dan biarlah segala makhluk berseru: “Agni telah bangkit, sang pembunuh Vṛtra”—pemenang kelimpahan dalam tiap pertempuran, penakluk dalam setiap perjumpaan jiwa.

Mantra 4

यस्य दूतो असि क्षये वेषि हव्यानि वीतये । दस्मत्कृणोष्यध्वरम् ॥

Di rumah siapa engkau menjadi utusan, di sanalah engkau membawa persembahan untuk dinikmati; dari daya yang menakjubkan engkau membentuk yajña (kurban suci)—menjadikan ritus itu berdaya dan bercahaya di kediaman sang pencari.

Mantra 5

तमित्सुहव्यमङ्गिरः सुदेवं सहसो यहो । जना आहुः सुबर्हिषम् ॥

Dialah sungguh, wahai Aṅgiras, yang oleh manusia disebut “yang baik dipanggil,” “dewa yang mulia-bercahaya,” “dorongan dari kekuatan,” dan “dia yang memiliki barhis (hamparan suci) yang baik.”

Mantra 6

आ च वहासि ताँ इह देवाँ उप प्रशस्तये । हव्या सुश्चन्द्र वीतये ॥

Dan engkau membawa mereka ke sini—para dewa—mendekat demi pujian yang sempurna, wahai yang bercahaya elok, untuk penerimaan gembira atas persembahan.

Mantra 7

न योरुपब्दिरश्व्यः शृण्वे रथस्य कच्चन । यदग्ने यासि दूत्यम् ॥

Tiada terdengar bunyi kuda-kudamu, dan tiada pula derit keretamu sedikit pun, ketika, wahai Agni, engkau pergi menjalankan utusanmu.

Mantra 8

त्वोतो वाज्यह्रयोऽभि पूर्वस्मादपरः । प्र दाश्वाँ अग्ने अस्थात् ॥

Dengan pertolonganmu, wahai pembawa daya-kelimpahan, yang tak kenal lelah, seorang yang lain telah maju melampaui yang terdahulu; sang pemberi, wahai Agni, telah berdiri di depan.

Mantra 9

उत द्युमत्सुवीर्यं बृहदग्ने विवाससि । देवेभ्यो देव दाशुषे ॥

Dan Engkau menampakkan daya-kepahlawanan yang bercahaya dan luhur, wahai Agni Yang Mahabesar; wahai dewa, bagi sang pemberi persembahan—Engkau membukakannya bagi para dewa.

Inside Sukta 74

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The singers ‘advance toward the sacrifice’ and voice the mantra to Agni, asking for his attentive hearing near and far (invocation and access).

  2. Development

    Agni is praised through functional titles and epithets—well-invoked, divine, mighty, properly seated—highlighting his priestly competence and readiness to receive.

  3. Climax

    Agni is affirmed as the revealer of radiant, great hero-power (dyumat suvīryam bṛhat), the turning-point where praise becomes requested manifestation.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn closes by linking Agni’s gift to the dāśuṣ (the giver/offerer) and to the devas, completing the circuit of offering, conveyance, and blessing.

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaAgni is the household and sacrificial fire, the shining messenger-priest (hotṛ) who receives offerings, bears them to the gods, and awakens divine presence through mantra and flame.
  • Cosmic functionMediator between human and divine realms: he conveys oblations to the devas, sustains ṛta through the rite, and kindles vitality, protection, and prosperity in the world.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and inner fire of aspiration—discernment, zeal, and the power that turns intention into realized strength and clarity.

The seer

  • Gopavana ĀtreyaĀtreya (Atri-gotra) · An early Ṛgvedic seer associated with Agni hymns that emphasize the right invocation (havana) and Agni’s role as the immediate hearer and carrier of prayer.

Famous verses

āre asme ca śṛṇvate
Verse 1.74.1Sets the hymn’s ritual posture: approaching the adhvara and requesting Agni’s hearing both at distance and in immediate presence—Agni as the accessible listener and priest.Read verse 1.74.1 →
tam it suhavyam
Verse 1.74.5Gathers key epithets that define Agni’s invocability and proper installation (subarhiṣ), summarizing why he is the dependable recipient and conveyor of worship.Read verse 1.74.5 →
dyumat suvīryam bṛhat
Verse 1.74.9Concluding affirmation of Agni as the one who manifests radiant, expansive hero-force for the worshipper and aligns the offering with the gods—successful ritual outcome.Read verse 1.74.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Suhavya (easy to invoke)
  • Dūta/Hotṛ (messenger-priest)
  • Bṛhat (vast, expansive)
  • Dyumat (radiant)
  • Sahasas (of might/impulse)
  • Subarhiṣ (well-seated on the sacred grass; properly installed in ritual order)

Also by this seer

  • Traditionally linked with select Agni stotras in Maṇḍala 1 (Anukramaṇī attributions vary by recension)
  • Ātreya lineage is prominent across the Ṛgveda in hymns to Agni, Indra, and allied deities (family-style praise and ritual orientation)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the vedi and barhis (sacred seat/grass), establishing ritual purity and direction.
  • Kindle or rekindle Agni (ādhāna/dīpana), inviting him to be present “here” and attentive even “from afar.”
  • Recite the hymn as an invocation and praise, naming Agni’s epithets to ‘fix’ his functions as hotṛ and dūta.
  • Offer oblations with the mantra-flow, requesting protection, radiant vigor, and successful conveyance to the devas.
  • Conclude with a sealing praise: Agni makes manifest dyumat suvīrya and opens the way of giving between worshipper and gods.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Kindling sticks (samidh)
  • Grain/cakes where appropriate (puroḍāśa in extended rites)
  • Aromatic offerings as local śrauta/gṛhya practice allows

Frequently Asked Questions

It invites Agni into the sacrifice and praises him as the priest-fire who listens to the hymn, receives offerings, and brings strength and success to the worshipper.

Agni is both cosmic and immediate: he is present in the ritual fire before the singers, and also the divine power that can respond beyond the visible rite.

“Suhavya” means ‘easy to invoke’—Agni responds readily to proper calling. “Subarhiṣ” means ‘well-seated on the barhis,’ indicating Agni is correctly installed in ritual order and therefore effective.

Ask anything about Sukta 74 of the Rig Veda

Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.

Not sure where to start?

A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.

Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app

Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Continue reading in the Vedapath app

Open in App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play