Sukta 7
Sukta 2.7
Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)
Gāyatrī
Himne Gāyatrī yang singkat ini memanggil Agni sebagai api milik kaum Bharata sendiri—yang termuda namun paling utama—memohon agar ia membawa kekayaan yang bercahaya, sangat didambakan, serta kesejahteraan. Himne ini memuji kemurnian Agni dan kehadirannya yang luas lagi berkilau, menegaskan bahwa ia diteguhkan oleh persembahan ghee dan berfungsi sebagai Hotṛ purba yang terpilih, yang mengantarkan ritus hingga tuntas.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
श्रेष्ठं यविष्ठ भारताग्ने द्युमन्तमा भर । वसो पुरुस्पृहं रयिम् ॥
Wahai Agni milik Bharata, wahai yang termuda dan terbaik, bawakanlah kepada kami kekayaan yang bercahaya; wahai yang baik, rai yang melimpah, yang sangat didambakan banyak orang.
Mantra 2
मा नो अरातिरीशत देवस्य मर्त्यस्य च । पर्षि तस्या उत द्विषः ॥
Janganlah kuasa permusuhan—kekurangan dan penguasaan yang salah—menguasai kami, baik dari pihak dewa maupun dari pihak manusia fana; seberangkanlah kami melampaui itu, dan juga melampaui para pembenci.
Mantra 3
विश्वा उत त्वया वयं धारा उदन्या इव । अति गाहेमहि द्विषः ॥
Bersama-Mu, kami akan menyeberang melampaui segala daya yang memusuhi, laksana aliran air yang hidup melimpah, menerobos dan melampaui tebing-tebing penghalang.
Mantra 4
शुचिः पावक वन्द्योऽग्ने बृहद्वि रोचसे । त्वं घृतेभिराहुतः ॥
Suci dan menyucikan, layak dipuja, wahai Agni, engkau menyala terang dalam Yang Mahaluas; engkau dinyalakan dan ditumbuhkan oleh ghee (ghṛta), oleh sari bercahaya yang dipersembahkan di dalam.
Mantra 5
त्वं नो असि भारताग्ने वशाभिरुक्षभिः । अष्टापदीभिराहुतः ॥
Engkau milik kami, wahai Agni kaum Bharata; oleh daya-daya yang menunduk dan tenaga-tenaga yang perkasa engkau dinyalakan—oleh irama-irama banyak-langkah yang mengusung persembahan ke depan.
Mantra 6
द्र्वन्नः सर्पिरासुतिः प्रत्नो होता वरेण्यः । सहसस्पुत्रो अद्भुतः ॥
Dengan persembahan kami ia berlari, diperas dengan sari ghee; Hotar yang purba dan terpilih—Agni, putra daya yang menakjubkan—mengangkat karya pemanggilan suci di dalam diri kami.
Inside Sukta 7
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Agni is hailed as the Bharatas’ own fire—youngest yet supreme—and is asked to bring luminous, greatly desired wealth.
- Development
Agni’s purity and purifying nature are praised; his radiance is depicted as expansive, and his growth through ghee offerings is emphasized.
- Climax
Agni is affirmed as the ancient, choice Hotṛ—effective priestly power that makes the offering reach its divine goal.
- Where it settles
The hymn settles on Agni’s wondrous origin and strength, implying assured success of the rite and the bestowal of prosperity.
The deity: Agni
- Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods: he receives offerings, conveys them to the deities, and maintains ṛta by enabling sacrifice, hospitality, and communal order.
- Inner significanceThe awakened will and luminous intelligence that purifies, transforms, and carries intention upward; the inner priest that makes aspiration effective through disciplined offering.
The seer
- Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)Bhṛgu/ Bhārgava lineage (Gṛtsamada family) · Principal seer of much of Maṇḍala 2, noted for Agni-centered hymns that establish Agni as the effective Hotṛ and prosperity-bringer for the Bharata people.
Famous verses
śreṣṭhaṃ yaviṣṭha bhāratāgne
śuciḥ pāvaka vandyo 'gne
pratno hotā vareṇyaḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Youngest yet best (yaviṣṭha, śreṣṭha)
- Pure and purifying (śuci, pāvaka)
- Worthy of adoration (vandya)
- Shining widely in the Vast (bṛhad vi rocase)
- Fed by ghee/essence (ghṛtebhir āhutaḥ)
- Ancient, choice Hotṛ (pratna hotā vareṇyaḥ)
- Wondrous ‘son of strength’ (sahasas putra adbhutaḥ)
Also by this seer
- Rig Veda Maṇḍala 2 (many sūktas traditionally ascribed to Gṛtsamada)
- Agni and allied deities’ hymns within RV 2 that frame the sacrificial fire as the community’s protector and wealth-giver
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar and kindling; establish the domestic/sacrificial fire with cleanliness and intention.
- Invoke Agni as Bharata-Agni, ‘youngest and best,’ requesting dyumant (radiant) wealth.
- Offer ghee oblations while praising Agni as śuci/pāvaka and vandya, acknowledging his wide shining presence.
- Request that Agni act as the ancient Hotṛ, carrying the offering and the prayer to the gods.
- Conclude with a reaffirmation of Agni’s wondrous power and the rite’s desired fruit (rāyí, prosperity).
Offerings
- Ghee (ghṛta)
- Kindling sticks/samidhs
- Optional milk/curds or simple food-offerings in household practice
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Agni to bring “luminous” and much-desired wealth—prosperity, wellbeing, and the successful fruit of worship for the community.
Because Agni is described as being kindled and strengthened by ghee; the oblation symbolizes nourishing the sacred fire so it can carry prayers effectively.
Hotṛ is the invoking priest. Calling Agni the ancient Hotṛ means he is the timeless, reliable mediator who makes the offering reach the gods and makes the rite work.
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