Sukta 61
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition
Devata: Agni (as tapas-bearer)
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (likely; Atharvanic homa-formulas commonly in anuṣṭubh)
この短いアタルヴァ系の讃歌は、アグニをタパス（熱・規律化された力能）の担い手であり生成者として扱い、「熱する」という火の技法によって内なる力を生み出す。アグニによってタパスを点火することで、祭式の担い手はパウスティカの利益――アーユス（長寿）、メーダー（明晰な知性）、そしてシュルティ／名声における好ましい地位――を求める。それらは、注意深い聴聞と正しい祭儀への集中によって確かなものとなる。
Kind of charm
Mantras
Mantra 1
तपः। यद॑ग्ने॒ तप॑सा॒ तप॑ उपत॒प्याम॑हे॒ तपः॑ । प्रि॒याः श्रु॒तस्य॑ भूया॒स्मायु॑ष्मन्तः सुमे॒धसः॑
苦行（tapas）。アグニ（Agni）よ、われらが苦行によって苦行を燃え立たせ、苦行としてさらに熱し高めるとき、聖なる聞（śruti）と名声に愛される者となり、長寿で、善き知慧（sumeḍhas）を具えますように。
Mantra 2
अग्ने॒ तप॑स्तप्यामह॒ उप॑ तप्यामहे॒ तपः॑ । श्रु॒तानि॑ शृ॒ण्वन्तो॑ व॒यमायु॑ष्मन्तः सुमे॒धसः॑
アグニ（Agni）よ、われらは苦行（tapas）を修し、さらに苦行を熱し高める。聖なる事どもを聞きつつ、われらが長寿で、善き知慧（sumeḍhas）を具えますように。
Inside Sukta 61
How it unfolds
- How it opens
The hymn opens by naming tapas itself and immediately linking it to Agni as the means by which tapas is kindled and intensified.
- What it asks
May we become dear to śruti/renown, long-lived (āyuṣmantaḥ), and of good understanding (sumeḍhasaḥ), through the heated potency of tapas.
- Where its power lies
The repeated verbal root tap (‘to heat, to practice tapas’) functions as the efficacy-claim: tapas is produced by tapas through Agni, implying a self-reinforcing technology of power.
- How it closes
It closes by tying the fruit of tapas to ‘hearing the sacred things’ (śrutāni śṛṇvantaḥ), sealing the rite with longevity and clear intelligence as the stated results.
Famous verses
āyuṣmantaḥ sumeḍhasaḥ
śrutāni śṛṇvantaḥ
Kind of hymn
Paustika with tapas-technology; adjacent to Bhaisajya insofar as it seeks āyus (life-span)
What it is for
To generate and intensify tapas via Agni so the performers gain longevity (āyus), good understanding (sumeḍhas/medhā), and favorable standing in sacred hearing/renown (śruti/śruta).
Who it is for
Householders, students, or ritual practitioners seeking longevity, mental clarity, and success in learning/hearing sacred instruction—especially in a homa or fire-centered setting.
Also used as
- Shantika (stabilizing, auspicious strengthening)
- Bhaisajya-adjacent (āyus-seeking longevity enhancement)
- Medhā-prayoga (intelligence/learning support)
The deity
Agni is invoked not only as sacrificial fire but as the embodied principle of tapas—transformative heat that ripens offerings, disciplines the practitioner, and converts ritual effort into longevity and insight.
Powers of the deity
- Ignites and intensifies tapas (transformative heat)
- Carries prayers/intent into effective realization
- Purifies and refines mind and speech toward medhā
- Supports longevity and vigor through regulated heat/energy
- Confers auspicious fame/standing connected with śruti (heard sacred tradition)
Why the deity is called
Agni is called to ‘heat up’ tapas so that the practitioners become dear to sacred renown/śruti, long-lived, and well-minded (sumeḍhas).
The seer
- Atharvanic (anonymous/unspecified r̥ṣi)Atharvan. Paustika charms that build vitality (āyus), sharpen medhā, and secure auspicious reputation through homa-like fire formulas and disciplined tapas.
Other hymns of this seer
- AV 7.60 (adjacent paustika context)
- AV 7.62 (adjacent hymn in the same anuvāka sequence)
Preparing for the rite
- Establish a clean, contained fire-space (homa-kunda or household fire).
- Prepare kindling and ghee (or a simple fuel offering) as the support for Agni’s ‘heating.’
- Set intention: āyus and medhā, with disciplined attention to śruti (listening/learning).
The rite
- Kindle or brighten Agni; maintain steady flame.
- Recite 7.61.1–2 facing the fire, synchronizing the phrase ‘tapas… upa-tapyāmahe’ with a deliberate intensification of the flame (adding fuel/ghee).
- Conclude with a silent moment of focused ‘heat’ (inner steadiness), then resume ordinary duties or study while maintaining attentive listening (śravaṇa).
What it needs
- Agni (ritual fire)
- Kindling/fuel
- Ghee or suitable offering (optional but customary)
When
At dawn or dusk (sandhyā) when tending the fire, or before study/recitation sessions to support medhā and disciplined attention.
The main substance
Agni (fire/heat)
How it is prepared
Kindle and stabilize a clean fire; optionally feed with ghee/kindling at the mantra’s ‘upatapyāmahe’ moments to ritualize ‘intensification’ of tapas.
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Agni to intensify tapas (transformative heat/discipline) so the reciters become long-lived (āyus), clear-minded (sumeḍhas/medhā), and favored in sacred hearing and good repute (śruti/śruta).
Both senses are present, but the hymn emphasizes a fire-centered technology: tapas as heat generated through Agni and disciplined practice, yielding tangible paustika benefits like longevity and sharpened understanding.
It can be recited while kindling or tending a fire (homa/household Agni), especially before study or recitation, focusing on steady attention and ‘heating up’ resolve so that learning and mental clarity increase along with vitality.
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