Rig Veda Sukta 94
Mandala 1Sukta 9415 Mantras

Sukta 94

Sukta 1.94

Rishi

Gopavana Ātreya (traditionally for RV 1.94)

Devata

Agni (as Jātavedas)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (11-syllable pādas; hymn largely Triṣṭubh)

この讃歌は、ジャータヴェーダス(生知者)としてのアグニ――万有を知る火であり、供物を運ぶとともに、よく軛を結ばれた戦車のように共同体の練り上げられた讃辞を運ぶ者――を讃える。アグニの友誼の守りのうちに保護されること、集会において祭主の言葉がいっそう力強く確かなものとなること、そして同盟する宇宙的諸力に支えられて長寿と吉祥を得ることを祈願する。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.94

Mantras

Mantra 1

इमं स्तोममर्हते जातवेदसे रथमिव सं महेमा मनीषया । भद्रा हि नः प्रमतिरस्य संसद्यग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

この讃歌を、万生を知るジャータヴェーダスにふさわしきものとして、われらは明察の霊思によって、車を作り轭をかけるがごとく、共に組み立て整える。まことに、集会の座における彼の導きの知はわれらに吉祥なり。アグニよ、汝の友誼においてわれら損なわれず、汝の護りのうちに安らかならんことを。

Mantra 2

यस्मै त्वमायजसे स साधत्यनर्वा क्षेति दधते सुवीर्यम् । स तूताव नैनमश्नोत्यंहतिरग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

汝が祭られるその人は、まさに成就する。害なき歩みのまま広きところに住み、施与する者には満ちあふれる英雄の力(su-vīrya)を授ける。彼は駆り立てられて進み、打ち傷つける苦厄は彼に及ばない。アグニよ、汝との友誼において我らが損なわれぬように——汝の力のうちに安らかであれ。

Mantra 3

शकेम त्वा समिधं साधया धियस्त्वे देवा हविरदन्त्याहुतम् । त्वमादित्याँ आ वह तान्ह्युश्मस्यग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

我らが汝を薪火(samidh)としてよく燃え立たせ、思惟(dhī)を成就させ得るように。汝において神々は、注がれ捧げられた供物(havis)を食すと言われる。汝よ、アーディティヤたち(Ādityas)をここへ運べ——我らは彼らを望むゆえに。アグニよ、汝との友誼において我らが損なわれぬように——汝の力のうちに安らかであれ。

Mantra 4

भरामेध्मं कृणवामा हवींषि ते चितयन्तः पर्वणापर्वणा वयम् । जीवातवे प्रतरं साधया धियोऽग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

我らは薪を運び、汝の供物(havis)を整える。段ごと節ごとに自らを奮い起こしつつ。より充ちた生のために、我らの思惟の光(dhī)をいよいよ前へと進ませ、成就させよ。アグニよ、汝との友誼において我らが損なわれぬように——汝の力のうちに安らかであれ。

Mantra 5

विशां गोपा अस्य चरन्ति जन्तवो द्विपच्च यदुत चतुष्पदक्तुभिः । चित्रः प्रकेत उषसो महाँ अस्यग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

諸民の牧者にして守護者として、すべての生きものはその護りのもとに歩む――二足も四足も、夜々をわたって。彼の光は輝き、識別のしるしは明らかである。暁のうちに汝は大いなる者、アグニよ。汝の友誼において我らが損なわれず、汝の力のうちに安らかならんことを。

Mantra 6

त्वमध्वर्युरुत होतासि पूर्व्यः प्रशास्ता पोता जनुषा पुरोहितः । विश्वा विद्वाँ आर्त्विज्या धीर पुष्यस्यग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

汝はアドヴァリュ(Adhvaryu)であり、またホートリ(Hotṛ)である、いにしえの者。汝は指揮する者、浄める者として、生まれながらに前に据えられた。万事を知り、智慧に堅く、正しき祭司の働き(ṛtvijyā)をことごとく養い育てる。アグニよ、汝の友誼において我らが損なわれず、汝の力のうちに安らかならんことを。

Mantra 7

यो विश्वतः सुप्रतीकः सदृङ्ङसि दूरे चित्सन्तळिदिवाति रोचसे । रात्र्याश्चिदन्धो अति देव पश्यस्यग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

汝はあらゆる方に善き面貌をもち、等しく一つの視座で見渡す者。遠くにあってさえ、汝は稲妻のごとく、はるかに越えて輝く。夜の盲き闇をも超えて、光ある神よ、汝は見そなわす。アグニよ、汝の友誼において我らが損なわれず、汝の力のうちに安らかならんことを。

Mantra 8

पूर्वो देवा भवतु सुन्वतो रथोऽस्माकं शंसो अभ्यस्तु दूढ्यः । तदा जानीतोत पुष्यता वचोऽग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

神々よ、搾り手の戦車を先に進ませたまえ。われらの讃嘆の言葉が前へ運ばれ、堅く据えられますように。これを知り、この言葉を育てたまえ。アグニ(Agni)よ、汝の友誼においてわれらが損なわれず——汝の守護のうちに安らかでありますように。

Mantra 9

वधैर्दुःशंसाँ अप दूढ्यो जहि दूरे वा ये अन्ति वा के चिदत्रिणः । अथा यज्ञाय गृणते सुगं कृध्यग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

汝の打擲もって悪しき言葉の者どもを追い払え、堅く担う者よ。遠くにあろうと近くにあろうと、いかなる貪り食う者であれ。しかして祭儀へ向かい讃える歌い手のために善き道を作りたまえ。アグニ(Agni)よ、汝の友誼においてわれらが損なわれず——汝の守護のうちに安らかでありますように。

Mantra 10

यदयुक्था अरुषा रोहिता रथे वातजूता वृषभस्येव ते रवः । आदिन्वसि वनिनो धूमकेतुनाग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

汝が赤褐の、紅き駿馬を戦車に繋ぎ、風に駆られて走らせるとき、汝の轟きは牡牛のごとし。しかして煙を旗印とする汝は森の木々を揺り動かす。アグニ(Agni)よ、汝の友誼においてわれらが損なわれず——汝の守護のうちに安らかでありますように。

Mantra 11

अध स्वनादुत बिभ्युः पतत्रिणो द्रप्सा यत्ते यवसादो व्यस्थिरन् । सुगं तत्ते तावकेभ्यो रथेभ्योऽग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

さて、汝が轟き鳴るとき、翼あるものさえ震えおののく。生命の汁に養われる滴は、散り離れてゆく。アグニよ、汝の戦車のその進みを、われらにとって吉き渡り路となしたまえ。汝との友誼のうちに、汝に属するわれらが損なわれぬように。

Mantra 12

अयं मित्रस्य वरुणस्य धायसेऽवयातां मरुतां हेळो अद्भुतः । मृळा सु नो भूत्वेषां मनः पुनरग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

これはミトラとヴァルナの保持の力のためのもの。マルトたちの驚異なる憤りを退けたまえ。われらに慈悲を垂れ、彼らの心を(敵意より)ふたたび引き返らせたまえ。アグニよ、汝との友誼のうちに、汝に属するわれらが損なわれぬように。

Mantra 13

देवो देवानामसि मित्रो अद्भुतो वसुर्वसूनामसि चारुरध्वरे । शर्मन्त्स्याम तव सप्रथस्तमेऽग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

汝は神々の神、驚異なるミトラ。汝はヴァスたちのうちのヴァス、供犠において麗しき者。最も広くひろがる者よ、われらが汝の庇護のうちに安らわんことを。アグニよ、汝との友誼のうちに、汝に属するわれらが損なわれぬように。

Mantra 14

तत्ते भद्रं यत्समिद्धः स्वे दमे सोमाहुतो जरसे मृळयत्तमः । दधासि रत्नं द्रविणं च दाशुषेऽग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

これぞ汝の吉祥なる善。汝が己が家において燃え立ち、ソーマ(Soma)の供物をもって招かれるとき、成長するいのちのために最も慈悲深く、最も恵み満ちたものとなる。汝は施与する者のために宝と財の充溢を据え置く。アグニ(Agni)よ、汝との友誼において、汝のものなる我らが害を受けぬように。

Mantra 16

स त्वमग्ने सौभगत्वस्य विद्वानस्माकमायुः प्र तिरेह देव । तन्नो मित्रो वरुणो मामहन्तामदितिः सिन्धुः पृथिवी उत द्यौः ॥

汝、アグニ(Agni)よ、我らの幸運の法を知る者よ。神よ、ここにて我らの寿命を延べよ。ミトラ(Mitra)とヴァルナ(Varuṇa)がそれを我らのために増し輝かせんことを。アディティ(Aditi)、存在の河シンドゥ(Sindhu)、大地、そして天もまた。

Inside Sukta 94

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn begins by ‘building’ a worthy stoma for Jātavedas, likening praise to a chariot crafted and yoked by inspired intelligence.

  2. Development

    Agni is affirmed as beneficent guide in the assembly; the poet repeatedly seeks safety in Agni’s friendship and asks that the community’s word be strengthened and carried forward.

  3. Climax

    The prayer intensifies into a communal, forward-driving petition—may the sacrificer’s chariot go first and the utterance be fostered—so the rite succeeds without harm.

  4. Where it settles

    It closes with a direct request for extended life and good fortune, broadened by the sanction of Mitra, Varuṇa, Aditi, Sindhu, Earth, and Heaven, sealing the blessing in a cosmic frame.

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaAgni is invoked as Jātavedas, “Knower of all births,” the luminous priest and messenger who understands the right ordering of sacrifice and the intentions of the worshipper, and who grants safe passage and prosperity.
  • Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods: he receives offerings, transmits them to the deities, orders the rite, and sustains the cosmic exchange (ṛta) through fire, light, and transformative heat.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened flame of discernment (manīṣā) and truth-bearing speech: the inner fire that clarifies intention, protects from harm, and turns aspiration into effective action and blessing.

The seer

  • Gopavana ĀtreyaĀtreya (Atri-gotra) · A seer of the Ātreya line remembered for hymns that foreground Agni’s role as the wise, benevolent friend and the ritual guide who secures safety and success for the sacrificer.

Famous verses

agne sakhye mā riṣāmā vayaṃ tava
Verse 1.94.1Sets the hymn’s central image: praise fashioned like a chariot, and the core refrain-like plea for safety within Agni’s friendship in the ritual assembly.Read verse 1.94.1 →
agne sakhye mā riṣāmā vayaṃ tava
Verse 1.94.8Expresses the hymn’s communal ritual urgency—let the sacrificer’s chariot go first; let the gods establish and nourish the worshipper’s word—again anchored in the protection-in-friendship motif.Read verse 1.94.8 →
Concluding blessing: Agni as the knower of good fortune is asked to extend life; allied deities and cosmic supports are invoked to magnify the boon, giving the hymn its final seal.
Verse 1.94.15

Attributes of the deity

  • Jātavedas (omniscient knower of births)
  • Hotṛ/ṛtvij (priestly power that orders ritual)
  • Dūta (messenger who carries offerings)
  • Sakhā (protective friend of the worshipper)
  • Pāvaka/śuci (purifier, bright and clean)
  • Rakṣohā (warder-off of harm)

Also by this seer

  • Traditionally associated with Rig Veda Mandala 1 hymns to Agni in the Ātreya stream (including RV 1.94 and adjacent Agni stotras in the same section)
  • Contributes to the Ātreya-style emphasis on Agni as sabhā/saṃsad guide (protector of the worshipper in the communal rite)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/vedi and kindle Agni with kindling while reciting opening praise to Jātavedas.
  • Compose/recite the stoma “like yoking a chariot,” i.e., with ordered meters and clear intention (manīṣā).
  • Invite Agni to the assembly (saṃsad) as guide and friend; request protection from injury and obstacles.
  • Coordinate with pressing/offerings: let the sacrificer’s ‘chariot’ (ritual momentum) go first; ask the gods to foster the utterance.
  • Conclude with prayers for saubhāgya (good fortune) and āyuḥ (long life), and with supportive invocations to Mitra-Varuṇa, Aditi, and the cosmic supports (Earth-Heaven).

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Kindling sticks (samidh)
  • Grain oblations (e.g., puroḍāśa/anna offerings as applicable)
  • Soma-related accompaniment where the rite includes pressing (contextual to the sacrifice)

Frequently Asked Questions

Agni is the main deity, especially as Jātavedas—“the Knower of all births”—the fire who understands the rite and carries offerings and prayers.

The hymn asks Agni to guide the sacrifice, keep the worshippers safe “in his friendship,” strengthen their praise in the assembly, and grant good fortune and long life.

It suggests that a hymn must be carefully built and ‘yoked’ with skill and insight, so it can carry the sacrificer’s intention forward effectively—just as a well-made chariot carries a rider to the goal.

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