Rig Veda Sukta 4
Mandala 2Sukta 49 Mantras

Sukta 4

Sukta 2.4

Rishi

Gṛtsamada (traditional for RV 2.4)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable; needs metrical verification)

この讃歌は、ジャータヴェーダスなるアグニを、輝く「諸氏族の客」として招き、ミトラのように揺るがず信頼に足る者、人間のあいだに住して神々と人とを媒介する神として据える。多彩にきらめく光明を讃え、若さを新たにし続けるという逆説を歌い、結びに、アグニによってグリツァマダ族が限界を超えて立ち上がり、英雄の力、守護、そして生命の増益を得るよう祈る。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 2.4

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • AgniJātavedas

    Agni is praised as sudyotmān (well-luminous), suvṛkti (perfect in utterance), viśām atithi (guest of the peoples), and Jātavedas (knower of all births/creatures), a god who can be firmly established among men like Mitra.

Mantras

Mantra 1

हुवे वः सुद्योत्मानं सुवृक्तिं विशामग्निमतिथिं सुप्रयसम् । मित्र इव यो दिधिषाय्यो भूद्देव आदेवे जने जातवेदाः ॥

われは汝らに呼びかける。善く輝くアグニ(Agni)を、善き讃歌を具え、諸族の客人にして、施与の充溢する者を。彼はミトラ(Mitra)のごとく、堅く据えらるべき者となり、未だ神ならざる人々の中にあって神、万知をもって生まれしジャータヴェーダス(Jātavedas)である。

Mantra 2

इमं विधन्तो अपां सधस्थे द्वितादधुर्भृगवो विक्ष्वायोः । एष विश्वान्यभ्यस्तु भूमा देवानामग्निररतिर्जीराश्वः ॥

祭儀を執り行う者たちは、水の共座(さだすて)にこのアグニを据えた。ブリグ(Bhṛgu)らは再び、生ける者の諸族の中に彼を立てた。願わくはこのアグニが、動き迅く、速き馬を具えて、あらゆる存在にとって広き大地となり、また神々の支えとなれ。

Mantra 3

अग्निं देवासो मानुषीषु विक्षु प्रियं धुः क्षेष्यन्तो न मित्रम् । स दीदयदुशतीरूर्म्या आ दक्षाय्यो यो दास्वते दम आ ॥

神々は、人の諸族の中に、愛しきアグニを置いた。ミトラのごとき友を育むように。彼は歓喜を希う波をもって輝き出でる。巧み(ダクシャ)によって増しゆくべきその者は、施す者の家へと来たる。

Mantra 4

अस्य रण्वा स्वस्येव पुष्टिः संदृष्टिरस्य हियानस्य दक्षोः । वि यो भरिभ्रदोषधीषु जिह्वामत्यो न रथ्यो दोधवीति वारान् ॥

彼の歓喜は、まるで己が養いのごとし。急ぎ進む者の巧みは、明らかに見える。荷を担う者は、草木のあいだに舌をひろげる。戦車の駿馬のように、覆いを振り払い、道をひらく。

Mantra 5

आ यन्मे अभ्वं वनदः पनन्तोशिग्भ्यो नामिमीत वर्णम् । स चित्रेण चिकिते रंसु भासा जुजुर्वाँ यो मुहुरा युवा भूत् ॥

森に轟く者たちが、私のために広がりと色を量り定めたとき――燃え急ぐ炎のごとく――そのとき彼は、多彩なる光輝によって悟り、歓喜して照らす。老いゆく者でありながら、幾度も若さへと還る。

Mantra 6

आ यो वना तातृषाणो न भाति वार्ण पथा रथ्येव स्वानीत् । कृष्णाध्वा तपू रण्वश्चिकेत द्यौरिव स्मयमानो नभोभिः ॥

渇き求める者は森にあっては輝かず、されど戦車道のごとき路に導かれ、自らの響きに従う。黒き道において、その熱は歓喜を知る。雲をたたえ微笑む天のように、彼は己をあらわす。

Mantra 7

स यो व्यस्थादभि दक्षदुर्वीं पशुर्नैति स्वयुरगोपाः । अग्निः शोचिष्माँ अतसान्युष्णन्कृष्णव्यथिरस्वदयन्न भूम ॥

彼は離れて立ち、広き大地を焼き貫く。そこへは獣も行かぬ――自ら動き、導き手なきものは。アグニ(Agni)は焔光に満ち、繊維を温め、黒き抗いさえ味わわせる。彼は地を甘美へと練り上げる。

Mantra 8

नू ते पूर्वस्यावसो अधीतौ तृतीये विदथे मन्म शंसि । अस्मे अग्ने संयद्वीरं बृहन्तं क्षुमन्तं वाजं स्वपत्यं रयिं दाः ॥

いま汝が古き救いの進みゆく働きのうちに、第三の祭会(vidatha)にて、我が霊感の思いを宣べる。アグニよ、我らに与えよ――集いし勇士の群れ、広大なるもの、光輝ある充溢を。勝利の充満たる力(vāja)と、よき主権、そしてrayi――内なる富を。

Mantra 9

त्वया यथा गृत्समदासो अग्ने गुहा वन्वन्त उपराँ अभि ष्युः । सुवीरासो अभिमातिषाहः स्मत्सूरिभ्यो गृणते तद्वयो धाः ॥

汝によって、アグニよ、グリツァマダたちが隠れた処を求めつつ、上なる境を越えて昇りゆくがごとく、我らもまた勇力に富み、敵の圧迫に打ち勝つ者となれ。讃える先見者(sūri)らのために、汝より生命の充溢と成長とを確立せよ。

Inside Sukta 4

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct call to the radiant Agni—perfect in speech and the peoples’ guest—asking him to be firmly established among humans like Mitra (RV 2.4.1).

  2. Development

    Agni’s dynamic epithets unfold: his expansive, many-colored brilliance and his power to measure out vastness and ‘color,’ renewing youth again and again even as he ages (e.g., RV 2.4.5).

  3. Climax

    Agni is invoked as the force by which the Gṛtsamadas, striving in hidden places, rise beyond upper limits—an image of breakthrough from concealment to higher attainment (RV 2.4.9a).

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn ends in a practical blessing: heroic offspring/strength, victory over hostile pressures, and the establishment of vayas—vital plenitude and growth—for the praising seers and patrons (RV 2.4.9b).

The deity: Agni

  • Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods: he receives offerings, carries them to the devas, and maintains ṛta by kindling sacrifice, light, and ordered exchange.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened inner fire of discernment and aspiration—speech made true (suvṛkti), the power that transforms raw intention into effective offering, and the renewing will that becomes ‘young again’ through repeated consecration.

The seer

  • Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)Bhṛgu lineage (Bhārgava); traditionally of the Gṛtsamada family within Mandala 2 · Principal seer of Rigveda Mandala 2, renowned for powerful Agni hymns that frame Agni as the clan-guest (atithi) and as Jātavedas, the knower of all births.

Famous verses

viśām agnim atithim
Verse 2.4.1Sets the theological frame: Agni as the luminous clan-guest and as Jātavedas, to be established among humans ‘like Mitra’—a key ritual idea of enthroning the fire.Read verse 2.4.1 →
jujurvān yo muhur ā yuvā bhūt
Verse 2.4.5Captures Agni’s distinctive Vedic paradox: many-hued radiance that ‘measures out’ the vast, and the recurring renewal—ever-aging yet repeatedly becoming young—central to fire’s ritual re-kindling.Read verse 2.4.5 →
त्वया यथा गृत्समदासो अग्ने गुहा वन्वन्त उपराँ अभि ष्युः । सुवीरासो अभिमातिषाहः स्मत्सूरिभ्यो गृणते तद्वयो धाः ॥
Verse 2.4.9Names the seer-family and converts praise into a concrete boon: through Agni may the Gṛtsamadas transcend limits and gain heroic power, protection, and vital increase.Read verse 2.4.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Radiant and many-hued (citra bhāsā)
  • Guest-priest of the clans (atithi)
  • Bearer of offerings and messenger
  • Knower of births (Jātavedas)
  • Establishing, treaty-like reliability (Mitra-iva didhiṣāyya)
  • Renewing youth amid age (muhur ā yuvā bhūt)

Also by this seer

  • Primary authorship attributed to most of Rigveda Mandala 2 (many Agni-centered sūktas)
  • Associated with the Bhṛgu-Aṅgiras fire tradition in later Vedic memory
  • Hymnic style noted for strong ritual address and clan-centered theology of Agni

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/vedi and ritual space; seat the fire as the clan-guest (Agni as atithi).
  • Kindle or rekindle Agni with proper formulas, establishing him ‘like Mitra’—stable and welcome among the people.
  • Recite the hymn while offering oblations, praising Agni’s radiance and his capacity to renew and expand vital power.
  • Conclude with a petition for protection against hostile pressures and for vayas (vital growth, strength, increase) for the praising seers and patrons.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) oblations
  • Kindling sticks/samidhs
  • Optional soma-related offerings in a broader rite context (where applicable)

Frequently Asked Questions

The hymn is addressed to Agni, especially in the form Jātavedas—Agni as the one who knows all births and carries offerings to the gods.

Because the sacrificial fire is welcomed into every household and clan like an honored guest; once kindled, he presides over the rite and mediates between humans and the devas.

It asks that through Agni the worshippers gain heroic strength, overcome hostile pressures, and receive vayas—vital growth, nourishment, and flourishing for those who praise.

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