Rig Veda Sukta 17
Mandala 5Sukta 175 Mantras

Sukta 17

Sukta 5.17

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha

Devata

Agni

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (likely)

ヴァシシュタのこの短いアグニ讃歌は、よく整えられた祭儀によって、死すべき礼拝者を「より力ある」神なる助け手へと近づけ、アグニを守護者・導き手・増益者として讃える。アグニは、炎を衣としてまとい、霊感に満ちた言葉に駆り立てられるという、光輝にして宇宙的なイメージで描かれ、詩人は彼に、望む善を守り、安寧を授け、争いの中で力のためにいよいよ燃え上がるよう祈り求める。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 5.17

Mantras

Mantra 1

आ यज्ञैर्देव मर्त्य इत्था तव्यांसमूतये । अग्निं कृते स्वध्वरे पूरुरीळीतावसे ॥

人は祭祀によって神に近づき、より強き者の救けを求める。正しく整えられた供犠の道(svadhvara)において、プール(Pūru)はアグニ(Agni)を幾たびも讃え、守護を乞い—神なる意志を招いて護り導かしめる。

Mantra 2

अस्य हि स्वयशस्तर आसा विधर्मन्मन्यसे । तं नाकं चित्रशोचिषं मन्द्रं परो मनीषया ॥

法を見分ける者よ、あなたは彼を自ずから生まれた、いよいよ大いなる栄光の持ち主と思う。天にまで高く、彩りある炎を放つアグニ(Agni)、歓喜を与える者は、照らされた思惟(manīṣā)によって彼方に据えられる。

Mantra 3

अस्य वासा उ अर्चिषा य आयुक्त तुजा गिरा । दिवो न यस्य रेतसा बृहच्छोचन्त्यर्चयः ॥

彼の衣はまこと炎であり、駆り立てる言葉(girā)によって彼は軛につながれる。天の精種(retas)のごとく、その広大な光線は燃え立ち—光の本質より点ぜられた大いなる照明が輝き出る。

Mantra 4

अस्य क्रत्वा विचेतसो दस्मस्य वसु रथ आ । अधा विश्वासु हव्योऽग्निर्विक्षु प्र शस्यते ॥

その洞察ある意志の力によって、この驚異なる者は、動きゆく戦車に善き宝を載せる。かくして、招請されるべき者として、アグニ(Agni)はあらゆる氏族のうちに讃えられる――人の営みの諸領域に遍く在して。

Mantra 5

नू न इद्धि वार्यमासा सचन्त सूरयः । ऊर्जो नपादभिष्टये पाहि शग्धि स्वस्तय उतैधि पृत्सु नो वृधे ॥

今まさに、光ある賢者たちは望ましき善に結びつく。おお、力の子(Ūrjo Napāt)よ、われらの目標のために護れ。われらの安寧のために力を授け、また戦いの中での増大のために、われらのうちに燃え立て。

Inside Sukta 17

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The mortal approaches the stronger divine Helper through sacrifice; Agni is adored in the rightly fashioned rite for protection and guidance.

  2. Development

    Agni’s luminous nature is unfolded—flame as his raiment, mantra as the force that yokes and drives him, and vast rays blazing like a heavenly seed of light.

  3. Climax

    The prayer turns urgent and practical: Agni as ūrjó napāt is asked to protect the sought goal and grant strength and harmony.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn closes with a communal petition for welfare and increase—Agni is asked to blaze within and aid the people in their struggles.

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaAgni is the divine Fire—invoked, kindled, and praised as the radiant priest (hotṛ), messenger between worlds, and protector of the sacrificer; here he is “clothed in flame,” with vast blazing rays, and is called ūrjó napāt (“Child of Energy”).
  • Cosmic functionMediator who carries offerings to the gods, sustains the sacrificial order (ṛta) through the rightly formed rite, and manifests as light and heat that vitalize and protect.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and aspiration in the human being—clarity, ardor, and discerning force that transforms offerings (intentions) into spiritual gain, guarding the seeker and strengthening resolve in inner battles.

The seer

  • VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha (Maitrāvaruṇa) gotra; one of the principal seers of the Vasiṣṭha family of Ṛgvedic poets · Foremost among the Saptaṛṣi in Vedic memory; celebrated as a master of mantra-craft and as the priestly seer closely associated with the Bharatas and royal consecratory tradition

Famous verses

su-adhvare ("in the well-made rite")
Verse 5.17.1Sets the hymn’s ritual theology: sacrifice is the means of approach, and Agni is praised as the powerful protector in the well-formed adhvara.Read verse 5.17.1 →
अस्य वासा उ अर्चिषा य आयुक्त तुजा गिरा । दिवो न यस्य रेतसा बृहच्छोचन्त्यर्चयः ॥
Verse 5.17.3Provides the central imagistic revelation of Agni—flame-clad, propelled by inspired speech, with vast rays blazing like the seed of heaven.Read verse 5.17.3 →
ūrjó napāt ("Child of Energy")
Verse 5.17.5Concluding petition that crystallizes the hymn’s aims: protection, well-being (svasti), inner kindling, and strength in battles; includes the notable epithet ūrjó napāt.Read verse 5.17.5 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Hotṛ (sacrificial priest) and dūta (messenger)
  • Protector and guardian of the worshipper
  • Radiant, flame-clad, far-shining (great rays)
  • Kindled and “yoked” by inspired speech (gīr)
  • Bestower of strength, welfare (svasti), and victory in struggles

Also by this seer

  • Large portions of Maṇḍala 7 of the Ṛgveda are attributed to Vasiṣṭha and his lineage
  • Hymns to Agni, Indra, Varuṇa–Mitra, and the Rivers in the Vasiṣṭha family corpus (especially RV 7)
  • Vasiṣṭha is later remembered in Itihāsa-Purāṇa traditions as a paradigmatic brahmarṣi and royal purohita

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and establish/rekindle the sacred fire with due purity and intention
  • Invoke Agni with praise (stuti) as the nearer Helper approached by yajña
  • Offer oblations while affirming the rite as su-adhvara (“well-formed offering-journey”)
  • Recite verses emphasizing Agni’s radiance and his being driven/yoked by the mantra-word
  • Conclude with petitions: protection for the aim (abhiṣṭi), well-being (svasti), and increase in conflicts (pṛtsu)

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) oblations
  • Samidhs (kindling sticks)
  • Optional: grains/cakes (puroḍāśa) depending on the larger rite

Frequently Asked Questions

It teaches that through a well-formed sacrifice one draws near to Agni, the powerful divine helper, who protects, guides the rite, and increases strength and well-being.

“Ūrjó napāt” means “Child of Energy,” highlighting Agni as the living force of vitality and power that can protect the worshipper’s aim and kindle strength within.

It is suitable for Agni worship at the start of a fire rite (morning/evening), recited with ghee offerings to seek protection, right progress of the ritual, and inner and outer strength.

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