Rig Veda Sukta 9
Mandala 5Sukta 97 Mantras

Sukta 9

Sukta 5.9

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha (probable for 5.9)

Devata

Agni (Jātavedas)

Chandas

Gāyatrī/Anuṣṭubh-like short meter (uncertain from single verse; requires scan of full hymn 5.9)

この讃歌は、供物を受け取り、人間の祭儀の道に沿ってそれを神々へ運ぶ全知の火、ジャータヴェーダス(Jātavedas)としてアグニを招請する。アグニの慈恵ある導きと富を授ける力を讃える一方、制御を失えば焼き尽くしかねない、御し難い力をも併せて認める。祈りは、争いの中での勝利を伴う繁栄、成長、そして守護の希求へと結実する。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 5.9

Mantras

Mantra 1

त्वामग्ने हविष्मन्तो देवं मर्तास ईळते । मन्ये त्वा जातवेदसं स हव्या वक्ष्यानुषक् ॥

アグニよ、供物を携える人の子らは、神なる汝を讃えて礼拝する。われは汝をジャータヴェーダス(生まれしものを悉く知る者)と思う。ゆえに、われらの供献を、つねに、人の道に従い、幾たびも運びたまえ。

Mantra 2

अग्निर्होता दास्वतः क्षयस्य वृक्तबर्हिषः । सं यज्ञासश्चरन्ति यं सं वाजासः श्रवस्यवः ॥

アグニは、施与する者の住まいのホートリ(Hotṛ、祭官)であり、そこではバルヒス(祭草の座)がよく整えられている。祭儀の歩みは彼に合流し、名声を求める力の充溢(ヴァージャ vāja)もまた彼に合流する——聞くに値する誉れを打ち立てる力である。

Mantra 3

उत स्म यं शिशुं यथा नवं जनिष्टारणी । धर्तारं मानुषीणां विशामग्निं स्वध्वरम् ॥

またまことに、二つのアラニー(araṇī、摩木)が新生の子のように産み出すその者——人の諸共同体を支えるアグニ——彼を彼らは据え立てる。善き祭儀の者として、正しき儀礼のために。

Mantra 4

उत स्म दुर्गृभीयसे पुत्रो न ह्वार्याणाम् । पुरू यो दग्धासि वनाग्ने पशुर्न यवसे ॥

しかも汝はなお捉えがたし、放埒なる者らの中の子のごとく。多くの森を焼き尽くす、アグニよ、牧に放たれた獣のごとく。

Mantra 5

अध स्म यस्यार्चयः सम्यक्संयन्ति धूमिनः । यदीमह त्रितो दिव्युप ध्मातेव धमति शिशीते ध्मातरी यथा ॥

そのときまことに、煙を帯びたその炎が正しく整って集まるとき――われらが彼を求めるとき――天上のトリタ(Trita)は吹子のごとく彼に息を吹きかける。彼は研ぎ澄まされ、輝きを増す、吹きつつ磨く者のごとく。

Mantra 6

तवाहमग्न ऊतिभिर्मित्रस्य च प्रशस्तिभिः । द्वेषोयुतो न दुरिता तुर्याम मर्त्यानाम् ॥

アグニよ、汝の救護の力と、ミトラ(Mitra)の調和する称賛とによって、敵意の軛を離れしわれは、死すべき者らの難き渡りを越えん。

Mantra 7

तं नो अग्ने अभी नरो रयिं सहस्व आ भर । स क्षेपयत्स पोषयद्भुवद्वाजस्य सातय उतैधि पृत्सु नो वृधे ॥

その富を、アグニよ、われら人のために、ここへ運べ。勝ち得る力をもって運べ。彼は逆らうものを打ち倒し、われらの増大を養い、ヴァージャ(vāja、力・勝利の充溢)を得る勝利となり、また戦いの中でわれらの成長となれ。

Inside Sukta 9

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Mortals approach Agni with offerings, praising him as the divine Jātavedas who knows the right way and bears the havis.

  2. Development

    Agni’s dual aspect is unfolded: indispensable guide and bearer of sacrifice, yet difficult to grasp and capable of vast burning when not mastered.

  3. Climax

    The hymn turns from description to direct petition—Agni is asked to bring decisive, victorious wealth that overthrows opposition and fosters increase.

  4. Where it settles

    It closes with a settled prayer for sustained growth and strength in conflicts, affirming Agni as the community’s enduring support.

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaAgni is the deva kindled by mortals, the bright messenger who eats the oblation and conveys it to the gods; as Jātavedas he ‘knows all births’—origins, creatures, and the right order of sacrifice.
  • Cosmic functionMediator between human and divine realms; transformer of offerings into divine nourishment; upholder of ṛta through correctly tended fire, and purifier who burns away impurity while sustaining life through heat and light.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and discerning intelligence that can uplift when disciplined (yajña, tapas) or become destructive when uncontrolled—mirroring the moral demand to ‘hold’ power rightly.

The seer

  • VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha gotra; one of the Saptarṣi, associated with the Vasiṣṭha clan (Maitrāvaruṇa lineage in later tradition) · Foremost seer-priest of the Rig Veda’s 7th Maṇḍala, famed for brahmanical power, kingship counsel, and hymns that establish Agni as the disciplined ritual mediator; central figure in Vedic and Itihāsa traditions.

Famous verses

jātavedasaṃ … havyā vakṣy ānuṣak
Verse 5.9.1Sets the hymn’s core theology: Agni as Jātavedas and the continual carrier of offerings along the human ritual path (ānuṣak), establishing him as mediator.Read verse 5.9.1 →
उत स्म दुर्गृभीयसे पुत्रो न ह्वार्याणाम् । पुरू यो दग्धासि वनाग्ने पशुर्न यवसे ॥
Verse 5.9.4Captures Agni’s ambivalence—beneficent yet ‘hard to seize,’ and capable of burning forests—highlighting the need for disciplined ritual containment of power.Read verse 5.9.4 →
rayiṃ sahasva ā bhara
Verse 5.9.7The culminating request for rayi (wealth/being), poṣa (increase), and victory in contests; summarizes the hymn’s practical aim: prosperity with protection.Read verse 5.9.7 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Messenger (dūta) and carrier of offerings (havyavāhana)
  • Jātavedas: all-knowing of births/origins
  • Purifier and transformer
  • Ambivalent power: protective hearth-fire and consuming wildfire
  • Bestower of wealth, victory, and increase
  • Embodiment of ritual order (ṛta) when properly kindled

Also by this seer

  • Primary attribution of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 (many sūktas to Agni, Indra, Varuṇa-Mitra, etc.)
  • Key contributor to Vedic priestly tradition (hotṛ/brahman ideal) reflected in later Brāhmaṇa and epic memory
  • Associated in tradition with hymns of protection, kingship, and the sanctification of ritual speech (vāc)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/hearth and kindle Agni with kindling (samidh), establishing a steady flame.
  • Invoke Agni as deva and Jātavedas, requesting him to ‘carry the oblations continually’ (ānuṣak).
  • Offer clarified butter and selected oblations into the fire with recitation of the verses.
  • Maintain disciplined tending of the fire—acknowledging Agni’s ‘hard to seize’ nature and avoiding negligence.
  • Conclude with a petition for rayi (substance/wealth), poṣa (increase), and victory in contests (pṛtsu).

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Kindling sticks (samidh)
  • Grain/oblations (havis) as appropriate to the rite

Frequently Asked Questions

Agni, especially as Jātavedas—the fire-god who knows all origins and carries human offerings to the gods.

It points to Agni’s double nature: when tended with discipline he protects and blesses, but when uncontrolled he becomes a consuming force like wildfire.

It asks for rayi (substantial well-being/wealth), poṣa (growth and increase), the defeat of obstacles, and strength for success in conflicts.

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