Sukta 24
Sukta 3.24
Viśvāmitra Gāthina (RV 3.24)
Agni
Gāyatrī (probable for RV 3.24; confirm by metrical scan—shorter cadence suggests gāyatrī-like)
ಈ ಸಂಕ್ಷಿಪ್ತ ಅಗ್ನಿ-ಸೂಕ್ತದಲ್ಲಿ ಯಜ್ಞಾಗ್ನಿಯನ್ನು ಹೊರಗಿನ ಸಂಘರ್ಷದಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಒಳಗಿನ ಅಡ್ಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಇರುವ ಶತ್ರುಬಲಗಳನ್ನು ಮೀರಿಸಿ ಜಯಿಸಲು, ಹಾಗೂ ಯಜಮಾನನಿಗೆ “ವರ್ಚಸ್” (ತೇಜಸ್ಸು, ವಿಜಯೀ ಪ್ರಕಾಶ) ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಲು ಬೇಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಸಿದ್ಧಪಡಿಸಿದ ಯಜ್ಞಾಸನವಾದ ಬರ್ಹಿಸಿಗೆ ಅಗ್ನಿಯನ್ನು ಆಹ್ವಾನಿಸಿ, ಪ್ರಕಾಶಮಯ ಶಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಅವನನ್ನು ಜಾಗೃತಗೊಳಿಸಿ, ವೀರಬಲದಿಂದ ಸಮೃದ್ಧವಾದ “ರಯಿ” (ಸಂಪತ್ತು/ಸಮೃದ್ಧಿ) ನೀಡುವಂತೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಆರಾಧಕರ ಸಂಕಲ್ಪವನ್ನು ಶುದ್ಧೀಕರಿಸುವಂತೆ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.
Mantras
Mantra 1
अग्ने सहस्व पृतना अभिमातीरपास्य । दुष्टरस्तरन्नरातीर्वर्चो धा यज्ञवाहसे ॥
ಓ ಅಗ್ನೇ, ಯುದ್ಧಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಜಯಶಾಲಿಯಾಗು; ದಾಳಿ ಮಾಡುವ ಶತ್ರುಶಕ್ತಿಗಳನ್ನು ದೂರ ತಳ್ಳು. ದಾಟಲು ದುಸ್ತರವಾದರೂ, ನಿರಾಕರಣೆಯ ಶಕ್ತಿಗಳನ್ನು ದಾಟಿ, ಯಜ್ಞವಾಹಕನಲ್ಲಿ ತೇಜಸ್ಸನ್ನೂ ಶ್ರೀಯನ್ನೂ ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸು.
Mantra 2
अग्न इळा समिध्यसे वीतिहोत्रो अमर्त्यः । जुषस्व सू नो अध्वरम् ॥
ಓ ಅಗ್ನಿ, ಇಳಾ ಸಹಿತ ನೀನು ಪೂರ್ಣತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಜ್ವಲಿಸುತ್ತೀಯೆ; ಹವಿಗೆ ಬರುವ ಅಮರನು ನೀನೇ. ನಮ್ಮ ಈ ಅಖಂಡ ಅಧ್ವರಂ (ಯಜ್ಞಯಾತ್ರೆ) ಅನ್ನು ಸಂತೋಷದಿಂದ ಅಂಗೀಕರಿಸು.
Mantra 3
अग्ने द्युम्नेन जागृवे सहसः सूनवाहुत । एदं बर्हिः सदो मम ॥
ಓ ಅಗ್ನೇ, ದ್ಯುಮ್ನದ ಪ್ರಕಾಶಬಲದಿಂದ ಜಾಗೃತನಾದವನೇ, ಸಹಸನ ಪುತ್ರನೇ, ಆಹ್ವಾನಿತನೇ—ಇದು ನನ್ನ ಬರ್ಹಿಃ, ಪವಿತ್ರ ಕುಶದ ಹಾಸಿದ ಆಸನ, ನನ್ನ ಸಭಾಸ್ಥಾನ.
Mantra 4
अग्ने विश्वेभिरग्निभिर्देवेभिर्महया गिरः । यज्ञेषु य उ चायवः ॥
ಹೇ ಅಗ್ನಿ, ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಅಗ್ನಿಗಳೊಡನೆ, ದೇವರೊಡನೆ, ಯಜ್ಞಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಗ್ರಹಿತವಾಗಿ ಬಲಗೊಂಡಿರುವ ನಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರೇರಣಾಮಯ ವಾಣಿಯನ್ನು ಮಹಿಮಾಪಡಿಸು.
Mantra 5
अग्ने दा दाशुषे रयिं वीरवन्तं परीणसम् । शिशीहि नः सूनुमतः ॥
ಹೇ ಅಗ್ನಿ, ಅರ್ಪಿಸುವ ದಾತನಿಗೆ ವೀರಶಕ್ತಿಯುಳ್ಳದು, ಪರಿಪೂರ್ಣ ಸಮೃದ್ಧಿಯಿಂದ ತುಂಬಿದ ‘ರಯಿ’ಯನ್ನು ದಯಪಾಲಿಸು. ಹೇ ಸೂನುಮತ್ (ಪ್ರೇರಿತ ಶಕ್ತಿಯ ಪುತ್ರ), ನಮ್ಮನ್ನು ತೀಕ್ಷ್ಣಗೊಳಿಸಿ ಪರಿಪೂರ್ಣಗೊಳಿಸು, ನಮ್ಮ ಆತ್ಮಸಂಕಲ್ಪವು ಪ್ರಕಾಶಮಯ ಸಾಧನವಾಗುವಂತೆ.
Inside Sukta 24
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct plea to Agni to prevail in battles and cast away hostile assailants, while establishing splendour for the sacrificer (várchas for the yajñavāha).
- Development
Agni is portrayed as difficult-to-cross yet a crosser beyond negation; the hymn moves from protection/victory to invitation and seating—Agni is awakened and welcomed onto the barhis.
- Climax
Agni’s awakened presence at the ritual seat: the moment of effective invocation where divine power becomes accessible in the rite (3.24.3).
- Where it settles
A concluding boon: Agni grants rayi rich in heroic force and “sharpens” the worshippers, turning devotion into capability and wholeness (3.24.5).
The deity: Agni
- In the VedaAgni is the yajña-vāh (bearer/conveyor of the sacrifice), the awakened flame invoked by hymns, who drives away hostility (arāti/abhimāti) and establishes radiance (várchas) for the worshipper.
- Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods, transforming offerings into a subtle “message” that reaches the deities; also a protector who clears obstacles and secures victory and vitality.
- Inner significanceThe inner fire of aspiration and discernment that burns away inertia and negativity, awakens clarity, and concentrates will into effective action.
The seer
- Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthin (Viśvāmitra lineage; traditionally of the Kuśika/Viśvāmitra family) · A foremost Rigvedic seer associated with powerful Agni and Indra hymns, famed in later tradition for the transformation from royal status to brahmarṣi and for the Gāyatrī mantra’s association with his line.
Famous verses
varco dhā yajñavāhase
edaṃ barhiḥ sado mama
rayiṃ vīravantam parīṇasam
Attributes of the deity
- Yajñavāha (carrier of offerings)
- Sahasas sūnu (son of might)
- Jāgṛvi (the awakened/awakener)
- Protector in conflict; remover of hostile forces
- Bestower of rayi (prosperity, fullness) and varcas (splendour)
Also by this seer
- Large portions of Rigveda Maṇḍala 3 are attributed to the Viśvāmitra family (including many Agni and Indra hymns).
- Traditionally linked with the Gāyatrī tradition (notably RV 3.62.10 in later reception).
The rite, step by step
- Prepare and purify the altar/āhavanīya; kindle Agni with kindling while maintaining silence/attention.
- Strew barhis (sacred grass) as Agni’s “seat,” announcing hospitality to the divine presence (cf. 3.24.3).
- Recite the hymn to awaken Agni “by dyumna” (luminous force), explicitly asking him to repel abhimāti/arāti (assailing hostility).
- Make oblations while naming Agni as yajñavāha, requesting varcas (splendour) and rayi (abundance) for the yajamāna.
- Conclude with a prayer for refinement/strengthening (śiśīhi) so the community’s intention and capacity become fit instruments for the rite.
Offerings
- Ghṛta (ghee) oblations
- Samidh (kindling sticks)
- Optional: grains or simple havis in household setting
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Agni to drive away hostile forces, protect the worshipper in conflict, and establish radiant strength (varcas) and prosperity (rayi) through the sacrifice.
Barhis is the ritual “seat” prepared for the gods. Mentioning it signals that Agni is being formally welcomed and invited to take his place so the rite can succeed.
They refer to hostile pressures—enemies, ill-will, or obstructing forces. The hymn treats Agni as the power that repels these outer and inner forms of opposition.
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