Rig Veda 1.98.2: Mandala 1, Sukta 98, Mantra 2
Sukta 1.98
- Devata
- Agni
- Chandas
- Triṣṭubh
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace) and Adbhuta (wonder)
पृष्टो दिवि पृष्टो अग्निः पृथिव्यां पृष्टो विश्वा ओषधीरा विवेश । वैश्वानरः सहसा पृष्टो अग्निः स नो दिवा स रिषः पातु नक्तम् ॥
pṛṣṭó diví pṛṣṭó agníḥ pṛthivyā́m pṛṣṭó víśvā óṣadhīr ā́ viveśa | vaiśvānaráḥ sáhasā pṛṣṭó agníḥ sá no divā́ sá ríṣaḥ pā́tu náktam ||
Di langit ia ditegakkan, di bumi ia ditegakkan; Agni memasuki segala tumbuh-tumbuhan dan daya penyembuhan. Agni Vaiśvānara ini, ditegakkan oleh kekuatannya sendiri, semoga melindungi kami daripada segala luka pada siang hari, dan semoga melindungi kami pada malam hari.
Word by Word
- पृ॒ष्टः
- praised, invokedAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ-विशेषण (अग्निः)Root पृच्छ् (धातु) → पृष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
- दि॒वि
- in heavenNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचनRole अधिकरणRoot दिव् (प्रातिपदिक: द्यौ/दिव्)
- पृ॒ष्टः
- praisedAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ-विशेषण (अग्निः)Root पृच्छ् → पृष्ट
- अ॒ग्निः
- Agni (fire-god)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्ताRoot अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
- पृ॑थि॒व्याम्
- on earthNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचनRole अधिकरणRoot पृथिवी (प्रातिपदिक)
- पृ॒ष्टः
- praisedAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ-विशेषण (अग्निः)Root पृच्छ् → पृष्ट
- वि॒श्वाः
- allAdjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्ता (ओषधीः-विशेषण)Root विश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
- ओष॑धीः
- plants, herbsNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्ताRoot ओषधि (प्रातिपदिक)
- आ
- towards, intoIndeclinableउपसर्ग (क्रियायोगे)Root आ (उपसर्ग)
- वि॑वेश
- has entered, pervadedVerbलिट् (परोक्ष/परफेक्ट), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचनRole क्रियाRoot विश् (धातु) + उपसर्ग वि-; लिट्
- वै॒श्वा॒न॒रः
- Vaiśvānara (Agni as ‘belonging to all men’)Noun (epithet)पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्ता (अग्निः-समनाधिकरण)Root वैश्वानर (प्रातिपदिक)
- सह॑सा
- with might, by strengthNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचनRole करणRoot सहस् (प्रातिपदिक)
- पृ॒ष्टः
- praisedAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ-विशेषण (अग्निः)Root पृच्छ् → पृष्ट
- अ॒ग्निः
- AgniNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्ताRoot अग्नि
- सः
- hePronounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्ताRoot तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- नः
- of us, ourPronounषष्ठी, बहुवचन (एन्क्लिटिक)Role सम्बन्ध (रक्षणस्य)Root अस्मद् (सर्वनाम)
- दिवा॒
- by dayIndeclinableकालवाचक-अव्ययRole अधिकरण (काल)Root दिव् (अव्ययीभाव/क्रियावी)
- सः
- hePronounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्ताRoot तद्
- रि॒षः
- from harm, from injuryNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी, एकवचनRole अपादानRoot रिष्/रिष (प्रातिपदिक: रिष् ‘हानि/क्षति’)
- पा॑तु
- may (he) protectVerbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचनRole क्रियाRoot पा (धातु)
- नक्त॑म्
- by nightIndeclinableकालवाचक-अव्ययRole अधिकरण (काल)Root नक्तम् (अव्यय)
Sandhi Notes
- (1) पृ॒ष्टो दि॒वि → पृ॒ष्टः + दि॒वि (विसर्ग-लोप/ओ-रूपः पदसंहितायाम्)
- (2) पृ॒ष्टो अ॒ग्निः → पृ॒ष्टः + अ॒ग्निः (विसर्गः स्वरादौ लुप्यते; संहितायां -o)
- (3) विश्वा॒ ओष॑धी॒रा → वि॒श्वाः + ओष॑धीः + आ (दीर्घस्वर-प्रसारः/पदसंयोगः; ‘आ’ उपसर्गः ‘विवेश’ इत्यनेन)
- (4) सह॑सा पृ॒ष्टो → सह॑सा + पृ॒ष्टः (विसर्ग-लोप/ओ-रूपः)
- (5) स नो॒ → सः + नः (विसर्ग-लोपः)
- (6) स रि॒षः → सः + रि॒षः (विसर्ग-लोपः)
The meaning
Outer meaning
Agni is upheld in heaven and on earth; he enters all plants/powers of healing. Vaiśvānara Agni, upheld by his own force, guard us from harm by day and by night.
Inner meaning
The inner Fire is supported from above (higher mind/heaven) and below (body/earth): when aspiration is stable in both, it can enter and awaken ‘oṣadhīs’—the healing growth-powers in the nature (renewal, resilience, restorative energies). Self-upheld (sahasā pṛṣṭaḥ), Agni becomes a continuous protector: by day against outward disturbances and by night against subconscient invasions, anxiety, and inertia.
Universal truth
When the will-to-truth is anchored both in higher vision and embodied practice, it permeates the life with healing and provides protection through all cycles of consciousness (waking and sleep).
Themes
Agni as universal indwelling power (Vaiśvānara), Pervasion of life-forces and healing, Psychic protection day/night, Integration of heaven-earth within the human vessel
The seer
- Other hymns
- Rig Veda 1.98.1, Rig Veda 1.98.3
Significance
A seer of integrality: Agni must be equally established in ‘heaven’ and ‘earth’ for full healing and protection.
The deity
- Devata
- Agni Vaiśvānara
- Epithets
- Vaiśvānara, Sahasā pṛṣṭaḥ (upheld by his own force), Pṛṣṭaḥ divi/pṛthivyām (supported in heaven and earth)
- Related deities
- Aśvins (healers), Sūrya
Cosmic role
Pervades the worlds, enters all growth-forms, sustains life and guards the sacrifice.
Inner power
A stabilizing, healing flame that permeates the nature and protects across waking/sleep cycles.
In ritual
Where it is used
Protective Agni invocation; may accompany offerings seeking health and warding of harm
पृ॒ष्टो दि॒वि पृ॒ष्टो अ॒ग्निः पृ॑थि॒व्यां पृ॒ष्टो विश्वा॒ ओष॑धी॒रा वि॑वेश । वै॒श्वा॒न॒रः सह॑सा पृ॒ष्टो अ॒ग्निः स नो॒ दिवा॒ स रि॒षः पा॑तु॒ नक्त॑म् ॥
पृ॒ष्टः । दि॒वि । पृ॒ष्टः । अ॒ग्निः । पृ॒थि॒व्याम् । पृ॒ष्टः । विश्वाः॑ । ओष॑धीः । आ । वि॒वे॒श॒ । वै॒श्वा॒न॒रः । सह॑सा । पृ॒ष्टः । अ॒ग्निः । सः । नः॒ । दिवा॑ । सः । रि॒षः । पा॒तु॒ । नक्त॑म् ॥
pṛṣṭaḥ | divi | pṛṣṭaḥ | agniḥ | pṛthivyām | pṛṣṭaḥ | viśvāḥ | oṣadhīḥ | ā | viveśa | vaiśvānaraḥ | sahasā | pṛṣṭaḥ | agniḥ | saḥ | naḥ | divā | saḥ | riṣaḥ | pātu | naktam
Triṣṭubh (likely, given hymn style; traditional assignment varies)
44
4 pādas of ~11 syllables
Steady, protective cadence with repeated ‘pṛṣṭo’ reinforcing support
Grounding and shielding; repetition imprints stability and reassurance.
- पृष्टः (pṛṣṭaḥ)
- Literal: supported/upheld. Symbolic: stabilized establishment of consciousness; firm foundation for inner work
- दिवि (divi)
- Literal: in heaven. Symbolic: in the higher mind/illumined plane
- पृथिव्याम् (pṛthivyām)
- Literal: on earth. Symbolic: in the physical being and embodied life
- ओषधीः (oṣadhīḥ)
- Literal: plants, herbs. Symbolic: healing and growth powers; capacities of renewal in the vital/physical nature
- सहसा (sahasā)
- Literal: by force, by might. Symbolic: tapas-force; self-sustaining spiritual energy
- रिषः (riṣaḥ)
- Literal: injury, harm. Symbolic: disturbances, attacks of falsehood, depression, subconscious agitation
- दिवा/नक्तम् (divā/naktam)
- Literal: by day/by night. Symbolic: waking consciousness / subconscious and dream states
Agni-invocation and protection formula; suitable for household/Āhavanīya fire context and general rakṣā-prayoga within Soma and non-Soma rites (protective recitation day/night).
Morning/evening Agnihotra-like moments; also before sleep for protection
Recitation with offering (ghee) or inward offering of breath
Chant as a ‘day-night protection’ mantra: once at dawn for steadiness, once before sleep to pacify the subconscious.
(pṛṣṭáḥ): PPP of √pṛṣ/√pṛś ‘to support, strengthen; to touch/back’ → ‘set firm, upheld’. In Vedic usage, often ‘established’ in a plane. (agni): from √ag ‘to drive, lead’ (also linked to ‘fire’ as leader) → inner sense ‘the leader-will’. (oṣadhī): traditionally ‘herb’; analyzed as oṣa- (burning/quickening) + √dhā ‘to place’ (folk/secondary) or connected with healing/growth; here symbolically ‘restorative growth-forces’. (viveśa): perfect of √viś ‘enter, pervade’. (sahasā): instr. of sahas ‘force, might’ from √sah ‘to prevail, conquer, be strong’. (riṣ): from √riṣ ‘to injure, harm’ → ‘wounding force’ (psychologically: disturbance, attack on the harmony of being).
R̥ta as right establishment (pṛṣṭaḥ as ‘set in order’), Tapas/force (sahas), Protection as maintenance of harmony against r̥ṣ/riṣ (injury)
Agni established in heaven/earth maintains right order across planes.
Protection arises when the inner fire aligns the being to truth and rejects false movements.
Agni entering oṣadhīs suggests divine force immanent in growth and healing of manifestation.
Integral yoga resonance: spiritual force must descend and inhabit embodied life.
day and night explicitly
Heaven/earth = higher mind/body; herbs = regenerative capacities; day/night = conscious/subconscious functioning.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The mythologem is the ‘universal Fire established in heaven and earth’ who pervades the oṣadhīs (life’s growth-powers) and becomes the guardian against harm. Outer image: fire present in sky/earth and in plants (latent heat). Inner action: the awakened Will (Agni) stabilizes both higher clarity (divi) and embodied nature (pṛthivyām), then enters and organizes the regenerative faculties, providing continuous protection through waking and the subconscient.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- Key verbal roots are archaic and Indo-European: √viś ‘enter’ (cf. Latin vīsere/visitare in later semantic drift via ‘go to/enter’, and PIE *weik-/ *weis- ‘settle/enter’ debated), √sah ‘prevail’ (cf. Avestan sah- ‘be strong’), √riṣ ‘injure’ (parallels in Indo-Iranian semantic field of harm). The verse uses repeated PPP ‘pṛṣṭáḥ’ as a formulaic anaphora (heaven/earth/Agni), a common IE poetic device of parallelism to mark cosmic totality.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The speaker does not bargain materially; he asks for an all-round guarding (rakṣā) of the collective ‘naḥ’ across day/night. This frames a reciprocal relation: the human vessel offers recognition and invocation of the indwelling Vaiśvānara; in return the Power establishes harmony in both higher and lower planes and wards off ‘riṣ’—forces that break cohesion, truth-order, and inner health.
Stabilize aspiration in both ‘above’ (clarity) and ‘below’ (body); invite healing permeation.
muladhara
slow diaphragmatic breathing; on inhale ‘support in heaven’, on exhale ‘support on earth’ (felt as grounding)
protected, embodied calm; reduced inner fragmentation
During chanting, feel a vertical axis: crown-to-heart-to-base. After recitation, scan the body as if warm light enters every ‘herb’—every cell and habit—restoring order and ease. Before sleep, offer the day’s disturbances into the flame.
Vedic accent preserved; repeated ‘pṛṣṭo’ should keep crisp accent contours.
Do not flatten the repetition—each ‘pṛṣṭo’ is a renewed establishment; keep slight lift on udātta.
pṛṣṭo: retroflex ṣ and ṭ clearly; short o, pṛthivyām: aspirate th; yām long ā, oṣadhīr: long ī; light repha/ṛ
warm, protective, slightly lower pitch for grounding
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