Rig Veda Sukta 15
Mandala 3Sukta 157 Mantras

Sukta 15

Sukta 3.15

Rishi

Viśvāmitra Gāthina (traditional for RV 3.15)

Devata

Agni

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable; requires metrical verification)

Himne ini menyeru Agni sebagai kuasa yang meluas dan menyala-nyala, yang menghalau kekuatan bermusuhan—para pembenci, rakṣasa, dan segala penderitaan—seraya menegakkan pemuja dalam naungan “luas” yang damai serta terlindung. Agni dipuji sebagai pemimpin yang tidak terkalahkan dan penjaga korban suci, membimbing upacara hingga berhasil serta membuka “pintu-pintu kebahagiaan.” Doa penutup memohon kurnia yang berkekalan yang dilambangkan oleh Lembu (cahaya/kekayaan/pengetahuan), beserta zuriat dan niat baik Agni yang teguh.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 3.15

Mantras

Mantra 1

वि पाजसा पृथुना शोशुचानो बाधस्व द्विषो रक्षसो अमीवाः । सुशर्मणो बृहतः शर्मणि स्यामग्नेरहं सुहवस्य प्रणीतौ ॥

Dengan kekuatan yang luas engkau menyala; halau para pembenci, para Rakṣasa, dan kuasa-kuasa penyakit. Semoga kami bernaung dalam sejahtera pelindung Yang Maha Luas; semoga aku berada dalam pimpinan Agni, Yang diseru dengan sebaik-baiknya.

Mantra 2

त्वं नो अस्या उषसो व्युष्टौ त्वं सूर उदिते बोधि गोपाः । जन्मेव नित्यं तनयं जुषस्व स्तोमं मे अग्ने तन्वा सुजात ॥

Pada terbitnya Fajar ini, jadilah bagi kami penjaga; pada naiknya Surya, sedarlah sebagai pelindung kami. Seperti bapa yang sentiasa berkenan pada anaknya, terimalah pujianku, wahai Agni, dengan segenap dirimu, wahai Nyala yang lahir mulia.

Mantra 3

त्वं नृचक्षा वृषभानु पूर्वीः कृष्णास्वग्ने अरुषो वि भाहि । वसो नेषि च पर्षि चात्यंहः कृधी नो राय उशिजो यविष्ठ ॥

Engkau, wahai Agni, yang melihat menembusi insan, ikutilah jalan-jalan purba; di tengah kelam, menyala sebagai Yang Kemerahan. Wahai Vasu, pimpinlah kami dan bawalah kami melampaui segala sengsara; ciptakan bagi kami kekayaan si pencari, wahai yang termuda dan terpantas dalam yajña.

Mantra 4

अषाळ्हो अग्ने वृषभो दिदीहि पुरो विश्वाः सौभगा संजिगीवान् । यज्ञस्य नेता प्रथमस्य पायोर्जातवेदो बृहतः सुप्रणीते ॥

Tidak terkalahkan, wahai Agni, banteng kekuatan, maraklah menyala; taklukkan untuk kami segala hadapan kebahagiaan. Sebagai pemimpin yajña, penjaga asas pertamanya, wahai Jātavedas, pimpinlah kami dengan baik menuju Yang Maha Luas.

Mantra 5

अच्छिद्रा शर्म जरितः पुरूणि देवाँ अच्छा दीद्यानः सुमेधाः । रथो न सस्निरभि वक्षि वाजमग्ने त्वं रोदसी नः सुमेके ॥

Wahai penyanyi pujian, naungan yang tidak terputus itu banyak; bersinar, dengan budi yang jernih, hampirilah para dewa. Seperti kereta yang menempuh laluannya, bawalah kami kepada kepenuhan daya; wahai Agni, Engkau bagi kami ialah dua dunia dalam kesatuan yang bahagia.

Mantra 6

प्र पीपय वृषभ जिन्व वाजानग्ने त्वं रोदसी नः सुदोघे । देवेभिर्देव सुरुचा रुचानो मा नो मर्तस्य दुर्मतिः परि ष्ठात् ॥

Jadikan kami bertambah, wahai Banteng yang kuat; giatkanlah kepenuhan-kepenuhan daya. Wahai Agni, Engkau menjadikan dua dunia mengalirkan susu baiknya untuk kami. Wahai dewa yang bersinar dengan cahaya indah di antara para dewa, janganlah fikiran jahat insan fana mengepung kami.

Mantra 7

इळामग्ने पुरुदंसं सनिं गोः शश्वत्तमं हवमानाय साध । स्यान्नः सूनुस्तनयो विजावाग्ने सा ते सुमतिर्भूत्वस्मे ॥

Wahai Agni, sempurnakanlah bagi si pemanggil itu Iḷā—yang kaya dengan banyak amal—suatu perolehan yang berkekalan daripada Sapi (sinar cahaya/pengetahuan). Semoga ada bagi kami seorang putera, seorang anak, menang dalam kelahiran; wahai Agni, semoga itulah niat baikmu terhadap kami.

Inside Sukta 15

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Agni is invoked in his wide, blazing might to drive away haters, rakṣasas, and afflictions, and to place the worshipper in a great shelter of peace.

  2. Development

    The hymn intensifies Agni’s role as invincible force and as the yajña’s leader and guardian, emphasizing right guidance (praṇīti/supraṇīti) into the “Vast.”

  3. Climax

    Agni’s conquering of “all fronts of felicity” and his supreme leadership of the sacrifice—where protection and success become one movement of divine guidance.

  4. Where it settles

    The prayer turns to concrete blessings—enduring gain symbolized by the Cow (light/wealth/knowledge), victorious progeny, and Agni’s continuing goodwill toward the community.

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaAgni is the radiant, ever-kindled fire—Jātavedas (“knower of births/all beings”)—who carries offerings, protects the rite, and blazes against malignant powers. He is invoked as strong, bull-like, unconquered, and as the sure guide who leads the sacrificer into a wide, secure dwelling (bṛhat/“the Vast”).
  • Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods, transformer of offerings into divine nourishment, and purifier/protector who maintains ṛta by burning away disorder and hostility.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and clarity that burns through fear, illness, and inner negativity; the disciplined inner fire that leads aspiration, steadies the mind, and opens a larger consciousness (“the Vast”).

The seer

  • Viśvāmitra GāthinaViśvāmitra (Gāthin) family line; traditionally connected with the Kuśika lineage · A royal-turned-seer celebrated for spiritual attainment, shaping the Viśvāmitra family hymns of Mandala 3 and for visionary prayer that links ritual fire with expansive divine guidance

Famous verses

suśarmaṇo bṛhataḥ śarmaṇi syām
Verse 3.15.1Sets the hymn’s protective purpose: Agni’s expansive blaze repels hostile beings and afflictions, while granting entry into the ‘Vast’ shelter and right guidance.Read verse 3.15.1 →
yajñasya netā
Verse 3.15.4Defines Agni as invincible ‘bull’ and as yajña-netā, the leader and first guardian of the sacrifice, who wins felicity on every front and guides well (supraṇīti).Read verse 3.15.4 →
इळामग्ने पुरुदंसं सनिं गोः शश्वत्तमं हवमानाय साध । स्यान्नः सूनुस्तनयो विजावाग्ने सा ते सुमतिर्भूत्वस्मे ॥
Verse 3.15.7Concludes with enduring boons: Iḷā’s fulfillment, lasting ‘gain of the Cow’ (often read as wealth/light/knowledge), and the wish for progeny under Agni’s benevolent will.Read verse 3.15.7 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Jātavedas (all-knowing, knower of origins)
  • Protector and repeller of rakṣasas/afflictions
  • Leader (netā) and guardian of sacrifice
  • Radiant, expansive power (pṛthu pājas)
  • Best-invoked guide (suhava, supraṇīti)

Also by this seer

  • Major authorship attribution across Rig Veda Mandala 3 (Viśvāmitra family hymns)
  • Traditionally associated in later Vedic memory with foundational mantric traditions (e.g., the Gāyatrī/Sāvitrī), though this is post-Rigvedic attribution

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the vedi and kindling; establish ritual purity and intention for protection and well-being
  • Kindle Agni and recite invocations naming Agni as Jātavedas and netā (leader) of the sacrifice
  • Offer ghee into the fire with prayers to repel hostile forces (rakṣasas, amīvāḥ) and to secure “vast” shelter (bṛhat śarman)
  • Continue oblations with requests for saubhaga (felicity), enduring gain (śaśvattama sani), and household increase/progeny
  • Conclude with a sealing prayer for Agni’s sumati (benevolent favor) to remain with the sacrificer

Offerings

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

Frequently Asked Questions

It asks Agni to burn away hostile forces and suffering, to lead the sacrifice correctly, and to place the worshipper in a wide, secure peace while granting prosperity and lasting blessings.

Because Agni is the ritual’s guiding power: he receives offerings, carries them to the gods, protects the rite from obstacles, and ensures the worshipper’s intention reaches its goal.

In Vedic language, ‘cow’ can mean literal cattle and wealth, but also rays of light and insight; the hymn asks for an enduring, life-supporting increase on all these levels.

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