Rig Veda Sukta 5
Mandala 3Sukta 511 Mantras

Sukta 5

Sukta 3.5

Rishi

Viśvāmitra Gāthina (attribution for RV 3.5)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh

Himne ini memuji Agni sebagai nyala yang terjaga, yang menyambut Uṣas (Fajar) dan “membuka pintu-pintu kegelapan,” menuntun para resi ke jalan yang bercahaya. Ia merayakan Agni sebagai pendeta yang mengetahui, tersulut dengan baik, serta penjaga tatanan ilahi dan karya tangan yang terilham; dan ia berakhir dengan permohonan akan Iḷā (kelimpahan/wawasan yang menyuburkan), keuntungan yang berkekalan, dan keturunan yang kuat di bawah kerelaan baik Agni.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 3.5

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • AgniMantras 1-3, 5-11in relation to Uṣas as illumination

    Agni is the vipra (inspired priest), vahni (carrier of offerings), and padavīḥ kavīnām (path-finder of seers), awakened with Dawn and kindled by the devayant (god-seeking) worshipers.

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्रत्यग्निरुषसश्चेकितानोऽबोधि विप्रः पदवीः कवीनाम् । पृथुपाजा देवयद्भिः समिद्धोऽप द्वारा तमसो वह्निरावः ॥

Agni, menghadap Sang Fajar (Uṣas) dan menjadi sedar, telah terjaga—sang vipra, penemu jalan para kavi. Luas dalam daya, dinyalakan oleh mereka yang mencari Yang Ilahi, sang pembawa telah membuka pintu-pintu kegelapan.

Mantra 2

प्रेद्वग्निर्वावृधे स्तोमेभिर्गीर्भिः स्तोतॄणां नमस्य उक्थैः । पूर्वीॠतस्य संदृशश्चकानः सं दूतो अद्यौदुषसो विरोके ॥

Sesungguhnya, Agni telah bertambah maju oleh himne-himne, oleh nyanyian-nyanyian, oleh uktha dan sujud para pemuji. Bergembira dalam penglihatan-penglihatan purba tentang ṛta, sang utusan pun bersinar bersama dalam cahaya luas Sang Fajar.

Mantra 3

अधाय्यग्निर्मानुषीषु विक्ष्वपां गर्भो मित्र ऋतेन साधन् । आ हर्यतो यजतः सान्वस्थादभूदु विप्रो हव्यो मतीनाम् ॥

Lalu Agni ditegakkan di antara kabilah-kabilah manusia, sebagai janin Perairan, Sang Sahabat yang menyempurnakan dengan ṛta. Dari yang keemasan—yang patut dipuja—ia berdiri di puncak; ia menjadi sang vipra, kekuatan yang layak dipersembahkan, milik fikiran-fikiran kami.

Mantra 4

मित्रो अग्निर्भवति यत्समिद्धो मित्रो होता वरुणो जातवेदाः । मित्रो अध्वर्युरिषिरो दमूना मित्रः सिन्धूनामुत पर्वतानाम् ॥

Agni menjadi Mitra apabila ia dinyalakan; ia Mitra sebagai Hotṛ, dan Varuṇa sebagai Jātavedas. Ia Mitra sebagai Adhvaryu—tangkas, tuan rumah; Mitra bagi sungai-sungai dan juga bagi gunung-gunung.

Mantra 5

पाति प्रियं रिपो अग्रं पदं वेः पाति यह्वश्चरणं सूर्यस्य । पाति नाभा सप्तशीर्षाणमग्निः पाति देवानामुपमादमृष्वः ॥

Ia memelihara yang dikasihi—kedudukan yang terdepan—daripada penyerang; Yang Perkasa memelihara perjalanan Surya. Agni memelihara pusat, daya yang berkepala tujuh; Yang Tinggi memelihara kegembiraan-dekat para dewa, kelazatan batin mereka dalam persembahan.

Mantra 6

ऋभुश्चक्र ईड्यं चारु नाम विश्वानि देवो वयुनानि विद्वान् । ससस्य चर्म घृतवत्पदं वेस्तदिदग्नी रक्षत्यप्रयुच्छन् ॥

R̥bhu membentuk suatu nama yang indah, layak dipuja—dewa yang mengetahui segala tata-kerja. Ia membuat untuk Vena kulit lembu jantan, suatu kedudukan yang kaya dengan ghee (ghṛta), kemanisan bercahaya; itulah yang dipelihara Agni tanpa pernah alpa.

Mantra 7

आ योनिमग्निर्घृतवन्तमस्थात्पृथुप्रगाणमुशन्तमुशानः । दीद्यानः शुचिॠष्वः पावकः पुनःपुनर्मातरा नव्यसी कः ॥

Agni telah berdiri di dalam rahim yang kaya cahaya-jernih (ghṛta); luas dalam nyanyian-majunya, ia mengingini dan ia sendiri ialah nyala yang mengingini. Bersinar, suci, tinggi, sang penyuci—berulang-ulang ia menjadikan kedua-dua Ibu itu sentiasa baharu; siapakah dapat mengukurnya?

Mantra 8

सद्यो जात ओषधीभिर्ववक्षे यदी वर्धन्ति प्रस्वो घृतेन । आप इव प्रवता शुम्भमाना उरुष्यदग्निः पित्रोरुपस्थे ॥

Baru lahir serta-merta, ia membesar oleh daya herba; apabila mereka menambah gelora majunya dengan ghee yang bercahaya. Laksana air di cerun yang menghias diri, Agni meluaskan dan melindungi di pangkuan Dua Ibu Bapa.

Mantra 9

उदु ष्टुतः समिधा यह्वो अद्यौद्वर्ष्मन्दिवो अधि नाभा पृथिव्याः । मित्रो अग्निरीड्यो मातरिश्वा दूतो वक्षद्यजथाय देवान् ॥

Terpuji, ia menyala ke atas dengan kayu penyala—yang gagah meluru ini—di puncak langit, pada pusat bumi. Agni, Sang Sahabat, yang wajar dipuja, Mātariśvan, sang utusan, akan membawa para dewa bagi persembahan yajña.

Mantra 10

उदस्तम्भीत्समिधा नाकमृष्वोऽग्निर्भवन्नुत्तमो रोचनानाम् । यदी भृगुभ्यः परि मातरिश्वा गुहा सन्तं हव्यवाहं समीधे ॥

Dengan kayu penyala ia menegakkan langit; Agni yang tinggi, menjadi yang tertinggi antara alam-alam bercahaya. Apabila Mātariśvan, demi para Bhṛgu, menyalakan pembawa persembahan yang tersembunyi dalam rahsia.

Mantra 11

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

Wahai Agni, sempurnakanlah bagi yang menyeru Iḷā yang melimpah—kaya dengan karya—sebagai perolehan yang kekal daripada Lembu (sinar-sinar pengetahuan). Semoga bagi kami ada seorang putera, seorang anak, zuriat yang gagah; wahai Agni, semoga itulah budi baikmu terhadap kami.

Inside Sukta 5

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Agni awakens facing Dawn, becoming conscious and opening the doors of darkness.

  2. Development

    Agni is praised as inspired priest and guide of seers, kindled by seekers, and as protector of a luminous, ghee-rich station tied to divine workmanship and right order.

  3. Climax

    The revelation of Agni as guardian of the ‘ghṛtavat padam’—the stable seat of sweetness/light—who does not fail in protection.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn closes with direct requests: abundant Iḷā, enduring gain of the ‘Cow’ (rays/knowledge), vigorous progeny, and Agni’s lasting goodwill.

The deity: Agni

  • Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods, opener of light from darkness, establisher and guardian of ṛta through the sacrificial fire and its orderly rite.
  • Inner significanceThe awakening of discernment and aspiration: inner fire as clarity that dispels inertia, ignites devotion, and protects the ‘luminous station’ of insight and sweetness (ghṛta).

The seer

  • Viśvāmitra GāthinaGāthin / Kauśika (Viśvāmitra lineage) · A royal-turned-seer famed for transforming kṣatriya power into brahmanic tapas and for hymns that articulate cosmic order, illumination, and the rise of inspired speech.

Famous verses

apo dvārā tamaso vahnir āvaḥ
Verse 3.5.1Sets the hymn’s central image: Agni awakened with Uṣas, guiding seers and opening darkness into light—both ritual and inner illumination.Read verse 3.5.1 →
ghṛtavat padaṃ
Verse 3.5.6Highlights Agni as unfailing guardian of a luminous, ghṛta-filled ‘station,’ linking sacrificial fire to inspired skill and the protection of sacred attainments.Read verse 3.5.6 →
इळामग्ने पुरुदंसं सनिं गोः शश्वत्तमं हवमानाय साध । स्यान्नः सूनुस्तनयो विजावाग्ने सा ते सुमतिर्भूत्वस्मे ॥
Verse 3.5.11Concluding prayer that summarizes desired fruits of worship—nourishment (Iḷā), enduring gains, and strong offspring—framed as Agni’s benevolent will.Read verse 3.5.11 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Awakener with Dawn (uṣas)
  • Opener of the doors of darkness
  • Priest-messenger (hotṛ/vahni)
  • Guardian and protector (rakṣitṛ)
  • Knower of workings (vayuna)
  • Bestower of abundance and progeny
  • Guide for poets/seers (kavi-padavī)

Also by this seer

  • Large portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 3 (Viśvāmitra family collection)
  • Celebrated traditions associate him with the Gāyatrī mantra (RV 3.62.10)
  • Hymns to Agni, Indra, and allied deities emphasizing guidance, protection, and right ritual

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/hearth and establish cleanliness and intention (saṅkalpa).
  • Kindle Agni with kindling and ghee while reciting opening verses that ‘awaken’ Agni toward Uṣas.
  • Offer oblations with requested boons: light/clarity, protection of the sacred ‘seat,’ and success of the rite.
  • Invoke Agni as guardian of ṛta and of inspired skill (ṛbhu-like craftsmanship) to stabilize the sacrifice.
  • Conclude with petitions for Iḷā (nourishment/insight), enduring gains, and healthy offspring, sealing with praise and gratitude.

Offerings

  • Ghṛta (ghee)
  • Samidh (kindling sticks)
  • Milk/curds where customary
  • Grain/oblations (havis)

Frequently Asked Questions

It presents Agni as the awakened fire that rises with Dawn, dispels darkness, guides inspired vision, and protects the sacred order of the rite while granting prosperity and strength.

Dawn symbolizes the first opening of light; the hymn pairs that moment with Agni’s awakening, showing how outer sunrise and inner clarity arise together through the sacred fire.

It asks for Iḷā (nourishing abundance/insight), enduring gains symbolized by the ‘Cow’ (rays/knowledge), protection of what is sacred, and vigorous offspring and well-being.

Ask anything about Sukta 5 of the Rig Veda

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