Rig Veda Sukta 3
Mandala 5Sukta 312 Mantras

Sukta 3

Sukta 5.3

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha (traditional for RV 5.3)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh

Himne ini memuji Agni sebagai kuasa ilahi yang berwajah banyak; apabila dinyalakan, ia menjelmakan tertib kedaulatan Varuṇa, keharmonian Mitra, dan kekuatan kemenangan Indra. Ia memohon agar Agni melindungi pemuja daripada rasa bersalah, ujaran bermusuhan, serta mudarat yang tersembunyi atau nyata, sambil menolak sumpahan dan memulihkan gerak yang benar (yāma) menuju Vasu—kebaikan dan kemakmuran.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 5.3

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Agnias embodying Varuṇa, Mitra, Indra

    Agni is the divine fire born in the rite, the mouth of the gods, the carrier of offerings, and the luminous knower who unites many deities in his own flame.

Mantras

Mantra 1

त्वमग्ने वरुणो जायसे यत्त्वं मित्रो भवसि यत्समिद्धः । त्वे विश्वे सहसस्पुत्र देवास्त्वमिन्द्रो दाशुषे मर्त्याय ॥

Engkau, wahai Agni, lahir sebagai Varuṇa; engkau menjadi Mitra apabila engkau dinyalakan. Dalam dirimu, wahai putera Kekuatan, berhimpun segala dewa; engkau ialah Indra bagi insan yang memberi—mengurniakan daya dan kemenangan kepada jiwa yang mempersembahkan.

Mantra 2

त्वमर्यमा भवसि यत्कनीनां नाम स्वधावन्गुह्यं बिभर्षि । अञ्जन्ति मित्रं सुधितं न गोभिर्यद्दम्पती समनसा कृणोषि ॥

Engkau menjadi Aryaman apabila, wahai yang berswadha (svadhāvan), engkau memikul nama rahsia bagi daya-daya muda. Mereka mengurapi Mitra seolah-olah dengan sinar yang tersusun elok; apabila engkau menjadikan dua tuan rumah itu sejiwa, engkau menegakkan keselarasan dalam kewujudan.

Mantra 3

तव श्रिये मरुतो मर्जयन्त रुद्र यत्ते जनिम चारु चित्रम् । पदं यद्विष्णोरुपमं निधायि तेन पासि गुह्यं नाम गोनाम् ॥

Demi seri kemuliaanmu para Marut menjadikan diri mereka bercahaya, wahai Rudra, kerana kelahiranmu elok dan menakjubkan. Apabila jejak Viṣṇu yang tiada bandingan itu ditegakkan, dengan itu engkau memelihara nama tersembunyi bagi Sinar-sinar (lembu-lembu cahaya).

Mantra 4

तव श्रिया सुदृशो देव देवाः पुरू दधाना अमृतं सपन्त । होतारमग्निं मनुषो नि षेदुर्दशस्यन्त उशिजः शंसमायोः ॥

Wahai dewa, dengan seri kemuliaanmu para dewa tampak indah dipandang, menyarung banyak rupa keabadian. Manusia telah mendudukkan Agni, sang Hotṛ, di dalam; yang bersemangat, mencari pujian yang tepat, berkhidmat kepadanya demi perolehan kelimpahan.

Mantra 5

न त्वद्धोता पूर्वो अग्ने यजीयान्न काव्यैः परो अस्ति स्वधावः । विशश्च यस्या अतिथिर्भवासि स यज्ञेन वनवद्देव मर्तान् ॥

Tiada hotṛ sebelum engkau, wahai Agni, yang lebih layak dipersembahkan; tiada yang lebih tinggi bahkan dalam kalangan kavi, wahai yang berkuasa dengan sendirinya. Si fana yang bagi kaum-kaumnya engkau menjadi Tetamu yang disambut—dia, melalui yajña, wahai Kuasa Ilahi, memenangi dan menertibkan daya-daya manusia (ke dalam milik yang benar).

Mantra 6

वयमग्ने वनुयाम त्वोता वसूयवो हविषा बुध्यमानाः । वयं समर्ये विदथेष्वह्नां वयं राया सहसस्पुत्र मर्तान् ॥

Wahai Agni, semoga kami menang dengan lindungan-Mu—kami yang mengingini kekayaan (vasu), tersedar oleh persembahan (havis). Semoga kami, dalam perjuangan bersama, dalam perhimpunan hari-hari, dengan kelimpahan (rayi) menundukkan daya-daya fana, wahai putera Kekuatan (Sahasas).

Mantra 7

यो न आगो अभ्येनो भरात्यधीदघमघशंसे दधात । जही चिकित्वो अभिशस्तिमेतामग्ने यो नो मर्चयति द्वयेन ॥

Sesiapa yang menimpakan kepada kami dosa dan kesalahan, dan melekatkan kejahatan pada si penutur jahat—tumpaskanlah, wahai Agni yang bijaksana, sumpahan permusuhan itu; sesiapa yang menyerang kami dengan dua cara (terang dan tersembunyi), remukkanlah dia kembali.

Mantra 8

त्वामस्या व्युषि देव पूर्वे दूतं कृण्वाना अयजन्त हव्यैः । संस्थे यदग्न ईयसे रयीणां देवो मर्तैर्वसुभिरिध्यमानः ॥

Engkau, pada fajar (dunia/hari) ini, oleh para leluhur dijadikan utusan ilahi dan disembah dengan persembahan. Apabila, wahai Agni, engkau bergerak pada tempat teguh bagi kekayaan, dinyalakan oleh insan fana dengan bahan-bahan baik (vasu), maka dewa itu menjadi nyata dalam wadah manusia.

Mantra 9

अव स्पृधि पितरं योधि विद्वान्पुत्रो यस्ते सहसः सून ऊहे । कदा चिकित्वो अभि चक्षसे नोऽग्ने कदाँ ऋतचिद्यातयासे ॥

Berjuanglah ke bawah melawan Sang Bapa; bertempurlah sebagai Putera yang mengetahui—engkau yang menjadi anak Kekuatan (sahasas sūnu), wahai Agni, dalam kerja yang tersembunyi. Bilakah, wahai yang bijaksana, engkau akan memandang kami dengan penglihatanmu? Bilakah engkau akan menggerakkan maju (jalan) kami, bahkan oleh Ṛta (Kebenaran kosmik) itu sendiri?

Mantra 10

भूरि नाम वन्दमानो दधाति पिता वसो यदि तज्जोषयासे । कुविद्देवस्य सहसा चकानः सुम्नमग्निर्वनते वावृधानः ॥

Dia yang tunduk dalam pemujaan menegakkan kelimpahan dalam Nama—jika engkau menerimanya, wahai Bapa segala kebaikan (vaso). Sesungguhnya, bersukacita dalam daya sang dewa, Agni—yang makin membesar—memenangi sumná, anugerah, kebahagiaan batin.

Mantra 11

त्वमङ्ग जरितारं यविष्ठ विश्वान्यग्ने दुरिताति पर्षि । स्तेना अदृश्रन्रिपवो जनासोऽज्ञातकेता वृजिना अभूवन् ॥

Engkau benar-benar, wahai Agni yang termuda (paling segar), menyeberangkan penyanyi melintasi segala kesukaran. Para pencuri menjadi nyata; manusia yang memusuhi—tidak diketahui niatnya—ternyata sebagai kekuatan-kekuatan yang bengkok.

Mantra 12

इमे यामासस्त्वद्रिगभूवन्वसवे वा तदिदागो अवाचि । नाहायमग्निरभिशस्तये नो न रीषते वावृधानः परा दात् ॥

Wahai Vasu, segala perjalanan ini telah berpaling menuju Engkau; itulah yang benar-benar disebut sebagai kesalahan kami. Namun Agni ini bukanlah untuk kutukan atas kami; ketika ia membesar, ia tidak tercedera—ia menghalaunya jauh daripada kami.

Inside Sukta 3

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Agni is invoked as the unified divine power—born as Varuṇa, becoming Mitra when kindled, and acting as Indra for the generous mortal.

  2. Development

    The hymn turns from praise to petition: Agni is asked to guard the sacrificer from sin, guilt, and hostile imprecations, including attacks that come both openly and secretly.

  3. Climax

    A sharp protective command: Agni should strike down the abhiśasti and crush the one who harms ‘in the double way’ (visible and hidden).

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn ends with confidence that Agni, ever-growing, is not harmed by curses and will drive them away, redirecting the worshiper’s course toward the Vasu (the good/prosperous).

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaIn this sukta he is praised as Varuṇa by birth (sovereign moral order), as Mitra when kindled (friendly concord), and as Indra for the giver (victory-bestowing strength).
  • Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods; establishes and maintains ṛta through sacrifice, purifies transgression, and repels hostile forces and curses.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened inner fire of discernment and will: when ignited by right intention and offering, it becomes ethical restraint (Varuṇa), harmonious relationship (Mitra), and courageous efficacy (Indra).

The seer

  • VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha gotra (Maitrāvaruṇa/Āditya-linked priestly lineage in later tradition) · Foremost among the Rigvedic seers; celebrated for hymns on ṛta (cosmic order), royal consecration themes, and the spiritual authority of the Brahman-priest.

Famous verses

tvam agne varuṇo jāyase
Verse 5.3.1Programmatic verse identifying Agni as the integrated presence of Varuṇa, Mitra, and Indra—framing the hymn’s theology of one fire manifesting many divine functions.Read verse 5.3.1 →
yo no marcayati dvayena
Verse 5.3.7Central apotropaic (protective) plea: Agni is asked to destroy hostile imprecation and the aggressor who harms both openly and covertly.Read verse 5.3.7 →
इमे यामासस्त्वद्रिगभूवन्वसवे वा तदिदागो अवाचि । नाहायमग्निरभिशस्तये नो न रीषते वावृधानः परा दात् ॥
Verse 5.3.12Concluding assurance: even if fault is admitted, Agni is not for our imprecation; he grows and drives malice away—closing with protection and restored direction.Read verse 5.3.12 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Carrier of oblations (havyavāhana)
  • Protector against curses and hostility
  • Embodiment of ṛta and moral oversight
  • Purifier of guilt and remover of sin
  • Giver of strength, victory, and prosperity to the worshiper

Also by this seer

  • Major portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 (Vasiṣṭha maṇḍala)
  • Hymns to Agni, Indra, and Varuṇa emphasizing ṛta and protection
  • Later tradition associates him with the Vasiṣṭha Dharmasūtra and Vasiṣṭha Smṛti (attributional)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and kindle Agni with kindling (samidh) while maintaining purity and silence/controlled speech
  • Invoke Agni as the all-gods-in-one: Varuṇa-Mitra-Indra aspects present in the flame
  • Offer oblations with the hymn, explicitly requesting removal of guilt and turning away of curses
  • Conclude with a protective affirmation: Agni, growing in strength, is unharmed and drives malice away

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) into the fire
  • Kindling sticks (samidh)
  • Grain/oblations (havis) as customary in household rite
  • Optional soma-related praise in spirit (even if not materially offered in a domestic setting)

Frequently Asked Questions

It teaches that the ritual fire is one divine power showing different functions: Varuṇa as moral order, Mitra as harmony and friendship, and Indra as strength and victory for the worshiper.

It seeks relief from guilt and sin (āgas/enās) and asks Agni to repel curses, slander, and attacks that come both openly and secretly.

It is suited for recitation while kindling and offering into the fire, especially when seeking protection, purification of faults, and a return to right direction and prosperity.

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