Rig Veda Sukta 97
Mandala 1Sukta 976 Mantras

Sukta 97

Sukta 1.97

Devata

Agni

Chandas

Gāyatrī-like refrain structure (short, repetitive; exact metrical classification may vary by recension)

Ten krótki hymn do Agniego zbudowany jest wokół powtarzającej się modlitwy: „Spal z nas przywarte zło (agham)”. Agni jest przywoływany jako wszechobecny, wszechogarniający oczyszczyciel, który nie tylko pochłania nieczystość, lecz także roznieca dobrobyt (rayi) i przenosi czciciela przez niebezpieczeństwo jak łódź przez powódź. Celem sukty jest apotropejski i odnawiający charakter, usunięcie grzechu lub nieszczęścia oraz ustanowienie pomyślności (svasti).

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.97

Mantras

Mantra 1

अप नः शोशुचदघमग्ने शुशुग्ध्या रयिम् । अप नः शोशुचदघम् ॥

O Agni, spal z nas przylegające zło; swoją płomienną intensywnością rozpal w nas pełnię. Spal z nas przylegające zło.

Mantra 4

प्र यत्ते अग्ने सूरयो जायेमहि प्र ते वयम् । अप नः शोशुचदघम् ॥

Ponieważ chcielibyśmy narodzić się w twoją świetlistą moc, o Agni, tak, chcielibyśmy iść naprzód w tobie, spal z nas przylegające zło.

Mantra 5

प्र यदग्नेः सहस्वतो विश्वतो यन्ति भानवः । अप नः शोशुचदघम् ॥

Gdy z Agniego, potężnego w sile, promienie wychodzą na każdą stronę, spal z nas przylegające zło.

Mantra 6

त्वं हि विश्वतोमुख विश्वतः परिभूरसि । अप नः शोशुचदघम् ॥

Albowiem ty, o Agni o obliczach na każdą stronę, jesteś wszechogarniającym panem; spal z nas przylegające zło.

Mantra 7

द्विषो नो विश्वतोमुखाति नावेव पारय । अप नः शोशुचदघम् ॥

Od wrogów zewsząd, o wszechobliczny Agni, przenieś nas na drugi brzeg jak łodzią; spal z nas przylegające zło.

Mantra 8

स नः सिन्धुमिव नावयाति पर्षा स्वस्तये । अप नः शोशुचदघम् ॥

Niech przeniesie nas, jak łodzią przez wielką powódź, dla naszego dobra; spal z nas przylegające zło.

Inside Sukta 97

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct plea to Agni to burn away the ‘clinging evil’ (agham), voiced with an insistent refrain.

  2. Development

    Agni is praised as an intense purifier who simultaneously kindles prosperity (rayi) and establishes well-being (svasti).

  3. Climax

    Agni is revealed as viśvatomukha and paribhū—an all-facing, all-surrounding master—capable of protecting from every side while removing evil.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn ends with the repeated refrain, sealing the prayer: may Agni carry us safely across dangers and burn away the remaining impurity.

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaAgni is the divine Fire—kindled among humans, living in the hearth and altar, yet radiant as a cosmic power. He is invoked as a purifier (burning away agha), as one with “faces on all sides” (viśvatomukha), and as a lord who surrounds and protects from every direction.
  • Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods (carrier of offerings), purifier of the ritual space, and sustaining force that transforms matter to subtle essence through heat and light.
  • Inner significanceThe flame of discernment and tapas that consumes inner negativity—fear, guilt, inertia, and harmful tendencies—while awakening vitality, clarity, and the capacity for right action.

Famous verses

apa naḥ śośucad agham
Verse 1.97.1Sets the core refrain and the twofold aim of the hymn: removal of evil (agham) and kindling of prosperity (rayi).Read verse 1.97.1 →
tvaṃ hi viśvatomukha
Verse 1.97.6Defines Agni’s protective sovereignty as ‘all-facing’ and ‘all-surrounding,’ grounding the hymn’s confidence in his power to purify and guard.Read verse 1.97.6 →
sindhum iva nāvayā
Verse 1.97.8Offers the vivid salvific image of Agni as the one who ferries the worshipper across peril like a boat over a flood, linking purification to safe passage and well-being.Read verse 1.97.8 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Purifier who burns away evil (agha)
  • All-facing, all-surrounding protector (viśvatomukha, paribhū)
  • Bestower and kindler of prosperity (rayi)
  • Guide who carries across danger like a boat
  • Ritual messenger and offering-bearer (hotṛ/vehītṛ aspect)

Also by this seer

  • Because the rishi is not securely identified in the received headings, no additional, confidently attributable hymns can be assigned on internal evidence alone.

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare and kindle the fire (āhavana/gārhapatya as applicable), establishing clean space and intention.
  • Invoke Agni with the refrain, focusing on removal of “clinging evil” (agham) from self and household.
  • Offer ghee with each recitation or at the end of a cycle, visualizing impurity being consumed and transformed.
  • Conclude with a well-being intention (svasti), asking Agni to ‘carry across’ dangers as over a flood.
  • Sit briefly in silence, contemplating clarity and renewed strength, then close the rite respectfully.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Dry kindling sticks (samidh)
  • Grains such as barley or rice (optional, per rite)

Frequently Asked Questions

It repeatedly asks Agni to burn away “agham” (clinging evil/impurity/ill-luck) and to kindle “rayi” (prosperity), bringing safety and well-being (svasti).

The refrain makes the prayer easy to recite in ritual and intensifies its protective power—like a sustained petition for purification and removal of obstacles.

It means Agni is asked to guide and protect the worshipper through dangers and crises, carrying them across hardship into safety and steadiness.

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