Rig Veda Sukta 8
Mandala 2Sukta 86 Mantras

Sukta 8

Sukta 2.8

Rishi

Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava) (traditional attribution for RV 2.8)

Chandas

Gāyatrī (probable)

Ten krótki hymn do Agniego chwali jego szybkie "jarzma i rydwany", jego moce szybkiego przybliżania się i skutecznego działania w ofierze, oraz wysławia jego promienny, niebiański blask, który otacza czciciela niezniszczalnym światłem. Kulminuje we wspólnej modlitwie o ochronę i zwycięstwo w konflikcie dzięki połączonej pomocy Agniego wraz z Indrą, Somą i innymi bogami.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 2.8

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Agni

    Agni is the luminous fire-principle: the sacrificial priest (hotṛ), messenger who carries offerings, and radiant power who shines with flame (arciṣ) like the light of heaven.

Mantras

Mantra 1

वाजयन्निव नू रथान्योगाँ अग्नेरुप स्तुहि । यशस्तमस्य मीळ्हुषः ॥

Jak ten, co pędzi pełnie mocy, teraz wychwalaj jarzma i rydwany Agni, najchwalebniejszego z hojnego dawcy, jego środki szybkiego wewnętrznego postępu.

Mantra 2

यः सुनीथो ददाशुषेऽजुर्यो जरयन्नरिम् । चारुप्रतीक आहुतः ॥

On, który jest dobrym przewodnikiem dla dającego, niezawodny, zużywający wroga wewnątrz; o pięknej twarzy, jest rozniecany przez ofiarę.

Mantra 3

य उ श्रिया दमेष्वा दोषोषसि प्रशस्यते । यस्य व्रतं न मीयते ॥

On, który swym blaskiem jest wychwalany w domach w nocy i o świcie; którego prawo działania nie maleje, Agni, niewzruszony w rytmie Prawdy.

Mantra 4

आ यः स्वर्ण भानुना चित्रो विभात्यर्चिषा । अञ्जानो अजरैरभि ॥

On, który przychodzi jak własne światło niebios, barwny blaskiem, lśniący swym płomieniem, namaszczając nas zewsząd wiecznotrwałymi mocami oświecenia.

Mantra 5

अत्रिमनु स्वराज्यमग्निमुक्थानि वावृधुः । विश्वा अधि श्रियो दधे ॥

Podążając za Atrim w jego samowładztwie, hymny pomnożyły Agni; a on umieścił ponad wszystkimi blaskami, ustanawiając pełnie światła i obfitości w istocie.

Mantra 6

अग्नेरिन्द्रस्य सोमस्य देवानामूतिभिर्वयम् । अरिष्यन्तः सचेमह्यभि ष्याम पृतन्यतः ॥

Przez opiekuńcze pomocne moce Agni, Indry, Somy, i bogów, my, nieszkodzeni, trwalibyśmy przy nich; i zwyciężalibyśmy tych, którzy z nami walczą, zdobywając wewnętrzną wojnę.

Inside Sukta 8

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A call to praise Agni’s ‘yokes and chariots’—his means of swift, forceful advance and benefaction.

  2. Development

    Agni is portrayed as supremely glorious and bounteous, approaching with radiant, variegated flame that illumines and empowers the worshipper.

  3. Climax

    Agni appears like heaven’s own light, shining forth and ‘anointing’ on all sides with ageless illuminations (ajaraiḥ).

  4. Where it settles

    A collective petition: by the helps of Agni, Indra, Soma, and the gods, may we remain unharmed and prevail over those who wage war against us.

The deity: Agni

  • Cosmic functionMediates between humans and gods by conveying oblations; sustains order through the regularity of sacrifice; kindles vitality and drives forward divine aid in battle and prosperity.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and discernment (inner fire) that yokes the senses and energies, illumines the mind, and enables progress and victory over inner opposition.

The seer

  • Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)Bhṛgu/Bhārgava lineage (Gṛtsamada family within Mandala 2) · Principal seer of Rigveda Mandala 2, renowned for hymns that establish Agni as the indispensable priest and protective power of the sacrifice.

Famous verses

वाजयन्निव नू रथान्योगाँ अग्नेरुप स्तुहि । यशस्तमस्य मीळ्हुषः ॥
Verse 2.8.1Sets the hymn’s keynote: Agni’s dynamic power is imagined as yokes and chariots—his swift instruments of approach, aid, and inner advance.Read verse 2.8.1 →
आ यः स्वर्ण भानुना चित्रो विभात्यर्चिषा । अञ्जानो अजरैरभि ॥
Verse 2.8.4A vivid epiphany-verse describing Agni’s heaven-like radiance and his surrounding ‘anointment’ with imperishable powers—central to the hymn’s illumination motif.Read verse 2.8.4 →
अग्नेरिन्द्रस्य सोमस्य देवानामूतिभिर्वयम् । अरिष्यन्तः सचेमह्यभि ष्याम पृतन्यतः ॥
Verse 2.8.6Concluding protective prayer that expands Agni’s support into a coalition of divine aids (Agni–Indra–Soma–gods) for safety and victory in conflict.Read verse 2.8.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Hotṛ/priest of the sacrifice
  • Dūta/messenger between worlds
  • Radiant, many-colored flame (citra arciṣ)
  • Swiftly advancing power (yokes/chariots imagery)
  • Protector and giver of strength/boons (mīḻhuṣ)
  • Purifier and illuminator with “ageless” energies

Also by this seer

  • Most of Rigveda Mandala 2 (the Gṛtsamada collection), predominantly Agni-hymns
  • Traditional association with shaping the family-style (gṛha/śrauta) orientation of early Agni praise in RV 2

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/vedi and establish the sacred space.
  • Kindle or rekindle Agni; arrange fuel (samidh) and maintain a steady flame.
  • Recite the hymn as stuti (praise), inviting Agni’s swift approach and radiant presence.
  • Offer oblations while invoking Agni as carrier and protector; extend the request for allied divine supports (Indra, Soma, Viśve Devāḥ).
  • Conclude with a protective prayer for wellbeing and victory over adversarial forces.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Kindling sticks/fuel (samidh)
  • Grain or simple food offerings (havis)
  • Soma (by association in the concluding invocation)

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Agni as a swift, powerful helper in the sacrifice and as a radiant light that strengthens the worshipper, ending with a prayer for safety and victory over opponents.

It is a poetic way to describe Agni’s means of rapid action—how the fire-power quickly reaches the offering and carries it effectively to the gods, and how that same force drives inner progress.

The hymn is primarily to Agni, but it concludes by invoking allied divine supports—Agni with Indra, Soma, and the other gods—so the worshipper’s protection and success are reinforced from multiple powers.

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