Sukta 24
Sukta 5.24
Agni
Ten krótki hymn do Agniego jest modlitwą ochronną: poeta prosi Agniego, by był najbliższą obecnością (antama) i stałą przystanią (varūthya) dla czcicieli. Agni jest wzywany, by przebudził się, usłyszał wezwanie, rozszerzył swą moc opiekuńczą i ocalił społeczność przed wrogim zamiarem. Sukta kończy się błaganiem o łaskę Agniego i pomyślne dobrostan dla towarzyszy zajętych świętą pracą.
Mantras
Mantra 1
अग्ने त्वं नो अन्तम उत त्राता शिवो भवा वरूथ्यः ॥
O Agni, bądź nam najbliższy wewnątrz, a także naszym opiekunem; stań się dla nas pomyślny, prawdziwą siłą dającą schronienie.
Mantra 2
वसुरग्निर्वसुश्रवा अच्छा नक्षि द्युमत्तमं रयिं दाः ॥
Agni jest jasnym Dobrem (Wasu), sławnym z dobra; przyjdź prosto do nas i użycz najbardziej lśniącego wewnętrznego bogactwa.
Mantra 3
स नो बोधि श्रुधी हवमुरुष्या णो अघायतः समस्मात् ॥
Obudź się dla nas, usłysz nasze wezwanie; rozszerz swoją opiekuńczą troskę i wybaw nas od tego, kto chciałby szkodzić, od tego złego zamiaru.
Mantra 4
तं त्वा शोचिष्ठ दीदिवः सुम्नाय नूनमीमहे सखिभ्यः ॥
Ciebie, najpromienniejszego, wiecznie lśniącego, szukamy teraz dla łaski i prawdziwego szczęścia, dla naszych towarzyszy w dziele.
Inside Sukta 24
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Agni is invoked as the closest divine ally—both ‘within reach’ and protective—asked to become auspicious and sheltering.
- Development
The prayer turns urgent and practical: Agni should awaken, listen, and expand his protective guard.
- Climax
A clear petition for rescue from the one who intends harm—protection from hostile will and evil purpose.
- Where it settles
The hymn settles into trust and aspiration: the worshippers seek Agni’s grace and good fortune for their companions engaged in the sacred endeavor.
The deity: Agni
- In the VedaAgni is the bright, kindled fire—“most radiant” (śociṣṭha), ever shining—who hears the hymn, accepts offerings, and becomes an auspicious protector for those who worship.
- Cosmic functionMediator between humans and the gods: he carries oblations, safeguards the rite, and functions as a divine guardian who wards off harm and hostility.
- Inner significanceThe awakened flame of awareness and will: the inner fire that listens, protects, purifies intention, and gathers the community into a shared, auspicious purpose.
The seer
- Atri (Ātreya tradition; exact attribution uncertain in this sukta)Ātreya (Atri-gotra) · One of the great ṛṣis closely associated with Agni-invocation, protection-prayers, and the Atri family’s strong presence in Maṇḍala 5.
Famous verses
agne tvaṃ no antama uta trātā
sa no bodhi śrudhī havam
śociṣṭha dīdivaḥ sumnāya
Attributes of the deity
- Nearest presence (antama)
- Protector and rescuer (trātā)
- Auspicious, beneficent (śiva)
- Sheltering power (varūthya)
- Radiant/most luminous (śociṣṭha)
- Listener to prayer and awakener (bodhi, śrudhi)
Also by this seer
- Numerous hymns of the Rig Veda attributed to the Atri family, especially within Mandala 5
- Atri is a prominent seer in later Vedic-Itihāsa tradition and is counted among the Saptarṣi
The rite, step by step
- Prepare and consecrate the hearth/altar; arrange kindling and maintain ritual purity.
- Kindle Agni and establish the fire with a steady flame.
- Recite the sukta as a protective invocation: ask Agni to be ‘nearest’ and a ‘shelter’.
- Offer oblations while requesting widened guardianship and removal of harmful intent.
- Conclude with a grace-seeking prayer for the community/companions in the work, and maintain the fire respectfully or close the rite per tradition.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya)
- Kindling sticks (samidh)
- Grains or simple food-offerings (as customary)
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Agni to be very near, to protect like a shelter, to listen to prayer, and to save the worshippers from harmful intentions.
Because Agni is present as the visible ritual fire and is felt as the closest divine helper—immediately available to hear and protect.
It can be recited at the start of a fire offering or lamp-lighting as a prayer for safety, clarity, and auspicious support for one’s household or group work.
Ask anything about Sukta 24 of the Rig Veda
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