Rig Veda Sukta 1
Mandala 1Sukta 19 Mantras

Sukta 1

Sukta 1.1

Rishi

Madhucchandas Vaiśvāmitra

Devata

Agni

Chandas

Gāyatrī

Este hino inaugural do Rig Veda invoca Agni como o sacerdote principal (purohita) do sacrifício — o mensageiro divino que traz os deuses e estabelece a prosperidade. Ao longo de nove versos em metro gāyatrī, Agni é louvado como movido pela vontade do vidente, portador da verdade e o melhor doador de «tesouros», culminando numa prece íntima para que seja acessível ao adorador como um pai, para o seu bem-estar.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.1

Mantras

Mantra 1

अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम् । होतारं रत्नधातमम् ॥

Agni eu louvo — o Purohita posto à frente, o deus do sacrifício, o ṛtvij; o Hotar, o melhor doador de tesouros.

Mantra 2

अग्निः पूर्वेभिॠषिभिरीड्यो नूतनैरुत । स देवाँ एह वक्षति ॥

Agni, digno de louvor pelos antigos ṛṣi e também pelos novos, trará aqui os deuses.

Mantra 3

अग्निना रयिमश्नवत्पोषमेव दिवेदिवे । यशसं वीरवत्तमम् ॥

Com Agni alcancemos riqueza e prosperidade — dia após dia; gloriosa, a mais plena de força heroica.

Mantra 4

अग्ने यं यज्ञमध्वरं विश्वतः परिभूरसि । स इद्देवेषु गच्छति ॥

Ó Agni, o sacrifício (yajña) e o rito-caminho da oferenda (adhvara) que tu envolves e dominas por todos os lados — por esse mesmo poder ele, de fato, chega entre os Deuses.

Mantra 5

अग्निर्होता कविक्रतुः सत्यश्चित्रश्रवस्तमः । देवो देवेभिरा गमत् ॥

Agni, o hotar, cujo desígnio é o do vidente; verdadeiro, o mais rico em inspiração luminosa e fama — que o Deus venha aqui com os Deuses.

Mantra 6

यदङ्ग दाशुषे त्वमग्ने भद्रं करिष्यसि । तवेत्तत्सत्यमङ्गिरः ॥

Seja qual for o bem auspicioso e luminoso que tu hás de moldar, ó Agni, para o que dá e oferece — isso é, de fato, a tua verdade, ó Aṅgiras.

Mantra 7

उप त्वाग्ने दिवेदिवे दोषावस्तर्धिया वयम् । नमो भरन्त एमसि ॥

A ti, ó Agni, nos aproximamos dia após dia; na noite e ao chegar da aurora nos achegamos com o pensamento desperto (dhī), trazendo reverência. Buscamos entrada na tua presença luminosa e a tua orientação.

Mantra 8

राजन्तमध्वराणां गोपामृतस्य दीदिविम् । वर्धमानं स्वे दमे ॥

Aquele que resplandece como poder régio dos sacrifícios (adhvara), guardião da Verdade (ṛta), o Luminoso —Agni—, sempre crescente na sua própria morada (em nós).

Mantra 9

स नः पितेव सूनवेऽग्ने सूपायनो भव । सचस्वा नः स्वस्तये ॥

Sê para nós, ó Agni, como um pai para o filho — de fácil acesso e pronto a conduzir. Une-te a nós para o nosso bem-estar, para o crescimento seguro da alma na ordem justa.

Inside Sukta 1

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Agni is hailed first as the appointed leader-priest of the sacrifice—divine, orderly, and the supreme establisher of inner riches (1.1.1).

  2. Development

    The hymn expands Agni’s role as the steady link across generations of seers and sacrificers, emphasizing his reliability, fame, and power to bring the gods and boons through right worship.

  3. Climax

    Agni is invoked as kavikratu—seer-minded—and asked to arrive with the host of gods, making the rite a living meeting of divine powers (notably 1.1.5).

  4. Where it settles

    The praise resolves into a personal, tender supplication: Agni should be easy of approach like a father and join the worshipers for svasti—secure well-being and right growth (1.1.9).

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaAgni is the fire-god and priestly power: the “purohita” set in front, the “hotṛ” who invokes, and the “ṛtvij” who works in right season and right order, carrying offerings to the gods and bringing their presence to the rite.
  • Cosmic functionHe mediates between heaven and earth as the conveyor of oblations, awakens and sustains sacrificial order (ṛta), and channels divine forces into human life as prosperity, protection, and inspired power.
  • Inner significanceAgni represents the awakened will and inner flame of aspiration—discernment, zeal, and the capacity to transform raw impulses into luminous understanding and right action.

The seer

  • Madhucchandas VaiśvāmitraVaiśvāmitra (descendant of Viśvāmitra; Kuśika line) · Being the seer of the Rig Veda’s opening sukta and a key early voice of the Vaiśvāmitra tradition, noted for clear sacrificial theology centered on Agni as mediator and inspirer.

Famous verses

agnim īḷe purohitaṃ
Verse 1.1.1The Rig Veda’s opening verse establishes Agni’s central identity as purohita, hotṛ, and ratnadhātama—setting the theological and ritual frame for Vedic worship.Read verse 1.1.1 →
agnir hotā kavikratuḥ
Verse 1.1.5Highlights Agni’s inspired intelligence (kavikratu) and his unique function of bringing the devas to the sacrifice, making him the effective mediator of divine presence.Read verse 1.1.5 →
sa naḥ piteva sūnave
Verse 1.1.9Concludes with the intimate relational image of Agni as father-like and approachable, focusing the hymn’s goal on svasti (well-being) and sustained companionship with the divine fire.Read verse 1.1.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Purohita (foremost guiding priest)
  • Hotṛ (invoker/caller of the gods)
  • Ṛtvij (performer in right season and truth)
  • Messenger between humans and devas
  • Bestower of riches/boons (ratnadhātama)
  • Seer-willed intelligence (kavikratu)
  • Protector and beneficent guide (father-like, easy of approach)

Also by this seer

  • Traditionally credited with several early hymns in Mandala 1 associated with the Vaiśvāmitra family (including adjacent Agni praises)
  • Part of the broader Vaiśvāmitra corpus that shapes themes of mantra, sacrifice, and divine-human mediation in the Rig Veda

The rite, step by step

  • Kindle or honor the established sacred fire (gārhapatya/āhavanīya as applicable) and seat Agni as purohita at the forefront of the rite.
  • Recite the sukta as an opening praise, requesting Agni to act as hotṛ and ṛtvij and to summon the devas.
  • Offer oblations while invoking Agni’s protection and his power to bring ‘treasures’—prosperity, strength, and right inspiration.
  • Conclude with the intimate prayer of approachability and welfare, seeking ongoing companionship (sacā) with Agni for svasti (well-being).

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Samidh (fuel sticks)
  • Grains/cakes as appropriate to the rite
  • Soma offerings in soma contexts (by extension, as Agni is the carrier)

Frequently Asked Questions

Because Agni is the mediator of the sacrifice: he carries offerings to the gods and brings the gods’ powers into the rite. Invoking him first establishes the yajña and makes all later invocations effective.

It means “placed in front” or “foremost priest.” The hymn presents Agni as the guiding presence at the head of the sacrifice—both ritually (the fire in front) and spiritually (the leading divine will).

The hymn asks Agni to bring the gods, ensure successful worship, and grant ‘treasures’—prosperity, strength, and inspired clarity—ending with a prayer for svasti (secure well-being) and protection like a father.

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