Sukta 98
Sukta 1.98
Agni Vaiśvānara (with solar association)
Triṣṭubh
Этот краткий гимн в размере триштубх восхваляет Агни как Вайшванару — вселенский огонь, восседающий царственным сиянием над всеми мирами и действующий в согласии с Солнцем. Он изображается поддерживаемым небом и землёй, входящим в травы (их целительную силу); у него просят защиты днём и ночью, истины и прочного благополучия. Заключительная строфа расширяет благословение через союзных космических хранителей — Митру–Варуну, Адити, Синдху, Землю и Небо, — чтобы богатство и полнота «прилепились» к почитателю.
Mantras
Mantra 1
वैश्वानरस्य सुमतौ स्याम राजा हि कं भुवनानामभिश्रीः । इतो जातो विश्वमिदं वि चष्टे वैश्वानरो यतते सूर्येण ॥
Да пребудем мы в благом водительстве Вайшванары: ибо он — царственная слава, поставленная над мирами. Рождённый отсюда, в нас, он взирает на всё это; Вайшванара же трудится в союзе с Сурьей, дабы явить истину миров.
Mantra 2
पृष्टो दिवि पृष्टो अग्निः पृथिव्यां पृष्टो विश्वा ओषधीरा विवेश । वैश्वानरः सहसा पृष्टो अग्निः स नो दिवा स रिषः पातु नक्तम् ॥
Воздвигнутый на небе, воздвигнутый на земле, Агни входит во все травы-целительницы. Этот Агни Вайшванара, воздвигнутый собственной мощью, да хранит он нас от всякого ранящего — днём; да хранит он нас — ночью.
Mantra 3
वैश्वानर तव तत्सत्यमस्त्वस्मान्रायो मघवानः सचन्ताम् । तन्नो मित्रो वरुणो मामहन्तामदितिः सिन्धुः पृथिवी उत द्यौः ॥
О Вайшванара, да будет это твоей истиной: да прилепятся к нам полноты бытия, щедрые богатства. И да возвеличат нас в этом Митра и Варуна; Адити, Синдху, Земля и также Небо.
Inside Sukta 98
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A prayer to dwell in Vaiśvānara’s good guidance, proclaiming him as the royal glory presiding over the worlds and aligned with the Sun.
- Development
Agni is described as firmly upheld in heaven and earth and as pervading the herbs—linking fire to life, medicine, and protective power across realms.
- Climax
The explicit petition for guardianship from harm both by day and by night, presenting Agni as the ever-watchful universal protector.
- Where it settles
A final affirmation of satya and a broad benediction: may riches cleave to us, and may Mitra–Varuṇa, Aditi, Sindhu, Earth, and Heaven enlarge and confirm the gift.
The deity: Agni Vaiśvānara
- In the VedaVaiśvānara is Agni as the ‘belonging to all men/all beings’ fire—kingly glory over the worlds, born ‘from here’ (within the human and the rite), seeing all, and striving together with the Sun. He is upheld in heaven and on earth and pervades the oṣadhīs (plants/herbs), becoming a guardian against harm by day and night.
- Cosmic functionMediator between heaven and earth, energizer of growth and healing in nature, and maintainer of satya/ṛta through the sacrificial flame aligned with the solar power.
- Inner significanceThe universal inner fire: clarity of consciousness and moral truth (satya), the warmth that sustains life and heals, and the vigilant awareness that protects the person in both ‘day’ (waking) and ‘night’ (sleep/unknowing).
The seer
- Anukramaṇī tradition: Kutsa Āṅgirasa (attribution), though the rishi is transmitted as uncertain in some recensionsĀṅgirasa (Kutsa line) · A prominent early Rigvedic seer associated with hymns that link Agni’s terrestrial fire to solar and cosmic powers, emphasizing protection and right order (ṛta/satya).
Famous verses
vaiśvānaro yatate sūryeṇa
sa no divā sa riṣaḥ pātu naktam
वैश्वानर तव तत्सत्यमस्त्वस्मान्रायो मघवानः सचन्ताम् । तन्नो मित्रो वरुणो मामहन्तामदितिः सिन्धुः पृथिवी उत द्यौः ॥Attributes of the deity
- Universal (vaiśvānara) presence
- Royal glory and sovereignty over the worlds
- Solar alliance (works with Sūrya)
- All-seeing witness
- Healer through entry into herbs (oṣadhīs)
- Protector from injury/harm day and night
- Upholder of truth (satya)
Also by this seer
- Hymns in Rig Veda Maṇḍala 1 associated with Kutsa in the Anukramaṇī tradition
- Praise-poems connecting Indra–Sūrya motifs with the sacrificial fire (Agni) and the maintenance of cosmic order
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar/hearth and establish a clean ritual space (śauca).
- Kindle Agni and acknowledge him as Vaiśvānara, ‘kingly glory over the worlds’ (mantra 1).
- Contemplate Agni as upheld in heaven and earth and as entering the herbs—invoking protection from harm by day and night (mantra 2).
- Request that prosperity and ‘plenitudes’ adhere to the sacrificer, sealing the vow of truth (mantra 3).
- Conclude by extending the blessing through Mitra–Varuṇa, Aditi, Sindhu, Earth, and Heaven as witnesses and sustainers (mantra 3).
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into the fire
- Samidh/fuel sticks
- Optional: grains or simple oblations suitable to Agni
- Water for ācamana and ritual purification
Frequently Asked Questions
Vaiśvānara is Agni understood as the universal fire—present in all beings and all worlds—acting as a royal power and working together with the Sun.
It points to fire as the life-force behind growth and healing in nature: Agni supports vitality in plants and thus becomes a protector and restorer of health.
The hymn asks for guidance in truth, protection from harm both day and night, and for prosperity and fullness of being to remain with the worshipper.
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