Sukta 23
Sukta 5.23
Agni
Этот краткий гимн Агни просит бога Огня принести «сахантама» — самое победоносное, светозарное богатство (rayi, dyumna), которое устремляется вперёд против враждебных сил. Агни представлен как возлюбленный хотар, которого ищут все народы; гимн завершается прямой мольбой, чтобы Агни ярко пылал в домах почитателей, даруя процветание и защиту.
Mantras
Mantra 1
अग्ने सहन्तमा भर द्युम्नस्य प्रासहा रयिम् । विश्वा यश्चर्षणीरभ्यासा वाजेषु सासहत् ॥
О Агни, принеси нам наивысшую побеждающую мощь — сияющее богатство (rayí), прорывающееся вперёд. Ты, что приближаешься ко всем племенам людей и одолеваешь на полях силы, веди нас к победе в состязаниях за ваджу (vája).
Mantra 2
तमग्ने पृतनाषहं रयिं सहस्व आ भर । त्वं हि सत्यो अद्भुतो दाता वाजस्य गोमतः ॥
То богатство, о Агни, победоносное в битвах, принеси нам, одолев силой своего владычества. Ибо ты — истинный и дивный даритель ваджи (vája), богатой коровами (gómat), то есть световыми лучами и изобилием.
Mantra 3
विश्वे हि त्वा सजोषसो जनासो वृक्तबर्हिषः । होतारं सद्मसु प्रियं व्यन्ति वार्या पुरु ॥
Ибо все народы, единодушные, с приготовленной жертвой и расстланной травой (barhís), в своих обителях ищут тебя — любимого Хотара, призывателя; через тебя они жаждут многих желанных даров.
Mantra 4
स हि ष्मा विश्वचर्षणिरभिमाति सहो दधे । अग्न एषु क्षयेष्वा रेवन्नः शुक्र दीदिहि द्युमत्पावक दीदिहि ॥
Ибо он, воистину, всечеловеческий водитель, воздвигает свою победоносную мощь против враждебных нападений. О Агни, в этих наших обителях сияй нам богатством, о светлый; пылай, о лучезарный очиститель (пāvaka), пылай.
Inside Sukta 23
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct appeal to Agni to bring the most conquering abundance—rayi filled with dyumna (luminous force).
- Development
Agni is praised as the one who approaches all human communities and wins in the ‘fields of force’ (vāja), and as the beloved Hotṛ sought by all peoples for many desirable boons.
- Climax
Agni is declared the universal guide who sets his power against abhimāti (assailing, hostile forces).
- Where it settles
A repeated, intimate household petition: “shine here in our dwellings”—Agni as bright, radiant purifier granting prosperity and protection.
The deity: Agni
- In the VedaAgni is the divine Fire—bright (śukra), purifying (pāvaka), and the beloved Hotṛ who carries offerings and summons the gods. He is approached by all peoples in their dwellings and is invoked for victory in contests (vājeṣu) and for luminous abundance (dyumna, rayi).
- Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods; transformer of offerings into divine nourishment; guardian power that repels assaulting forces and sustains ordered life in the home and sacrifice.
- Inner significanceThe awakened will and aspiration (inner fire) that purifies motives, concentrates energy, and turns effort into effective accomplishment; the light of discernment that overcomes inner opposition.
The seer
- Atri (traditional attribution for much of Maṇḍala 5)Ātreya (Atri-gotra) · Foremost among the seers of the Atri line; associated with powerful Agni hymns and the protective, prosperity-bringing aspect of ritual fire.
Famous verses
agne sahantam ā bhara
hotāraṃ sadmasu priyam
śukra dīdihi dyumat pāvaka dīdihi
Attributes of the deity
- Hotṛ (invoker-priest)
- Pāvaka (purifier)
- Śukra (bright, radiant)
- Bestower of rayi (wealth) and dyumna (luminous power)
- Protector against abhimāti (hostile assailment)
- Universal presence in human dwellings (sadmasu, kṣayeṣu)
Also by this seer
- Numerous hymns of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 5 are attributed to the Ātreyas (Atri’s lineage).
- Later tradition associates Atri with the Saptarṣi corpus and with transmitting ritual and contemplative knowledge.
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar/fireplace and kindle Agni (ādhāna/agnikārya).
- Spread and arrange the barhis (grass seat) and set the offering implements.
- Invoke Agni as Hotṛ and request conquering wealth and forward-driving luminous power.
- Make offerings while reciting the verses, asking Agni to overcome hostile forces and to shine in the home.
- Conclude with a final prayer for radiance, purification, and prosperity in the dwelling.
Offerings
- Ghṛta (ghee)
- Samidh (fuel sticks)
- Havis (simple oblations such as grains)
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Agni to bring conquering, forward-driving prosperity (rayi) and luminous power (dyumna), and to lead the worshipper into victory while protecting the home.
Hotṛ means the invoker-priest. Agni is praised as the one who calls the gods and carries offerings, so people in many dwellings seek him as their beloved ritual mediator.
It refers to keeping the sacred fire (or ritual flame) bright and active in the home and sacrifice, symbolizing protection, purity, and the growth of wellbeing and clarity.
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