Rig Veda 4.4.6: Mandala 4, Sukta 4, Mantra 6
Sukta 4.4
- Rishi
- Vāmadeva Gautama
- Devata
- Agni
- Chandas
- Trishtubh
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder) and Shanta (peace)
स ते जानाति सुमतिं यविष्ठ य ईवते ब्रह्मणे गातुमैरत् । विश्वान्यस्मै सुदिनानि रायो द्युम्नान्यर्यो वि दुरो अभि द्यौत् ॥
sá te jānāti sumatíṃ yaviṣṭha yá ī́vate bráhmaṇe gātúm áirat | víśvāny asmai sudínāni rāyó dyumnā́ny aryó ví dúro abhí dyaut ||
โอ ไฟผู้เยาว์ที่สุด เขาย่อมรู้คำชี้นำอันมีปัญญาดีของท่าน—ผู้ที่ได้พบหนทางเพื่อพระวาจาศักดิ์สิทธิ์ (brahman). เพื่อเขา อำนาจอันสูงศักดิ์ย่อมส่องประกาย: วันอันผ่องใสแห่งความอุดมทั้งปวง และชัยชนะอันรุ่งโรจน์ทั้งหลาย (dyumnāni) สว่างไสว เปิดประตูให้กว้าง.
Word by Word
- सः
- hePronounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role कर्तृRoot तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) → स
- ते
- to/for youPronounचतुर्थी/षष्ठी, एकवचनम् (एन्क्लिटिक)Role सम्प्रदानRoot युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) → त्वद्
- जानाति
- knowsVerbलट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्Root √ज्ञा (जानाति)
- सुमतिम्
- good thought; good counselNounस्त्रीलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्Role कर्मRoot सुमति (सु- + मति)
- यविष्ठ
- O youngestAdjective (vocative)पुंलिङ्गः, सम्बोधन, एकवचनम्Role सम्बोधनRoot युव (प्रातिपदिक) → यविष्ठ (अतिशय/तमप्-प्रत्यय, ‘youngest’)
- यः
- whoPronounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role कर्तृRoot यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- ईवते
- seeks; strivesVerbलट् (वर्तमान), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्Root √ईव्/√ई (वेदिक; ‘to go/seek/strive’), ईवते
- ब्रह्मणे
- for the sacred formulation/prayerNounनपुंसकलिङ्गः, चतुर्थी, एकवचनम्Role सम्प्रदानRoot ब्रह्मन्
- गातुम्
- a path; passageNounपुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्Role कर्मRoot गातु (√गा ‘to go/sing’ से; ‘path/going’)
- ऐरत्
- he set in motion; he establishedVerbलुङ् (अorist), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्Root √ईर्/√इर् (वेदिक; ‘to set in motion/raise/impel’), ऐरत्
- विश्वानि
- all (things)Adjective (used substantively)नपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्Role कर्मRoot विश्व
- अस्मै
- to himPronounचतुर्थी, एकवचनम्Role सम्प्रदानRoot इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
- सुदिनानि
- good days; fortunate daysNounनपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्Role कर्मRoot सुदिन (सु- + दिन)
- रायः
- of wealthNounस्त्रीलिङ्गः, षष्ठी, एकवचनम्Role सम्बन्धRoot राय्/रायि (वेदिक ‘wealth’)
- द्युम्नानि
- splendours; glorious powersNounनपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्Role कर्मRoot द्युम्न
- अर्यः
- the noble one (Arya)Nounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role कर्तृRoot अर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
- वि
- apart; asunderIndeclinableउपसर्गःRoot वि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- दुरः
- doors; gatesNounनपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम् (वेदिक रूप)Role कर्मRoot द्वार्/दुर् (वेदिक ‘door, gate’)
- अभि
- towards; uponIndeclinableउपसर्गःRoot अभि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- द्यौत्
- shone; flashedVerbलुङ् (अorist), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्Root √द्युत् (to shine), द्यौत्
- द्यौः
- the Heaven (sky)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role कर्तृRoot द्यौ (दिव्)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेदः (सन्धि-विग्रह): स ते जानाति सुमतिं यविष्ठ | यः ईवते ब्रह्मणे गातुम् ऐरत् | विश्वानि अस्मै सुदिनानि रायः द्युम्नानि अर्यः वि दुरः अभि द्यौत् द्यौः || प्रमुख-सन्धयः: (1) स ते = सः + ते (विसर्ग-लोपः)
- (2) य ईवते = यः + ईवते (विसर्ग-लोपः, स्वरादि-सन्धिः)
- (3) गातुमैरत् = गातुम् + ऐरत् (म् + ऐ → मै; अनुस्वार/मकारादेशः)
- (4) विश्वान्यस्मै = विश्वानि + अस्मै (इ + अ → य; यण्-सन्धिः)
- (5) द्यु॒म्नान्य॒र्यो = द्युम्नानि + अर्यः (इ + अ → य; यण्-सन्धिः; अर्यः प्रथमा एकवचन)
- (6) दुरो॑ = दुरः (वेदिक द्वितीया बहुवचन रूप ‘दुरः/दुरो’)
The meaning
Outer meaning
The one who approaches Agni understands his good guidance; he has found a path for the sacred Word. For him the noble power shines: bright days of wealth and triumphs, as doors open wide.
Inner meaning
The seeker who turns to the inner Fire (Agni, yaviṣṭha—ever-young) comes to know the right orientation of consciousness (sumati). By discovering the inner passage for brahman (the inspired Word/Mantra-force), the Arya-nature (noble being) is lit from within: luminous days (sudināni) of increasing inner abundance (rāyaḥ) and victorious energies (dyumnāni) arise, and the ‘doors’—closed faculties, blocked channels, veiled states—open to higher light.
Universal truth
When aspiration aligns with the soul’s right guidance and speech becomes truth-bearing, consciousness naturally opens its blocked gates; clarity, abundance, and victorious progress appear as a law of inner growth.
Themes
Path-opening (gātu), Illumination and prosperity, Mantric realization
The seer
- Rishi
- Vāmadeva Gautama
- Lineage
- Gautama
- Other hymns
- RV 4.1, RV 4.2, RV 4.3, RV 4.4, RV 4.5
Family tradition
Vāmadeva is a prominent seer of the 4th Maṇḍala (Gautama lineage), noted for psychological readings of Agni and the inner sacrifice—Agni as the leader of ascent and the revealer of the path for brahman (mantric consciousness).
Significance
Vāmadeva’s vision repeatedly stresses the discovery of the inner way (gātu), the opening of hidden doors, and the transformation of human nature into the Arya—an archetype of integral yogic progress through Agni.
The deity
- Devata
- Agni
- Epithets
- yaviṣṭha (ever-young), dīdivāṃs (shining), hotṛ (priest), purohita (placed in front/leader)
- Related deities
- Indra, Soma, Uṣas, Bṛhaspati
Cosmic role
Mediator between human and divine worlds; carrier of offerings; awakener of the gods (powers) in the sacrifice; illuminator who opens paths.
Inner power
Divine Will and aspiration in the heart; the flame that digests obscurity, forges the mantra, and opens the gates of higher consciousness.
In ritual
Where it is used
Agni-stotra/Agni-invocation within Soma and daily fire rites (general application)
स ते॑ जानाति सुम॒तिं य॑विष्ठ॒ य ईव॑ते॒ ब्रह्म॑णे गा॒तुमैर॑त् । विश्वा॑न्यस्मै सु॒दिना॑नि रा॒यो द्यु॒म्नान्य॒र्यो वि दुरो॑ अ॒भि द्यौ॑त् ॥
सः । ते॒ । जा॒ना॒ति॒ । सु॒ऽम॒तिम् । य॒वि॒ष्ठ॒ । यः । ईव॑ते । ब्रह्म॑णे । गा॒तुम् । ऐर॑त् । विश्वा॑नि । अ॒स्मै॒ । सु॒ऽदिना॑नि । रा॒यः । द्यु॒म्नानि॑ । अ॒र्यः । वि । दुरः॑ । अ॒भि । द्यौ॑त् ॥
saḥ | te | jānāti | su-matim | yaviṣṭha | yaḥ | īvate | brahmaṇe | gātum | airat | viśvāni | asmai | su-dināni | rāyaḥ | dyumnāni | aryaḥ | vi | duraḥ | abhi | dyaut
44
4 pādas of ~11 syllables each
Forward-driving, expansive cadence suited to proclamation and victorious movement.
Builds inner momentum and clarity; supports a sense of ‘opening’ and ascent as the verse progresses.
- यविष्ठ (yaviṣṭha)
- Literal: youngest. Symbolic: Agni as the ever-fresh divine Will, constantly renewable in the seeker
- सुमतिम् (sumatim)
- Literal: good thought/right-mindedness. Symbolic: right guidance of the inner intelligence aligned to Truth
- ब्रह्मणे (brahmaṇe)
- Literal: for the sacred word/prayer. Symbolic: mantra-force, inspired speech that builds the consciousness
- गातुम् (gātum)
- Literal: path/track. Symbolic: inner passage/channel to higher planes; a workable method of ascent
- आर्यः (āryaḥ)
- Literal: noble. Symbolic: the awakened, truth-seeking being; the soul-nature capable of growth
- रायः (rāyaḥ)
- Literal: wealth/plenitude. Symbolic: inner riches: energies, capacities, wideness, delight
- द्यु॒म्नानि (dyumnāni)
- Literal: splendours/triumphs. Symbolic: victorious illuminations and effective powers
- दुरः (duraḥ)
- Literal: doors/gates. Symbolic: gates of consciousness—senses, mind, life-forces—opening to higher influx
Praise of Agni as opener of ways for brahman; used to secure auspicious progress and prosperity in rite and life
At the kindling/praise of Agni; also adaptable to daily agnihotra-style devotion.
Recitation while offering ghee/oblations and establishing Agni as guide; invoking opening of ‘doors’ (auspicious access).
Use before meditation as an ‘opening mantra’—to align intention, clarify speech, and invite inner guidance before mantra-japa or contemplation.
√jñā ‘know’ indicates experiential recognition. (su- + mati from √man ‘think’) is ‘right thought’ as luminous guidance. here is the mantric/visionary Word (not later abstract Brahman alone). (from √gā ‘go’) is a “passage” or access-way. (from dyu ‘shine, heaven’) = luminous force/achievement; ‘doors’ (PIE *dhwer-; cf. Eng. door) strongly supports the “opening” mythic-psychological image.
Brahman as formative Word/vision, Rayi as plenitude, Arya as noble striving aligned to ṛta
Sumati and the found ‘path’ indicate alignment with Ṛta—the right movement that opens the gates.
Brahman as truth-bearing speech that reveals and establishes luminous states.
Revelation through the Word: the mantra discovers passages and opens doors in consciousness.
Proto-Vedāntic and yogic symbolism (as developed by Sri Aurobindo/R.L. Kashyap): ascent through Agni and brahman to wider light.
daybreak-to-day (sudināni as bright days)
Fire = will; bright day = illumined consciousness; gates = openings of inner faculties; heaven = higher mind/planes of light.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- Agni as opener of the doors and maker of the path (gātu) for brahman: illumination that grants access to higher states (‘good days’) and plenitude (rayi).
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- ‘doors’ continues PIE *dhwer- (door/threshold) with a stable mythic semantics of ‘opening access’. dyu- ‘shine/sky’ is PIE *dyeu- (sky/daylight), grounding dyumná as ‘daylight power’.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The aspirant is defined by his labor for brahman; Agni reciprocates by granting su-mati (right guidance) and by opening the inner thresholds to luminous gains.
Invoke Agni in the heart as the guide of right discernment (sumati) and ask for the opening of inner doors to higher light.
anahata (heart)
gentle nāḍī-śodhana or slow inhalation with inner ‘kindling’, exhalation offering mental noise into the flame
collected aspiration moving toward illumined wideness
Begin with a quiet flame-visualization in the heart; repeat key words (sumati, gātu, duro) mentally; end by resting in the sense of opened space and grateful clarity.
Vedic tri-svara (udātta/anudātta/svarita) as per śākhā tradition; follow pada text for word boundaries; maintain udātta peaks on accented syllables.
Keep udātta crisp on key lifts (e.g., yaviṣṭha, brahmaṇe, viśvāni, dyumnāni); avoid flattening svarita falls at pāda ends.
Maintain retroflex ṣ in yaviṣṭha, Hold long vowels: jānāti, gātum, rāyo, dyaut, Articulate consonant clusters: brahmaṇe (br-), dyumnāni (dyu-), Pronounce duro as du-raḥ with clear visarga when chanted in saṃhitā style
bright, steady, slightly ascending at each pāda opening; gentle release at cadence
Ask anything about this verse
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
