Sukta 70
Sukta 1.70
Madhucchandas Vaiśvāmitra (traditionally for RV 1.70)
Agni
Triṣṭubh (verse-level confirmation recommended)
RV 1.70 is an Agni-hymn that prays for the winning of the “ancient plenitudes” through ārya-manīṣā (noble, ordered insight) and for Agni to secure all attainments. It portrays Agni as the conscious knower and guardian of the wide foundations of the rite and of life, who understands the births of gods and mortals and leads the seeker through inner and outer conflicts to right emergence and victory.
Mantras
Mantra 1
वनेम पूर्वीरर्यो मनीषा अग्निः सुशोको विश्वान्यश्याः ॥
May we win the ancient plenitudes by the Aryan thought; may Agni, the fair-flaming, attain and bring all fulfillments.
Mantra 2
आ दैव्यानि व्रता चिकित्वाना मानुषस्य जनस्य जन्म ॥
Knowing the divine laws, he comes into the birth of the human people—entering our becoming to shape it by the order of the gods.
Mantra 3
गर्भो यो अपां गर्भो वनानां गर्भश्च स्थातां गर्भश्चरथाम् ॥
He who is the embryo of the waters, the embryo of the forests, the embryo of things that stand and of things that move—Agni is the hidden formative seed in all existence.
Mantra 4
अद्रौ चिदस्मा अन्तर्दुरोणे विशां न विश्वो अमृतः स्वाधीः ॥
Even in the stone he is within the house; like one universal among the peoples, the immortal, of perfect right-disposition, dwells and works.
Mantra 5
स हि क्षपावाँ अग्नी रयीणां दाशद्यो अस्मा अरं सूक्तैः ॥
For Agni, lord of the nights, gives the plenitudes of being to him who offers to him fittingly with well-shaped words.
Mantra 6
एता चिकित्वो भूमा नि पाहि देवानां जन्म मर्ताँश्च विद्वान् ॥
O conscious Knower, guard these wide foundations within us; knowing the birth and becoming of the gods and the mortals, protect the right emergence in our being.
Mantra 7
वर्धान्यं पूर्वीः क्षपो विरूपाः स्थातुश्च रथमृतप्रवीतम् ॥
The many former nights, diverse in form, have increased that growing power; and they set firm the chariot that is guided by the Truth—our movement yoked to R̥ta.
Mantra 8
अराधि होता स्वर्निषत्तः कृण्वन्विश्वान्यपांसि सत्या ॥
The Priest of the offering has been perfectly won; seated in the luminous heaven within, he accomplishes all works in the power of Truth.
Mantra 9
गोषु प्रशस्तिं वनेषु धिषे भरन्त विश्वे बलिं स्वर्णः ॥
In the Rays they bring the right praise; in the forest-depths they hold it in thought—these who bear for us the offering that leads to the luminous world.
Mantra 10
वि त्वा नरः पुरुत्रा सपर्यन्पितुर्न जिव्रेर्वि वेदो भरन्त ॥
Men in many places serve you; and as sons for an ever-living Father, they bring forward the sacred knowledge and spread it wide.
Mantra 11
साधुर्न गृध्नुरस्तेव शूरो यातेव भीमस्त्वेषः समत्सु ॥
He is straight and sure, not grasping; like a skilled archer he is a hero, like a swift rider he is formidable—blazing in the battles within.
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Agni to help the seeker win enduring, time-tested blessings through clear and noble understanding, and to protect the foundations of the rite and life so progress is secure.
Because Agni is portrayed as cikitvaḥ—conscious and discerning—who understands the right arising (“birth”) of divine and human states and can guide the sacrifice and the person correctly.
It can be recited when lighting a lamp or performing a simple fire offering, as a prayer for clarity, protection, and steady strength to face conflicts without greed or confusion.
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