Dashati 2
Agni as the bountiful, ṛta-sustaining fire who makes the sacrifice auspicious and protects the rite
Agni
Bright propitiatory and protective—an opening-fire (Agneya) confidence that turns praise into safeguarding power
R̥ṣi not provided in input; these Agni verses commonly circulate across multiple RV families in Sāmavedic selection with emphasis on ritual utility rather than explicit lineage in this excerpt.
Used in Soma-sacrifice contexts as Agni-oriented stotra material that supports the fire-installation/maintenance and the securing of ritual auspiciousness; also suitable wherever Agni is invoked as guardian of the rite.
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्र मंहिष्ठाय गायत ऋताव्ने बृहते शुक्रशोचिषे उपस्तुतासो अग्नये
Sing forth unto Agni, the most bountiful, the upholder of sacred order, the great one of brilliant lustre; (sing) as worshippers standing by with praise.
Mantra 2
प्र सो अग्ने तवोतिभिः सुवीराभिस्तरति वाजकर्मभिः यस्य त्वं सख्यमाविथ
He, O Agni, whom thou hast aided with thy succours, rich in valiant offspring, overpasses (all hindrance) by works that win the prize; he is he to whom thou hast granted friendship.
Mantra 3
तं गूर्धया स्वर्णरं देवासो देवमरतिं दधन्विरे देवत्रा हव्यमूहिषे
Him, of golden splendour, the gods have established with exalted acclaim, the divine (Agni) allied with the Maruts; for thou conveyest the oblation unto the gods.
Mantra 4
मा नो हृणीथा अतिथिं वसुरग्निः पुरुप्रशस्त एशः यः सुहोता स्वध्वरः
Be not wroth with us, O Agni, the beneficent guest; for this (Agni), much praised, is the good Hotṛ, the performer of a well-ordered sacrifice.
Mantra 5
भद्रो नो अग्निराहुतो भद्रा रातिः सुभग भद्रो अध्वरः भद्रा उत प्रशस्तयः
Auspicious to us be Agni when invoked; auspicious the gift, O gracious one; auspicious be the sacrifice, and auspicious also the praises.
Mantra 6
यजिष्ठं त्वा ववृमहे देवं देवत्रा होतारममर्त्यम् अस्य यज्ञस्य सुक्रतुम्
Thee, the most worshipful, do we choose—the god, the Hotṛ among the gods, the immortal, of good efficacy for this sacrifice.
Mantra 7
तदग्ने द्युम्नमा भर यत्सासाहा सदने कं चिदत्रिणम् मन्युं जनस्य दूढ्यम्
Bring hither, Agni, that glory which, conquering in the sacred seat, overcomes any devouring adversary, the oppressive wrath of men.
Mantra 8
यद्वा उ विश्पतिः शितः सुप्रीतो मनुषो विशे विश्वेदग्निः प्रति रक्षांसि सेधति
For when the lord of the dwelling, keen-flaming and well-pleased, (abides) for the people of man, then Agni altogether repels the Rākṣasas.
Frequently Asked Questions
It teaches that when Agni is properly praised and invoked, he upholds ṛta (right ritual order), makes the sacrifice auspicious, and protects the rite from obstruction.
Because the verses function as ritual affirmations: they declare the oblation, the gift, the adhvara (sacrifice), and the praises as ritually ‘propitious,’ ensuring correctness and success.
In Vedic ritual language, rakṣas are forces that disrupt sacrifice. A well-kindled, well-pleased Agni—established as viśpati (guardian)—is said to prevent such disturbances.