Sukta 78
Sukta 1.78
Gautama (Gotama lineage; ‘Gotamāḥ’ indicates the family-seers)
Agni (Jātavedas)
Gāyatrī (3×8 syllables)
这首简短的伽耶特丽颂歌呼唤阿耆尼·阇多吠陀——全知之火——愿他在受启发的言辞与“光辉的力量”（dyumnaiḥ）的推动下，被强力点燃并驱策前行。乔多摩一系的先见者（并点名罗呼伽那族）祈请他为广见者、在赢得vāja——生命力与丰盈——上最为凯旋者，使他的光明与能量在祭祀者之中运行。
Mantras
Mantra 1
अभि त्वा गोतमा गिरा जातवेदो विचर्षणे । द्युम्नैरभि प्र णोनुमः ॥
向着你——噢，知诸生之主（Jātavedas）、广见之威能——乔多摩诸族以颂词迫近；以光耀之力，我们催促你在我们之中向前。
Mantra 2
तमु त्वा गोतमो गिरा रायस्कामो दुवस्यति । द्युम्नैरभि प्र णोनुमः ॥
那位你——噢，阿耆尼——乔多摩以灵感之言奉事，渴求rayi（丰裕、圆满之有）；以光耀之力，我们催促你在我们之中前行。
Mantra 3
तमु त्वा वाजसातममङ्गिरस्वद्धवामहे । द्युम्नैरभि प्र णोनुमः ॥
我们呼唤你——在赢得vāja（力之丰盈、胜势）中最为得胜者，哦如安吉罗族（Aṅgiras）之火焰；以光辉的威能，我们催策你在我们之中向前。
Mantra 4
तमु त्वा वृत्रहन्तमं यो दस्यूँरवधूनुषे । द्युम्नैरभि प्र णोनुमः ॥
我们呼唤你——最强力的弗栗陀罗（Vṛtra）杀者，能抖落达修（dasyu）——诸阻碍之力者；以光辉的威能，我们催策你在我们之中向前。
Mantra 5
अवोचाम रहूगणा अग्नये मधुमद्वचः । द्युम्नैरभि प्र णोनुमः ॥
我们——罗呼伽那（Rahūgaṇa）族——已向阿耆尼（Agni）说出甘蜜之言、甘美之语；以光辉的威能，我们催策他在我们之中向前。
Inside Sukta 78
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The Gotamas press toward Agni with the word, addressing him as Jātavedas and wide-seeing, and immediately introduce the refrain of urging him forward with luminous strengths.
- Development
Agni is further defined as the most victorious winner of vāja and as aṅgirasvat—fire in the priestly, inspired mode—making the invocation both cosmic and ritual-practical.
- Climax
The seers declare their 'honeyed word' to Agni (madhumat vacaḥ), presenting speech itself as an offering that kindles divine power.
- Where it settles
The repeated refrain (dyumnair abhi pra ṇonumaḥ) seals the hymn: Agni is not only called to the altar but propelled into active presence within the worshippers.
The deity: Agni
- In the VedaAgni is the flame that is "born in many places" yet one, the knower of births (Jātavedas), wide-seeing (vicarṣaṇi), and the divine messenger who carries the offerings and the poet’s word to the gods.
- Cosmic functionHe mediates between human and divine realms, transforms offerings into subtle nourishment, and sustains ṛta by kindling light, warmth, and sacrificial order.
- Inner significanceAgni signifies awakened consciousness and will-power: the inner fire that digests experience, clarifies the mind, and propels aspiration when urged by truthful, honeyed speech (madhumat vacaḥ).
The seer
- Gautama (Gotama family-seers; incl. Rahūgaṇa branch as named in 1.78.5)Gotama gotra (Gotamāḥ); Rahūgaṇa as a sub-line mentioned within the hymn · A prominent early ṛṣi-line in the Rigveda, celebrated for Agni-centered hymns and for a style that stresses inner kindling—Agni as power awakened by mantra and offering.
Famous verses
dyumnair abhi pra ṇonumaḥ
तमु त्वा वाजसातममङ्गिरस्वद्धवामहे । द्युम्नैरभि प्र णोनुमः ॥madhumad vacaḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Jātavedas (knower of all births/origins)
- Vicarṣaṇi (wide-seeing, far-ranging vision)
- Aṅgiras-like (priestly fire of inspired lineage)
- Vājasātama (best at winning vāja—strength, plenty, victory)
- Dūta (messenger) and hotṛ (invoking priest)
- Transformer of offerings into divine reach
Also by this seer
- Rigvedic hymns attributed to the Gotamas, especially in Mandala 1 (Agni and related deities)
- Association with the wider Angiras tradition of fire-priests (Agni invoked as aṅgirasvat in this sukta)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar/fireplace and arrange fuel (samidh) and clarified butter (ghṛta).
- Kindle or rekindle Agni while reciting the hymn in Gāyatrī meter with focused intention.
- Invoke Agni as Jātavedas and vicarṣaṇi, urging him forward "with dyumna" (luminous powers).
- Make oblations into the fire, aligning speech (vāc) with offering so the word becomes effective.
- Conclude with a final oblation and inward recollection of Agni as the awakened force within.
Offerings
- Ghṛta (ghee/clarified butter)
- Samidh (fuel sticks)
- Optional: grains or soma-substitute offerings as per śrauta/gṛhya context
Frequently Asked Questions
It calls Agni (Jātavedas) to be strongly kindled and made active through sincere mantra and offerings, so his light and strength work both in the ritual fire and within the worshipper.
The refrain emphasizes the act of “urging forward” Agni with dyumna—luminous power or brilliance—showing that the hymn is meant to intensify Agni’s presence and effectiveness.
It means “honeyed speech”—words that are pleasing, true, and spiritually effective—treated as an offering that kindles Agni and brings beneficial results.
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