Rig Veda Sukta 4
Mandala 2Sukta 49 Mantras

Sukta 4

Sukta 2.4

Rishi

Gṛtsamada (traditional for RV 2.4)

Devata

Agni (Jātavedas)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable; needs metrical verification)

本颂赞请阇多吠陀之阿耆尼,称他为光辉的“诸族之宾”,如密特罗般被安置于人间——坚定、可信,堪为居于人中的神圣中介。颂中称扬阿耆尼多彩的灿然光明,以及他在更新青春中的悖论;末了祈愿:藉由阿耆尼,格里察马达诸人得以超越界限,获得英雄之力、护佑与生命的增长。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 2.4

Mantras

Mantra 1

हुवे वः सुद्योत्मानं सुवृक्तिं विशामग्निमतिथिं सुप्रयसम् । मित्र इव यो दिधिषाय्यो भूद्देव आदेवे जने जातवेदाः ॥

我呼唤你们:那善放光辉的阿耆尼(Agni),善言之颂、诸民之宾,丰厚施与、赐福充盈者。彼如密多罗(Mitra)而成可安立者;在未臻神性之人中为神,生而具知的贾塔韦达斯(Jātavedas)。

Mantra 2

इमं विधन्तो अपां सधस्थे द्वितादधुर्भृगवो विक्ष्वायोः । एष विश्वान्यभ्यस्तु भूमा देवानामग्निररतिर्जीराश्वः ॥

诸行祭者在诸水的同座之处奉行此仪,将此阿耆尼安置其间;婆利古(Bhṛgu)族又一次在生者诸民中立起他。愿这位阿耆尼——行速如飞、骏马迅疾——为一切有生成为广阔之地与支撑,亦为诸神之依托。

Mantra 3

अग्निं देवासो मानुषीषु विक्षु प्रियं धुः क्षेष्यन्तो न मित्रम् । स दीदयदुशतीरूर्म्या आ दक्षाय्यो यो दास्वते दम आ ॥

诸神把他们所爱的阿耆尼安置在人的诸族之中,如人养护密多罗般的友。彼以欣悦渴慕之波而辉耀;那应以巧能而增长者,来到施与者之家宅之中。

Mantra 4

अस्य रण्वा स्वस्येव पुष्टिः संदृष्टिरस्य हियानस्य दक्षोः । वि यो भरिभ्रदोषधीषु जिह्वामत्यो न रथ्यो दोधवीति वारान् ॥

他的欢悦,如同自身的滋养;那疾行者的巧智,清明可见。负载者在诸草木间舒展其舌;如战车之骏马,他抖落遮覆,开辟诸道。

Mantra 5

आ यन्मे अभ्वं वनदः पनन्तोशिग्भ्यो नामिमीत वर्णम् । स चित्रेण चिकिते रंसु भासा जुजुर्वाँ यो मुहुरा युवा भूत् ॥

当那林中轰鸣者为我量定广阔与色相——如炽烈的火舌——彼时,他以多彩的光辉而觉知,欣悦而明照;虽常趋于衰老,却一次又一次复归青春。

Mantra 6

आ यो वना तातृषाणो न भाति वार्ण पथा रथ्येव स्वानीत् । कृष्णाध्वा तपू रण्वश्चिकेत द्यौरिव स्मयमानो नभोभिः ॥

那渴求者在林中并不显耀,却循着如战车大道的路径而被引领,追随自身的声响。在黑暗之途上,他的热力识得其欢悦;如苍穹携云而微笑,他以诸天云显现自身。

Mantra 7

स यो व्यस्थादभि दक्षदुर्वीं पशुर्नैति स्वयुरगोपाः । अग्निः शोचिष्माँ अतसान्युष्णन्कृष्णव्यथिरस्वदयन्न भूम ॥

彼独自挺立,灼穿广阔大地;无有走兽能至其处——自趋而无牧守者。阿耆尼(Agni)焰光炽盛,温热诸纤维,使那黑暗的抗拒亦得其味;他令大地化为甘美。

Mantra 8

नू ते पूर्वस्यावसो अधीतौ तृतीये विदथे मन्म शंसि । अस्मे अग्ने संयद्वीरं बृहन्तं क्षुमन्तं वाजं स्वपत्यं रयिं दाः ॥

今凭汝古昔护佑之推进,于第三次祭会(vidatha)我宣说此灵感之思。阿耆尼啊,赐我等:汇聚之勇士众,广大者,光辉之充盈;赐胜满之力(vāja),并赐善主之权与rayi——内在之富。

Mantra 9

त्वया यथा गृत्समदासो अग्ने गुहा वन्वन्त उपराँ अभि ष्युः । सुवीरासो अभिमातिषाहः स्मत्सूरिभ्यो गृणते तद्वयो धाः ॥

凭汝之力,阿耆尼啊,如Gṛtsamadas在幽隐处奋求,上升越过高界;愿我等亦成多勇之富,能胜诸敌压迫。并为赞颂之先见者(sūri),由汝安立彼等生命之充盈与增长。

Inside Sukta 4

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct call to the radiant Agni—perfect in speech and the peoples’ guest—asking him to be firmly established among humans like Mitra (RV 2.4.1).

  2. Development

    Agni’s dynamic epithets unfold: his expansive, many-colored brilliance and his power to measure out vastness and ‘color,’ renewing youth again and again even as he ages (e.g., RV 2.4.5).

  3. Climax

    Agni is invoked as the force by which the Gṛtsamadas, striving in hidden places, rise beyond upper limits—an image of breakthrough from concealment to higher attainment (RV 2.4.9a).

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn ends in a practical blessing: heroic offspring/strength, victory over hostile pressures, and the establishment of vayas—vital plenitude and growth—for the praising seers and patrons (RV 2.4.9b).

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaAgni is praised as sudyotmān (well-luminous), suvṛkti (perfect in utterance), viśām atithi (guest of the peoples), and Jātavedas (knower of all births/creatures), a god who can be firmly established among men like Mitra.
  • Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods: he receives offerings, carries them to the devas, and maintains ṛta by kindling sacrifice, light, and ordered exchange.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened inner fire of discernment and aspiration—speech made true (suvṛkti), the power that transforms raw intention into effective offering, and the renewing will that becomes ‘young again’ through repeated consecration.

The seer

  • Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)Bhṛgu lineage (Bhārgava); traditionally of the Gṛtsamada family within Mandala 2 · Principal seer of Rigveda Mandala 2, renowned for powerful Agni hymns that frame Agni as the clan-guest (atithi) and as Jātavedas, the knower of all births.

Famous verses

viśām agnim atithim
Verse 2.4.1Sets the theological frame: Agni as the luminous clan-guest and as Jātavedas, to be established among humans ‘like Mitra’—a key ritual idea of enthroning the fire.Read verse 2.4.1 →
jujurvān yo muhur ā yuvā bhūt
Verse 2.4.5Captures Agni’s distinctive Vedic paradox: many-hued radiance that ‘measures out’ the vast, and the recurring renewal—ever-aging yet repeatedly becoming young—central to fire’s ritual re-kindling.Read verse 2.4.5 →
त्वया यथा गृत्समदासो अग्ने गुहा वन्वन्त उपराँ अभि ष्युः । सुवीरासो अभिमातिषाहः स्मत्सूरिभ्यो गृणते तद्वयो धाः ॥
Verse 2.4.9Names the seer-family and converts praise into a concrete boon: through Agni may the Gṛtsamadas transcend limits and gain heroic power, protection, and vital increase.Read verse 2.4.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Radiant and many-hued (citra bhāsā)
  • Guest-priest of the clans (atithi)
  • Bearer of offerings and messenger
  • Knower of births (Jātavedas)
  • Establishing, treaty-like reliability (Mitra-iva didhiṣāyya)
  • Renewing youth amid age (muhur ā yuvā bhūt)

Also by this seer

  • Primary authorship attributed to most of Rigveda Mandala 2 (many Agni-centered sūktas)
  • Associated with the Bhṛgu-Aṅgiras fire tradition in later Vedic memory
  • Hymnic style noted for strong ritual address and clan-centered theology of Agni

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/vedi and ritual space; seat the fire as the clan-guest (Agni as atithi).
  • Kindle or rekindle Agni with proper formulas, establishing him ‘like Mitra’—stable and welcome among the people.
  • Recite the hymn while offering oblations, praising Agni’s radiance and his capacity to renew and expand vital power.
  • Conclude with a petition for protection against hostile pressures and for vayas (vital growth, strength, increase) for the praising seers and patrons.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) oblations
  • Kindling sticks/samidhs
  • Optional soma-related offerings in a broader rite context (where applicable)

Frequently Asked Questions

The hymn is addressed to Agni, especially in the form Jātavedas—Agni as the one who knows all births and carries offerings to the gods.

Because the sacrificial fire is welcomed into every household and clan like an honored guest; once kindled, he presides over the rite and mediates between humans and the devas.

It asks that through Agni the worshippers gain heroic strength, overcome hostile pressures, and receive vayas—vital growth, nourishment, and flourishing for those who praise.

Ask anything about Sukta 4 of the Rig Veda

Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.

Not sure where to start?

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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Continue reading in the Vedapath app

Open in App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play