Rig Veda Sukta 18
Mandala 5Sukta 185 Mantras

Sukta 18

Sukta 5.18

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha (Book 5 attribution)

Devata

Agni (as Atithi, the Guest)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (likely)

这首短歌在黎明赞颂阿耆尼为阿提提——神圣的“宾客”,藉由火与供献被迎入人类的居所。诗中祈请阿耆尼:他是不死者,喜悦凡人的祭品;如战车般无伤向前驰进;并增广慷慨施主的名声与兴盛。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 5.18

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्रातरग्निः पुरुप्रियो विशः स्तवेतातिथिः । विश्वानि यो अमर्त्यो हव्या मर्तेषु रण्यति ॥

黎明之时,愿多所爱戴的阿耆尼(Agni)被诸民众作为“宾客”而赞颂。那不死者,在凡人之中喜悦一切供献——唤醒人家中神圣往复之乐。

Mantra 2

द्विताय मृक्तवाहसे स्वस्य दक्षस्य मंहना । इन्दं। स धत्त आनुषक्स्तोता चित्ते अमर्त्य ॥

再三地,向你——承载净化供品者——凭你自身明辨之力的慷慨推动;祭司不断把苏摩的欢悦安置于你中,噢不死者;使火焰得饮真理之喜,并令其增长。

Mantra 3

तं वो दीर्घायुशोचिषं गिरा हुवे मघोनाम् । अरिष्टो येषां रथो व्यश्वदावन्नीयते ॥

我以祈请之言为你们——丰施的赐予者——呼唤那位:长寿之焰,辉耀之力;其战车无损前行,由力之骏马驱驰,纵横驰展。

Mantra 4

चित्रा वा येषु दीधितिरासन्नुक्था पान्ति ये । स्तीर्णं बर्हिः स्वर्णरे श्रवांसि दधिरे परि ॥

在他们之中,多彩的光照已然安立;他们守护灵感的颂歌;他们铺陈圣草座,噢光明天界之主,并将闻名之力环置四周。

Mantra 5

ये मे पञ्चाशतं ददुरश्वानां सधस्तुति । द्युमदग्ने महि श्रवो बृहत्कृधि मघोनां नृवदमृत नृणाम् ॥

凡赐我五十匹骏马者——噢,赞颂会中的同伴!——光辉的阿耆尼啊,请使施惠者的宏大名闻(śrávas)广大而崇高;噢,不死者,在众人之中具丈夫之德者。

Inside Sukta 18

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    At dawn the peoples are urged to praise Agni as the beloved Guest who rejoices in offerings among mortals.

  2. Development

    Agni is then called with the power of the spoken hymn as radiant and long-lived, advancing like a chariot that moves forth unharmed.

  3. Climax

    The hymn turns to tangible reward and patronage—Agni is asked to magnify great fame and splendor for the bountiful givers.

  4. Where it settles

    It closes by sealing the exchange: human generosity and offering are met by Agni’s immortal power granting lasting renown and strength to men.

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaAgni is the beloved, ever-young yet immortal flame who enters homes as a welcomed guest, receives offerings, and carries them to the gods; he is praised at dawn as the first to be kindled and invoked.
  • Cosmic functionMediator between humans and devas—transforming offerings into divine nourishment, sustaining ṛta through sacrifice, and energizing the onward motion of life (symbolized by the unharmed chariot).
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and illumined intelligence that ‘arrives’ when one begins the day with reverence—digesting experience, refining intention, and turning human speech/act into a higher offering.

The seer

  • VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha-gotra (Mānava/Vasiṣṭha tradition); associated with the Tr̥tsu-Bharata royal line in RV lore · One of the most celebrated Rigvedic seers, famed for priestly mastery (hotṛ/brahman), protection of kings through mantra, and profound Agni–Varuṇa hymns; later revered as a Saptarṣi in Vedic-Itihāsa tradition.

Famous verses

prātar agniḥ ... atithiḥ
Verse 5.18.1Defines the hymn’s central image: Agni at dawn as Atithi, the immortal who delights in offerings among mortals—setting the ritual and theological frame.Read verse 5.18.1 →
तं वो दीर्घायुशोचिषं गिरा हुवे मघोनाम् । अरिष्टो येषां रथो व्यश्वदावन्नीयते ॥
Verse 5.18.3Highlights Agni’s protective, forward-driving power—invoked by speech, moving unharmed like a chariot, a classic Vedic symbol of victorious progress.Read verse 5.18.3 →
mahi śravo bṛhat kṛdhi
Verse 5.18.5Shows the reciprocity of Vedic gift and praise: patrons’ generosity (steeds given) is answered by a prayer that Agni expand their great fame (śravas) and splendor (dyumat).Read verse 5.18.5 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Atithi (guest of the house and rite)
  • Amartya (immortal)
  • Śociṣ (radiant flame)
  • Hotṛ/mediator who conveys havis
  • Protector—unharmed, victorious movement
  • Bestower of śravas (fame) and dyumna (splendor)

Also by this seer

  • Large portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 traditionally attributed to Vasiṣṭha and his lineage
  • Renowned hymns to Varuṇa and Mitra–Varuṇa (Vasiṣṭha corpus, especially in RV 7)
  • Vedic exemplars of rājan-protection and ritual efficacy through Agni-centered praise

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/hearth; kindle or brighten the fire at dawn
  • Invite Agni as Atithi with praise (stuti) and spoken invocation (girā)
  • Offer havis into the flame while requesting protection and unharmed progress
  • Recite petitions for prosperity, fame (śravas), and the strengthening of generous patrons
  • Conclude with reaffirmation of Agni’s immortality and his delight in offerings among mortals

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Milk/curds or simple oblations (as customary havis)
  • Grain/cakes (puroḍāśa, context-dependent)
  • Kindling sticks (samidh)

Frequently Asked Questions

Because the sacred fire is welcomed into the home like an honored guest. Through kindling and offering, Agni ‘arrives,’ is praised, and receives hospitality in the form of oblations.

Protection and successful forward movement, along with increased splendor and lasting fame (śravas) for those who give generously and support the rite.

At dawn, when lighting or renewing the fire for morning worship, since the hymn explicitly invokes Agni “in the morning” and frames him as the first guest of the day’s sacrifice.

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