Rig Veda Sukta 12
Mandala 6Sukta 126 Mantras

Sukta 12

Sukta 6.12

Rishi

Bharadvāja

Devata

Agni

Chandas

Triṣṭubh

婆罗堕阇这首简短的特里什图布颂歌赞颂阿耆尼:他是王者般的祭司(Hotṛ),端坐于家中祭坛的巴尔希草席上;其远照的火焰如太阳般铺展。诗中祈请“知生者”阿耆尼随同祭者的热忱前行,使祭祀成熟圆满,引领众人获得丰饶,并驱除有害的道路,使族群得以兴盛,享尽天年,并拥有英勇的子嗣。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 6.12

Mantras

Mantra 1

मध्ये होता दुरोणे बर्हिषो राळग्निस्तोदस्य रोदसी यजध्यै । अयं स सूनुः सहस ऋतावा दूरात्सूर्यो न शोचिषा ततान ॥

在居所之中、正当中央,Hotṛ立于圣草座(barhis)之上,威仪如王;阿耆尼为鞭策者,使两界(rodasī)得以受祭。此乃力之子,持守ṛta(宇宙正法)者;他自远方铺展其焰光,如太阳以炽辉张扬。

Mantra 2

आ यस्मिन्त्वे स्वपाके यजत्र यक्षद्राजन्त्सर्वतातेव नु द्यौः । त्रिषधस्थस्ततरुषो न जंहो हव्या मघानि मानुषा यजध्यै ॥

噢,王者,堪受礼敬的阿耆尼:在你之中——当你于光明的作为中圆满显现——苍天仿佛此刻也以全然奉献而行祭。你立于三重座(triṣadhastha),迅疾无碍,超越一切阻滞;人当以供献(havya)与丰盈之赐(maghāni)来敬祭你。

Mantra 3

तेजिष्ठा यस्यारतिर्वनेराट् तोदो अध्वन्न वृधसानो अद्यौत् । अद्रोघो न द्रविता चेतति त्मन्नमर्त्योऽवर्त्र ओषधीषु ॥

他之冲势最为锐利;其行止为王,主宰生长之林。于道途如策杖之刺而辉耀,日益增盛。其意无害,如疾走者般在内在之中唤醒觉知;不死者、无障者,行于诸药草之间——那疗愈与更新之力。

Mantra 4

सास्माकेभिरेतरी न शूषैरग्निः ष्टवे दम आ जातवेदाः । द्र्वन्नो वन्वन्क्रत्वा नार्वोस्रः पितेव जारयायि यज्ञैः ॥

与我等热切之力相应,他如迅行者般前进;阿耆尼(Agni),知诸生之主,当在存在之居所受颂。驱驰向前,以意志而征服,如奔马般带来曙光之辉;又如父亲,以我等供献使祭祀成熟,至于圆满。

Mantra 5

अध स्मास्य पनयन्ति भासो वृथा यत्तक्षदनुयाति पृथ्वीम् । सद्यो यः स्यन्द्रो विषितो धवीयानृणो न तायुरति धन्वा राट् ॥

于是,他的光辉被发动;他所塑成者决不徒然,因其随行遍及广阔之地。即刻,当他被释放,便如奔流之涌而疾冲,更为猛烈——如负债者追索偿付——他跨越旷野而为王。

Mantra 6

स त्वं नो अर्वन्निदाया विश्वेभिरग्ने अग्निभिरिधानः । वेषि रायो वि यासि दुच्छुना मदेम शतहिमाः सुवीराः ॥

惟汝,我等旅途之骏马;噢阿耆尼,汝与一切诸火同被点燃。汝引领我等至丰盈之财宝;汝分离并驱逐那恶道与不祥。愿我等欢喜,历经百冬而不衰,具足善勇之力。

Inside Sukta 12

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Agni is enthroned at the center of the home-rite as kingly Hotṛ, fit to be worshiped for the two worlds, his flame spreading like the sun (6.12.1).

  2. Development

    The hymn emphasizes Agni’s dynamic advance with the worshipers’ energies—driving forward, conquering by will, and maturing the sacrifice like a father nurturing growth (notably 6.12.4).

  3. Climax

    Agni is asked to lead the community to plenitudes (rāyaḥ) and actively separate them from harmful ways, functioning as guide and protector (6.12.6).

  4. Where it settles

    It ends in a blessing-aspiration: joyful flourishing through a full lifespan (“a hundred winters”) with strength and heroic progeny under Agni’s guidance (6.12.6).

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaAgni is hailed as Hotṛ in the house, enthroned on the sacred seat (barhis), “son of strength” (sūnuḥ sahasaḥ), ṛtāvā (aligned with ṛta), whose radiance extends from afar like the sun. As Jātavedas, he is the knower of births and the one to be hymned in the dwelling.
  • Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods: he carries offerings, establishes the rite, and maintains the bridge between the two worlds (rodasī), sustaining order through sacrificial exchange.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened flame of will and discernment that kindles aspiration, matures inner offerings into clarity, and burns away wrong courses (ducchunā), guiding the seeker toward plenitude (rāyaḥ).

The seer

  • BharadvājaBharadvāja gotra (Āṅgirasa lineage; traditional epithet: Bārhaspatya) · A प्रमुख (major) seer of the Rig Veda’s sixth maṇḍala, celebrated for lucid Agni-hymns that link domestic ritual precision with cosmic order (ṛta).

Famous verses

dūrāt sūryo na śociṣā tatāna
Verse 6.12.1Sets the hymn’s theological frame: Agni as central Hotṛ and royal presence on the barhis, radiating like the sun and aligned with ṛta—linking domestic fire to cosmic order.Read verse 6.12.1 →
सास्माकेभिरेतरी न शूषैरग्निः ष्टवे दम आ जातवेदाः । द्र्वन्नो वन्वन्क्रत्वा नार्वोस्रः पितेव जारयायि यज्ञैः ॥
Verse 6.12.4Highlights Agni Jātavedas as the force that advances with the worshipers’ zeal, conquers by resolve (kratú), and ‘ripens’ the sacrifice like a father—an important ritual-psychological image.Read verse 6.12.4 →
śatahimāḥ suvīrāḥ
Verse 6.12.6The culminating prayer: Agni as the journey-steed and guide who brings plenitude, drives away evil paths, and grants long life with heroic vitality—typical of Agni’s protective and leading role.Read verse 6.12.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Hotṛ/priest of the sacrifice
  • Jātavedas (knower of births)
  • Bearer of offerings and messenger
  • Solar-like radiance and far-reaching flame
  • Protector and path-clearer
  • Upholder of ṛta
  • Domestic presence (dame, in the home)

Also by this seer

  • Primary seer of much of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 6 (many sūktas to Agni, Indra, and allied deities)
  • Bharadvāja tradition influential in Śrauta/Smārta fire-ritual lineages and later Vedic memory (gotra-pravara usage)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/seat (barhis) and arrange the sacred space in the dwelling or ritual enclosure
  • Kindle Agni (idhāna) with kindling while reciting praise to establish him as Hotṛ
  • Offer oblations with invocations to Agni as mediator for the two worlds (rodasī)
  • Recite hymns requesting forward movement, victory by resolve (kratvā), and the ripening of the rite
  • Conclude with petitions for wealth/plenitude, removal of evil paths, long life, and heroic offspring

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Samidhs (kindling sticks)
  • Havis/oblations (simple cooked offering where applicable)

Frequently Asked Questions

Agni is praised—especially as the Hotṛ (chief priest of the sacrifice) in the home and as Jātavedas, the “knower of births,” who carries offerings and protects the worshipers.

Agni is the central sacred fire who makes the ritual effective, spreads light like the sun, leads people toward prosperity, and turns them away from harmful or wrong paths.

It is suited for fire worship such as dawn/dusk offerings: kindle the fire, offer ghee and kindling with recitation, and conclude with prayers for abundance, protection, long life, and strength.

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