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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 12 of 1027

Mandala 1: HYMN XII. Agni.

1.WE choose Agni the messenger, the herald, master of all wealth, Well skilled in this our sacrifice.

2.With callings ever they invoke Agni, Agni, Lord of the House, Oblation-bearer, much beloved.

3.Bring the Gods hither, Agni, born for him who strews the sacred grass: Thou art our herald, meet for praise.

4.Wake up the willing Gods, since thou, Agni, performest embassage: Sit on the sacred grass with Gods.

5.O Agni, radiant One, to whom the holy oil is poured, burn up Our enemies whom fiends protect.

6.By Agni Agni is inflamed, Lord of the House, wise, young, who bears The gift: the ladle is his mouth.

7.Praise Agni in the sacrifice, the Sage whose ways are ever true, The God who driveth grief away.

8.God, Agni, be his strong defence who lord of sacrificial gifts, Worshippeth thee the messenger.

9.Whoso with sacred gift would fain call Agni to the feast of Gods, O Purifier, favour him.

10.Such, Agni, Purifier, bright, bring hither to our sacrifice, To our oblation bring the Gods.

11.So lauded by our newest song of praise bring opulence to us, And food, with heroes for our sons.

12.O Agni, by effulgent flame, by all invokings of the Gods, Show pleasure in this laud of ours.

Asked of Guide

Why do the hymns call Agni the messenger and ladle's mouth so often?

The chapter insists Agni is the ritual bridge: “the messenger, the herald” who brings the Gods to the sacrifice and carries offerings. Calling him the “ladle is his mouth” literalizes that function—Agni eats the oblation and conveys it to the gods, so his role is both priestly and consumptive within the rite.

This hymn treats Agni as protector and benefactor, asking him to “bring opulence” and “burn up our enemies,” because his intermediary action secures divine favor and material blessing. For a close parallel on sacrificial mediation, see the dialogue in the Bhagavad Gita about performing action as offering; there the act of offering changes the world by linking human effort to the divine.

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