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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 249 of 1027

Mandala 3: HYMN XV. Agni.

1.RESPLENDENT with thy wide-extending lustre, dispel the terrors of the fiends who hate us May lofty Agni be my guide and shelter, the easily-invoked, the good Protector.

2.Be thou To us, while now the morn is breaking, be thou a guardian when the Sun hath mounted.. Accept, as men accept a true-born infant, my laud, O Agni nobly born in body.

3.Bull, who beholdest men, through many mornings, among the dark ones shine forth red, O Agni. Lead us, good Lord, and bear us over trouble: Help us who long, Most Youthful God, to riches.

4.Shine forth, a Bull invincible, O Agni, winning by conquest all the forts and treasures, Thou Jātavedas who art skilled in guiding, the chief high saving sacrifice’s Leader.

5.Lighting Gods hither, Agni, wisest Singer, bring thou to us many and flawless shelters. Bring vigour, like a car that gathers booty: bring us, O Agni, beauteous Earth and Heaven.

6.Swell, O thou Bull and give those powers an impulse, e’en Earth and Heaven who yield their milk in plenty, Shining, O God, with Gods in clear effulgence. Let not a mortal’s evil will obstruct us.

7.Agni, as holy food to thine invoker, give wealth in cattle, lasting, rich in marvels. To us be born a son and spreading offspring. Agni, be this thy gracious will to us-ward.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn call Agni a 'Bull' and 'Jātavedas' so often?

The hymn uses ‘Bull’ to evoke strength, virility, and leadership: Agni is pictured as a conquering, guarding force who “bear[s] us over trouble” and wins “all the forts and treasures.” The image signals protective, procreative power that secures wealth, offspring, and safe passage for worshippers.

‘Jātavedas’ names Agni as knower of births and igniter of sacrifices, a guiding presence who is “skilled in guiding” the “saving sacrifice’s Leader.” This ties Agni’s household, sacrificial, and cosmic roles together in the way the Rig Veda repeatedly treats fire—as mediator, producer of bounty, and revealer, similar to how other hymns in the Rig Veda present Agni as both priest and patron of the community.

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