✶Gnosis
← Contents
Theme
0303 / 1027

Listen

Dhammapada · narration sample

A one-minute narration sample. Every book in the library is narrated end to end — hear the rest in the app.

Rig Veda · 303 of 1027

Mandala 4: HYMN VII. Agni.

1.HERE by ordainers was this God appointed first Invoker, best at worship, to be praised at rites: Whom Apnavāna, and the Bhṛgus caused to shine bright-coloured in the wood, spreading from home to home.

2.When shall thy glory as a God, Agni, be suddenly shown forth. For mortal men have held thee fast, adorable in all their homes,

3.Seeing thee faithful to the Law, most sapient, like the starry heaven, Illumining with cheerful ray each solemn rite in every house.

4.Vivasvān’s envoy living men have taken as their ensign, swift, The ruler over all mankind, moving like Bhṛgu in each home.

5.Him the intelligent have they placed duly as Invoking Priest, Welcome, with sanctifying flame, best worshipper, with sevenfold might;

6.In his Eternal Mothers, in the wood, concealed and unapproached, Kept secret though his flames are bright seeking on all sides, quickly found.

7.That as food spreads forth in this earthly udder, Gods may rejoice them in the home of Order, Great Agni, served with reverence and oblation, flies ever to the sacrifice, the Faithful.

8.Bird of each rite, skilled in an envoy’s duties, knowing both worlds and that which lies between them, Thou goest from of old a willing Herald, knowing full well heaven’s innermost recesses.

9.Bright God, thy path is black: light is before thee: thy moving splendour is the chief of wonders. When she, yet unimpregnate, hath conceived thee, even when newly born thou art an envoy.

10.Yet newly born, his vigour is apparent when the wind blows upon his fiery splendour, His sharpened tongue he layeth on the brushwood, and with his teeth e’en solid food consumeth.

11.When he hath borne off food with swift flame swiftly, strong Agni makes himself a speedy envoy, Follows the rustling of the wind, consuming, and courser-like, speeds, drives the swift horse onward.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn call Agni an 'envoy' who knows 'both worlds' and 'that which lies between'?

The hymn makes Agni an envoy because he carries offerings from humans to the gods and returns divine presence to the home; he “goest from of old a willing Herald” and is “bird of each rite,” a mediator active in sacrifice. The poem repeatedly ties his movement to flame, wind, and speech — his “sharpened tongue” and swift consuming — showing how his physical action enacts a spiritual transit.

Calling Agni an envoy locates him between heaven and earth, both practical and cosmic: he is “welcome, with sanctifying flame” in households and simultaneously knows “heaven’s innermost recesses.” This double role echoes what the Upanishads later explore about ritual fire as link between human duty and cosmic order.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.