Rig Veda · 376 of 1027
Mandala 5: HYMN XXII. Agni.
1.LIKE Atri, Viśvasāman! sing to him of purifying light, Who must be praised in holy rites, the Priest most welcome in the house.
2.Set Jātavedas in his place, Agni the God and Minister. Let sacrifice proceed to-day duly, comprising all the Gods.
3.All mortals come to thee for aid, the God of most observant mind. Of thine excelling favour we bethink us as we long for it.
4.Mark with attention this our speech, O Agni, thou victorious One. Thee, Strong-jawed! as the homestead’s Lord, the Atris with their lauds exalt, the Atris beautify with songs.
Asked of Guide
Why do the Atris keep calling Agni both Priest and homestead's Lord?
The Atris call Agni Priest because in the hymn he is the ritual mediator — “Jātavedas,” the knower of many births, set in his place to make sacrifice proceed and to bring all the gods into the rite. They also call him homestead’s Lord because Agni embodies domestic protection and welcome, the household presence who is “most welcome in the house” and whom mortals invoke for aid.
Naming Agni Priest and Lord ties ritual and daily life together: the fire conducts offerings and secures the family. This mirrors what Michael Witzel notes in his studies of Vedic ritual practice, where domestic fire unites liturgy and household well‑being.
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