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Rig Veda · 379 of 1027
Mandala 5: HYMN XXV. Agni.
1.I WILL sing near, for grace, your God Agni, for he is good to us. Son of the Brands, may he give gifts, and, righteous, save us from the foe.
2.For he is true, whom men of old enkindled, and the Gods themselves, The Priest with the delicious tongue, rich with the light of glorious beams.
3.With wisdom that surpasseth all, with gracious will most excellent, O Agni, worthy of our choice, shine wealth on us through hymns of praise.
4.Agni is King, for he extends to mortals and to Gods alike. Agni is bearer of our gifts. Worship ye Agni with your thoughts.
5.Agni gives to the worshipper a son, the best, of mightiest fame, Of deep devotion, ne’er subdued, bringer of glory to his sire.
6.Agni bestows the hero-lord who conquers with the men in fight. Agni bestows the fleet-foot steed, the victor never overcome.
7.The mightiest song is Agni’s: shine on high, thou who art rich in light. Like the Chief Consort of a King, riches and strength proceed from thee.
8.Resplendent are thy rays of light: loud is thy voice like pressing-stones. Yea, of itself thy thunder goes forth like the roaring of the heaven.
9.Thus, seeking riches, have we paid homage to Agni Conqueror. May he, most wise, as with a ship, carry us over all our foes.
Asked of Guide
Why do the hymns ask Agni for sons, wealth, and victory—what role is Agni playing here?
The hymn treats Agni as the mediator who carries human offerings to the gods and then returns blessings: Agni is “bearer of our gifts” and “King” who extends benefits to mortals and gods. Because he connects worlds, the poem asks him to grant concrete goods—“a son,” “fleet-foot steed,” “riches and strength”—as visible signs of divine favor.
The text also portrays Agni as the active force of prosperity and success: his “resplendent rays” and “thunder” mark authority, and his wisdom and righteousness ensure gifts are rightly given. This functional portrayal matches later Vedic interpretations, especially in Sayana’s commentaries, which emphasize Agni’s priestly, world-bridging role as the distributor of sacrificial rewards.
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