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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 44 of 1027

Mandala 1: HYMN XLIV. Agni.

1.IMMORTAL Jātavedas, thou many-hued fulgent gift of Dawn, Agni, this day to him who pays oblations bring the Gods who waken with the morn.

2.For thou art offering-bearer and loved messenger, the charioteer of sacrifice: Accordant with the Aśvins and with Dawn grant us heroic strength and lofty fame.

3.As messenger we choose to-day Agni the good whom many love, Smoke-bannered spreader of the light, at break of day glory of sacrificial rites.

4.Him noblest and most youthful, richly worshipped guest, dear to the men who offer gifts, Him, Agni Jātavedas, I beseech at dawn that he may bring the Gods to us.

5.Thee, Agni, will I glorify, deathless nourisher of the world, Immortal, offering-bearer, meet for sacred food, preserver, best at sacrifice.

6.Tell good things to thy praiser, O most youthful God, as richly worshipped, honey-tongued, And, granting to Praskaṇva lengthened days of life, show honour to the Heavenly Host.

7.For the men, Agni, kindle thee as all possessor and as Priest; So Agni, much-invoked, bring hither with all speed the Gods, the excellently wise,

8.At dawn of day, at night, Uṣas and Savitar, the Aśvins, Bhaga, Agni’s self: Skilled in fair rites, with Soma poured, the Kaṇvas light thee, the oblation-wafting God.

9.For, Agni, Lord of sacrifice and messenger of men art thou: Bring thou the Gods who wake at dawn who see the light, this day to drink the Soma juice.

10.Thou shonest forth, O Agni, after former dawns, all visible, O rich in light. Thou art our help in battle-strife, the Friend of man, the great high priest in sacrifice.

11.Like Manu, we will stablish thee, Agni, performer of the rite, Invoker, ministering Priest, exceeding wise, the swift immortal messenger.

12.When as the Gods’ High Priest, by many loved, thou dost their mission as their nearest Friend, Then, like the far-resounding billows of the flood, thy flames, O Agni, roar aloud.

13.Hear, Agni, who hast ears to hear, with all thy train of escort Gods; Let Mitra, Aryaman, seeking betimes our rite, seat them upon the sacred grass.

14.Let those who strengthen Law, who bountifully give, the life-tongued Maruts, hear our praise. May Law-supporting Varuṇa with the Aśvins twain and Uṣas, drink the Soma juice.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn keep calling Agni a 'messenger' and asking him to bring the gods at dawn?

The hymn treats Agni as the ritual intermediary who carries offerings and information between humans and the gods, calling him “offering-bearer and loved messenger” and “charioteer of sacrifice.” The poet repeatedly asks Agni to bring the Dawn-associated deities—Uṣas, the Aśvins, Savitar, Bhaga—so they may “drink the Soma juice,” which makes Agni the practical link that makes the sacrifice effective.

This morning summons frames Agni as both priest and courier: “the great high priest in sacrifice” and “swift immortal messenger,” roles that justify invoking him at dawn when sacrificial rites begin. If you want a close comparison, see the Hymns to Agni in Mandala 1 generally, which likewise present Agni as the mediator who animates worship and secures divine presence.

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