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Rig Veda · 440 of 1027
Mandala 5: HYMN LXXXVI. Indra-Agni.
1.THE mortal man whom ye, the Twain, Indra and Agni, help in fight, Breaks through e’en strongly-guarded wealth as Tṛta burst his way through reeds.
2.The Twain invincible in war, worthy to be renowned in frays, Lords of the Fivefold. People, these, Indra and Agni, we invoke.
3.Impetuous is their strength, and keen the lightning of the mighty Pair, Which from their arms speeds with the car to Vṛtra’s slayer for the kine.
4.Indra and Agni, we invoke you both, as such, to send your cars: Lords of quick-coming bounty, ye who know, chief lovers of the song.
5.These who give increase day by day, Gods without guile for mortal man, Worthy themselves, I honour most, Two Gods as partners, for my horse.
6.The strength-bestowing offering thus to Indra-Agni hath been paid, as butter, purified by stones. Deal to our princes high renown, deal wealth to those who sing your praise, deal food to those who sing your praise.
Asked of Guide
Why does this hymn address Indra and Agni together as a pair?
The hymn calls Indra and Agni “the Twain” and praises them as “Lords of the Fivefold,” treating them as a single operative duo who empower the mortal in battle and bring bounty. It narrates shared actions—breaking enemies, sending cars, bestowing increase—so their pairing underscores a complementary partnership of martial force and sacrificial flame.
The ritual frame explains why: offerings are made “to Indra-Agni” (butter purified by stones) to secure renown, wealth, and food for singers and princes; the two gods together receive and return sacrificial potency. This pairing echoes other Vedic hymns where joint invocation concentrates divine power for communal and martial ends, as in many hymns of Mandala 1 and 10.
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