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Rig Veda · 449 of 1027
Mandala 6: HYMN VIII. Agni.
1.AT Jātavedas’ holy gathering I will tell aloud the conquering might of the swift red-hued Steer. A pure and fresher hymn flows to Vaiśvānara, even as for Agni lovely Soma is made pure.
2.That Agni, when in loftiest heaven he sprang to life, Guardian of Holy Laws, kept and observed them well. Exceeding wise, he measured out the firmament. Vaiśvānara attained to heaven by mightiness.
3.Wonderful Mitra propped the heaven and earth apart, and covered and concealed the darkness with his light. He made the two bowls part asunder like two skins. Vaiśvānara put forth all his creative power.
4.The Migbty seized him in the bosom of the floods: the people waited on the King who should be praised. As envoy of Vivasvān MatariSvan brought Agni Vaiśvānara hither from far away.
5.In every age bestow upon the singers wealth, worthy of holy synods, glorious, ever new. King, undecaying, as it were with sharpened bolt, smite down the sinner like a tree with lightning-flash.
6.Do thou bestow, O Agni, on our wealthy chiefs, rule, with good heroes, undecaying, bending not. So may we win for us strength. O Vaiśvānara, hundredfold, thousandfold, O Agni, by thy help.
7.O thou who dwellest in three places, Helper, keep with effective guards our princely patrons. Keep our band, Agni, who have brought thee presents. Lengthen their lives, Vaiśvānara, when lauded.
Asked of Guide
Why does the hymn call Agni 'Vaiśvānara' and praise him as dwelling 'in three places'?
The hymn uses the name Vaiśvānara to present Agni as the universal, all-pervading fire whose power reaches heaven, earth and the human world; verses say he “sprang to life” in heaven, “measured out the firmament,” and was brought down by Matariśvan as an envoy. Calling him Vaiśvānara ties his creative, law‑keeping might to social welfare—granting wealth, rule, protection, and long life to chiefs and singers who honor him.
The phrase “dwellest in three places” names that same threefold presence: celestial flame, sacrificial fire, and the fire within (domestic/inner). That triadic idea echoes themes in the Upanishads which also treat fire as manifest in soma/altar, sky, and inner breath, linking cosmic order to ritual and personal well‑being.
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