Listen

Dhammapada · narration sample

A one-minute narration sample. Every book in the library is narrated end to end — hear the rest in the app.

Rig Veda · 524 of 1027

Mandala 7: HYMN VIII. Agni

1.THE King whose face is decked with oil is kindled with homage offered by his faithful servant. The men, the priests adore him with oblations. Agni hath shone forth when the dawn is breaking.

2.Yea, he hath been acknowledged as most mighty, the joyous Priest of men, the youthful Agni. He, spreading o’er the earth, made light around him, and grew among the plants with blackened fellies..

3.How dost thou decorate our hymn, O Agni? What power dost thou exert when thou art lauded? When, Bounteous God, may we be lords of riches, winners of precious wealth which none may conquer?

4.Far famed is this the Bhārata’s own Agni he shineth like the Sun with lofty splendour. He who hath vanquished Pūru in the battle, the heavenly guest hath glowed in full refulgence.

5.Full many oblations are in thee collected: with all thine aspects thou hast waxen gracious. Thou art already famed as praised and lauded, yet still, O nobly born, increase thy body.

6.Be this my song, that winneth countless treasure, engendered with redoubled force for Agni, That, splendid, chasing sickness, slaying demons, it may delight our friend and bless the singers.

7.We, the Vasisthas, now implore thee, Agni, O Son of Strength, the Lord of wealth and riches. Thou hast brought food to singers and to nobles. Ye Gods, preserve us evermore with blessings.

Asked of Guide

Why do the poets call Agni both a guest and a king in this hymn?

The hymn names Agni as a royal figure — “The King whose face is decked with oil” — because the ritual fire receives homage, oblations, and hospitality exactly as a revered guest receives a kingly welcome. Verse 4 calls him “the heavenly guest” and celebrates his triumphant, sunlike splendour after vanquishing Pūru, so Agni functions as the sacred presence who is hosted and honored in the ritual space.

By being both guest and king the poem makes a single claim: Agni is the ritual mediator whose reception brings worldly benefits — “lords of riches, winners of precious wealth” — and divine protection. This mirrors the household-ritual logic in the Grihya-sutras and echoes later hymns in the Rigveda that portray Agni as the divine patron who consumes offerings and returns blessing.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.