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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 531 of 1027

Mandala 7: HYMN XV. Agni.

1.OFFER oblations in his mouth, the bounteous God’s whom we must serve. His who is nearest kin to us:

2.Who for the Fivefold People’s take hath seated him in every home Wise, Youthful, Master of the house.

3.On all sides may that Agni guard our household folk and property; May he deliver us from woe.

4.I have begotten this new hymn for Agni, Falcon of the sky: Will he not give us of his wealth?

5.Whose lories when he glows in front of sacrite are fair to see, Like wealth of one with hero sons.

6.May he enjoy this hallowed gift, Agni accept our songs, who bears Oblations, best of worshippers.

7.Lord of the house, whom men must seek, we set thee down, O Worshipped Onel Bright, rich in heroes, Agni! God

8.Shine forth at night and morn: through thee with fires are we provided well. Thou, rich in heroes, art our Friend.

9.The men come near thee for their gain, the singers with their songs of praise: Speech, thousandfold, comes near to thee.

10.Bright, Purifier, meet for praise, Immortal with refulgent glow, Agni drives Rākṣasas away.

11.As such, bring us abundant wealth, young Child of Strength, for this thou canst May Bhaga give us what is choice.

12.Thou, Agni, givest hero fame: Bhaga and Savitar the God, And Did give us what is good.

13.Agni, preserve us from distress: consume our enemies, O God, Eternal, with the hottest flames.

14.And, irresistible, be thou a mighty iron fort to us, With hundred walls for man’s defence.

15.Do thou preserve us, eve and morn, from sorrow, from the wicked men, Infallible! by day and night.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn keep calling Agni

The hymn names Agni as the household lord and an active friend: “Lord of the house,” “rich in heroes,” and “best of worshippers” because this chapter presents Agni as both the domestic guardian who receives offerings and the visible divine power that grants wealth, fame, and protection. The ritual lines—“O Worshipped One…Shine forth at night and morn”—show Agni’s daily role in linking family sacrifice to divine favour, making him the conduit for Bhaga and Savitar to bestow good.

The poet also stresses Agni’s protective, martial force: he is a “Purifier” who “drives Rākṣasas away,” an “iron fort” with “hundred walls,” and a deliverer from sorrow and enemies. This mirrors other Vedic hymns where Agni functions as priest, messenger, and warrior; compare Mandala 1 hymns that similarly cast Agni as the sacrificial mediator and household guardian.

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