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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 890 of 1027

Mandala 10: HYMN LIII. Agni Saucika Gods.

1.HE hath arrived, he whom we sought with longing, who skilled in sacrifice well knows its courses. Let him discharge his sacrificial duties: let him sit down as Friend who was before Us.

2.Best Priest, he hath been won by being seated, for he hath looked on the well-ordered viands. Come, let usworship Gods who must be worshipped, and pouring oil, laud those who should be lauded.

3.Now hath he made the feast of Gods effective: now have we found the secret tongue of worship. Now hath he come, sweet, robed in vital vigour, and made our calling on the Gods effective.

4.This prelude of my speech I now will utter, whereby we Gods may quell our Asura foemen. Eaters of strengthening food who merit worship, O ye Five Tribes, be pleased with mine oblation.

5.May the Five Tribes be pleased with mine oblation, and the Cow’s Sons and all who merit worship. From earthly trouble may the earth protect us, and air’s mid realm from woe that comes from heaven.

6.Spinning the thread, follow the region’s splendid light: guard thou the path ways well which wisdom hath prepared. Weave ye the knotless labour of the bards who sing: be Manu thou, and bring the Heavenly People forth.

7.Lovers of Soma, bind the chariot traces fast: set ye the reins in order and embellish them. Bring hitherward the car with seats where eight may sit, whereon the Gods have brought the treasure that we love.

8.Here flows Asmanvati: hold fast each other, keep yourselves up, and pass, my friends, the river. There let us leave the Powers that brought no profit, and cross the flood to Powers that are auspicious.

9.Tvaṣṭar, most deft of workmen, knew each magic art, bringing most blessed bowls that hold the drink of Gods. His axe, wrought of good metal, he is sharpening now, wherewith the radiant Brahmaṇaspati will cut.

10.Now, O ye Sapient Ones, make ye the axes sharp wherewith ye fashion bowls to hold the Amṛta. Knowing the secret places make ye ready that whereby the Gods have gotten immortality.

11.Ye with a secret tongue and dark intention laid the maiden deep within, the calf within the mouth. They evermore are near us with their gracious help: successful is the song that strives for victory.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn call on the Five Tribes and invite the priest to 'sit down as Friend who was before Us'?

The hymn summons the Five Tribes because they represent the assembled divine and social powers whose favor makes the sacrifice effective; verses repeatedly ask that “the Five Tribes be pleased with mine oblation,” framing the ritual as a communal pact that secures protection for earth and air. The priest is invited to “sit down as Friend who was before Us” because his seating marks his installation as the skilled mediator whose presence and rites restore order, make the feast “effective,” and enable the Gods to receive the offering.

This chapter treats ritual as technical craft and social covenant: Tvaṣṭar and Brahmaṇaspati supply the crafted vessels and sharp axes (vv.9–10), while the assembled tribes and priest enact the rite so the gods grant immortality and victory. For a parallel on priestly seating and ritual efficacy, compare Mircea Eliade’s work on sacred space and the consecration of the officiant in The Sacred and the Profane.

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