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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 94 of 1027

Mandala 1: HYMN XCIV. Agni

1.FOR Jātavedas worthy of our praise will we frame with our mind this eulogy as ’twere a car. For good, in his assembly, is this care of ours. Let us not, in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.

2.The man for whom thou sacrificest prospereth, dwelleth without a foe, gaineth heroic might. He waxeth strong, distress never approacheth him. Let us not, in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.

3.May we have power to kindle thee. Fulfil our thoughts. In thee the Gods eat the presented offering, Bring hither the Ādityas, for we long for them. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.

4.We will bring fuel and prepare burnt offerings, reminding thee at each successive festival. Fulfil our thought that so we may prolong our lives. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.

5.His ministers move forth, the guardians of the folk, protecting quadruped and biped with their rays. Mighty art thou, the wondrous herald of the Dawn. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.

6.Thou art Presenter and the chief Invoker, thou Director, Purifier, great High Priest by birth. Knowing all priestly work thou perfectest it, Sage. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.

7.Lovely of form art thou, alike on every side; though far, thou shinest brightly as if close at hand. O God, thou seest through even the dark of night. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.

8.Gods, foremost be his car who pours libations out, and let our hymn prevail o’er evil-hearted men. Attend to this our speech and make it prosper well. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.

9.Smite with thy weapons those of evil speech and thought, devouring demons, whether near or tar away. Then to the singer give free way for sacrifice. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.

10.When to thy chariot thou hadst yoked two red steeds and two ruddy steeds, wind-sped, thy roar was like a bull’s. Thou with smoke-bannered flame attackest forest trees. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.

11.Then at thy roar the very birds are terrified, when, eating-up the grass, thy sparks fly forth abroad. Then is it easy for thee and thy car to pass. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.

12.He hath the Power to soothe Mitra and Varuṇa: wonderful is the Maruts’ wrath when they descend. Be gracious; let their hearts he turned to us again. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.

13.Thou art a God, thou art the wondrous Friend of Gods, the Vasu of the Vasus, fair in sacrifice. Under, thine own most wide protection may we dwell. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.

14.This is thy grace that, kindled in thine own abode, invoked with Soma thou soundest forth most benign, Thou givest wealth and treasure to the worshipper. Let us not in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.

15.To whom thou, Lord of goodly riches, grantest freedom from every sin with perfect wholeness, Whom with good strength thou quickenest, with children and wealth—may we be they, Eternal Being.

16.Such, Agni, thou who knowest all good fortune, God, lengthen here the days of our existence. This prayer of ours may Varuṇa grant, and Mitra, and Aditi and Sindhu, Earth and Heaven.

Asked of Guide

Why does every verse end with “Let us not, in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm”?

The refrain fixes the hymn as a continuous petition: each stanza praises Agni’s roles—Presenter, High Priest, guardian of folk—and then renews the appeal for protection by repeating “Let us not, in thy friendship, Agni, suffer harm.” The repetition ties praise to a practical request, keeping the ritual focused on safety, prosperity, and the sacrificial bond between worshipper and deity.

Repeating a line like this also makes the hymn fit for recitation at sacrifice, where rhythm and memory matter; it echoes how other Rigveda hymns use refrains to hold the congregation together. See Hymn XCIV itself and compare the use of recurring lines in other Mandala 1 hymns, which serve the liturgical need described.

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.