The Agni Sukta, a hymn from the ancient Rigveda, honors Agni, the God of Fire. This hymn reflects the essence of divine light and the interconnectedness of the cosmos. The verse “Agni jyotir agnir vayur agnir asya jagato mukham” portrays Agni as the radiant light, the breath of the universe, and the life force within all creation. This article explores the deep spiritual meaning of the Agni Sukta, offering timeless insights for seekers worldwide. The hymn begins with the powerful declaration, “Agni is light, Agni is air, Agni is the mouth of this world,” symbolizing Agni as the vital force that sustains and energizes everything in existence. Let’s know the lyrics of the hymn (Agni Sukta) with its meaning.Let’s learn the lyrics of the hymn (Agni Sukta) along with their meaning.

Verse 1

Om Agnim-Iille Purohitam Yajnyasya Devam-Rtvijam |
Hotaaram Ratna-Dhaatamam ||

Meaning: “Om, I praise Agni, the household priest, The divine minister of the sacrifice,
The invoker, the bestower of treasures.”

Breaking down the verse:

• “Agnim” refers to the fire deity Agni.
• “Iille” means “I praise” or “I adore.”
• “Purohitam” means “the household priest.”
• “Yajnyasya” relates to “Yajna” or “the sacrifice.”
• “Devam-Rtvijam” means “the divine minister of the sacrifice.”
• “Hotaaram” means “the invoker” or “the one who calls upon the gods.”
• “Ratna-Dhaatamam” means “the bestower of treasures.”

Thus, the verse is an invocation and praise of Agni, who is central to the Vedic rituals and sacrifices.

Verse 2

Agnih Puurvebhir-Rssibhir-Iiddyo Nuutanair-Uta |
Sa Devaa E[Aa-I]ha Vakssati ||

Meaning: “Agni, worshipped by the ancient sages and also by the new ones,
He will bring the gods here.”

Breaking down the verse:

• “Agnih” refers to the fire deity Agni.
• “Puurvebhir-Rssibhir” means “by the ancient sages.”
• “Iiddyo” means “to be worshipped” or “worthy of worship.”
• “Nuutanair-Uta” means “and also by the new ones.”
• “Sa” means “he” (referring to Agni).
• “Devaa” means “the gods.”
• “Eha” means “here.”
• “Vakssati” means “will bring” or “will lead.”

So, the verse highlights that Agni has been revered by both ancient and contemporary sages, and he has the power to bring the gods to the place of worship.

Verse 3

Agninaa Rayim-Ashnavat-Possam-Eva Dive-Dive |
Yashasam Viiravat-Tamam ||

Meaning: “By Agni, one may obtain wealth and prosperity day by day,
most glorious and most abounding in heroic sons.”

Breaking down the verse:

• “Agninaa” means “by Agni.”
• “Rayim” means “wealth” or “prosperity.”
• “Ashnavat” means “may one obtain” or “may one attain.”
• “Possam” means “prosperity.”
• “Eva” means “indeed” or “surely.”
• “Dive-Dive” means “day by day.”
• “Yashasam” means “glorious.”
• “Viiravat-Tamam” means “most abounding in heroic sons” or “most full of heroes.”

So, the verse conveys that through Agni, one can attain continual wealth, prosperity, and glory, including the blessing of heroic descendants.

Verse 4

Agne Yam Yajnyam-Adhvaram Vishvatah Paribhuur-Asi |
Sa Id-Devessu Gacchati ||

Meaning: “O Agni, the sacrifice which you encompass on all sides,
that indeed goes to the gods.”

Breaking down the verse:

• “Agne” refers to Agni, the fire deity.
• “Yam” means “which.”
• “Yajnyam” means “sacrifice.”
• “Adhvaram” is another term for “sacrifice” or “ritual.”
• “Vishvatah” means “on all sides.”
• “Paribhuur-Asi” means “you encompass” or “you surround.”
• “Sa” means “that” or “it.”
• “Id” is an emphatic particle meaning “indeed.”
• “Devessu” means “to the gods.”
• “Gacchati” means “goes” or “reaches.”

So, the verse signifies that the sacrifice which Agni encircles and protects on all sides is assuredly delivered to the gods.

Verse 5

Agnir-Hotaa Kavikratuh Satyash-Citrashravastamah |
Devo Devebhir-Aa Gamat ||

Meaning: “Agni, the priest with the wisdom of the sages, the true and most renowned,
may he come here with the gods.”

Breaking down the verse:

• “Agnir” refers to Agni, the fire deity.
• “Hotaa” means “the priest” or “the invoker.”
• “Kavikratuh” means “with the wisdom of the sages” or “having the intellect of a sage.”
• “Satyash” means “true” or “faithful.”
• “Citrashravastamah” means “most renowned” or “most illustrious.”
• “Devo” means “the god” (Agni).
• “Devebhir” means “with the gods.”
• “Aa Gamat” means “may he come” or “may he arrive.”

Thus, the verse praises Agni as the wise and true priest, renowned and illustrious, and invokes him to come along with the gods.

Verse 6

Yad-Angga Daashusse Tvam-Agne Bhadram Karissyasi |
Tave[a-I]t-Tat-Satyam-Anggirah ||

Meaning: “O Agni, whatever auspicious deed you perform for the worshiper,
that is indeed your truth, O Angiras.”

Breaking down the verse:

• “Yad” means “whatever.”
• “Angga” is a vocative particle, often used to address someone with affection or respect.
• “Daashusse” means “for the worshiper.”
• “Tvam” means “you.”
• “Agne” refers to Agni, the fire deity.
• “Bhadram” means “auspicious” or “fortunate.”
• “Karissyasi” means “you will perform” or “you will do.”
• “Tave” means “your.”
• “Tat” means “that.”
• “Satyam” means “truth.”
• “Anggirah” refers to Angiras, a sage, but here it is another name for Agni.

Thus, the verse expresses that whatever auspicious actions Agni performs for his devotees, those actions are indeed a reflection of his true nature.

Verse 7

Upa Tvaa-[A]gne Dive-Dive Dossaa-Vastar-Dhiyaa Vayam |
Namo Bharanta Emasi ||

Meaning: “O Agni, day by day, at the approach of dawn and dusk,
we come to you with reverence, bearing our homage.”

Breaking down the verse:

• “Upa” means “towards” or “near.”
• “Tvaa” means “you.”
• “Agne” refers to Agni, the fire deity.
• “Dive-Dive” means “day by day.”
• “Dossaa-Vastar” means “at the approach of dawn and dusk.”
• “Dhiyaa” means “with thought” or “with devotion.”
• “Vayam” means “we.”
• “Namo” means “homage” or “salutation.”
• “Bharanta” means “bearing” or “bringing.”
• “Emasi” means “we come” or “we approach.”

Thus, the verse signifies that every day, both in the morning and evening, the devotees come to Agni with reverence and devotion, offering their respects and homage.

Verse 8

Raajantam-Adhvaraannaam Gopaam-Rtasya Diidivim |
Vardhamaanam Sve Dame ||

Meaning: “Agni, shining brightly, the protector of the sacred rites, the ruler of the sacrifices,
growing in his own house.”

Breaking down the verse:

• “Raajantam” means “shining” or “ruling.”
• “Adhvaraannaam” means “of the sacrifices” or “of the sacred rites.”
• “Gopaam” means “protector” or “guardian.”
• “Rtasya” means “of the cosmic order” or “of the truth.”
• “Diidivim” means “shining” or “radiant.”
• “Vardhamaanam” means “growing” or “increasing.”
• “Sve Dame” means “in his own house” or “in his own place.”

Thus, the verse praises Agni as the radiant protector and ruler of the sacred rituals, who is ever-growing and flourishing in his own domain.

Verse 9

Sa Nah Pite[aa-I]va Suunave-[A]gne Suupaayano Bhava |
Sacasvaa Nah Svastaye ||

Meaning: “O Agni, be easily accessible to us like a father to his son,
help us for our well-being.”

Breaking down the verse:

• “Sa” means “he” or “you.”
• “Nah” means “us.”
• “Pitaa” means “father.”
• “Iva” means “like.”
• “Suunave” means “to his son.”
• “Agne” refers to Agni, the fire deity.
• “Suupaayano” means “easily accessible” or “easy to approach.”
• “Bhava” means “be” or “become.”
• “Sacasvaa” means “help” or “assist.”
• “Nah” means “us.”
• “Svastaye” means “for well-being” or “for welfare.”

Thus, the verse is a plea to Agni, asking him to be as approachable and supportive as a father is to his son, and to help them for their well-being.