Our journey into the vast and ancient ocean of the Rigveda begins here, with the very first sound, the opening invocation. It is a hymn not to a king of gods or a mighty warrior, but to Agni, the god of fire. This choice is deeply profound, as it is Agni who serves as the bridge between the human and the divine. This hymn, Rigveda 1.1, introduces us to the central role of Agni and sets the stage for the thousands of verses that will follow.
Introduction & Context
As the very first hymn (sūkta) of the Rigveda, this prayer establishes the foundation of the Vedic worldview. It is a perfect introduction to the relationship between humanity, sacrifice, and the gods.
- Deity (Devata): Agni, the personification of the sacred fire.
- Rishi (Seer): Madhuchhandas Vaishvamitra, a descendant of the great sage Vishvamitra.
- Meter (Chhandas): Gayatri, a classic Vedic meter with 24 syllables per verse.
- Significance: This hymn’s placement is crucial. The rishis placed the hymn to Agni first because the Yajna (fire sacrifice) is the central ritual of Vedic life, and Agni is the priest who carries the offerings to the other gods. Without first invoking Agni, no other god can be reached.
The Hymn (Sūkta) 1.1
Sanskrit (Devanagari)
ॐ अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम् । होतारं रत्नधातमम् ॥१॥
अग्निः पूर्वेभिर्ऋषिभिरीड्यो नूतनैरुत । स देवाँ एह वक्षति ॥२॥
अग्निना रयिमश्नवत्पोषमेव दिवेदिवे । यशसं वीरवत्तमम् ॥३॥
अग्ने यं यज्ञमध्वरं विश्वतः परिभूरसि । स इद्देवेषु गच्छति ॥४॥
अग्निर्होता कविक्रतुः सत्यश्चित्रश्रवस्तमः । देवो देवेभिरा गमत् ॥५॥
यदङ्ग दाशुषे त्वमग्ने भद्रं करिष्यसि । तवेत्तत्सत्यमङ्गिरः ॥६॥
उप त्वाग्ने दिवेदिवे दोषावस्तर्धिया वयम् । नमो भरन्त एमसि ॥७॥
राजन्तमध्वराणां गोपामृतस्य दीदिविम् । वर्धमानं स्वे दमे ॥८॥
स नः पितेव सूनवेऽग्ने सूपायनो भव । सचस्वा नः स्वस्तये ॥९॥Transliteration
agním īḷe puróhitaṁ yajñásya devám ṛtvíjam | hótāraṁ ratnadhā́tamam ||1||
agníḥ pū́rvebhir ṛ́ṣibhir ī́ḍyo nū́tanair utá | sá devā́m̐ éhá vakṣati ||2||
agnínā rayím aśnavat póṣam evá divé-dive | yaśásaṁ vīrávattamam ||3||
ágne yáṁ yajñám adhvaráṁ viśvátaḥ paribhū́r ási | sá íd devéṣu gachati ||4||
agnír hótā kavíkratuḥ satyáś citráśravastamaḥ | devó devébhir ā́ gamat ||5||
yád aṅgá dāśúṣe tvám ágne bhadráṁ kariṣyási | távét tát satyám aṅgiraḥ ||6||
úpa tvāgne divé-dive dóṣāvastar dhiyā́ vayám | námo bháranta émasi ||7||
rā́jantam adhvarāṇā́ṁ gopā́m ṛtásya dī́divim | várdhamānaṁ své dáme ||8||
sá naḥ pitéva sūnáve ágne sūpāyanó bhava | sácasvā naḥ svastáye ||9||English Translation
1. I praise Agni, the chief priest of the sacrifice, the divine minister who officiates at the ritual, the invoker who is the greatest bestower of treasure.
2. Worthy is Agni to be praised by ancient and modern seers alike. May he bring the gods here.
3. Through Agni one may win wealth and prosperity day by day, which is glorious and full of heroic sons.
4. O Agni, the sacrifice and ritual which you encompass on every side, that indeed goes to the gods.
5. Agni, the priest, the one whose wisdom is of a seer, the true, the most brilliant in fame, may he, a god, come with the gods.
6. Whatever good you, Agni, wish to do for the worshipper, that, O Angiras, is your truth.
7. To you, Agni, we come day by day, in twilight and in light, bringing our prayer with devotion.
8. To you who rule the sacrifices, the shining guardian of the cosmic order (Rita), growing in your own abode.
9. So, Agni, be easy of access to us, as a father is to his son. Abide with us for our well-being.
Verse-by-Verse Breakdown
Verse 1
agním īḷe puróhitaṁ...
Word Meanings: `agním` – to Agni; `īḷe` – I praise; `puróhitam` – the chief priest; `yajñásya` – of the sacrifice; `devám` – the divine; `ṛtvíjam` – the minister of the ritual; `hótāram` – the invoker; `ratnadhā́tamam` – the greatest bestower of treasures.
Explanation: The hymn opens by establishing the primary roles of Agni. He is not just fire; he is the `purohita` (chief priest) and `hotar` (the one who calls the gods). This verse makes it clear that Agni is the essential link, the sacred functionary through whom the entire ritual operates.
Verse 2
agníḥ pū́rvebhir...
Word Meanings: `pū́rvebhiḥ` – by the ancient; `ṛ́ṣibhiḥ` – by the seers; `ī́ḍyaḥ` – to be praised; `nū́tanaiḥ` – by the new/modern; `utá` – also; `sá` – he; `devā́m̐` – the gods; `éhá` – here; `vakṣati` – may he bring.
Explanation: This verse establishes the timeless nature of worshipping Agni. The rishi states that his praise for Agni is not new; it is a tradition passed down from the ancient seers. The verse ends with a plea for Agni to perform his main function: to act as a messenger and bring the other gods to the sacrifice.
Verse 3
agnínā rayím aśnavat...
Word Meanings: `agnínā` – through Agni; `rayím` – wealth; `aśnavat` – one may attain; `póṣam` – prosperity/nourishment; `divé-dive` – day by day; `yaśásaṁ` – glorious; `vīrávattamam` – full of the best heroes/sons.
Explanation: The focus shifts from the role of Agni to the rewards of his worship. Through devotion to Agni, one can attain not just material wealth (`rayim`) but daily, growing prosperity that is glorious and ensures a strong family line.
Verse 4
ágne yáṁ yajñám...
Word Meanings: `ágne` – O Agni; `yáṁ` – which; `yajñám` – sacrifice; `adhvaráṁ` – ritual; `viśvátaḥ` – from all sides; `paribhū́ḥ` – you encompass; `ási` – you are; `sá` – that; `devéṣu` – among the gods; `gachati` – it goes.
Explanation: This verse emphasizes Agni’s role as a protector and sanctifier. A sacrifice that is surrounded and protected by Agni is guaranteed to reach the gods. It implies that Agni purifies the offering and ensures its successful delivery.
Verse 5
agnír hótā kavíkratuḥ...
Word Meanings: `hótā` – the priest; `kavíkratuḥ` – whose wisdom is of a seer; `satyáḥ` – the true; `citráśravastamaḥ` – most brilliant in fame; `devó` – a god; `devébhiḥ` – with the gods; `ā́ gamat` – may he come.
Explanation: Here, Agni is praised with lofty titles. He is a “kavi,” a seer-poet with inspired wisdom. He is “satya,” true and unerring. His fame is the most brilliant. The verse ends with another plea for Agni to come, this time bringing the other gods with him.
Verse 6
yád aṅgá dāśúṣe...
Word Meanings: `yád` – whatever; `aṅgá` – O friend; `dāśúṣe` – to the worshipper; `tvám` – you; `ágne` – O Agni; `bhadráṁ` – good/blessing; `kariṣyási` – you will do; `távét tát` – that of yours; `satyám` – is true; `aṅgiraḥ` – O Angiras.
Explanation: This verse expresses a deep faith in the benevolent nature of Agni. The rishi states with certainty that whatever good Agni decides to bestow upon the person making the offering is an infallible truth. The name Angiras connects Agni to a lineage of ancient fire priests.
Verse 7
úpa tvāgne divé-dive...
Word Meanings: `úpa` – towards; `tvā` – you; `ágne` – O Agni; `divé-dive` – day by day; `dóṣāvastar` – in twilight and light (darkness and dawn); `dhiyā́` – with prayer/thought; `vayám` – we; `námo` – homage/reverence; `bhárantaḥ` – bringing; `émasi` – we come.
Explanation: This verse describes the constancy of devotion. The worshippers approach Agni not just on special occasions, but “day by day,” in the evening and the morning, constantly bringing their reverence and devotion to the sacred fire.
Verse 8
rā́jantam adhvarāṇā́ṁ...
Word Meanings: `rā́jantam` – the ruler; `adhvarāṇā́m` – of the sacrifices; `gopā́m` – the guardian; `ṛtásya` – of the cosmic order (Rita); `dī́divim` – the shining; `várdhamānaṁ` – growing; `své dáme` – in his own abode (the altar).
Explanation: More glorious titles are bestowed upon Agni. He is the king of the ritual, the shining guardian of “Rita” (the cosmic and moral order), and he grows in power in his own home—the sacrificial altar.
Verse 9
sá naḥ pitéva sūnáve...
Word Meanings: `sá` – he; `naḥ` – to us; `pitéva` – like a father; `sūnáve` – to a son; `ágne` – O Agni; `sūpāyanáḥ` – easy of access; `bhava` – be; `sácasvā` – abide with us; `naḥ` – us; `svastáye` – for our well-being.
Explanation: The hymn concludes with an intimate and loving plea. After praising his power and glory, the rishi asks Agni to be as kind and accessible as a father is to his son. It is a request for a personal, protective relationship, asking Agni to stay with them for their ultimate well-being.
Summary & Significance
Rigveda 1.1 is the perfect introduction to the Vedic world. It is a complete and multi-faceted praise of Agni, establishing him not merely as elemental fire, but as a priest, a messenger, a king, a wise seer, a bestower of wealth, a protector of the cosmic order, and a loving, father-like figure. The hymn makes it clear why the entire Rigveda must begin with Agni: he is the mouth of the gods and the sacred channel through which all devotion must pass. Without first establishing a relationship with Agni, the entire spiritual endeavor of the Vedas would be impossible. This hymn is the lighting of the sacred fire that illuminates the path for all the verses to come.
Read Next: Rigveda 1.2: A Hymn to Vayu
