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Introduction ( Mandala 1, Sukta 1)
This is the first hymn in the Rig Veda Samhita and thus sets the keynote to the entire Veda Samhitas. It is addressed to Agni who in the Veda, is not a mere fire or even fire-god, but is a cosmic power, the Lord of the Divine Will who activates the human beings towards an all sided perfection. Here Agni himself is the priest in the symbolic ritual, he himself is the deity and he himself calls the other luminous powers or devas to manifest in the human aspirant.

The human seeker prays to Agni to cling to him like a father a son. The rishi says that he meditates on Agni, night and day. Thus we see here the seeds of the Bhakti, Jnana and Karma yogas.

 
Text (Hymn (1.1))

agnim īļe purohitam yajňasya devam ŗtvijam

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hotāram ratna dhātamam

|| 1 ||

 

agniĥ pūrvebhiĥ ŗşhibhir īdyo nūtanair uta

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sa devān eha vakşhati

|| 2 ||

 

agninā rayim ashnavat poşhameva divedive

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ashasam vīravattamam

|| 3 ||

 

agne yam yajňam adhvaram vishvataĥ paribhūr asi

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sa it deveşhu gachchhati

|| 4 ||

 

agnir hotā kavikratuĥ satyaĥ chitra shravastamaĥ

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devo devebhir āgamat

|| 5 ||

 

yadanga dāshuşhe tvam agne bhadram karişhyasi

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tavet tat satyam angiraĥ

|| 6 ||

 

upa tva agne divedive doşhāvastar dhiyā vayam

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namo bharanta emasi

|| 7 ||

 

rājantam adhvarāņām gopām ŗtasya dīdivim

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vardhamānam sve dame

|| 8 ||

 

sa naĥ piteva sūnave agne sūpāyano bhava

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sachasvā naĥ svastaye

|| 9 ||
 
Devanagari Text

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Translation
Agni we adore, the foremost placed, the Deity of our rite, the Priest, the Invoker, the highest Source of treasure. (1)
Agni, adored by poets old, is adored by new poets too; he will bring us the Devas here. (2)
Through Agni man finds prosperity, nourishment from day to day, glory and greatest pride in heroes. (3)
Agni, this holy sacrifice thy presence fills from every side; it verily goes to the Devas. (4)
May Agni, Invoker, wise Sage, the true, most marvellous in splendour, the Deva, come with all the Devas. (5)
Whatever blessing, o Agni, thou givest to the worshipper, that, refulgent One, is thy truth. (6)
To thee, Agni, dispeller of night, we come with prayer day by day, offering thee our obeisance. (7)
Thee who rulest our holy rite, Protector of Eternal Law, bright, waxing in thy own abode. (8)
Like father to son, thou Agni, be easy of access to us, be with us for a life of bliss. (9)
 

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Devanagari Text
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