SatyaVeda: All about the Veda

Yasasa : In fame

Virou: In valour

Uttamam : The best

Agnih Devata:

Devata means luminary, the one who is bright. The root of the word is related to light. Diva is lamp, Diva is day, Divi is heaven. Even in English the word divine meaning Godly has its root in the word light. (Some others have translated Devata as angel or demi-god etc., but that does not apply to the Vedic Context, it was an attempt to reach the Vedas through a different religion which has the concept of angels).

In modern Indian languages and in modern sanskrit, Agni means fire, literally.

In Vedas and Upanishads, Agni is not only the fire that burns wood, but also the fire of the digestive juices, the fire of lightning, the fire in the sun and so forth. The nearest english word that strikes me at this point is energy.

Agnih Devata: The luminary is Agni (energy).

From this we may understand that the Prathama Suktham will be presenting the well said words by Vaisvamitro madhucchanda, a rshi about Agni Devata, in the Veda that is about Rk (Arka).

Rg Veda Prathama Suktham

First Listen to the mantras here. Then read the translations of the mantras and click on each of the translations given below for a word to word explanation, so that you will understand how I got the final meaning of each mantra.

The collection of spoken (or Solar) knowledge

Now the first circle.

The first (division) which is made of 8 parts.

That which is to be studied first. The first  of the enclosures. (1-38). The first small speech. Words are that are well spoken (1 -3).

(1) The first  that is well said. The seer of this suktha of 9 archas (mantras) is the descendant of Viswamitra, Madhucchanda. The luminary is energy. The metre is Gayathri.

Harih Om.

(1): I contemplate that luminary, mobile energy (Agni), who conforms to the laws of physics, who is beneficial to the human settlement and who is the giver of what is precious.

(2) : Agni was contemplated by the rishis of the past and the present. He, of his desire, illuminates the luminaries.

(3) In the day, water  is pervaded by Agni (energy), to nourish (it) only., it with the best fame and valour.

(4) That worship which is non-injuring,  which encloses energy from all sides, certainly reaches the luminaries.

(5) Energy is mobile, enlightened (kavi) and powerful. A luminary who comes with the luminaries. The best (tama) among the bright (citra) and heard of (srava). (This could have a connnection with astronomy that I am not aware of)

(6) Oh Agni! You will protect, that (person) who strives for this anga (division or part of the Vedas). That (person) is truly your son (Angira).

(7) O Energy! Come Near!  Be (In This) way! We, who are in a state of darkness, bear salutations to you with our mind.

(8 and 9) O Energy! As a father to a son,  Energise this lentil-root soup (by entering into it), for the welfare of us friends, who in our house (have made), radiant, non-injuring yajnas, which enhance the brightness of the heavens (residence of the luminaries), which gaurd the nectar of immortality.

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• Watch students learning the mantras here.
• Kanva

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