त्वं ह्यग्ने प्रथमो मनोजाः आहुतो वहसि जातवेदाः । त्वं होता मन्द्रतमः शुचिष्मद् विश्वा विदद्वसुर्विप्रः सुजातः ॥
tvaṁ hy agne prathamo manojāḥ āhuto vahasi jātavedāḥ | tvaṁ hotā mandratamaḥ śuciṣmad viśvā vidadvasurvipraḥ sujātaḥ ||
Study Guide: Invoking the Divine Flame
Act 1
Act I: The Primordial Priest and Messenger
Verses 1, 2
तमा हुवै महतो जातवेदसो महो महीभिरूतिभिः सपर्यन् । स नो अग्निः सुश्रवाः सुवीरः स्वश्व्यो भवतु गोभिः अश्वैः ॥
tam ā huvai mahato jātavedaso maho mahībhirūtibhiḥ saparyan | sa no agniḥ suśravāḥ suvīraḥ svaśvyo bhavatu gobhiḥ aśvaiḥ ||
📖 Immersive narrative, word breakdowns, and spiritual context
In these opening verses of the sūkta, Bharadvāja establishes the cosmic and psychological stature of Agni. Agni is not merely physical fire, but 'manojāta'—born of the supreme cosmic mind or consciousness. He is the divine priest (hotā) who facilitates communication between the human heart and the higher celestial forces. By invoking Jātavedas, the seer bridges the mortal plane with the infinite source of all treasures.
💭 Flowing Translation
Verse 1: Thou, O Agni, are the primordial mind-born priest and bearer of oblations, wise and all-possessing.
Verse 2: I invoke that great Jātavedas for protection; may he grant us renown, brave heroes, and abundant wealth.
📝 Scholar's Reading Note
Sāyaṇa interprets these terms primarily through ritualistic sacrifice (yajña) and tangible boons like cattle and horses. Sri Aurobindo views Agni psychologically as the divine will and inner flame of aspiration leading the seeker toward spiritual illumination.
📚 Word-by-Word Breakdown
Verse 1
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| अग्ने | agne | O Agni |
| प्रथमो | prathamo | first |
| मनोजाः | manojāḥ | born of mind |
| जातवेदाः | jātavedas | knower of all created things |
Verse 2
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| जातवेदसः | jātavedasaḥ | of Jātavedas |
| ऊतिभिः | ūtibhiḥ | with aids or protections |
| सुश्रवाः | suśravāḥ | well-famed |
| सुवीरः | suvīraḥ | blessed with heroic energy |
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Memory Hook
Agni as 'manojāta' reminds us that the sacred flame first ignites within the inner consciousness before manifesting outwardly.