अग्ने व्रतपते व्रतमुपैष्यामि तच्छकेयं तन्मे राध्यताम्। इदमहमनृतात्सत्यमुपैमि।
agne vratapate vratamupaiṣyāmi tacchakeyaṃ tanme rādhyatām। idamahamanṛtātsatyamupaimi।
Study Guide: The Vow of Truth and Liberation through Agni
Act 1
Act I: Taking the Vow of Truth
Verses 1, 2
स जुषतामग्निहविः प्रतिहर्यतु जातवेदाः। स नो मुञ्चत्वंहसः।
sa juṣatāmagnihaviḥ pratiharyatu jātavedāḥ। sa no muñcatvaṃhasaḥ।
📖 Immersive narrative, word breakdowns, and spiritual context
The initiation into the sacrifice begins with a solemn pledge to uphold sacred vows under the witness of Agni. The aspirant consciously turns away from falsehood (anṛta) and aligns their mind, speech, and action with cosmic truth (satya). By invoking Agni as Vratapati, the Lord of vows, the seeker acknowledges that human will alone is insufficient without divine enablement.
💭 Flowing Translation
Verse 1: O Agni, Lord of sacred vows, I undertake this vow; may I succeed, moving from untruth to truth.
Verse 2: May Jātavedas accept the oblation and release us from distress.
📝 Scholar's Reading Note
Sāyaṇa interprets these verses strictly within the ritual context of consecration (dīkṣā) for a Vedic sacrifice. Sri Aurobindo and psychological commentators view 'Agni' as the inner flame of aspiration and 'Satya' as the divine consciousness transcending mortal falsehood.
📚 Word-by-Word Breakdown
Verse 1
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| व्रतपते | vratapate | O Lord of vows |
| अनृतात् | anṛtāt | from untruth |
| सत्यम् | satyam | truth |
Verse 2
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| जातवेदाः | jātavedāḥ | knower of all created things |
| अंहसः | aṃhasaḥ | from sin or distress |
🧠
Memory Hook
Remember 'Vratapate' (Lord of vows) leading the soul from 'Anṛta' (untruth) to 'Satya' (truth) via Agni.