अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम् । होतारं रत्नधातमम् ॥
agnimīḷe purohitaṃ yajñasya devamṛtvijam । hotāraṃ ratnadhātamam ॥
Study Guide: Establishing the Inner Flame
Act 1
Act I: Invoking the Supreme Priest
Verses 1
📖 Immersive narrative, word breakdowns, and spiritual context
The section opens with a powerful homage to Agni as the purohita, the one placed in front. In the ritualistic sense, this refers to the sacrificial fire, but in the psychological and spiritual dimension expounded by commentators like Sri Aurobindo, Agni represents the divine will and aspiration burning within the human heart.
💭 Flowing Translation
Verse 1: I invoke Agni, the divine priest of the sacrifice who brings forth all wealth.
📝 Scholar's Reading Note
Sāyaṇa interprets this purely through the lens of ritual sacrifice, whereas esoteric interpretations view Agni as the awakening of inner spiritual consciousness.
📚 Word-by-Word Breakdown
Verse 1
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| अग्निम् | agnim | Agni |
| ईळे | īḷe | I praise / invoke |
| पुरोहितम् | purohitam | placed in front / domestic priest |
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Memory Hook
Remember Agni as Purohita—the fire placed in front of your spiritual journey.
Act 2
Act II: Empowerment for Noble Action
Verses 2
इशे त्वा ऊर्जे त्वा वायव स्थ देवो वः सविता प्रार्पयतु श्रेष्ठतमाय कर्मणेट् ॥
iśe tvā ūrje tvā vāyava stha devo vaḥ savitā prārpayatu śreṣṭhatamāya karmaṇeṭ ॥
📖 Immersive narrative, word breakdowns, and spiritual context
This verse bridges the physical materials of the sacrifice with the vital energies (prāṇa) of the practitioner. By invoking Savitr, the deity of divine impulse, the seeker aligns their physical and mental instruments for supreme righteousness.
💭 Flowing Translation
Verse 2: For nourishment and strength you are taken; may Savitr direct you.
📝 Scholar's Reading Note
The ritual touch of the implements symbolizes the consecration of worldly matter into divine instruments.
📚 Word-by-Word Breakdown
Verse 2
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| इशे | iśe | for strength / refreshment |
| ऊर्जे | ūrje | for vigor |
| सविता | savitā | the divine stimulator / Savitr |
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Memory Hook
Connect 'Iśe' and 'Ūrje' with the intake of spiritual vigor and breath.