अग्निं दूतं पुरो दधामि यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम् । तं होतारं रत्नधातमम् ॥
agniṃ dūtaṃ puro dadhāmi yajñasya devamṛtvijam । taṃ hotāraṃ ratnadhātamam ॥
Study Guide: The Installation and Path of Agni
Act 1
Act I: Invoking and Establishing the Divine Messenger
Verses 1, 2
अग्ने यं यज्ञमध्वरं विश्वतः परिभूरसि । स इद्देवेषु गच्छति ॥
agne yaṃ yajñamadhvaraṃ viśvataḥ paribhūrasi । sa iddeveṣu gacchati ॥
📖 Immersive narrative, word breakdowns, and spiritual context
In this opening sequence, the sacrificer sets the sacred intent by formally installing Agni as the divine messenger (dūta) and priest (ṛtvij). Agni is not merely physical fire, but the conscious flame of aspiration within the human heart that carries prayers upward to the higher cosmic powers.
💭 Flowing Translation
Verse 1: I place Agni as the messenger, the divine priest of the sacrifice.
📝 Scholar's Reading Note
Sāyaṇa interprets this purely through ritual mechanics, while Sri Aurobindo views Agni as the psychological Will and Flame of divine aspiration in man.
📚 Word-by-Word Breakdown
Verse 1
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| अग्निम् | agnim | Agni |
| दूतम् | dūtam | messenger |
| ऋत्विजम् | ṛtvijam | sacrificial priest |
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Memory Hook
Remember Agni as the Duta (messenger) who bridges earth and heaven.