अग्ने नय सुपथा राये अस्मान् विश्वानि देव वयुनानि विद्वान्। युयोध्यस्मज्जुहुराणमेनो भूयिष्ठां ते नम उक्तिं विधेम॥
agne naya supathā rāye asmān viśvāni deva vayunāni vidvān। yuyodhyasmazjuhurāṇameno bhūyiṣṭhāṃ te nama uktiṃ vidhema॥
Study Guide on Agni's Guidance and Priestcraft
Act 1
Act I: The Prayer for Righteous Guidance and Purity
Verses 1, 2
स सीद होता कविक्रतुः सत्यश्चित्रश्रवस्तमः। देवो देवेषु यज्ञियः॥
sa sīda hotā kavikratuḥ satyaścitraśravastamaḥ। devo deveṣu yajñiyaḥ॥
📖 Immersive narrative, word breakdowns, and spiritual context
These verses encapsulate the core aspiration of the Vedic seeker. Agni is approached not merely as a physical fire, but as the inner light of consciousness that knows all deeds and can navigate the devotee through the labyrinth of moral and spiritual challenges. By praying for removal of crookedness (juhurāna), the seeker purifies the subconscious mind. The second verse praises Agni's role as the divine Hotṛ, combining poetic wisdom (kavikratu) with ultimate truth.
💭 Flowing Translation
Verse 1: O Agni, lead us by the right path to prosperity, knowing all our actions and removing our sins.
Verse 2: He takes his seat as the divine priest, true and glorious.
📝 Scholar's Reading Note
Sāyaṇa interprets these verses in a ritualistic framework focusing on prosperity and sacrifice, whereas Sri Aurobindo sees Agni as the divine Will operating within man to lead him from darkness to the truth.
📚 Word-by-Word Breakdown
Verse 1
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| अग्ने | agne | O Agni |
| सुपथा | supathā | by the good path |
Verse 2
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| होता | hotā | invoker priest |
| सत्यः | satyaḥ | truthful |
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Memory Hook
Remember Agni as the leader on the 'supathā' (good path) and the wise 'hotā' (invoker).