उरू अन्तरिक्षमन्विहि पृथिव्याः सद्मस्युपस्थ आ सीद । अग्निर्होता न्यषीदत्कृतः पुरोहितोऽवरः सानसिः ॥
urū antarikṣamanvihi pṛthivyāḥ sadmasyupastha ā sīda | agnirhotā nyaṣīdatkṛtaḥ purohito'varaḥ sānasiḥ ||
Study Guide: Invoking the Divine Flame
Act 1
Act I: Establishment of the Sacred Fire
Verses 1, 2
युञ्जानः प्रथमं मनस्तत्त्वानि च वितन्वते । अग्निर्ज्योतिर्निचाय्य पृथिव्या अध्याभरत् ॥
yuñjānaḥ prathamaṃ manastattvāni ca vitanvate | agnirjyotirnicāyya pṛthivyā adhyābharat ||
📖 Immersive narrative, word breakdowns, and spiritual context
In this act, the Yajamana and the priests prepare the ritual space, calling upon Agni to manifest not merely as physical fire, but as the cosmic priest and channel for divine blessings. The movement from the vast atmosphere to the lap of the earth signifies the descent of divine grace into material creation.
💭 Flowing Translation
Verse 1: Agni takes his seat in the sacrificial space as the victorious priest.
Verse 2: The mind is engaged and divine light is brought forth from the earth.
📝 Scholar's Reading Note
Sāyaṇa interprets these verses strictly within the ritualistic framework of animal and plant oblations, while spiritual commentators like Sri Aurobindo view Agni as the inner psychological willpower and divine aspiration within man.
📚 Word-by-Word Breakdown
Verse 1
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| अग्निः | agniḥ | Fire, the divine priest |
| होता | hotā | Invoker, offering priest |
| अंतरिक्षम् | antarikṣam | Atmosphere, intermediate space |
Verse 2
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| मनः | manaḥ | Mind, inner thought |
| ज्योतिः | jyotiḥ | Light, illumination |
| पृथिव्याः | pṛthivyāḥ | From the earth |
🧠
Memory Hook
Agni descending to the earth and bringing forth the inner light of consciousness.