Agni Suktam (Agnim Ile)
अग्नि सूक्तम् (अग्निमीळे)
Also known as: agnim ile purohitam · agnimile · agni sukta · rigveda 1.1 · first hymn of rigveda · agni hymn
Read in your language / script
✦ Meaning
The Agni Suktam is the very first hymn of the Rigveda (1.1), nine verses by the seer Madhuchchhandas Vaishvamitra invoking Agni, the sacred fire and divine priest who carries every offering to the gods. It praises Agni as the bestower of wealth, the protector of cosmic order, and one who is dear as a father. As the opening of the oldest scripture, it is among the most revered and frequently chanted hymns of the Veda.
Origin & Story
Rigveda 1.1 · Rishi Madhuchchhandas Vaishvamitra (Madhuchhandas, son of Vishvamitra) · Vedic period (c. 1500–1200 BCE)
This is the opening hymn of the entire Rigveda, and therefore of the oldest layer of the Vedas. Composed by the seer Madhuchchhandas, the youngest son of the great Rishi Vishvamitra, it sets the tone for the whole collection by invoking Agni — the sacred fire who serves as priest, messenger and treasure-giver, mediating between mortals and the gods. Because Agni is the indispensable beginning of every sacrifice, his hymn fittingly stands at the head of the Veda.
✦ As told in scripture
Vedic tradition holds that wherever Agni is kindled and praised with this hymn, the offerings are unfailingly received by the gods; the seer declares that whatever good Agni promises to his devotee 'comes truly to pass' (tavet tat satyam), and so the hymn is recited to make one's righteous aspirations bear fruit.
Complete Text with Meaning
Tap any line — or the ▶ button — to hear it recited
ॐ अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम्। होतारं रत्नधातमम्॥
Om Agnim īḷe purohitaṁ yajñasya devam ṛtvijam Hotāraṁ ratnadhātamam
Meaning:I praise Agni, the priest set before the sacrifice, the divine minister, the invoker who bestows the richest treasures.
अग्निः पूर्वेभिर्ऋषिभिरीड्यो नूतनैरुत। स देवाँ एह वक्षति॥
Agniḥ pūrvebhir ṛṣibhir īḍyo nūtanair uta Sa devāṁ eha vakṣati
Meaning:Agni, worthy to be praised by the ancient seers and by those of today — may he bring the gods here.
अग्निना रयिमश्नवत्पोषमेव दिवेदिवे। यशसं वीरवत्तमम्॥
Agninā rayim aśnavat poṣam eva divedive Yaśasaṁ vīravattamam
Meaning:Through Agni one wins wealth and increase day by day, glory and abundance of heroic offspring.
अग्ने यं यज्ञमध्वरं विश्वतः परिभूरसि। स इद्देवेषु गच्छति॥
Agne yaṁ yajñam adhvaraṁ viśvataḥ paribhūr asi Sa id deveṣu gacchati
Meaning:O Agni, the sacrifice and rite which you encompass on every side — that alone reaches the gods.
अग्निर्होता कविक्रतुः सत्यश्चित्रश्रवस्तमः। देवो देवेभिरा गमत्॥
Agnir hotā kavikratuḥ satyaś citraśravastamaḥ Devo devebhir ā gamat
Meaning:May Agni the invoker, wise of will, true and of most resplendent fame, come, a god with the gods.
यदङ्ग दाशुषे त्वमग्ने भद्रं करिष्यसि। तवेत्तत्सत्यमङ्गिरः॥
Yad aṅga dāśuṣe tvam agne bhadraṁ kariṣyasi Tavet tat satyam aṅgiraḥ
Meaning:Whatever good you, O Agni, will do for your worshipper — that promise of yours comes truly to pass, O Angiras.
उप त्वाग्ने दिवेदिवे दोषावस्तर्धिया वयम्। नमो भरन्त एमसि॥
Upa tvāgne divedive doṣāvastar dhiyā vayam Namo bharanta emasi
Meaning:To you, O Agni, day by day, by night and by day, we come, bearing our homage in our thoughts —
राजन्तमध्वराणां गोपामृतस्य दीदिविम्। वर्धमानं स्वे दमे॥
Rājantam adhvarāṇāṁ gopām ṛtasya dīdivim Vardhamānaṁ sve dame
Meaning:to you, the radiant lord of the sacrifices, the guardian of the cosmic order, ever growing in your own abode.
स नः पितेव सूनवेऽग्ने सूपायनो भव। सचस्वा नः स्वस्तये॥
Sa naḥ piteva sūnave 'gne sūpāyano bhava Sacasvā naḥ svastaye
Meaning:So be easy of access to us, O Agni, as a father is to his son; abide with us for our well-being.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Click any word to hear its pronunciation
Benefits of Chanting Agni Suktam (Agnim Ile)
Invokes the grace of Agni, the conveyor of all offerings between humans and the gods
Traditionally chanted to bestow wealth, nourishment, glory and worthy progeny day by day
Sanctifies and empowers any homa, havan or yajna in which it is recited
Connects the chanter to the very fountainhead of the Vedas as its opening hymn
Cultivates an attitude of constant homage and gratitude toward the divine
Invokes Agni as the guardian of Ritam (cosmic truth and order) in one's life
How to Chant Agni Suktam (Agnim Ile)
Recite ideally before or during a fire ritual (homa/havan), with proper Vedic svara (intonation) if learnt; otherwise chant clearly and devotionally. Begin with 'Om' and proceed through all nine verses. As you chant, visualise the sacred flame carrying your prayers upward to the divine. It is especially powerful when offered with ghee oblations into a consecrated fire.