agnim īḍye puruhūtaṁ yaśasaḥ kāmaṁ vṛṇīmahe । sa naḥ prajāṁ draviṇaṁ vi naśyātām vṛṇate
“We invoke Agni who is praised by many, for the sake of fame, may he choose for us progeny and wealth that does not perish.”
Structure
agniṁ īḍye puru-hūtam் yaśasaḥ kāmam் vṛṇīmahe sa naḥ prajām் draviṇam் vi naśyātām் vṛṇate
vṛṇīmahe (we choose) agnim (fire) īḍye (worthy of praise) puru-hūtam (much invoked) yaśasaḥ (for fame) kāmam (desire) saḥ (he) naḥ (our) prajām (progeny) draviṇam (wealth) vi naśyātām (from destruction) vṛṇate (chooses)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| agniṁ | agniṃ | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | fire |
| īḍye | īḍye | verb | √īd · laṭ-present · first | I praise |
| puru-hūtam் | puru-hūtam | compound | tatpuruṣa · "puru hūtam" | much invoked |
| yaśasaḥ | yaśasaḥ | noun | genitive · singular · masculine | of fame |
| kāmam் | kāmam | noun | accusative · singular · masculine | desire |
| vṛṇīmahe | vṛṇīmahe | verb | √vṛṇ · laṭ-present · first | we choose |
| sa | sa | pronoun | nominative · singular · masculine | he |
| naḥ | naḥ | pronoun | dative · plural · masculine | to us |
| prajām் | prajām | noun | accusative · singular · feminine | progeny |
| draviṇam் | draviṇam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | wealth |
| vi | vi | indeclinable | — | not |
| naśyātām் | naśyātām | verb | √naś · liṅ-optative · third | may not perish |
| vṛṇate | vṛṇate | verb | √vṛṇ · laṭ-present · third | he chooses |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse from the Ṛgveda, 'agnim īḍye puruhūtaṁ yaśasaḥ kāmaṁ vṛṇīmahe', is understood through the lens of non-dualism by Ādi Śaṅkarācārya as an invocation of the ultimate reality, Brahman, symbolized by Agni. The invocation 'yaśasaḥ kāmam' or 'for the sake of fame' can be interpreted as the quest for Self-realization, where the individual Self (ātman) seeks to understand its true nature as being identical with Brahman. Śaṅkarācārya's commentary on the Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1.1) highlights the importance of recognizing the ātman as the ultimate reality, which is reflected in the desire for 'draviṇaṁ' or imperishable wealth. This verse, in the advaitic view, points towards the eternal and unchanging nature of the Self, guiding the seeker towards the understanding of Brahman-ātman identity. By invoking Agni, the seeker is, in essence, invoking the power of knowledge that leads to the realization of this identity, thereby achieving the state of liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): In the Vaiṣṇava tradition, this verse is seen as a beautiful expression of devotion and the longing for a relationship with the divine, Īśvara. Rāmānujācārya would likely interpret the invocation of Agni as a prayer to Lord Viṣṇu, the ultimate protector and sustainer, requesting protection and blessings for worldly prosperity and spiritual growth. The phrase 'puruhūtam' refers to the many invocation prayers offered to God, symbolizing the devotional path where the individual (jīva) seeks a personal connection with God (Īśvara). The request for 'prajāṁ draviṇaṁ' or 'imperishable progeny' can be seen as a metaphor for the desire for a lineage of devotees or for the spiritual lineage that continues unbroken. Madhvācārya, focusing on the difference between the individual soul and God, would emphasize the grace of Īśvara in granting the devotee's requests, highlighting the dependent yet loving relationship between jīva and Īśvara.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, interpreting this verse in the context of practical Vedānta, would see the invocation of Agni as a call to ignite the inner potential and the divine spark within every individual. The 'yaśasaḥ kāmaṁ' or 'desire for fame' can be taken as the aspiration for self-realization and the recognition of one's true potential. The request for 'prajāṁ draviṇaṁ' symbolizes the quest for lasting and meaningful achievements in life, which, according to Vivekānanda, is best achieved through service to humanity. In his lectures, Vivekānanda often emphasized the importance of spiritual growth and serving others as the path to true fulfillment. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, focusing on the universal applicability of the Vedas, would interpret this verse as a reflection of human aspirations for excellence and the quest for values that transcend material wealth. This universal aspiration can unite individuals across cultures, pointing towards a shared human endeavor for spiritual and moral advancement.