agni-m īḍye pūrva-yā yajuṣā devān yajñāya gṛha-pate daivī svastiḥ astu naḥ svastiḥ mānṣebhyaḥ śamasat viṣṇoḥ

devān (to gods) yajñāya (for sacrifice) gṛha-pate (O lord of the house) pūrva-yā (with former) yajuṣā (method) agni-m (fire) īḍye (I praise) daivī (divine) svastiḥ (goodness) naḥ (to us) astu (be) mānṣebhyaḥ (to humans) svastiḥ (goodness) astu (be) viṣṇoḥ (of Vishnu) śamasat (peace be)

Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse, agnim īḍye pūrvayā yajuṣā devāṃ yajñāya gṛhapate, points to the supreme reality, Brahman, through the symbol of Agni. Shankara, in his Brahmasutra Bhashya, emphasizes the importance of understanding the non-dual nature of reality. In the context of this verse, the praise of Agni as the lord of the house (gṛhapate) is seen as a metaphor for the realization of the Ātman, the individual self, as identical with Brahman, the ultimate reality. The invocation of Agni with the former Yajus (pūrvayā yajuṣā) signifies the eternal and unchanging nature of this reality. By contemplating on Agni, one is led to the understanding of the unity of all existence, thereby transcending the duality of the world. This process ultimately reveals the brahman-ātman identity, where the individual self realizes its true nature as one with the supreme reality.

Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse as an expression of devotion to the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu, who is represented by Agni. Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya, highlights the concept of prapatti, or self-surrender, as the means to attain the Lord's grace. The invocation of Agni with the former Yajus (pūrvayā yajuṣā) is seen as an act of surrender to the divine will, acknowledging the Lord's sovereignty over all creation. The phrase daivī svastir astu naḥ svastir mānṣebhyaḥ suggests a prayer for divine blessings and well-being, not just for oneself but for all humanity. This devotional approach emphasizes the loving relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord), where the jīva seeks to please Īśvara through acts of worship and devotion, such as the invocation of Agni. Madhvācārya would further emphasize the distinction between the Lord and the individual souls, highlighting the importance of devotion as a means to bridge this gap.

Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures on the Vedas, interpreted this verse as a call to self-realization and service to humanity. The invocation of Agni, the symbol of divine energy, is seen as a means to ignite the spark of divinity within oneself. The phrase agnim īḍye pūrvayā yajuṣā devāṃ yajñāya gṛhapate suggests a connection to the universal and the eternal, encouraging the individual to look beyond the mundane and realize their higher potential. Vivekānanda would emphasize the practical application of this verse, encouraging individuals to embody the qualities of Agni, such as purity, illumination, and warmth, in their daily lives. Similarly, S. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical writings, highlights the universal significance of this verse, seeing it as a testament to the human quest for the infinite and the eternal. He would interpret the invocation of Agni as a symbol of the human aspiration for transcendence and self-realization, underscoring the relevance of this ancient verse to contemporary life and its universal applicability across cultures and time.

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