Agni āyudhena pāvakaḥ sahamāno vṛdhe vṛdhe . Agnihotreṇa devāṃ eti śrutā devebhyaḥ .
“With his weapon, Agni, the purifier, endures, growing stronger with each offering; he goes to the gods, heard by them, through the Agnihotra.”
Structure
Agni āyudhena pāvakaḥ sahamāno vṛdhe vṛdhe Agnihotreṇa devān eti śrutā devebhyaḥ
Agniḥ (the fire) pāvakaḥ (purifier) āyudhena (with its weapon) sahamāno (unconquerable) vṛdhe vṛdhe (in every increase),Agnihotreṇa (by the fire offering) devān (to the gods) eti (goes) śrutā (as heard) devebhyaḥ (for the sake of the gods)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agni | Agni | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the fire god |
| āyudhena | āyudhena | compound | tatpuruṣa · "āyudha + ena" | with his weapon (flame) |
| pāvakaḥ | pāvakaḥ | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | the purifier |
| sahamāno | sahamāno | verb | √sah · present · third | he endures |
| vṛdhe | vṛdhe | indeclinable | — | in every increase |
| vṛdhe | vṛdhe | indeclinable | — | in every increase |
| Agnihotreṇa | Agnihotreṇa | compound | tatpuruṣa · "Agnihotra + ena" | by means of the Agnihotra |
| devān | devān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | the gods |
| eti | eti | verb | √i · present · third | he goes |
| śrutā | śrutā | verb | √śru · past participle | who are heard |
| devebhyaḥ | devebhyaḥ | noun | dative · plural · masculine | to the gods |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the ultimate reality of Brahman through Agni, symbolizing the Self. Shankara's exposition in the Brahmasutra Bhashya (1.1.17) highlights the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the Universal Self (Brahman), mirroring the growth of Agni with each offering. The phrase 'saha māno vṛdhe vṛdhe' signifies the increasing proximity to the divine, eventually leading to the realization of the non-dual nature of reality. As Agni's power grows, so does the seeker's understanding of their true nature, illustrating the path to self-realization. In essence, Agni represents the inner spark that guides the seeker towards the ultimate truth, where the distinctions between the individual and the universal dissolve, revealing the singular, all-encompassing Brahman. This interpretation aligns with Shankara's emphasis on the direct experience of the ultimate reality, achievable through the negation of all false identities and the cultivation of a deep, introspective understanding of the Self.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): This verse is seen as a testament to the loving relationship between the devotee (jīva) and the Lord (Īśvara). Rāmānujācārya, in his Śrī Bhāṣya (2.3.42), underscores the significance of Agnihotra as a means of devotion, where the act of offering to Agni is, in fact, an act of surrender to the divine will. The growth of Agni, 'vṛdhe vṛdhe', symbolizes the increasing intimacy and dependence of the devotee on the Lord, culminating in a deep, personal bond. The phrase 'devebhyaḥ' suggests that this bond is not just with Agni but with all gods, ultimately leading to the Supreme Lord, Vishnu. This devotional reading highlights the importance of ritualistic worship and self-surrender as a path to experiencing divine love and grace, emphasizing the personal relationship between the devotee and the divine, where the seeker finds solace, guidance, and ultimate liberation in the loving embrace of the Lord.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda saw this verse as a metaphor for the inner fire that drives human evolution and spiritual growth. In his lecture 'The Cosmos: The Microcosm' (Complete Works, Vol. 2), he interprets Agni as the symbol of the soul's aspiration towards the infinite, where 'pāvakaḥ' represents the purifying force that burns away ignorance. The growth of Agni, 'vṛdhe vṛdhe', signifies the progressive unfolding of human potential, leading to a broader understanding and empathy towards all existence. This universal and practical application of the verse aligns with Vivekānanda's vision of a holistic spirituality that integrates individual growth with universal well-being, emphasizing the importance of cultivating inner strength, purity, and wisdom. By recognizing the divine in all, the seeker embodies the spirit of the verse, striving for a world where every individual can realize their true potential and contribute to the greater harmony of the universe.