There is self effulgent fire prior to the creation, the eternal support of the cosmos, the illuminator of the noble activity, and the only object of adoration in all the seasons.
अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम् । होतारं रत्नधातमम् ।।
– Rigveda mantra 1.1.1
Agnimile purohitam yajnasya devam rtvijam
hotaram ratnadhatamam.
– Rigveda verse 1.1.1
English translation >
I glorify the Self-effulgent God the Supreme Leader, the Eternal Support of the universe, the Illuminator of all noble activity, the only object of adoration in all seasons and the most Bounteous and the Greatest Bestower of splendid wealth. (both material and spiritual in the form of wisdom, Peace, faith etc.)
Translation 1 >
I invoke and worship Agni light of life, self- refulgent lord of the universe, foremost leader and inspirer, blazing light of yajnic creation, high-priest of cosmic dynamics, controller of natural evolution, and most generous giver of the treasures of life.
Translation 2 >
We worship the adorable God, the high priest of cosmic activities, the divine, the one who works through the eternal laws, and who feeds and sustains all that is divine and luminous.
Translation 3 >
I glorify God the Self-effulgent, the Supporter of the universe from all eternity, the Illuminator of all activity, theonly object of adoration in all seasons and the Most Bounteous and the Greatest Donor of splendid wealth.
Purport:
The Vedas unfold the eternal laws according to which the universe, human society and all things are sustained. They are revealed by God, their Author, for the benefit of souls. Every Vedic verse therefore is a statement made by God, and propagated by Him in the whole universe through one of the four original Rishis.
Translation 4 >
For all the men of the world it is a piece of advice of God O the men of the world! You should praise, pray and meditate on Me. Just as a father or a Guru-preceptor instructs his son or disciple, about the mode in which he should respect and praise him, in the same way Godthe father of all and the Supreme preceptor has by his grace advised about the behaviour and knowledge of all kinds of objects, so that we may get the greatest happiness by knowing the worldly and heavenly affairs. Just as God is the prime cause of all things of the world, similarly. He is also the prime cause the fountain head of the Vedas the books of knowledge.
O the Benefactor of all! You are the well-wisher of the whole universe. O Adorable Lord! You are the most worthy of being worshipped by men. You are our most cherished aim for knowledge and good deeds. You are the creator of seasons like spring. You are the bestower of happiness, various things of enjoyment and comforts to human beings, whenever they need them. You are the dispenser of acquisition and preservation of property for the whole world. You immerse the whole world in its prime material cause at the time of dissolution. You are the Maintainer and Creator of charming objects like earth etc. You are the bestower of precious stones, valuable metals and priceless jems on your devotees. O the Ommipotent Lord! We glorify you again and again. Kinly accept it, so that we may be worthy of Your grace and live always in Your everlasting bliss.
Translation 5 >
I eulogize or pray God or physical fire, who welcomes the scholars and their association with its nobility and deeds, who holds the universe from the earliest i.e. from creation; who is cult on all seasons and holds or provides pleasant earth and gems et cetera and illuminates all materials; who is the provider and accepter of all things and who is holding earth, gold and gems etc. as part of it from the time of creation and who is the illuminator of all materials.
Translation 6 >
I eulogize or pray God or physical fire, who welcomes the scholars and their association with its nobility and deeds, who holds the universe from the earliest i.e. from creation; who is cult on all seasons and holds or provides pleasant earth and gems et cetera and illuminates all materials; who is the provider and accepter of all things and who is holding earth, gold and gems etc. as part of it from the time of creation and who is the illuminator of all materials.
Purport of the mantra >
It should be understood that both the spiritual and physical significations of this Mantra (Verse) are to be grasped through Shleshalankar—double meaning or the “pun” on the term “agni”. Hereafter where ever the verbal expression “updishyate” or “is taught” is used, it should be remembered that the author of that act (of teaching) throughout is God Himself. Why is it so ? because the Vedas have been revealed by Him. We should know that the merciful God gave instruction through the Vedas with the object of imparting all-true knowledge for the benefit of all souls, just as a father or preceptor teaches his son or disciple saying “thus should you speak, thus should you do, speak the truth, serve your father and preceptor, don’t tell a lie or resort to falsehood in your dealings etc. Similar is the purpose of the present text. The Vedic lore was revealed by God for the welfare of all souls. It is for this reason, that the first personal noun is used in the Vedic texts, for the Vedic instruction is intended for the good of others. For the achievement of both spiritual and physical knowledge, both the significations viz. God and fire should be taken. It is said that in ancient times, the Aryas had evolved an art which was the cause of quick locomotion known by the technical term ‘Ashva Vidya.’. That was the science of heat and fire or harnessing the thermic force. For God being Self-refulgent and the Revealer of everything, is Omniscient. His knowledge in Infinite. The reason for instruction regarding fire or thermic force in the very beginning is its being the principal means for the realisation of the main arts and crafts, on account of its possessing the properties of colour, heat, light, velocity and disjunction etc.
Purport 2 >
In the case of the fire, the meaning of the Mantra is— I long for the acquisition of or make use of the fire (including electricity) which gives many articles produced with the help of science and industries and upholder of sustenance, attraction etc. to be used in every season, the producer of gold and other beautiful articles, giver of victory in the battles through weapons and illuminator of all objects.
– Swami Dayanand
First mantra of the Rigveda.
1. The first mantra of the rigveda starts with the word agni.
2. The subject of first mantra of the rigveda is agni, which means the self effulgent, the eternal fire of the universe.
3. There is self effulgent fire prior to the creation. – Agnimile purohitam
4. There is a self effulgent Reality – Agni
5. Glorification of agni, the self effulgent fire – agnimile
6. The self effulgent reality – agnim
7. The eternally present fire – purohitam
