Agni In Rig Veda

by Dr. R. L. Kashyap

Agni is the most important God in the Vedic hymns. Agni is not a mere physical fire. He is the lord of Divine Will.

Agni is a cosmic force with the qualities of light (or knowledge) and power in perfect harmony. He is the Divine Will who impels human beings to begin all the necessary activities. The first hymn of Rig Veda is addressed to Agni.

This book contains the text, transliteration, translation and commentary of all the 315 mantras in the first 34 Suktas dedicated to Agni in the first Mandala and in the 2 other Suktas of the First Mandala of Rig Veda. The translation is based on the Sanskrit commentary of T. V. Kapali Sastry entitled, 'Siddhanjana' and also Sri Aurobindo's insights contained in his two books, The Secret of the Veda and Hymns to the Mystic Fire.

The special features of this book are:

1. The insight into the inner potentials in us, the wisdom behind them and how to develop these inner powers. This aspect is the focus of this book.
2. Extensive cross-referencing of related books
3. Format of the translation: The translations of the three or four padas in each mantra are arranged separately, nothing the meanings of important words. The delineation of these 3 or 4 clauses or sentences makes the translation readable compared to the summary translations found in the books in print due to Griffith or Wilson.

Table of Contents:

• Introductory Essays
• Text and Translation of the 36 Suktas

About the Author:

Dr. R.L. Kashyap is Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana in USA. He had his masters degree form Indian Institute of science, Bangalore and obtained Ph.D. form Harvard University. He is the recipient of many international awards. He has authored more than 350 research papers. He has guided more than 50 Ph.D. Scholars. He has written extensively on Veda. He has given the word-meaning of all the verses from the first 121 suktas of Rig Veda. He has to his credit six major books on the Veda. He is the Honorary Director of Sri Aurobindo Kapali Sastry Institute of Vedic culture, Bangalore.