rājantam adhvarāṇāṃ gopām ṛtasya dīdivim | vardhamānaṃ sve dame ||
“Ruling over sacrifices, guardian of cosmic order, shining bright, growing strong in your own house.”
What This Means:
Agni is the king (rājan) of sacrifices, the protector (gopā) of ṛta (cosmic order/truth), brilliantly shining (dīdivi), and growing in strength within his own dwelling (the altar, the home).
Going Deeper:
Agni as "gopā ṛtasya" (guardian of cosmic order) is profound — fire upholds the natural law. "Sve dame" (in his own house) refers to both the altar and the household hearth. Agni grows stronger the more he is fed — a metaphor for how tended devotion increases.
How To Apply This:
Be a guardian of truth and order in your own house. Like fire, you grow stronger when properly nourished. Tend your inner fire — it will illuminate and protect your domain.
Key Sanskrit Terms: