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: