sa naḥ piteva sūnave 'gne sūpāyano bhava | sacasvā naḥ svastaye ||
“Be easy of access to us, like a father to his son, O Agni. Stay with us for our well-being.”
What This Means:
The hymn closes with a tender request: be approachable (sūpāyana) like a father to his child. Agni is asked to remain present (sacasva) for the worshippers' welfare (svasti). The divine is accessible, not remote.
Going Deeper:
The father-son metaphor transforms the divine relationship from fearful awe to intimate trust. "Sūpāyana" (easy to approach) counters any sense of divine remoteness. "Svasti" (well-being, blessing) comes from "su" (good) + "asti" (being) — simply being well.
How To Apply This:
Approach the sacred as a child approaches a loving parent — with trust, not fear. The divine is accessible. Ask for presence (sacasva) and well-being (svasti), not distant favors.
Key Sanskrit Terms: