The First Fire

Beat 1

The Ṛgveda is the oldest of the four Vedas. Its first hymn is credited to the ṛṣi Madhucchandas, son of Viśvāmitra.

From the scripture · Ṛgveda 1.1 (anukramaṇī)

Beat 2

The fire is kindled. In the hymns, Agni is the priest who stands in front of the rite, the one who calls the gods.

Hotṛ. The priest who invokes the gods by reciting the hymns. Agni is called the divine hotṛ.

From the scripture · Ṛgveda 1.1.1

Beat 3

And so the first verse of the Ṛgveda begins with Agni.

From the scripture · Ṛgveda 1.1.1 · rigveda/1.1.1

Beat 4

Fire rises toward the sky. Agni carries offerings to the gods, a messenger between earth and heaven.

From the scripture · Ṛgveda 1.1.4