Rigveda – Mandala 1, Sukta – 1 to 4

We shall discuss the hymns, Sukta wise & Mandala wise. Our focus is on the implicit meaning of the various hymns instead of literal translations of the hymns. These purported meanings are based primarily on the English translations by Swami Dharmanand Saraswati of the works done by Swami Dayanand Saraswati.
 
Highlights -
The hymns under Sukta 1 glorifies the Agni or fire and its significance. It represents the energy in all forms, whether material (mechanical, electrical, nuclear, sound etc.) or non-material (thoughts).  Agni is useful for various arts and crafts. By worshipping Him, we too shall rejoice in prosperity and the possession of true knowledge.
 
The hymns under Sukta 2, 3 & 4 praises the Sun and air. The God has created the sun and the air to uphold and give light to all the objects of universe. The enlightened men who like the sun are dispellers of the darkness of ignorance and strong men are like the wind. Such men get wealth (material and spiritual) soon.
 
As the sun and the air are respectively illuminer and nourisher of all objects such as plants in the universe, so are the soul and the Prana residing in the body, cause the growth or development of juice of the essential ingredients of the body and with their actions and intelligence accomplish their objects and reap the fruit of the deeds done by them.
 
The Vayu or Air is in the universe and Prana inside the body. It is the means of eating, drinking, taking, evacuation and distribution of essential ingredients in the body. It is this that nourishes, develops and causes decay at the end. All men should have pure speech which is full of all knowledge and possessing practical wisdom born of all sciences, efficient to lead to action and doing good to all.
 
Righteous learned persons accomplish their works by the attainment of noble virtues like knowledge and others. Only that learned person acquires wealth and is victorious who makes un-righteous weak or powerless and having controlled his senses, obeys God's commands.
 
The hymn wise, purported explanations –

​Mandala 1 – Sukta – 1 -

1. The term “Agni” should here be taken to connote the idea of the Omnipotent and Omniscient God and not material fire. Agni the Self-effulgent Lord is the Protector of the vows of the enlightened persons. The vow that enlightened wise men observe is the vow of practicing truthfulness in thought, word and deed.
2. The thermic energy (Agni) being the plier of conveyances to their destinations and quick in motion is called the quick carrier of transport.
3. By fervent adoration of God who is Self-effulgent Supreme Being, a devotee obtains from Him day by day such excellent possessions as impart happiness through the strengthening of body, mind and soul possessions which bring great fame and include the strongest, the bravest and the most accomplished children and other relations. The word Agni used in the Mantra also stands for fire, heat and electricity etc. by properly using which for personal benefit, a man obtains much material wealth and fame by utilizing it for charitable purposes.
4. The Yajnas sanctioned by the Veda are non-violent and they alone are acceptable to God.
5. Agni (fire, heat, electricity etc.) is created by God and possesses wonderful divine attributes which are useful for various arts and crafts. A learned but righteous and industrious man alone deserves to have these advantages and none else. 
6. God is the Dispenser of Justice, the kind Friend and well-wisher of all. It is only by meditating on Him that the human soul attains happiness in this world and in the next. God is called Angirah, because He is the very Life of all worlds and as Inner Self of all beings is Life of our life.
7. we approach God Day and night with our intellects and good actions, so that He shall bless us with the light of true knowledge.
8. The Supreme Being is untainted by the shortcomings of decay and ignorance, teaching the path of truth to all soul sand remains in His state of Pure Absolute existence and Perfect Bliss. By worshipping Him, we too shall rejoice in prosperity and the possession of true knowledge.
9. All persons should make an effort and pray in the following manner. O Almighty God, kindly protect us and ever engage us in good works, be kind to us and grant us the grace to lead noble lives.

Mandala 1 – Sukta - 2

1. God creates all the objects of the world and decorates them (so to speak). In the same manner, air also protects universe. Without air, none can be sustained and protected. God listens to the earnest prayer of the soul, being the Innermost Soul of all. It is with the help of the air that a living being can hear sound.
2. God is to be glorified and the properties of the air are to be described for the benefit of all.
3. The attributes of God and the air have been described, in this Verse. It is said, “O Lord of cosmic vitality, your inspiring voice resounds all through the thoughts and feelings of your devotees, the preceptors of your divine wisdom, who have tasted the sweetness of your favours.”
4. In this Mantra, it is mentioned which are the objects to be obtained and how they are obtained. Because Yajnas producing water with various activities and all attainable enjoyments shine on account of the sun and the air and when they come.
5. The God has created the sun and the air to uphold and give light to all the objects of universe. The enlightened men who like the sun are dispellers of the darkness of ignorance and strong men are like the wind. Such men get wealth (material and spiritual) soon.
6. As the sun and the air are respectively illuminer and nourisher of all objects such as plants in the universe, so are the soul and the Prana residing in the body, cause the growth or development of juice of the essential ingredients of the body and with their actions and intelligence accomplish their objects and reap the fruit of the deeds done by them. But the God is the Upholder or Sustainer of all.
7. As on account of the sun and the air, the water goes to the sky from oceans and it causes rain preserving and protecting all, in the same way, the Prana and Apana (Inhalation & Exhalation) also preserve and protect the body.
8. Mitra and Varuna are created by God. They are augmenters of truth and water and causes of establishing contact with God. By virtue of the divine law, Mitra and Varuna, sun and pranic energy, both extend the operation of the natural law of cosmic evolution and inspire the human intelligence to reach unto divine realisation. They both pervade and energize the mighty yajna of the expanding universe.
9. The Mitra and Varuna are givers of happiness. They maintain strength and accomplish many deeds.

Mandala 1 – Sukta – 3

1. It is said about the Ashvinau that with their help, one can travel very far on earth and also in the sky through the conveyances like aero planes etc. It is clear that by Ashvinau here fire and water are meant.
2. Those who desire to acquire proficiency in art and industry, should make experiments with hands utilizing the water and Agni (fire, electricity etc.) properly.
3. When you will make full and proper use of the Ashvinau (water and fire etc.) which affect the Prana or Vital breath, whose attributes are true and destroyers of miseries, and which are instrumental in quick movement of various conveyances, then you will attain material happiness in this world.
4. Indra stands both for God and the sun whose glory is shining everywhere. It is they that give light to all. All should use them properly for spiritual and secular purposes.
5. People should try to have the realization of God who is the First Efficient Cause or Origin of the Universe, with intellect and wisdom. Without it, He cannot be attained by anyone.
6. People should know that this Vayu (air in the universe and Prana inside the body) is the means of eating, drinking, taking, evacuation and distribution of essential ingredients in the body. It is this that nourishes, develops and causes decay at the end.
7. All learned people whether they are in one place like a school or going from place to place to make ignorant people learned, so that all may always enjoy happiness, possessing knowledge, righteousness, good education and good deeds.
8. One should never show any kind of sloth or laziness in diffusing the light of good knowledge, action and meditation.
9. One should be always givers of knowledge and happiness to all persons, being free from violence and malice, possessing vast learning and being engaged in good deeds.
10. All men should have pure speech which is full of all knowledge and possessing practical wisdom born of all sciences, efficient to lead to action and doing good to all.
11. It is only the science and true speech of the learned persons who are pure in thought, word and deed, which is full of all knowledge and devoid of all deceit that can give true knowledge to the people.
12. As the ocean of water when shaken by the wind and illuminated by the sun along with its waves gives out many useful gems and jewels, in the same way, the Vedic speech which enlightens the words used in the Vedas and present in the sky and the sermons of enlightened persons gives true and accurate knowledge and intellect to the people.

Mandala 1 – Sukta - 4

1. As a good milch-cow is procured for the man who desires milk, in the same way, righteous learned persons accomplish their works by the attainment of noble virtues like knowledge and others, through the communion with God.
2. The sun with its rays is the protector of all objects in this world and the source of joy to the soul. Besides Sun, bliss of the Lord is the giver of the knowledge.
3. When people receive education and instruction by sitting at the feet of the righteous scholars, they do not wander hither and thither. They enjoy happiness by acquiring the knowledge of all objects from the earth up to God.
4. It is the duty of all persons to know who is a highly learned wise man devoted to God and engaged in doing good to others. Then they should approach him and by the way of questions and answers, they should get all their doubts dispelled. But they should not associate themselves with those persons who are devoid of knowledge and should not believe in what they say.
5. Let those persons who are devoted to God and who are established (Well-versed) in all sciences and firm in the performance of righteous acts and Labor, deliver discourses to us. But let those persons who are devoid of knowledge, who are in the habit of censuring others unjustly and who are wicked hypocrites, go away from our residence and also from all places i. e. let not un-righteous persons remain anywhere.
6. When all persons having given up animosity, become engaged in doing good to others, then even enemies are turned into friends, because then God's Grace and His abiding bliss are attained by all.
7. God shows kindness only towards an industrious person and not towards the lazy. Why? because unless a man exerts himself fully, he cannot even protect or preserve things got by the Grace of God. Therefore, men should desire or pray for the Grace of God after exerting themselves fully, becoming industrious.
8. God helps or supports only righteous fighters and not others. So, you should also destroy all diseases and wicked enemies and should protect a brave righteous person, who is engaged in waging war against unrighteous foes.
9. Only that learned person acquires wealth and is victorious who makes un-righteous weak or powerless and having controlled his senses, obeys God's commands.
10. Always worship that Great God who being merciful is the Protector, Accomplisher and Giver of wealth (both material in the form of gold etc. and spiritual in the form of Wisdom). A man should not rest content only with the glorification of God, but should obey God's commands and refrain from doing un- righteous deeds, knowing that God sees all. He Should desire God's help and be engaged in doing noble actions.