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Line 1: − + − + − − Pt. Satvalekar in his Rig veda Subodh Bhashya explains it as place of Agni in different parts of the body, the head, heart and the lower place of the body being the three important places.<ref name=":2" /> <blockquote>आ वक्षि देवाँ इह विप्र यक्षि चोशन् होतर्नि षदा '''योनिषु त्रिषु''' ... ॥४॥ (Rig. Veda. 2.36.4)<ref>Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-02-sukta-036/ Mandala 2 Sukta 36])</ref></blockquote>Summary : Oh ! Agni, who invites devatas for the yajna, and pray to them. Agni, who presides over the yajnas, shine forth in the three places (3 lokas according to Pt. Satvalekar).<ref name=":3">Pt. Sripada Damodara Satavalekar. (1985). ''Rigved ka Subodh Bhashya, Volume 2'', Parady: Svadhyaya Mandali</ref> <blockquote>यज्ञस्य केतुं प्रथमं पुरोहितमग्निं '''नरस्त्रिषधस्थे समीधिरे''' ...॥२॥ (Rig. Veda. 5.11.2) <ref>Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-05-sukta-011/ Mandala 5 Sukta 11])</ref></blockquote>Summary : The sign of yajna, the earliest priest who brings all the other devatas and seats them along with him, this Agni is kindled by men in three places.<ref name=":3" /> − − Srauta yajnas require the kindling of Tretagni or three Agnis (Singular : त्रेताग्निः Plural : त्रेताग्नयः) into which ahutis are offered.<ref name=":022222222" /> − * गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Garhapatyaagni − * आहवनीयाग्निः॥ Aahvaniya agni − * दक्षिणाग्निः ॥ Dakshinagni − Asvalayana Srautasutra mentions the following about the three agnis in the context of yajna kunda पर्युक्षण (sprinkling of water). Before kindling of fire in the kundas sprinkling of water should be done by hand.<blockquote>दक्षिणं त्वेव प्रथमं विज्ञायते पिता वा एषोऽग्नीनां यद्दक्षिणः पुत्रो गार्हपत्यः पौत्र आहवनीयस्तस्मादेवं पर्युक्षेत् १३ </blockquote>Meaning : It is to be known that the dakshina fire should be done first, because dakshina fire is the father of all fires, garhapatya is the son and aahvaniya is the grandson. So water पर्युक्षण water should be given in this way.<ref name=":1222222223" /> + Line 21:
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→त्रेताग्निः ॥ Tretagni: editing and citations
All Srauta yajnas or yagas are associated with Tretagni (Samskrit : त्रेताग्नयः) the three Agni's, and one of them Garhapatya agni is also called Srautaagni.<ref name=":022222222">Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref> However, not all three fires are lighted and maintained at all times. त्रेताग्नयः the three fires are kindled in performance of yagas. Srautayajnas require the kindling of all three fires.<ref name=":1222222223" />
All Srauta yajnas or yagas are associated with Tretagni (Samskrit : त्रेताग्नयः) the three Agni's, and one of them Garhapatya agni is also called Srautaagni.<ref name=":022222222">Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref> However, not all three fires are lighted and maintained at all times. त्रेताग्नयः the three fires are kindled in performance of yagas. Srautayajnas require the kindling of all three fires.<ref name=":1222222223" />
=== त्रेताग्निः ॥ Tretagni ===
== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==
The earliest instances that there were three fires appears clear from the three mantras of Rig veda as follows<ref>Kane. P. V. (1941) [https://archive.org/stream/HistoryOfDharmashastras-PVKaneVol2Part2#page/n282/mode/1up History of Dharmashastras Volume 2, Part 2]. Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref><blockquote>अग्ने देवाँ इहा वह सादया '''योनिषु त्रिषु''' । परि भूष पिब ऋतुना ॥४॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.15.4)<ref name=":1">Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhitas-mandal-01-sukta-015/ Mandala 1 Sukta 15])</ref></blockquote>Meaning : Oh Agni! Bring the devatas here and seat them in the three designated places. Decorate them and drink somarasa according to the seasons.<ref name=":2">Pt. Sripada Damodara Satavalekar. (1985). ''Rigved ka Subodh Bhashya, Volume 1'', Parady: Svadhyaya Mandali</ref>
The earliest instances that Yajnas were conducted with the installation of three fires appears clear from the three mantras of Rig veda as follows<ref name=":4">Kane. P. V. (1941) [https://archive.org/stream/HistoryOfDharmashastras-PVKaneVol2Part2#page/n282/mode/1up History of Dharmashastras Volume 2, Part 2]. Poona : Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute</ref><blockquote>अग्ने देवाँ इहा वह सादया '''योनिषु त्रिषु''' । परि भूष पिब ऋतुना ॥४॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.15.4)<ref name=":1">Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhitas-mandal-01-sukta-015/ Mandala 1 Sukta 15])</ref></blockquote>Meaning : Oh Agni! Bring the devatas here and seat them in the three designated places. Decorate them and drink somarasa according to the seasons.<ref name=":2">Pt. Sripada Damodara Satavalekar. (1985). ''Rigved ka Subodh Bhashya, Volume 1'', Parady: Svadhyaya Mandali</ref>
Pt. Satvalekar in his Rig veda Subodh Bhashya explains the place of Agni in different parts of the body, the head, heart and the lower place of the body being the three important places.<ref name=":2" /> <blockquote>आ वक्षि देवाँ इह विप्र यक्षि चोशन् होतर्नि षदा '''योनिषु त्रिषु''' ... ॥४॥ (Rig. Veda. 2.36.4)<ref>Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-02-sukta-036/ Mandala 2 Sukta 36])</ref></blockquote>Summary : Oh ! Agni, who invites devatas for the yajna, and pray to them. Agni, who presides over the yajnas, shine forth in the three places (3 lokas according to Pt. Satvalekar).<ref name=":3">Pt. Sripada Damodara Satavalekar. (1985). ''Rigved ka Subodh Bhashya, Volume 2'', Parady: Svadhyaya Mandali</ref> <blockquote>यज्ञस्य केतुं प्रथमं पुरोहितमग्निं '''नरस्त्रिषधस्थे समीधिरे''' ...॥२॥ (Rig. Veda. 5.11.2) <ref>Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhita-mandal-05-sukta-011/ Mandala 5 Sukta 11])</ref></blockquote>Summary : The sign of yajna, the earliest priest who brings all the other devatas and seats them along with him, this Agni is kindled by men in three places.<ref name=":3" />
=== आहिताग्निन् ॥ Ahitagni ===
=== आहिताग्निन् ॥ Ahitagni ===
One who worships the three Agnis is called a "'''Srauti'''" and if he worships the srauta (garhapatyagni) and grhya agni (aupasanagni), he is called an Ahitagni.
One who worships the three Agnis is called a "'''Srauti'''" and if he worships the srauta (garhapatyagni) and grhya agni (aupasanagni), he is called an Ahitagni.
The tradition of ‘Aahitagnis’ and ‘Srauta priests’ continues in South India and they perform Vedic rituals as and when possible. These priests inherited the tradition of Vedic ritual practices from their ancestors and perform Vedic rituals even today.
The tradition of ‘Aahitagnis’ and ‘Srauta priests’ continues in South India and they perform Vedic rituals as and when possible. These priests inherited the tradition of Vedic ritual practices from their ancestors and perform Vedic rituals even today.
A few important features of the three agnis are summarized below
== त्रेताग्निः ॥ Tretagni ==
Srauta yajnas require the kindling of Tretagni or three Agnis (Singular : त्रेताग्निः Plural : त्रेताग्नयः) into which ahutis are offered.<ref name=":022222222" />
* गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Garhapatyaagni
* आहवनीयाग्निः॥ Aahvaniya agni
* दक्षिणाग्निः ॥ Dakshinagni
Asvalayana Srautasutra mentions the following about the three agnis in the context of yajna kunda पर्युक्षण (sprinkling of water). Before kindling of fire in the kundas sprinkling of water should be done by hand.<blockquote>दक्षिणं त्वेव प्रथमं विज्ञायते पिता वा एषोऽग्नीनां यद्दक्षिणः पुत्रो गार्हपत्यः पौत्र आहवनीयस्तस्मादेवं पर्युक्षेत् १३ </blockquote>Meaning : It is to be known that the dakshina fire should be done first, because dakshina fire is the father of all fires, garhapatya is the son and aahvaniya is the grandson. So water पर्युक्षण water should be given in this way.<ref name=":1222222223" /> A few important features of the three agnis are summarized below.
=== गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Garhapatyagni ===
=== गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Garhapatyagni ===
<blockquote>गार्हपत्येन सन्त्य ऋतुना यज्ञनीरसि । देवान् देवयते यज ॥१२॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.15.12) <ref name=":1" /></blockquote>Garhapatya is expressly mentioned in Rig Veda.Information about of गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Garhapatya agni<ref name=":0" />
<blockquote>गार्हपत्येन सन्त्य ऋतुना यज्ञनीरसि । देवान् देवयते यज ॥१२॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.15.12) <ref name=":1" /></blockquote>Summary: Agni, who fulfills the desires, by presiding over the Garhapatya agni, he guides the yajnas and grants heavenly enjoyments to the yajamana. "Garhapatya" Agni is thus expressly mentioned in Rig Veda.<ref name=":4" />
A few aspects about of गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Garhapatya agni are as follows <ref name=":0" />
* It is kindled after marriage, and is be maintained and worshipped for the rest of the life by the grihastha along with his wife.
* It is kindled after marriage, and is be maintained and worshipped for the rest of the life by the grihastha along with his wife.
* It is ceremonially established with the elaborate vedic procedure involving recitation of specific mantras during the process called '''Agnyadhana'''. The [[Aupasana]] Agni lit at the time of the wedding is passed on from the father to the son. It is divided into two during the Agnyadhana process. One part becomes the Grhyagni (Smartagni, Aupasanagni) and the other becomes the Srautagni called Garhapatya.
* It is ceremonially established with the elaborate vedic procedure involving recitation of specific mantras during the process called '''Agnyadhana'''. The [[Aupasana]] Agni lit at the time of the wedding is passed on from the father to the son. It is divided into two during the Agnyadhana process. One part becomes the Grhyagni (Smartagni, Aupasanagni) and the other becomes the Srautagni called Garhapatya.
* It is placed to the south of the yajnavedi, in a half circle shaped kunda.
* It is placed to the south of the yajnavedi, in a half circle shaped kunda.
* It is used to offer aahutis to the pitrudevatas or forefathers only.
* It is used to offer aahutis to the pitrudevatas or forefathers only.
== Tretagni Upasana ==
Manusmriti extols the greatness of Tretagni Upasana. Kulluka in his commentary of Manusmriti<ref>Dave, Jayanthakrishna Harikrishna.(1972) ''Manu-Smrti, With 9 Sanskrit Commentaries. Volume 1 (Adhyayas 1-2).'' Bombay: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref><blockquote>त एव हि त्रयो लोकास्त एव त्रय आश्रमाः । त एव हि त्रयो वेदास्त एवोक्तास्त्रयोऽग्नयः । । २.२३० </blockquote>Meaning : For they are declared to be the three worlds, they are the three ashramas, they the three Vedas and the three fires.<blockquote>पिता वै गार्हपत्योऽग्निर्माताग्निर्दक्षिणाः स्मृताः । गुरुराहवनीयस्तु साग्नित्रेता गरीयसी ।। २३१ (Manu. Smri. 2.231)</blockquote>Meaning : The father is stated to be the Garhapatya fire, the mother the Dakshinagni, the teacher the Ahavaniya fire; these three fires are most venerable.<blockquote>त्रिष्वप्रमाद्यन्नेतेषु त्रील्लोलोकान् विजयेद्गृही । दीप्यमानः स्ववपुषाः देववद्यिवि मोदते ।। २३२ (Manu. Smri. 2.232)</blockquote>Meaning : He who does not neglect those three, (even after he has become) a householder, will conquer the three worlds and glows with radiance, enjoying heavenly pleasures.
== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />
[[Category:Agni]]
[[Category:Agni]]
[[Category:Srauta Yajnas]]
[[Category:Srauta Yajnas]]