Changes

=== षड्ग्नयः ॥ Shad Agni (Six Fires) ===

=== षड्ग्नयः ॥ Shad Agni (Six Fires) ===

According to Shabdakalpadruma names of षड्ग्नयः six fires into which हविस् havis is offered, are Garhapatya, Aahavaniya, Dakshinagni, Sabha, Avasatya, Aupasana Agnis.<blockquote>हविः प्रक्षेपाधिकरणेषु गार्हपत्याहवनीय-दक्षिणाग्निसभ्यावसथ्यौपासनाख्येषु षड्ग्निषु ।</blockquote>

According to Shabdakalpadruma names of षड्ग्नयः six fires into which हविस् havis is offered, are Garhapatya, Aahavaniya, Dakshinagni, Sabha, Avasatya, Aupasana Agnis.<blockquote>हविः प्रक्षेपाधिकरणेषु गार्हपत्याहवनीयदक्षिणाग्निसभ्यावसथ्यौपासनाख्येषु षड्ग्निषु ।</blockquote>

== देवतास्वरुपम् ॥ Agnidevata Swaroopam ==

== देवतास्वरुपम् ॥ Agnidevata Swaroopam ==

==== Birth and Family ====

==== Birth and Family ====

* Rig veda describes the birth of Agni from water. (Rig. Veda. 1.45.1)   

* Rig veda describes the birth of Agni from water. (Rig. Veda. 1.45.1)   

* Mundakopanishad describes the origin of Sristi and the Panchabhutas.  Thus, from the Paramapurusha arises Agni as one of the five elements.  <blockquote>"अग्निमूर्धा चक्षुषी चन्द्रसूर्यौ दिश: श्रोत्रे वाग्विवृताश्च वेदा: | वायु: प्राणो हृदयं विश्वमस्य पद्भयां पृथिवी ह्येष सर्वभूतान्तरात्मा || " (Mund. Upan. 2.1.4).</blockquote>Meaning : Agni (Fire) is forehead of the Paramapurusha while Surya and Chandra are the eyes. Vaayu is the breath.

* Mundakopanishad describes the origin of Sristi and the Panchabhutas.  Thus, from the Paramapurusha arises Agni as one of the five elements.  <blockquote>अग्निमूर्धा चक्षुषी चन्द्रसूर्यौ दिश: श्रोत्रे वाग्विवृताश्च वेदा: | वायु: प्राणो हृदयं विश्वमस्य पद्भयां पृथिवी ह्येष सर्वभूतान्तरात्मा || (Mund. Upan. 2.1.4).</blockquote>Meaning : Agni (Fire) is forehead of the Paramapurusha while Surya and Chandra are the eyes. Vaayu is the breath.

* Agni was born to Pururavas as a son named Jaatavedas according to Shrimad Bhaagavatam (Navama Skanda, Chap 14).  

* Agni was born to Pururavas as a son named Jaatavedas according to Shrimad Bhaagavatam (Navama Skanda, Chap 14).  

 

* पुत्त्रास्त्रयः पावकः १ पवमानः २ शुचिः ३ Agni has two consorts, Svaha and Svadha. Agni through Svaahadevi (invocation offering) and fathered three sons - Paavaka, Pavamana and Suchi, who in their turn had forty-five children. Thus, Agni, his three sons, and fortyfive grandsons, together constitute the fortynine Fires mentioned in the Puranas (अङ्गिरसम् Angirasam). Suchi, born of Svahadevi is the Badavaagni or Badabaagni, or Vadavagni the Agni that resides in the underground parts of the earth (volcanoes) Agni Purana Chapter 20.   

* Agni has two consorts, Svaha and Svadha. Agni through Svaahadevi (invocation offering) and fathered three sons पुत्त्रास्त्रयः पावकः १ पवमानः २ शुचिः ३<ref>Shabdakalpadruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85 Agni])</ref> - Paavaka, Pavamana and Suchi, who in their turn had forty-five children. Thus, Agni, his three sons, and fortyfive grandsons, together constitute the fortynine Fires mentioned in the Puranas. Suchi, born of Svahadevi is the Badavaagni or Badabaagni, or Vadavagni the Agni that resides in the underground parts of the earth (Agni. Pura. 20.16)<ref>Agni Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A6 Adhyaya. 20])</ref>. Mahabharata's Sabha Parva (Chap. 31) talks about Sudarshana, as the wife of Agnideva. She was the daughter of King Neela of Mahishmatipura.   

==== पावकः ॥ Paavaka ====

==== पावकः ॥ Paavaka ====

Offended by Agni, Bhrigu had cursed Agni to become the devourer of all things on this earth, but Brahma modified that curse and made Agni the purifier of all things he touched.  

Offended by Agni, Bhrigu had cursed Agni to become the devourer of all things on this earth, but Brahma modified that curse and made Agni the purifier of all things he touched. Puranic Encyclopedia cites the Rig Veda (1.52) mantras describing Agni as the purifier. Devatas wanted to clean their hands off the oblation materials and for this purpose Agni created three sons from water named Ekata, Dvita, and Trita<ref name=":1" />.  

 

Puranic Encyclopedia cites the Rig Veda (1.52) mantras describing Agni as the purifier. Devatas wanted to clean their hands off the oblation materials and for this purpose Agni created three sons from water named Ekata, Dvita, and Trita.  

==== दाहकः '''॥''' Daahaka ====

==== दाहकः '''॥''' Daahaka ====

Agni is feared as the deity for destruction.  In Mahabharata (Adi Parva. Khandava daha parva Chap. 221 to 226), there is a legend about Agni.  Agni who suffers from stomach ailments (due to the Yagnas of Svetaki King) was advised to consume the Khandava forest which contains the medicinal herbs that can treat his condition.  In the process, Indra protects Takshaka who resides in the same forest, thus preventing Agni from consuming the medicinal plants. In this parva, Krishna and Arjuna, are requested by Agni (who in the guise of a Brahmana) to quench his hunger.  Realizing his true form, they agree to prevent his obstacles (Indra from sending heavy rain) in consuming the forest.   

Agni is feared as the deity for destruction.  In Mahabharata (Adi Parva. Khandavadaha parva Chap. 221 to 226)<ref>Pt. Ram Narayandatt. ''Mahabharat Volume 1'' ([https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata%2001_%20Sanskrit-Hindi_Pandit%20Ramnarayan_Gita%20Press#page/n705/mode/2up Adiparva, Adhyaya 221]) Gorakhapur:Gita Press</ref>, there is a legend about Agni.  Agni who suffers from stomach ailments (due to the Yagnas of Svetaki King) was advised to consume the Khandava forest which contains the medicinal herbs that can treat his condition.  In the process, Indra protects Takshaka who resides in the same forest, thus preventing Agni from consuming the medicinal plants. In this parva, Krishna and Arjuna, are requested by Agni (who in the guise of a Brahmana) to quench his hunger.  Realizing his true form, they agree to prevent his obstacles (Indra from sending heavy rain) in consuming the forest.   

Pleased with their offer of help Agni gave Arjuna an arrow case which would never be empty, a chariot bearing Hanuman on the flag and four white horses and the famous Gandiva bow. To Krishna he gave the Chakraayudha or discus.  With the help of these military equipment, Krishna and Arjuna created a canopy of arrow against the downpour created by Indra and thus, Agni burned incessantly for fifteen days, and was cured of his stomach ailments.   

Pleased with their offer of help Agni gave Arjuna an arrow case which would never be empty, a chariot bearing Hanuman on the flag and four white horses and the famous Gandiva bow. To Krishna he gave the Chakraayudha or discus.  With the help of these military equipment, Krishna and Arjuna created a canopy of arrow against the downpour created by Indra and thus, Agni burned incessantly for fifteen days, and was cured of his stomach ailments.