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==== [[Agni (अग्निः)|अग्निः ॥ Agni]] ====

==== [[Agni (अग्निः)|अग्निः ॥ Agni]] ====

As the most invoked deity in the Vedas, Agni enjoys a prominent position as a Rigvedic deity. Agni has various positions from the elemental fire to a reference as Paramatma. Agni symbolizes the yajnas; all yagaas or yajnas are based on Agni, without him no divine activity can be conducted. He is the intermediary messenger between the devatas and the humans, considered as "the mouth" of the devatas. All oblations, aahutis and dravyas offered to other devatas are conveyed by Agni.<ref name=":62" /> He is recognized as Havyavaaha, the fire which conveys offerings to the devatas; as Kavyavaaha, he conveys offerings to the Pitrs or ancestors and as Saharakshasas, he receives the offerings of the Rakshasas (Tait. Samh. 2.5.8.6).<ref name=":0" />  

As the most invoked deity in the Vedas, Agni enjoys a prominent position as a Rigvedic deity. Agni has various positions from the elemental fire to a reference as Paramatma. Agni symbolizes the yajnas; all yagaas or yajnas are based on Agni, without him no divine activity can be conducted. He is the intermediary messenger between the devatas and the humans, considered as "the mouth" of the devatas. All oblations, aahutis and dravyas offered to other devatas are conveyed by Agni.<ref name=":62" /> He is recognized as Havyavaaha, the fire which conveys offerings to the devatas; as Kavyavaaha, he conveys offerings to the Pitrs or ancestors and as Saharakshasas, he receives the offerings of the Rakshasas (Tait. Samh. 2.5.8.6).<ref name=":0" />  

In a human form Agni is described as Ghrtapusta (one who is nourished with ghrta or ghee), Ghrtamukha (one having ghee in his mouth), Ghrtakesha (one having ghee as strands of hair), Haritakesha etc. He is also represented as an Vrshabh (ox), Ashva (horse), Vatsa (a calf), and a divine bird. His food is said to be wood and ghee. He is said to have seven faces and seven tongues as per [[Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः)|Atharvaveda]] and Mundakopanishad. According to Shri. Aravind Ghosh, Agni in the modern parlance refers to the sankalpa shakti (Divine will) and viveka (wisdom) in a person. It is only to rake and inspire the Sankalpa shakti that the Jnana-Agni is lighted in us.<ref name=":62" /> According to Dr. R. L. Kashyap, the more a person exposes himself or herself to the power of Agni, the perfect becomes his work.<ref>Kashyap, R. L. (2005 First Edition) ''Essentials of Rigveda (With the test, translation and explanation of 62 Mantras).'' Benguluru: Sri Aurobindo Kapali Sastry Institute of Vedic Culture</ref>  

In a human form Agni is described as Ghrtapusta (one who is nourished with ghrta or ghee), Ghrtamukha (one having ghee in his mouth), Ghrtakesha (one having ghee as strands of hair), Haritakesha etc. He is also represented as an Vrshabh (ox), Ashva (horse), Vatsa (a calf), and a divine bird. His food is said to be wood and ghee. He is said to have seven faces and seven tongues as per [[Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः)|Atharvaveda]] and Mundakopanishad. According to Shri. Aravind Ghosh, Agni in the modern parlance refers to the sankalpa shakti (Divine will) and viveka (wisdom) in a person. It is only to rake and inspire the Sankalpa shakti that the Jnana-Agni is lighted in us.<ref name=":62" /> According to Dr. R. L. Kashyap, the more a person exposes himself or herself to the power of Agni, the perfect becomes his work.<ref>Kashyap, R. L. (2005 First Edition) ''Essentials of Rigveda (With the test, translation and explanation of 62 Mantras).'' Benguluru: Sri Aurobindo Kapali Sastry Institute of Vedic Culture</ref>  

इन्द्रः ॥  

इन्द्रः ॥

== References ==

== References ==