Changes

   

   

Agni (Sanskrit: अग्निः) means Fire, Lighting, Purifier.  The Vedas place Agni, the deity of fire, in a key place in Vedic mantras. Fire was the one of the main elements that brought about a change in the way human civilizations evolved as man learnt to colonize.  During evolution, taming of the fire is a significant step as man learnt to eat cooked food and thereby moved away eating raw things (especially raw meat). Cooking of food further led to man's living in societies and thereby led to expansion of the concept of domestication of animals and agricultural systems. Thus harnessing the powers of nature plays an important role in the evolution of man and this fact is explicit in Vedas as Agni was significantly praised for his prowess.

Agni (Samskrit: अग्निः) means Fire, Lighting, Purifier.  The Vedas place Agni, the deity of fire, in a key place in Vedic mantras. Fire was the one of the main elements that brought about a change in the way human civilizations evolved as man learnt to colonize.  During evolution, taming of the fire is a significant step as man learnt to eat cooked food and thereby moved away eating raw things (especially raw meat). Cooking of food further led to man's living in societies and thereby led to expansion of the concept of domestication of animals and agricultural systems. Thus harnessing the powers of nature plays an important role in the evolution of man and this fact is explicit in Vedas as Agni was significantly praised for his prowess.

==    Introduction ==

==    Introduction ==

Different names of Agni include Agni, Vaishvanara, Krushanu, Jaataveda, Barhihi, Paavaka, Analaha, Vayusakha, Hiranyareta, Havyavahana, Jwala, Chitrabhanu, Vadavanala and other names.  

Different names of Agni include Agni, Vaishvanara, Krushanu, Jaataveda, Barhihi, Paavaka, Analaha, Vayusakha, Hiranyareta, Havyavahana, Jwala, Chitrabhanu, Vadavanala and other names.  

The word ''agni'' is Sanskrit for "fire" (noun).  Agni has three forms: 'fire', 'lightning' and 'the Sun'.  Agni is the drying agent which neither wets nor moistens anything.  

The word ''agni'' is samskrit for "fire" (noun).  Agni has three forms: 'fire', 'lightning' and 'the Sun'.  Agni is the drying agent which neither wets nor moistens anything.  

Yaskacharya explains that the fire-god is called अग्नि (''Agni'') because he is अग्रणी (''Agrani''), the foremost leader who is the ever awake disseminator of knowledge and the first principle of thought which manifests as Speech; it is carried at the front in all ritualistic undertakings (''yajnas'').

Yaskacharya explains that the fire-god is called अग्नि (''Agni'') because he is अग्रणी (''Agrani''), the foremost leader who is the ever awake disseminator of knowledge and the first principle of thought which manifests as Speech; it is carried at the front in all ritualistic undertakings (''yajnas'').

The ancient seers divided Agni into three parts –   

The ancient seers divided Agni into three parts –   

# Garhapatya ( Agni used by for general domestic usage) 

# Gaarhapatya ( Agni used by for general domestic usage) 

# Aahvaniya (Agni used for inviting and welcoming a personage or deity)  

# Aahvaniya (Agni used for inviting and welcoming a personage or deity)  

# Dakshinagni (Agni used for fighting against evil).

# Dakshinaagni (Agni used for fighting against evil).

The Rig Veda often says that Agni arises from water or dwells in the waters; the Vedic sage says that Agni manifesting in the waters and seated in the lap of the winding waters, flaming upward, increases; and that Agni was born by the prowess of Tvashtr (Rig Veda I.95.5).   

The Rig Veda often says that Agni arises from water or dwells in the waters; the Vedic sage says that Agni manifesting in the waters and seated in the lap of the winding waters, flaming upward, increases; and that Agni was born by the prowess of Tvashtr (Rig Veda I.95.5).   

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. 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.   

Please 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 Chakra or discuss.  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.   

=== Kartikeya ===

=== Kartikeya ===

=== Ramayana ===

=== Ramayana ===

''Agniparikshā'' or 'the Fire ordeal' has Agni as the witness. Sita was forced to undergo this ordeal to prove her virtue. Agni redeemed the original Sita from the wrath and condemnation of her husband and her community.  

Agnipareeklsha or 'Fire ordeal' has Agni as the witness. Sita chose to prove her innocence . Agni redeemed the original Sita from the wrath and condemnation of her husband and her community.  

Ayurvedic Viewpoint == Agni is an important entity in Ayurveda. Agni is the fiery metabolic energy of digestion called as Jataragni, allows assimilation of food while ridding the body of waste and toxins, and transforms dense physical matter into subtle forms of energy the body needs. ''Jathar-agni'' determines the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, ''Bhuta-agni'' determines the production of bile in the liver, ''Kloma-agni'' determines the production of sugar-digesting pancreatic enzymes and so forth. The nature and quality of these ''agnis'' depend on one’s ''dosha'' which can be – ''vata'', ''pitta'' or ''kapha''.^[88]  Agni is also known as ''Vaisvanara'', food.^{[note 27]} Just as the illuminating power in the fire is a part of Agni’s own effulgence, even so the heating power in the foods digestive and appetizing power is also a part of Agni's energy or potency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Diti: in a sukta addressed to Agni,^{[note 25]} Vamadeva calls Agni as ''Diti'' (दिति) which word is to be read as Aditi, the all devouring Death.^{[78][note 26]} Aditi is an ancient Rig Vedic deity; she is the divine mother of all Vedic gods and therefore, is the source of all things. Her womb, protected by Vishnu, is the navel of prithvi. Aditi means boundlessness.^[80]  == Agni and Hindu astrology == Jyotiśa, the study of astronomy and astrology, is one of the six vedangas or limbs of the Vedas. The first ''drekkana'' of Taurus and Virgo sign is ruled by Agni, and the 10th shashtiamsa (1/60th part of the sign) is the ''Agni-amsa''.^[81] Persons born in fiery signs ruled by Agni are enthusiastic, energetic but accident prone.^[82] The 3rdnakshatra (constellation) beginning with Ashvinī is ruled by Agni.^[83]  == Ayurvedic Viewpoint == Agni is an important entity in Ayurveda. Agni is the fiery metabolic energy of digestion called as Jataragni, allows assimilation of food while ridding the body of waste and toxins, and transforms dense physical matter into subtle forms of energy the body needs. ''Jathar-agni'' determines the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, ''Bhuta-agni'' determines the production of bile in the liver, ''Kloma-agni'' determines the production of sugar-digesting pancreatic enzymes and so forth. The nature and quality of these ''agnis'' depend on one’s ''dosha'' which can be – ''vata'', ''pitta'' or ''kapha''.^[88]  Agni is also known as ''Vaisvanara'', food.^{[note 27]} Just as the illuminating power in the fire is a part of Agni’s own effulgence, even so the heating power in the foods digestive and appetizing power is also a part of Agni's energy or potency.^[89]

 

 

 

 

 

== References ==

== References ==

# According to tradition, Agni first appeared in the heavens in the form of lightening. His second birth was among the human beings as ''Jātaveda'' (learned by birth). His third birth was in water (Rig Veda I.45.1).^[5]

# According to tradition, Agni first appeared in the heavens in the form of lightening. His second birth was among the human beings as ''Jātaveda'' (learned by birth). His third birth was in water (Rig Veda I.45.1).^[5]

# Rig Veda X.v.7: अग्निः ऋतस्य पूर्वे आयुनि वृषभ्श्च

# Rig Veda X.v.7: अग्निः ऋतस्य पूर्वे आयुनि वृषभ्श्च

# अग्नेर्होत्रेण प्रणुदे सपत्नान् - Atharvaveda 9.2.6

# अग्नेर्होत्रेण प्रणुदे सपत्नान् - Atharvaveda 9.2.6

# उक्षान्नाय वशान्नाय सोम पृष्ठाय वेधसे

# उक्षान्नाय वशान्नाय सोम पृष्ठाय वेधसे

# स एतं देवयानं पन्थानमापद्याग्निलोकमागच्छतिस वायुलोकं स आदित्यलोकं (Kaushitaki Upanishad I.3)

# स एतं देवयानं पन्थानमापद्याग्निलोकमागच्छतिस वायुलोकं स आदित्यलोकं (Kaushitaki Upanishad I.3)

# विश्ववेदा, appearing in the Taittiriya Samhita (IV.iii.2.10) – अभून्मम सुमतौ विश्ववेदा आष्ट प्रतिष्ठामविदद्धि गाधम्, and in the Rig Veda:<br>* ये पायवो मामतेयं ते अग्ने पश्यन्तो अन्धं दुरितादरक्षन्

# विश्ववेदा, appearing in the Taittiriya Samhita (IV.iii.2.10) – अभून्मम सुमतौ विश्ववेदा आष्ट प्रतिष्ठामविदद्धि गाधम्, and in the Rig Veda:<br>* ये पायवो मामतेयं ते अग्ने पश्यन्तो अन्धं दुरितादरक्षन्

# In a prayer (R.V.I.27.10) addressed to Agni, the sage prays ": जराबोध तद्विविड्ढि विशेविशे यज्ञियाय

# In a prayer (R.V.I.27.10) addressed to Agni, the sage prays ": जराबोध तद्विविड्ढि विशेविशे यज्ञियाय

# स्वाध्यो दिव आ सप्त यह्वी रायो (Rig Veda I.72.8)

# स्वाध्यो दिव आ सप्त यह्वी रायो (Rig Veda I.72.8)

# He says – विदद् गव्यं सरमा दृहमूर्वमं येना नु कं मानुषी भोजते विट् – "Saramā discovered the strong and wide places of the hidden knowledge; this discovery brings happiness to all human beings".

# He says – विदद् गव्यं सरमा दृहमूर्वमं येना नु कं मानुषी भोजते विट् – "Saramā discovered the strong and wide places of the hidden knowledge; this discovery brings happiness to all human beings".

# "चित्तिमचित्ति चिनवद्वि विदवान् पृष्ठेव वीता वृजना च मर्त्तान्

# "चित्तिमचित्ति चिनवद्वि विदवान् पृष्ठेव वीता वृजना च मर्त्तान्

# The same as is stated in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (I.ii.5): "And whatever he (Death) brought forth, that he resolved to eat; verily because he eats everything, therefore, it is Aditi (Death) called Aditi."^[79]

# The same as is stated in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (I.ii.5)

# In Shrimad Bhagavad Gita (Sloka 15.14) it is said: ":अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः  == References ==

#  

# The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

# The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

# Rig Veda I.xliv.4

# Rig Veda I.xliv.4