Changes

# Jataveda is invoked to carry the offerings (except flesh) to the respective Gods, in which case Agni is light identified with knowledge and with Brahman.

# Jataveda is invoked to carry the offerings (except flesh) to the respective Gods, in which case Agni is light identified with knowledge and with Brahman.

# Kravyaad is invoked to burn the flesh (corpses and animal parts) in the Pitri-yajna for which purpose Agni is obtained from the rays of the Surya.

# Kravyaad is invoked to burn the flesh (corpses and animal parts) in the Pitri-yajna for which purpose Agni is obtained from the rays of the Surya.

In the Jataveda form, "He who knows all creatures", Agni acts as the intermediary between man and devatas as the divine sacrificial priest. He is the messenger who carries the oblation from humans to devatas, bringing the Devatas to the site of sacrifice, and interceding between devatas and humans (Rig Veda 1.26.3). When Agni is praised for his presence, he brings all other deities to bless the performer of the vedic ritual (yagnakarta) with abundance, wealth and fulfill the desires when pleased.

In the Jataveda form, "He who knows all creatures", Agni acts as the intermediary between man and devatas as the divine sacrificial priest. He is the messenger who carries the oblation from humans to devatas, bringing the Devatas to the site of sacrifice, and interceding between devatas and humans (Rig Veda 1.26.3). When Agni is praised for his presence, he brings all other deities to bless the performer of the vedic ritual (yagnakarta) with abundance, wealth and fulfill the desires when pleased. [[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotram]], or the sacrificial fires are thus kept by the grihasthas, and offerings (ghee, rice, purnaahuti etc) are made to Agnideva. This is of two types - nitya and kaamya. 

Kravyaad (क्रव्याद) is the form of Agni which consumes corpses, the fire of the funeral pyre; the fire that burns the corpses can consume everything. In this form, after one’s death and at the time of cremation, Agni heats up and burns the body (SB 2.2.4.8) and is the fastest way to unite the body's panchabhutas (five elements) back into them. Agni thus releases the Jeevatma from the body, and the soul then starts its ascent to the higher realms based on its Karma.  

Kravyaad (क्रव्याद) is the form of Agni which consumes corpses, the fire of the funeral pyre; the fire that burns the corpses can consume everything. In this form, after one’s death and at the time of cremation, Agni heats up and burns the body (SB 2.2.4.8) and is the fastest way to unite the body's panchabhutas (five elements) back into them. Agni thus releases the Jeevatma from the body, and the soul then starts its ascent to the higher realms based on its Karma.  

==== Birth and Family ====

==== Birth and Family ====

There are different statements in puranas about the birth of Agni. Agni descended from Vishnu in the following order according to Puranic Encyclopedia (based on Bhagavata and Mahabharata) :  Vishnu - Brahma - Angiras - Brihaspati - Agni.  

There are different statements in puranas about the birth of Agni.

* Agni descended from Vishnu in the following order according to Puranic Encyclopedia (based on Bhagavata and Mahabharata) :  Vishnu - Brahma - Angiras - Brihaspati - Agni.  

Agni is the described as the son of Vaayu as per Rig Veda sukta (1.16.112). Fire is made by the attrition of two sticks (some scholars believe these to be from Sami trees) named as Arani, and sages get the strength to produce fire from it through the Vyaana vaayu (one of the panchavaayus), hence Agni is the son of Vaayu.  

* Agni is the described as the son of Vaayu as per Rig Veda sukta (1.16.112). Fire is made by the attrition of two sticks (some scholars believe these to be from Sami trees) named as Arani, and sages get the strength to produce fire from it through the Vyaana vaayu (one of the panchavaayus), hence Agni is the son of Vaayu.  

Mahabharata Aanushasana parva (Chap. 85) mentions the association of the Sami tree and Agni devata.  It is said that the heart (core) of the Sami tree branches have fire in them. Rishis use this tree branches to generate fire. After the curse of Bhrugu maharshi Agni hides himself in different places and ultimately devas find him in the Sami tree. Hence this tree is sacred and since this finding out of Agni after a long absence is like a rebirth, the Puranas mention it as being born from Sami Tree.   

* Mahabharata Aanushasana parva (Chap. 85) mentions the association of the Sami tree and Agni devata.  It is said that the heart (core) of the Sami tree branches have fire in them. Rishis use this tree branches to generate fire. After the curse of Bhrugu maharshi Agni hides himself in different places and ultimately devas find him in the Sami tree. Hence this tree is sacred and since this finding out of Agni after a long absence is like a rebirth, the Puranas mention it as being born from Sami Tree.   

Mahabharata's Sabha Parva (Chap. 31) talks about Sudarshana, as the wife of Agni deva. She was the daughter of King Neela of Mahishmatipura.   

Mahabharata's Sabha Parva (Chap. 31) talks about Sudarshana, as the wife of Agni deva. She was the daughter of King Neela of Mahishmatipura.   

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 Svaahadevi is the Badavaagni or Badabaagni, or 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 - 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 Svaahadevi is the Badavaagni or Badabaagni, or the Agni that resides in the underground parts of the earth (volcanoes) Agni Purana Chapter 20.

==== पावकः ॥ Pavaka ====

==== पावकः ॥ Pavaka ====

=== शिबिचक्रवर्तिः ॥ Shibi Chakravarty ===

=== शिबिचक्रवर्तिः ॥ Shibi Chakravarty ===

King Shibi,  who was tested by Agni assuming the form of a pigeon and by Indra assuming the form of a hawk; Shibi offered his own flesh to the hawk in exchange of pigeon's life. The pigeon which had sought Shibi's shelter was thus saved by the king's sacrifice.

Shibi Chakravarthy, belonging to the Ikshvaku dynasty, the ancestor of Bhagavan Sri Rama, was famous for his righteousness and charity. Indradeva who wanted to test his daatrutvam or sense of charity, assumed the form of an eagle and Agnideva assumed the form of a dove who was a prey to the eagle. The dove takes sharanagati or  refuge in Shibi Charavarty, who then offered an equal weight of his own flesh to the eagle in exchange of dove's life. Assuming the dove to weigh a little, Shibi offered a portion of his flesh, but soon he had to offer himself as the food to the eagle. Shibi's sacrifice for the bird was highly praised and both Agni and Indra offered him heavens in return (Mahabharata, Vanaparva Chapter 131).

=== अग्निप्रवेसम् ॥ Agnipravesham ===

=== अग्निप्रवेसम् ॥ Agnipravesham ===

Valmiki Ramayana (Yuddhakanda) describes the Agnipareeksha or 'Fire ordeal' undergone by Sitadevi after death of Ravanaasura. Bhagavan Rama, informs Sita that he has released her from her bondage from Ravanaasura and that she is free to go to the pace of her choice. Unable to bear the thought of going anywhere else other than being with her husband Rama, she choses to enter the fire. Agni as the witness to Sita's chastity, redeemed the original Sita from the wrath and condemnation of her husband and her community.

Valmiki Ramayana (Yuddhakanda) describes the Agnipareeksha or 'Fire ordeal' undergone by Sitadevi after death of Ravanaasura. Bhagavan Sri Rama, informs Sita that he has released her from her bondage from Ravanaasura and that she is free to go to the pace of her choice. Unable to bear the thought of going anywhere else other than being with her husband Rama, she choses to enter the fire. Agni was the to Sita's chastity,

== Ayurvedic Perspective ==

== Ayurvedic Perspective ==

# Ganganatha, Jha. (1923). ''The Chandogya Upanishad and Sri Sankara's Commentary'', Fourth Volume, Madras: The India Printing Works

# Ganganatha, Jha. (1923). ''The Chandogya Upanishad and Sri Sankara's Commentary'', Fourth Volume, Madras: The India Printing Works

# https://archive.org/details/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress

# https://archive.org/details/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress