Changes

* yoga sastra and brahmavidya             

* yoga sastra and brahmavidya             

== Agni In Ramayana and Mahabharata ==

== Agni In Ramayana and Mahabharata ==

Although we see a few versions of this event, generally it is said that the devatas request Bhudevi to receive Shiva’s energy (formed due to divine association with Parvati for 300 divyayugas). Once received part of it takes the shape of gold and the rest of it, unable to be borne by her, is given to Agni upon the request of the devatas. Agni, unable to bear the effulgence, gives it to Gangadevi, who then bears a six-headed child and leaves Him in the Sharavana reeds in a forest near the river, hence Shiva's son is also called Vahnigarbha (Agni), Gaangeya (Gangadevi) and Sharavana (as he is born in Sharavana reeds).

Different versions of birth of Kumaraswamy who is the chief of the devagana and plays a key role in the war between devatas and Taarakasura, have been described in Mahabharata and Ramayana as follows.  

Thereafter, the six stars of Krittika, feed and raise the six-headed boy. Hence he is called as Kaartikeya in honor of the six mothers who cared for him.   

Valmiki Ramayana ( Balakanda Chap 36) details the birth of Kaartikeya and the role of Agni in his guardianship of the Krittika nakshatra.   

Parvati angry at being denied motherhood curses that the Devas wives would be infertile and never enjoy parental happiness furthermore. She angered by Prithvi for being a part of this matter, curses her to be uneven and 'one with many husbands' (Earth having many landscapes is ruled by many kings (called as Bhupati)). She curses Agni that he would be an all-consumer, without distinction between pure and impure things and and everything that touches him would turn into ash (bhasma).  

Although we see a few versions of this event, generally it is said that the devatas request Bhudevi to receive Shiva’s energy (formed due to divine association with Parvati for 300 divyayugas). Once received part of it becomes the element gold and the rest of it, unable to be borne by her, is transferred to Agni upon the request of the devatas. Agni, unable to bear the effulgence, requests Gangadevi to accept it, who then bears a six-headed child and she leaves Him in the Sharavana reeds in a forest near the river. Hence Shiva's son is also called Vahnigarbha (Agni), Gaangeya (Gangadevi) and Sharavana (as he is born in Sharavana reeds). Thereafter, the six stars of Krittika, feed and raise the six-headed boy. Hence he is called as Kaartikeya in honor of the six mothers who cared for him.

Parvati angry at being denied motherhood curses that the Devas wives would be infertile and never enjoy parental happiness furthermore. She angered by Prithvi for being a part of this matter, also curses her to be uneven and 'one with many husbands' (Earth having many landscapes is ruled by many kings (King is called as Bhupati)). She curses Agni that he would be an all-consumer, without distinction between pure and impure things and and everything that touches him would turn into ash (bhasma).  

Svahadevi takes the form of 6 wives of Saptarshis to please Agni according to the Mahabharata version of birth of Skanda as given below.  

Once during the istikas performed by the maharshis, Agni gets infatuated with the wives of the Saptarshis who came to take part in the istikas. Agni after delivering the havishya, notices the beautiful wives of the Saptarshis and desires them. Unable to fulfil his desires, he goes to the forest dejected. Svahadevi, daughter of Daksha, who wanted Agni as her husband, assumes the forms of the wives of Saptarshi's and approaches him first in the form of the wife of Angirasa called Shivaa. Later she pleases him assuming the forms of 6 wives of the 6 Saptarshis except Arundhati, the wife of Vasishta rishi. Thus, Svahadevi, places Agni's energy so fallen 6 times, in a pot, which takes the form of lustrous boy with 6 heads and pairs of hands. This valorous son of Agni was called Skanda by maharshi Viswamitra. Saptarishis except Vasishta hearing this news forsake their wives assuming infidelity on their part. Later on learning the truth, they take their wives back (Maha. Vanaparva Chapters 223 - 227)  

 

Once during the istikas performed by the maharshis, Agni gets infatuated with the wives of the Saptarshis who came to take part in the istikas. Agni after delivering the havishya, notices the beautiful wives of the Saptarshis and desires them. Knowing that his Kaama (desire) for them is inappropriate thus unable to fulfill his wish he goes to the forest dejected. Svahadevi, daughter of Daksha, who chose Agni as her husband, assumes the forms of the wives of Saptarshi's and approaches him first in the form of the wife of Angirasa called Shivaa. Later she pleases him assuming the forms of 6 wives of the 6 Saptarshis except Arundhati, the wife of Vasishta rishi.

 

Svahadevi, places Agni's energy so fallen 6 times, in a pot, which takes the form of lustrous boy with 6 heads and pairs of hands. This valorous son of Agni was called Skanda by maharshi Viswamitra. Saptarishis except Vasishta hearing this news forsake their wives assuming infidelity on their part. However, later on learning the truth, they take their wives back (Maha. Vanaparva Chapters 223 - 227). Skanda, as the leader of the army of devatas was instrumental in the death of Taarakasura. Indra then offers his daughter, Devasena, to Skanda. 

=== अग्निप्रवेसम् ॥ Agnipravesham ===

=== अग्निप्रवेसम् ॥ Agnipravesham ===

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 place 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 proving Sita's chastity returns her back to Sri Rama. There are different versions to this event, however, the role of Agni is as a witness to all deeds and as a purifier has been significant throughout different eras.   

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 place 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 proving Sita's chastity returns her back to Sri Rama. There are different versions to this event, however, the role of Agni is as a witness to all deeds and as a purifier has been significant throughout different eras.