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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.

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.

== Three Fires ==

== Tretagni (Three Fires) ==

अग्नि (Agni) is carried at the front in all ritualistic undertakings (yajnas) as given in the Srauta sutras. Many vedic yaagas require three fires which are invoked through procedures with chanting of mantras.

अग्नि (Agni) is carried at the front in all ritualistic undertakings (yajnas) as given in the Srauta sutras. Many Srauta yaagas require three fires called as [[Tretagni (त्रेताज्ञयः)|Tretagni]] which are invoked through procedures with chanting of mantras.

Agni is ascribed 3 names and placed in three sides of a yagnavedi –   

Agni is ascribed 3 names and placed in three sides of a yagnavedi –   

==== Birth and Family ====

==== Birth and Family ====

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

There are different statements in different texts 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 descended from Vishnu in the following order according to Puranic Encyclopedia <ref>Mani, V. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>(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.