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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 (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.

==   Introduction ==

==   Introduction ==

A large number of mantras of the Rig veda are devoted to describing and praising Agni. Some of his attributes are described as follows:  

A large number of mantras of the Rig veda are devoted to describing and praising Agni. Some of his attributes are described as follows:  

*   '''Panchabhutas''' : Fire is one of the Panchabhutas or the Five traditional elemental forces that make up the world of matter.   

*   '''Panchabhutas''' : Fire is one of the Panchabhutas or the Five traditional elemental forces that make up the world of matter.   

*   '''Bearer of Sacrificial Offerings''' : The presiding deity of tejas, fire and heat, Agni is revered as the receiver of oblations and sacrifices of men on behalf of the Devatas.  

*   '''Bearer of Sacrificial Offerings''' : The presiding deity of tejas, fire and heat, Agni is revered as the receiver of oblations and sacrifices of men on behalf of the Devatas.  

*   '''First Rig Suktam''' :  Fire has a very prominent place since the Vedic period and the Rig Veda starts with the Agni sukta (Agnimeele purohitam...). Agni is second only to Indra in power and importance attributed to him in Vedic literature, with 218 out of 1,028 hymns of the Rigveda dedicated to him. With Varuna and Indra he is one of the supreme gods in the Rig Veda.

*   '''First Rig Suktam''' :  Fire has a very prominent place since the Vedic period and the Rig Veda starts with the Agni sukta (Agnimeele purohitam...). Agni is second only to Indra in power and importance attributed to him in Vedic literature, with 218 out of 1,028 hymns of the Rigveda dedicated to him. With Varuna and Indra he is one of the supreme gods in the Rig Veda.

*   '''Dikpalaka''' : He is the one of the [[अष्टदिक्पालकाः ॥ Astadikpalakas]] or the presiding deities of the eight directions as described in Devi bhagavatam (Chap. 8).  Among them He is the आग्नेयदिशादिपतिः ॥ Aagneyadishadhipati  or the sovereign guardian of the Aagneya direction or the south-east quarter.

*   '''Dikpalaka''' : He is the one of the [[अष्टदिक्पालकाः ॥ Astadikpalakas]] or the presiding deities of the eight directions as described in Devi bhagavatam (Chap. 8).  Among them He is the आग्नेयदिशादिपतिः ॥ Aagneyadishadhipati  or the sovereign guardian of the Aagneya direction or the south-east quarter.

* '''Swaroopa/Nature''' : He has a five-fold existence and manifests as the  

*   '''Swaroopa/Nature''' : He has a five-fold existence and manifests as the  

** Fire (Flame or Agni) on the Bhuva or Earth  

** Fire (Flame or Agni) on the Bhuva or Earth  

** Lightning in the Aakasha or Sky  

** Lightning in the Aakasha or Sky  

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 married Svaha (invocation offering) and fathered three sons - Paavaka (purifier), Paavamana (purifying) and Suchi (clean) who in their turn had forty-five children, all different aspects of fire.

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.

Mundakopanishad describes the origin of Sristi and the Panchabhutas.  Thus, from the Paramapurusha arises Agni as one of the five elements.  <blockquote>अग्निमूर्धा चक्षुषी चन्द्रसूर्यौ दिश: श्रोत्रे वाग्विवृताश्च वेदा: ।</blockquote><blockquote>वायु: प्राणो हृदयं विश्वमस्य पद्भयां पृथिवी ह्येष सर्वभूतान्तरात्मा ।। (Mund. Upan. 2.1.4).</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Agni (Fire) is forehead of the Paramapurusha while Surya and Chandra are the eyes. Vaayu is the breath. </blockquote>

 

Mundakopanishad describes the origin of Sristi and the Panchabhutas.  Thus, from the Paramapurusha arises Agni as one of the five elements (Mund. Upan. 2.1.3).  

==== '''पावकः ॥ Pavaka''' ====

==== '''पावकः ॥ Pavaka''' ====

==== दाहकः '''॥''' Daahaka ====

==== दाहकः '''॥''' Daahaka ====

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.   

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.   

=== Kartikeya ===

=== Kartikeya ===

The Puranas associate with Agni the origin of Krittika nakshatra (the Pleiades star-cluster) and the birth of Kartikeya. It is said that Agni received Shiva’s energy from Parvati as alms that he had to share with others, being the carrier of all oblations to the gods. Agni gave this energy to the six wives of the saptarishis, who wanted to warm themselves, and for this they were cursed by their husbands to become ''nakshatras'', the six ''nakshatras'' that make up the Krittikas, the 3rd of the twenty-sevenLunar mansions. Thereafter, these six wives gave the energy they had received from Agni to the Himalayas, which then flowed down as one to be distributed to the reeds from which the six-headed boy, Kartikeya was born. Another version of this legend states that Kartikeya was initially born from Shiva and Parvati's combined power as an effulgent orb of energy, so radiant so as to burn the universe. Agni stole it so as to keep the child safe and kept running across the universe to escape the vile Asura Taraka who was to be destroyed by Kartikeya. Parvati awoke from her meditative state and found out that her son was missing. She was enraged and came rushing out of the cave to which she encountered theDevas and their preceptor, Brihaspati. They informed her that Agni had taken her son and only did so to ensure their son's protection. This made Parvati extremely furious and she attained her Adishakti form which caused lightning and all other calamities to begin on Earth. In anger, she cursed the Devas that their wives would be infertile and never enjoy parental happiness furthermore. She cursed Agni that he would be an all-consumer, adding that he would be unable to differentiate between pure and impure and that all who touched him would turn into ash (bhasma) and because of the impurities in his food, he would be surrounded by thick black smoke forever. At the nick of time, Shiva came out of the cave and calmed down Parvati promising her that he himself would find their son. She assumed her normal form and went back inside the cave. Shiva later found Agni and blessed him that despite Parvati's curse, he would always be holy.^[34]

The Puranas associate with Agni the origin of Krittika nakshatra and the birth of Kartikeya or Subrahmanya. Although we see a few version of this event, generally it is said that Agni received Shiva’s energy (formed due to association with Parvati) and he unable to bear the effulgence gives it to Gangadevi, who then bears a child and leaves it in Saravana reeds in a forest near Ganga river, hence Shiva's son is also called Sharavana. 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 the 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).  

=== King Shibi ===

=== King Shibi ===

There is the story about 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.^[35]  

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.^[35]

=== Ramayana ===

=== Ramayana ===

* Vayu and Jala: Agni, Vayu and Jala are three of the three-fold eight fundamental qualities of intelligence, i.e. eight in terms of the value of consciousness, eight in terms of the devata quality of consciousness and eight in terms of the chhandas quality of consciousness.^[77]

* Vayu and Jala: Agni, Vayu and Jala are three of the three-fold eight fundamental qualities of intelligence, i.e. eight in terms of the value of consciousness, eight in terms of the devata quality of consciousness and eight in terms of the chhandas quality of consciousness.^[77]

* 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]  

* 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]  

http://ignca.nic.in/Vedic_portal_rigveda_shakala_Samhita_m01.htm  Agni Sukta as given in Vedic heritage portal with pronunciation.

http://ignca.nic.in/Vedic_portal_rigveda_shakala_Samhita_m01.htm  Agni Sukta as given in Vedic heritage portal with pronunciation.

https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/essay/essay_1.html  

https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/essay/essay_1.html

http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_portal_yajurveda_shukla_kanva_isavasyopanisad01.htm

http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_portal_yajurveda_shukla_kanva_isavasyopanisad01.htm

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

== References ==

== References ==