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अग्नेर्होत्रेण प्रणुदे सपत्नान् - Atharvaveda 9.2.6

अग्नेर्होत्रेण प्रणुदे सपत्नान् - Atharvaveda 9.2.6

== Agni in Brahmanas ==

== Agni in Brahmanas ==

Shatapata Brahmana (Shukla Yajurveda)  

 

'''Madhyandhina satapatabrahmanam''' (Shukla Yajurveda)  

The 6th Kanda of Shatapatha Brahmana (SB 6.1.1.1) starts with the description of Agnichayana or building of the fire altar. This kanda describes the importance of Agni, the fire, who is identified with Prajapati, the Srustikarta, who is the source of life in this world. Prajapati as the Srutikarta creates all the celestial beings and heavenly bodies such as Aakasha and nakshtras. He also creates  Agni as the sacrificial fire.   

The 6th Kanda of Shatapatha Brahmana (SB 6.1.1.1) starts with the description of Agnichayana or building of the fire altar. This kanda describes the importance of Agni, the fire, who is identified with Prajapati, the Srustikarta, who is the source of life in this world. Prajapati as the Srutikarta creates all the celestial beings and heavenly bodies such as Aakasha and nakshtras. He also creates  Agni as the sacrificial fire.   

Add the material collected from Shatapatabrahmana 6.1.1. (vedamu.org)

Add the material collected from Shatapatabrahmana 6.1.1. (vedamu.org)

'''Kanvasatpathabrahmanam''' (SB.IV.i.iv.11) calls Agni "wisdom".  The Adhvara (4th) kanda has 9 adhyayas each of which contains 4 brahmanas further divided into varying kaandikas describe the Agnistoma yagna wherein detailed procedures involving many "isthis" (sub parts of a yagna) including the construction of the yagasala and invocation of Agni are given. Add material collected from Kanva SB Vol 3 page 21 16/11/2017 [http://ignca.nic.in/eBooks/KANVASATAPATHABRAHMAAAM_Vol_III.pdf]

 

The Kanvasatpathabrahmanam (SB.IV.i.iv.11) calls Agni "wisdom" and the "ind."^{[note 15][61]} Rishi Bharadavaja Barhaspatya, in a mantra addressed to Agni Vaishvanara^{[note 16]} calls Agni "the mind swiftest among (all) those that fly."^[62]  Rishi Praskanva states that Agni represents great learning and enlightening wisdom, which ought to be sought, located and humbly approached.  

 

SB X.vi.5.8-9

== Agni in Upanishads ==

== Agni in Upanishads ==

'''Isavasyopanishad'''

'''Isavasyopanishad'''

'''Kena Upanishad''', Agni reveals his identity as the heat energy and the ever-burning flame of the conscious force in matter, that makes up the entire world.The gods sent first Agni to find out the nature of Brahman, which means it is Agni that releases the energy which is latent in all beings. Moreover, the sage of the Kena Upanishad refers to the functional differentiation and specialization of body parts, on which account the life-stream progresses, when he speaks of Agni becoming the speech and entering the mouth, and Vayu becoming breath and entering the nostrils.

'''Kena Upanishad''', Agni reveals his identity as the heat energy and the ever-burning flame of the conscious force in matter, that makes up the entire world.The gods sent first Agni to find out the nature of Brahman, which means it is Agni that releases the energy which is latent in all beings. Moreover, the sage of the Kena Upanishad refers to the functional differentiation and specialization of body parts, on which account the life-stream progresses, when he speaks of Agni becoming the speech and entering the mouth, and Vayu becoming breath and entering the nostrils.

The Katha Upanishad tells how Yama taught Nachiketa the secrets of the fire that leads to heaven, and what bricks were required to build the altar.

 

'''Katha Upanishad''' tells how Yama taught Nachiketa the secrets of the fire that leads to heaven and what bricks were required to build the altar.

 

 

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

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

'''Chandogya Upanishad''' (Chap 5 and 6) describe the ''Panchagnividya'', the meditation on the five fires (sumbolic). Panchagnividya, however, is not actually fires in the physical sense, or an outward sacrificial activity, nor a penance or tapas but deals with the knowledge or meditation to know the inner meaning of the common phenomenon of birth and death. It is a method of meditation wherein evolution and the cycle of samsara-chakra is understood such that a householder frees himself from the bondage of the samsara-chakra. This all inclusiveness and comprehension of various aspects of the world and their relationship to the Universe is the secret of the meditation that is Panchagnividya. It explains the interconnectivity of everything that exists, with creation as a kind of sacrifice. Each manifestation, the microcosm, is a manifestation of ''Prakrti'', the macrocosm.

 

'''Chandogya Upanishad''' (Chap 5 and 6) describe the ''Panchagnividya'', the meditation on the five fires (symbolic). Panchagnividya, however, is not actually fires in the physical sense, or an outward sacrificial activity, nor a penance or tapas but deals with the knowledge or meditation to know the inner meaning of the common phenomenon of birth and death. It is a method of meditation wherein evolution and the cycle of samsara-chakra is understood such that a householder frees himself from the bondage of the samsara-chakra. This all inclusiveness and comprehension of various aspects of the world and their relationship to the Universe is the secret of the meditation that is Panchagnividya. It explains the interconnectivity of everything that exists, with creation as a kind of sacrifice. Each manifestation, the microcosm, is a manifestation of ''Prakrti'', the macrocosm.

The Dialogue of the Three Fires with Upakosala, the student of Satyakama Jabali reveals Agni's knowledge of the Brahman.   

The Dialogue of the Three Fires with Upakosala, the student of Satyakama Jabali reveals Agni's knowledge of the Brahman.   

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (I.ii.5)

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (I.ii.5)

== Agni In Ramayana and Mahabharata ==

== Agni In Ramayana and Mahabharata ==

Valmiki Ramayana ( Balakanda Chap 36) details the birth of Kaartikeya and the role of Agni, His leadership of Krittika nakshatra.  

Valmiki Ramayana ( Balakanda Chap 36) details the birth of Kaartikeya and the role of Agni, His leadership of Krittika nakshatra.