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The word ''agni'' is samskrit for "fire" (noun).  Agni has three forms: 'fire', 'lightning' and 'the Sun'.  Agni is the drying agent which neither wets nor moistens anything.  

The word ''agni'' is samskrit for "fire" (noun).  Agni has three forms: 'fire', 'lightning' and 'the Sun'.  Agni is the drying agent which neither wets nor moistens anything.  

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; अग्नि (Agni) is carried at the front in all ritualistic undertakings (yajnas).

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.

The ancient seers divided Agni into three parts –   

# गार्हपत्यः ॥ Gaarhapatya ( Agni used by for general domestic usage) 

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.

# आहवनीयः॥ Aahavaniya (Agni used for inviting and welcoming a personage or deity)  

 

# दक्षिणाग्निः ॥ Dakshinaagni (Agni used for fighting against evil).

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

The Rig Veda often says that Agni arises from water or dwells in the waters; the Vedic sage says that Agni manifesting in the waters and seated in the lap of the winding waters, flaming upward, increases; and that Agni was born by the prowess of Tvashtr (Rig Veda I.95.5).  

# गार्हपत्यः ॥ Gaarhapatya ( Agni used by grihastas for general domestic usage). It is placed to the west of the yagnavedi. 

# आहवनीयः॥ Aahavaniya (Agni used for yaagas where a particular offerings are made to deities). It is derived from the Gaarhapatya agni and placed east of the yagnavedi.

# दक्षिणाग्निः ॥ Dakshinaagni (Agni used to give offerings to pitris). It is also derived from the Gaarhapatya Agni and placed south of the yagnavedi.

== Role of Agni  ==

== Role of Agni  ==

Agni is the god of fire and sacrifice, of divine knowledge, and is also associated with water.  Agni, identified with energy and action, is the first emanation and the sacred spark hidden within all beings.   

Agni is the god of fire and sacrifice, of divine knowledge, and is also associated with water.  Agni, identified with energy and action, is the first emanation and the sacred spark hidden within all beings.