Changes

*    '''Dikpalaka''' : He is the one of the [[Astadikpalakas (अष्टदिक्पालकाः)|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 [[Astadikpalakas (अष्टदिक्पालकाः)|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

<blockquote>सूर्यः द्युस्थानः । वायुः वा इन्द्रः वा अन्तरिक्षस्थानः । अग्निः पृथिवीस्थानः ।(Nirukta 7.5)<ref name=":0">Nirukta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 7])</ref></blockquote>

* Self illumine bodies such as Surya in the Antariksha or heavenly Cosmic regions.  

** Self illumine bodies such as Surya in the Antariksha or heavenly Cosmic regions.   

** Badabaagni in water (underground volcanic structures)  

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

** Jataraagni in all mortal beings as hunger  

* Vadavagni or Badabaagni in water (underground volcanic structures)

* Jataraagni in all mortal beings as hunger  

Thus, as an element that lights up and consumes everything He plays a very significant role in Sristi.

Thus, as an element that lights up and consumes everything He plays a very significant role in Sristi.

*  '''Devataswaroopam''' : He is prominent as the twin brother of Indra and the husband of Svāhā and Svadhā, and the father of Daksiham, Garhapatyam and Ahavanīyam.  

*  '''Devataswaroopam''' : He is prominent as the twin brother of Indra and the husband of Svāhā and Svadhā, and the father of Daksiham, Garhapatyam and Ahavanīyam.  

*  '''Jnana Tattvam''' : He is also known as the God of Knowledge. Knowledge or nature of every object is known only in the presence of Light or Deepam.  But Fire is, by nature, self illumine and does not need another lamp to reveal its nature.   

*  '''Jnana Tattvam''' : He is also known as the devata for Jnana or Knowledge. Knowledge or nature of every object is known only in the presence of Light or Deepam.  But Fire is, by nature, self illumines and does not need another lamp to reveal its nature.   

==  व्युत्पत्ति || Etymology ==

==  व्युत्पत्ति || Etymology ==

'''[[Amarakosha]]''' defines the following about Agni in स्वर्गवर्गः (Prathama kanda Slokas 53 - 57)<blockquote>अग्निर्वैश्वानरो वह्निर्वीतिहोत्रो धनंजयः । कृपीटयोनिर्ज्वलनो जातवेदास्तनूनपात् ॥ (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 53)</blockquote><blockquote>बर्हिः शुष्मा कृष्णवर्त्मा शोचिष्केश उषर्बुधः । आशयाशो बृह्दभानुः कृशानुः पावकोनलः ॥ (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 54)</blockquote><blockquote>रोहिताश्वो वायुसखः शिखावानाशुशुक्षणिः । हिरण्यरेता हुतभुग्दहनो हव्यवाहनः ॥ (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 55)</blockquote><blockquote>सप्तार्चिर्दमुनाः शुक्रश्चित्रभानुर्विभावसुः । शुचिरप्पित्तमौर्वस्तु वाडवो वडवानलः ॥ (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 56)</blockquote><blockquote>वह्नेर्द्वयोर्ज्वालकिलावर्चिर्हेतिः शिखा स्त्रियाम् । त्रिषु स्फुलिङ्गोग्निकणः संतापः संज्वरः समौ || (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 57)</blockquote>Different names of Agni include Agni, Vaishvanara, Krushanu, Jaataveda, Barhihi, Paavaka, Analaha, Vayusakha, Hiranyareta, Havyavahana, Jwala, Chitrabhanu, Vadavanala and other names.  

* '''[[Amarakosha]]''' defines the following about Agni in स्वर्गवर्गः (Prathama kanda Slokas 53 - 57, Page No 12 of Reference 2)<ref>[http://www.sanskritebooks.org/2009/07/amara-kosa-the-sanskrit-thesaurus-with-notes-index/ Amarakosha]</ref>

 

<blockquote>अग्निर्वैश्वानरो वह्निर्वीतिहोत्रो धनंजयः । कृपीटयोनिर्ज्वलनो जातवेदास्तनूनपात् ॥ (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 53)</blockquote><blockquote>बर्हिः शुष्मा कृष्णवर्त्मा शोचिष्केश उषर्बुधः । आशयाशो बृह्दभानुः कृशानुः पावकोनलः ॥ (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 54)</blockquote><blockquote>रोहिताश्वो वायुसखः शिखावानाशुशुक्षणिः । हिरण्यरेता हुतभुग्दहनो हव्यवाहनः ॥ (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 55)</blockquote><blockquote>सप्तार्चिर्दमुनाः शुक्रश्चित्रभानुर्विभावसुः । शुचिरप्पित्तमौर्वस्तु वाडवो वडवानलः ॥ (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 56)</blockquote><blockquote>वह्नेर्द्वयोर्ज्वालकिलावर्चिर्हेतिः शिखा स्त्रियाम् । त्रिषु स्फुलिङ्गोग्निकणः संतापः संज्वरः समौ || (Amara 1. स्वर्ग. 57)</blockquote>Different names of Agni include Agni, Vaishvanara, Krushanu, Jaataveda, Barhihi, Paavaka, Analaha, Vayusakha, Hiranyareta, Havyavahana, Jwala, Chitrabhanu, Vadavanala and other names.  

According to Shabdakalpadruma, अङ्गयन्ति अग्य्रं जन्म प्रापयन्ति इतिव्युत्पत्त्या... अङ्गति ऊर्द्ध्वं गच्छति इति . अगि गतौ  

* According to Shabdakalpadruma, अङ्गयन्ति अग्य्रं जन्म प्रापयन्ति इतिव्युत्पत्त्या... अङ्गति ऊर्द्ध्वं गच्छति इति . अगि गतौ  

Meaning : Agni is that which goes upward, and who was "first born" derived from the dhatu - अग् used in the meaning कुटिलायां गतौ (as in Panini's Dhatupatha) meaning that which moves crookedly.   

Meaning : Agni is that which goes upward, and who was "first born" derived from the dhatu - अग् used in the meaning कुटिलायां गतौ (as in Panini's Dhatupatha) meaning that which moves crookedly.   

 

* Yaskacharya explains in Nirukta (7.14) अग्रणीः भवति । अग्रम् अथ अतः अनुक्रमिष्यामः<ref name=":0" /> - अग्नि (Agni) is so called because he is अग्रणी (Agrani), the foremost leader, whom one follows.

Agni has three forms: 'fire', 'lightning' and 'the Sun'.  Agni is the drying agent which neither wets nor moistens anything.

 

हविः प्रक्षेपाधिकरणेषु गार्हपत्याहवनी-यदक्षिणाग्निसभ्यावसथ्यौपासनाख्येषु षड्ग्निषु .

 

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.

== 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. Agni has three forms: 'fire', 'lightning' and 'the Sun'.  Agni is the drying agent which neither wets nor moistens anything.   

=== हव्यवाहनः ॥ Havyavahana  ===

=== हव्यवाहनः ॥ Havyavahana  ===

Agni is the very personification of the sacrificial fire. He is associated with Vedic sacrifice, taking offerings of men to the other world in his fire. He is the priest of the gods, and the god of the priests. Through ''yajna'' he carries the oblations to the gods, to ensure the continuance of conditions favorable to mankind. No devata is approachable without the medium of Agni, and no divinity is without the presence of Agni.       

Agni is the very personification of the sacrificial fire. He is associated with Vedic sacrifice, taking offerings of men to the other world in his fire. He is the priest of the gods, and the god of the priests. Through ''yajna'' he carries the oblations to the gods, to ensure the continuance of conditions favorable to mankind. No devata is approachable without the medium of Agni, and no divinity is without the presence of Agni.       

In the Vedic literature, Agni occupies, after Indra, the most important position. He occupies a prominent place in the Vedas (both as a deity and as a mantra-drastha) and particularly the Brahmanas.  Agni also has the role of a mantra-drashta as to him are revealed many mantras of the 9th Mandala of Rig veda.     

In the Vedic literature, Agni occupies, after Indra, the most important position. He occupies a prominent place in the Vedas (both as a deity and as a mantra-drastha) and particularly the Brahmanas.  Agni also has the role of a mantra-drashta as to him are revealed many mantras of the 9th Mandala of Rig veda.     

The first mantra of the Rig veda (1.1.1) starts with the word Agni of the Agni sukta and and thereafter many mantras and suktas are given lauding his role in the existence of life forms.  Rig Veda mantras (1.26.1 to 10) extol the role of Agni as the  वरेण्य: (distinguished or chief ) पूर्व्य होता (Sanatana Yagnakarta).     

The first mantra of the Rig veda (1.1.1) starts with the word Agni of the Agni sukta and and thereafter many mantras and suktas are given lauding his role in the existence of life forms.  Rig Veda mantras (1.26.1 to 10) extol the role of Agni as the  वरेण्य: (distinguished or chief ) पूर्व्य होता (Sanatana Yagnakarta). Agni acts as the intermediary between man and devatas as the divine sacrificial priest. In Rig veda, the first sukta, where Agni is praised for his presence, he brings in all other deities to bless the yagnakarta (performer of the vedic ritual) with abundance, wealth and fulfill the desires when pleased. Grhyagni or Aupasana Agni and Srautagni the are thus maintained by the grihasthas, and offerings (ghee, rice, purnaahuti etc) are made to Agnideva. This is of three types - nitya, naimittika and kaamya.     

The Taittiriya samhita outlines the different activities of a householder as the one who tends the Agnihotra for the welfare of nature, animals and plants and fellow human beings.     

The Taittiriya samhita outlines the different activities of a householder as the one who tends the Grhyagni for the welfare of nature, animals and plants and fellow human beings.     

=== ज्ञानप्रदायकः ॥ Jnanapradayaka ===

=== ज्ञानप्रदायकः ॥ Jnanapradayaka ===

In Isavasyopanishad, Agni is worshiped as the torch bearer to the departing soul, leading it through the path of the Devatas (Devayana) towards the Parabrahman.  He is the witness to the deeds of all beings.         

In Isavasyopanishad, Agni is worshiped as the torch bearer to the departing soul, leading it through the path of the Devatas (Devayana) towards the Parabrahman.  He is the witness to the deeds of all beings.         

=== Chaturvidhi Agni (Four Fires) ===

=== Chaturvidhi Agni (Four Fires) ===

११.८.२ अग्नेश्चातुर्विध्याभिधायकं ब्राह्मणम्

११.८.२ अग्नेश्चातुर्विध्याभिधायकं ब्राह्मणम्

Such a penance that is performed amidst the five agnis is said to be very austere and is performed with an intention to please ब्रह्मा ॥ [[Brahma (ब्रह्मा)|Brahma]] or the others in the Trinity for obtaining material boons. 

Such a penance that is performed amidst the five agnis is said to be very austere and is performed with an intention to please ब्रह्मा ॥ [[Brahma (ब्रह्मा)|Brahma]] or the others in the Trinity for obtaining material boons. 

=== Shad Agni (Six Fires) ===

=== षड्ग्नयः ॥ Shad Agni (Six Fires) ===

According to Shabdakalpadruma names of षड्ग्नयः six fires are given where हविस् havis is offered, namely Garhapatya, Aahavaniya, Dakshinagni, Sabha, Avasatya, Aupasana Agnis.

According to Shabdakalpadruma names of षड्ग्नयः six fires into which हविस् havis is offered, are Garhapatya, Aahavaniya, Dakshinagni, Sabha, Avasatya, Aupasana Agnis.<blockquote>हविः प्रक्षेपाधिकरणेषु गार्हपत्याहवनीय-दक्षिणाग्निसभ्यावसथ्यौपासनाख्येषु षड्ग्निषु ।</blockquote>

 

हविः प्रक्षेपाधिकरणेषु गार्हपत्याहवनीय-दक्षिणाग्निसभ्यावसथ्यौपासनाख्येषु षड्ग्निषु ।

When Agni is praised for his presence, he brings all other deities to bless the yagnakarta (performer of the vedic ritual) with abundance, wealth and fulfill the desires when pleased. [[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotram]], or the sacrificial fires are thus kept by the grihasthas, and offerings (ghee, rice, purnaahuti etc) are made to Agnideva. This is of three types - nitya, naimittika and kaamya.

<blockquote>जातवेदाः कस्मात् । जातवित् यः वा जातप्रज्ञानः । जातानि वेद । तस्य एषा भवति । जाते जाते विद्यते इति वा । जातधनः ।(Nirukta 7.19)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Meaning : Jatavedas is used as in - one who knows all creatures by birth, one who knows Vedas by birth.    <blockquote>जातवेदसे सुनवाम सोममरातीयतो निदहाति वेदः । स नः पर्षदति दुर्गाणि विश्वा नावेव सिन्धुं दुरितात्यग्निः ॥१॥ (Rig. Veda. 1.99.1)</blockquote>In this famous Durga Sukta, containing Rig veda mantras (also compiled in Taittriya Upanishad), Agni is praised as the protector who knows all creatures by birth, to whom Soma is offered and who burns all the impediments that arise in life.    

Kravyaad (क्रव्याद) is the form of Agni which consumes corpses, the fire of the funeral pyre; the fire that burns the corpses can consume everything. In this form, after one’s death and at the time of cremation, Agni heats up and burns the body (SB 2.2.4.8) and is the fastest way to unite the body's panchabhutas (five elements) back into them. Agni thus releases the Jeevatma from the body, and the soul then starts its ascent to the higher realms based on its Karma.

=== क्रव्याद ॥ Kravyaad ===

Kravyaad is invoked to burn the flesh (corpses and animal parts) in the Pitri-yajna for which purpose Agni is obtained from the rays of the Surya. (Rig. Veda. 10.16.9)

Shatapata Brahmana (11.8.2) mentions about four different fires and their association to the 4 directions.  

Kravyaad (क्रव्याद) is the form of Agni which consumes corpses, the fire of the funeral pyre; the fire that burns the corpses can consume everything. In this form, after one’s death and at the time of cremation, Agni heats up and burns the body (SB 2.2.4.8) and is the fastest way to unite the body's panchabhutas (five elements) back into them. Agni thus releases the Jeevatma from the body, and the soul then starts its ascent to the higher realms based on its Karma.

११.८.२ अग्नेश्चातुर्विध्याभिधायकं ब्राह्मणम्

११.८.२ अग्नेश्चातुर्विध्याभिधायकं ब्राह्मणम्

* Rig veda describes the birth of Agni from water. (Rig. Veda. 1.45.1)   

* Rig veda describes the birth of Agni from water. (Rig. Veda. 1.45.1)   

* 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>Meaning : Agni (Fire) is forehead of the Paramapurusha while Surya and Chandra are the eyes. Vaayu is the breath.

* 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: | वायु: प्राणो हृदयं विश्वमस्य पद्भयां पृथिवी ह्येष सर्वभूतान्तरात्मा || " (Mund. Upan. 2.1.4).</blockquote>Meaning : Agni (Fire) is forehead of the Paramapurusha while Surya and Chandra are the eyes. Vaayu is the breath.

* Agni was born to Pururavas as a son named Jaatavedas according to Shrimad Bhaagavatam (Navama Skanda, Chap 14).  

* Agni was born to Pururavas as a son named Jaatavedas according to Shrimad Bhaagavatam (Navama Skanda, Chap 14).  

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.   

== References ==

== References ==

# The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

# The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

# Amarakosha Reference : <nowiki>http://www.sanskritebooks.org/2009/07/amara-kosa-the-sanskrit-thesaurus-with-notes-index/</nowiki> (Page no 12)

#  

# http://ignca.nic.in/Vedic_portal_rigveda_shakala_Samhita_m01.htm  Agni Sukta (1.1) and (1.26) as given in Vedic heritage portal with pronunciation.

# http://ignca.nic.in/Vedic_portal_rigveda_shakala_Samhita_m01.htm  Agni Sukta (1.1) and (1.26) as given in Vedic heritage portal with pronunciation.

# Pt. Sripada Damodara Satavalekar. (1985). ''Rigved ka Subodh Bhashya'', First Volume, Parady: Svadhyaya Mandali

# Pt. Sripada Damodara Satavalekar. (1985). ''Rigved ka Subodh Bhashya'', First Volume, Parady: Svadhyaya Mandali