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Panchagni means 5 Agnis or fires. In vedic and puranic literature, Panchagni has been mentioned as a methodology used for performing severe austerities. There are many instances of तपस् ॥ tapas (penance) for thousands of years, performed by different celestial beings including कुबेरः ॥ Kubera, पार्वती ॥ Parvati and असुराः ॥ asuras such as महिषासुरः ॥ Mahishasura and तारकासुरः ॥ Tarakasura, by standing or sitting in the midst of a set of five fires called Panchagni.

Panchagni means 5 Agnis or fires. In vedic and puranic literature, Panchagni has been mentioned as a methodology used for performing severe austerities. There are many instances of तपस् ॥ tapas (penance) for thousands of years, performed by different celestial beings including कुबेरः ॥ Kubera, पार्वती ॥ Parvati and असुराः ॥ asuras such as महिषासुरः ॥ Mahishasura and तारकासुरः ॥ Tarakasura, by standing or sitting in the midst of a set of five fires called Panchagni.

According to Puranic Encyclopaedia<ref>Vettam. Mani, (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature].'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>, रोहिणी ॥ Rohini - a daughter, सोमः ॥ Soma - a son and अग्निः ॥ [[Agni (आग्निः)|Agni]], were born to निशा ॥ Nisha, the third wife of मनुः ॥ [[Manu (मनुः)|Manu]]. Besides them, they begot five sons in the form of Agni (fire) and these five are called Panchagnis. They are वैश्वानरः ॥ Vaishvanara, विश्वपतिः ॥ Vishvapati, सन्निहितः ॥ Sannihita, कपिलः ॥ Kapila and अग्रणी ॥ Agrani.  

According to Puranic Encyclopaedia<ref name=":1" />, रोहिणी ॥ Rohini - a daughter, सोमः ॥ Soma - a son and अग्निः ॥ [[Agni (आग्निः)|Agni]], were born to निशा ॥ Nisha, the third wife of मनुः ॥ [[Manu (मनुः)|Manu]]. Besides them, they begot five sons in the form of Agni (fire) and these five are called Panchagnis. They are वैश्वानरः ॥ Vaishvanara, विश्वपतिः ॥ Vishvapati, सन्निहितः ॥ Sannihita, कपिलः ॥ Kapila and अग्रणी ॥ Agrani.  

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. 

Once during the istikas performed by the maharshis, Agni gets infatuated with the wives of the Saptarshis who came to take part in the istikas. Agni after delivering the havishya, notices the beautiful wives of the Saptarshis and desires them. Knowing that his Kaama (desire) for them is inappropriate thus unable to fulfill his wish he goes to the forest dejected. Svahadevi, daughter of Daksha, who chose Agni as her husband, assumes the forms of the wives of Saptarshi's and approaches him first in the form of the wife of Angirasa called Shivaa. Later she pleases him assuming the forms of 6 wives of the 6 Saptarshis except Arundhati, the wife of Vasishta rishi.   

Once during the istikas performed by the maharshis, Agni gets infatuated with the wives of the Saptarshis who came to take part in the istikas. Agni after delivering the havishya, notices the beautiful wives of the Saptarshis and desires them. Knowing that his Kaama (desire) for them is inappropriate thus unable to fulfill his wish he goes to the forest dejected. Svahadevi, daughter of Daksha, who chose Agni as her husband, assumes the forms of the wives of Saptarshi's and approaches him first in the form of the wife of Angirasa called Shivaa. Later she pleases him assuming the forms of 6 wives of the 6 Saptarshis except Arundhati, the wife of Vasishta rishi.   

Svahadevi, places Agni's energy so fallen 6 times, in a pot, which takes the form of lustrous boy with 6 heads and pairs of hands. This valorous son of Agni was called Skanda by maharshi Viswamitra. Saptarishis except Vasishta hearing this news forsake their wives assuming infidelity on their part. However, later on learning the truth, they take their wives back (Maha. Vanaparva Chapters 223 - 227). Skanda, as the leader of the army of devatas was instrumental in the death of Taarakasura. Indra then offers his daughter, Devasena, to Skanda.   

Svahadevi, places Agni's energy so fallen 6 times, in a pot, which takes the form of lustrous boy with 6 heads and pairs of hands. This valorous son of Agni was called Skanda by maharshi Viswamitra. Saptarishis except Vasishta hearing this news forsake their wives assuming infidelity on their part. However, later on learning the truth, they take their wives back (Maha. Vanaparva Chapters 223 - 227)<ref>Pt. Ram Narayandatt. Mahabharat Volume 2 ( [https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata%2002_%20Sanskrit-Hindi_Pandit%20Ramnarayan_Gita%20Press#page/n723/mode/2up Vanaparva Adhyaya 225]) Gorakhpur: Gita Press</ref>. Skanda, as the leader of the army of devatas was instrumental in the death of Taarakasura. Indra then offers his daughter, Devasena, to Skanda.   

=== अग्निप्रवेसम् ॥ Agnipravesham ===

=== अग्निप्रवेसम् ॥ Agnipravesham ===

Valmiki Ramayana (Yuddhakanda) describes the Agnipareeksha or 'Fire ordeal' undergone by Sitadevi after death of Ravanaasura. Bhagavan Sri Rama, informs Sita that he has released her from her bondage from Ravanaasura and that she is free to go to the place of her choice. Unable to bear the thought of going anywhere else other than being with her husband Rama, she choses to enter the fire. Agni proving Sita's chastity returns her back to Sri Rama. There are different versions to this event, however, the role of Agni is as a witness to all deeds and as a purifier has been significant throughout different eras.   

Valmiki Ramayana (Yuddhakanda) describes the Agnipareeksha or 'Fire ordeal' undergone by Sitadevi after death of Ravanaasura. Bhagavan Sri Rama, informs Sita that he has released her from her bondage from Ravanaasura and that she is free to go to the place of her choice. Unable to bear the thought of going anywhere else other than being with her husband Rama, she choses to enter the fire. Agni proving Sita's chastity returns her back to Sri Rama. There are different versions to this event, however, the role of Agni is as a witness to all deeds and as a purifier has been significant throughout different eras.   

=== शिबिचक्रवर्तिः ॥ Shibi Chakravarty ===

=== शिबिचक्रवर्तिः ॥ Shibi Chakravarty ===

Shibi (Usheenara) Chakravarthy, belonging to the Ikshvaku dynasty, the ancestor of Bhagavan Sri Rama, was famous for his righteousness and charity. Indradeva who wanted to test his daatrutvam (sense of charity), assumed the form of an eagle and Agnideva assumed the form of a dove who was a prey to the eagle. The dove takes sharanagati or  refuge in Shibi Charavarty, who then offered an equal weight of his own flesh to the eagle in exchange of dove's life.  Assuming the dove to weigh a little, Shibi offered a portion of his flesh, but soon he had to offer himself as the food to the eagle. Shibi's sacrifice for the bird was highly praised and both Agni and Indra offered him a place in the heavens in return (Mahabharata, Vanaparva Chapter 131).

Shibi (Usheenara) Chakravarthy, belonging to the Ikshvaku dynasty, the ancestor of Bhagavan Sri Rama, was famous for his righteousness and charity. Indradeva who wanted to test his daatrutvam (sense of charity), assumed the form of an eagle and Agnideva assumed the form of a dove who was a prey to the eagle. The dove takes sharanagati or  refuge in Shibi Charavarty, who then offered an equal weight of his own flesh to the eagle in exchange of dove's life.  Assuming the dove to weigh a little, Shibi offered a portion of his flesh, but soon he had to offer himself as the food to the eagle. Shibi's sacrifice for the bird was highly praised and both Agni and Indra offered him a place in the heavens in return (Mahabharata, Vanaparva Chapter 131)<ref>Pt. Ram Narayandatt. Mahabharat Volume 2 ([https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata%2002_%20Sanskrit-Hindi_Pandit%20Ramnarayan_Gita%20Press#page/n417/mode/2up (Vanaparva, Adhyaya 131]) Gorakhapur:Gita Press</ref>.

== Agni In Shrimad Bhagavadgita ==

== Agni In Shrimad Bhagavadgita ==

In Shrimad Bhagavad Gita (Sloka 15.14) it is said: ":अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः 

In Shrimad Bhagavad Gita (Sloka 15.14) it is said: ":अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः 

== Ayurvedic Perspective ==

== Ayurvedic Perspective ==

Agni is an important vital entity in Ayurveda. Agni is the indispensable agent involved in the process of Paaka (Digestion and transformation).  Different Ayurvedic texts mention that Agni is Pitta, one of the tridoshas of the human body, which are vaata, pitta and kapha.  Different texts mention different numbers of Agni present in the body, however according to the function and site of action there are 13 in number - 1 Jatharagni, 5 Bhutagnis and 7 Dhatvaagni.  

Agni is an important vital entity in Ayurveda. Agni is the indispensable agent involved in the process of Paaka (Digestion and transformation).<ref>Agrawal, Akash Kumar, C. R. Yadav, and M. S. Meena. “Physiological Aspects of ''Agni''.” ''Ayu'' 31.3 (2010): 395–398. ''PMC''. Web. 1 Mar. 2018.</ref> Different Ayurvedic texts mention that Agni is Pitta, one of the tridoshas of the human body, which are vaata, pitta and kapha.  Different texts mention different numbers of Agni present in the body, however according to the function and site of action there are 13 in number - 1 Jatharagni, 5 Bhutagnis and 7 Dhatvaagni.  

Jataraagni, the most important, aids in digestion of four types of food and transforms it into Rasa and Mala (waste and toxins), thus converting the gross matter to subtle substance thereby providing energy for body's needs. 

Jataraagni, the most important Agni, aids in digestion of four types of food and transforms it into Rasa and Mala (waste and toxins), thus converting the gross matter to subtle substance thereby providing energy for body's needs. 

Ayurveda also defines three types of Agni based on the digestion types and Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) - Vishaamgni, Teekshanagni, Mandaagni.  Samaagni is a state of balanced Agni of the body.  

Ayurveda also defines three types of Agni based on the digestion types and Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) - Vishaamgni, Teekshanagni, Mandaagni.  Samaagni is a state of balanced Agni of the body.  

== Verses and Meanings ==

== Verses and Meanings ==

Rig veda mantras 1.26.1 to 10 praise Agni as the bearer of yagna havisya (sacrificial offerings) from मर्त्याः (humans) to अमर्त्याः (celestial beings).

Rig veda mantras 1.26.1 to 10<ref>Rig Veda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7.%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%AC Mandala 1, Sukta 26])</ref> praise Agni as the bearer of yagna havisya (sacrificial offerings) from मर्त्याः (humans) to अमर्त्याः (celestial beings).

आजीगर्तिः शुनःशेप स कृत्रिमो वैश्वामित्रो देवरातः। अग्निः,। गायत्री।

आजीगर्तिः शुनःशेप स कृत्रिमो वैश्वामित्रो देवरातः। अग्निः,। गायत्री।

== References ==

== References ==

# 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

# 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

# Mahabharata Vana parva (Chap 225)

# Mahabharata Vana parva (Chap 225)https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata%2002_%20Sanskrit-Hindi_Pandit%20Ramnarayan_Gita%20Press#page/n723/mode/2up

# Valmiki Ramayana (Balakanda) http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/vr_index.htm

# Valmiki Ramayana (Balakanda) http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/vr_index.htm