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Prajapati as the Srustikarta creates all the celestial beings and heavenly bodies such as Aakasha, nakshtras. He also creates Agni as the sacrificial fire.  <blockquote>अथ यो गर्भोऽन्तरासीत् - सोऽग्निरसृज्यत | स यदस्य सर्वस्याग्रमसृज्यत - तस्मादग्निः | अग्निर्हवै तमग्निरित्याचक्षते परोऽक्षम् | परोऽक्षकामा हि देवाः |.... 11 काण्डिका</blockquote><blockquote>atha yō garbhō'ntarāsīt - sō'gnirasr̥jyata | sa yadasya sarvasyāgramasr̥jyata - tasmādagniḥ | agnirhavai tamagnirityācakṣatē parō'kṣam | parō'kṣakāmā hi dēvāḥ |.... 11 kāṇḍikā</blockquote><blockquote>ततः 'यः' जातगर्भः, 'सः' "अग्निः असृज्यत" तस्मात् सर्वस्य स्थूलप्रपञ्चस्य "अग्रम्" आदौ सृष्टत्वात् अग्निरित्युच्यते | तम् अग्रिम् इदानीन्तना अग्निनाम्ना व्यवहारं कुर्वन्ति | .... Saayana Bhashyam of 11 काण्डिका </blockquote><blockquote>tataḥ 'yaḥ' jātagarbhaḥ, 'saḥ' "agniḥ asr̥jyata" tasmāt sarvasya sthūlaprapañcasya "agram" ādau sr̥ṣṭatvāt agnirityucyatē | tam agrim idānīntanā agnināmnā vyavahāraṁ kurvanti | .... Saayana Bhashyam of 11 kāṇḍikā</blockquote>Summary : Agni is described here as the form of heat which is the root of all creation. He is created first and forms the base for all gross creation until the present time. Hence Agni is called अग्रिम् || Agrim (first)     

Prajapati as the Srustikarta creates all the celestial beings and heavenly bodies such as Aakasha, nakshtras. He also creates Agni as the sacrificial fire.  <blockquote>अथ यो गर्भोऽन्तरासीत् - सोऽग्निरसृज्यत | स यदस्य सर्वस्याग्रमसृज्यत - तस्मादग्निः | अग्निर्हवै तमग्निरित्याचक्षते परोऽक्षम् | परोऽक्षकामा हि देवाः |.... 11 काण्डिका</blockquote><blockquote>atha yō garbhō'ntarāsīt - sō'gnirasr̥jyata | sa yadasya sarvasyāgramasr̥jyata - tasmādagniḥ | agnirhavai tamagnirityācakṣatē parō'kṣam | parō'kṣakāmā hi dēvāḥ |.... 11 kāṇḍikā</blockquote><blockquote>ततः 'यः' जातगर्भः, 'सः' "अग्निः असृज्यत" तस्मात् सर्वस्य स्थूलप्रपञ्चस्य "अग्रम्" आदौ सृष्टत्वात् अग्निरित्युच्यते | तम् अग्रिम् इदानीन्तना अग्निनाम्ना व्यवहारं कुर्वन्ति | .... Saayana Bhashyam of 11 काण्डिका </blockquote><blockquote>tataḥ 'yaḥ' jātagarbhaḥ, 'saḥ' "agniḥ asr̥jyata" tasmāt sarvasya sthūlaprapañcasya "agram" ādau sr̥ṣṭatvāt agnirityucyatē | tam agrim idānīntanā agnināmnā vyavahāraṁ kurvanti | .... Saayana Bhashyam of 11 kāṇḍikā</blockquote>Summary : Agni is described here as the form of heat which is the root of all creation. He is created first and forms the base for all gross creation until the present time. Hence Agni is called अग्रिम् || Agrim (first)     

=== Kanvasatpathabrahmanam ===

=== Satpathabrahmanam (Kanva) ===

It proclaims Agni as wisdom or discriminating power.  The Adhvara (4th) kanda has 9 adhyayas each of which contains 4 brahmanas further divided into varying number of kaandikas describe the Agnistoma yajna wherein detailed procedures involving many "इष्टिः || isthis" (similar to a yajna) including the construction of the yagasala and invocation of Agni are given. <blockquote>मेधायै मनसेऽग्नये स्वाहेति मेधया वै मनसाभिगच्छति यजेयेति तदस्येतदमुभयमात्मन्येव यन्मेधा च मनश्च ते अस्मिन्नेते उभे देवते आत्मन्याधीते || (Kanva Shata. Brah. 4.1.4.11)</blockquote><blockquote>mēdhāyai manasē'gnayē svāhēti mēdhayā vai manasābhigacchati yajēyēti tadasyētadamubhayamātmanyēva yanmēdhā ca manaśca tē asminnētē ubhē dēvatē ātmanyādhītē || (Kanva Shata. Brah. 4.1.4.11)</blockquote>Meaning : Yajamani chants " To wisdom, to mind, to Agni - Svaaha". He intends with his mind, " May I perform the yajna". These two - wisdom and mind are within himself. He meditates upon both these deities (intent) in his own mind.   

It proclaims Agni as wisdom or discriminating power.  The Adhvara (4th) kanda has 9 adhyayas each of which contains 4 brahmanas further divided into varying number of kaandikas. It describes the Agnistoma yajna wherein detailed procedures involving many "इष्टिः || isthis" (similar to a yajna) including the construction of the yagasala and invocation of Agni are given.<ref>Swaminathan. C. R. (2000). ''[http://ignca.nic.in/eBooks/KANVASATAPATHABRAHMAAAM_Vol_III.pdf Kanvasatapathabrahmanam]''[http://ignca.nic.in/eBooks/KANVASATAPATHABRAHMAAAM_Vol_III.pdf , Third Volume], New Delhi : Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts and Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd</ref> <blockquote>मेधायै मनसेऽग्नये स्वाहेति मेधया वै मनसाभिगच्छति यजेयेति तदस्येतदमुभयमात्मन्येव यन्मेधा च मनश्च ते अस्मिन्नेते उभे देवते आत्मन्याधीते || (Kanva Shata. Brah. 4.1.4.11)</blockquote><blockquote>mēdhāyai manasē'gnayē svāhēti mēdhayā vai manasābhigacchati yajēyēti tadasyētadamubhayamātmanyēva yanmēdhā ca manaśca tē asminnētē ubhē dēvatē ātmanyādhītē || (Kanva Shata. Brah. 4.1.4.11)</blockquote>Meaning : Yajamani chants " To wisdom, to mind, to Agni - Svaaha". He intends with his mind, " May I perform the yajna". These two - wisdom and mind are within himself. He meditates upon both these deities (intent) in his own mind.   

== Agni in Upanishads ==

== Agni in Upanishads ==

=== Isavasyopanishad ===

=== Isavasyopanishad ===

The vyahiritis to be performed if the sacrificial fires are injured are mentioned very beautifully in this Upanishad.<ref name=":22" />   

The vyahiritis to be performed if the sacrificial fires are injured are mentioned very beautifully in this Upanishad.<ref name=":22" />   

=== Mundaka Upanishad ===

=== Mundaka Upanishad ===

Mundakopanishad (1.2.1-5) describes the role of Agni in Karmakanda before a householder rises up in the Jnanamarga.  The procedure to light the Agnihotra and the consequences of not conducting the Agnihotra is explained in detail in this Mundaka.  <blockquote>यदा लेलायते हृार्चि: समिद्धे हव्यवाहने | तदाज्यभागावन्तरेणाहुती: प्रतिपादयेत् || (Mund. Upan. 1.2.2)</blockquote><blockquote>yadā lelāyate hr̥ārci: samiddhe havyavāhane | adājyabhāgāvantareṇāhutī: pratipādayet || (Mund. Upan. 1.2.2)</blockquote>Meaning : When the flames of the bearer of the sacrificial offerings (fire) are bright and high, let the offerings (of sacrificial ghee) be given, with faith, between the two (tongues) flares of the fire.<blockquote>यस्याग्निहोत्रमदर्शमपौर्णमासमचातुर्मास्यमनाग्रयणमतिथिवर्जितं च | अहुतमवैश्वदेवमविधिना हुतमाससप्तमां स्तस्य लोकान्हिनस्ति || (Mund. Upan. 1.2.3)</blockquote><blockquote>yasyāgnihotramadarśamapaurṇamāsamacāturmāsyamanāgrayaṇamatithivarjitaṁ ca | ahutamavaiśvadevamavidhinā hutamāsasaptamāṁ stasya lokānhinasti || (Mund. Upan. 1.2.3)</blockquote>One (householder) whose Agnihotra is devoid of the Darsa, Paurnamaasa Chaaturmasya (four autumnal observances) sacrifices, is not attended by the Atithi (uninvited guest), is without Vaisvedeva (offerings to the animals and birds) or is not performed without proper procedures or not performed at all (that Agnihotra) will destroy the seven worlds (of the householder).<blockquote>काली कराली च मनोजवा च सुलोहिता या च सुधूम्रवर्णा | स्फुलिङ्गिनीं विश्वरुची च देवी लेलायमाना इति सप्त जिह्वा: || (Mund. Upan. 1.2.4)</blockquote><blockquote>kālī karālī ca manojavā ca sulohitā yā ca sudhūmravarṇā | sphuliṅginīṁ viśvarucī ca devī lelāyamānā iti sapta jihvā: || (Mund. Upan. 1.2.4)</blockquote>Meaning : That Agni, devours with his seven tongues or flames namely Kālī (black), Karālī (terrible),Manojava (speedy as the mind), Sulohita (very red), Sudhumravarna (coloured like thick smoke'), Sphulingini (emitting sparks) and Vishwaruchi (having the fuel as the Sun)

Mundakopanishad (1.2.1-5) describes the role of Agni in Karmakanda before a householder rises up in the Jnanamarga.  The procedure to light Agni as a nityakarma and the consequences of not conducting it is explained in detail in this Mundaka.<ref name=":5">Swami Sharvananda. (1920) ''Mundaka and Mandukya Upanishads'' Madras : Sri Ramakrishna Math</ref> <blockquote>यदा लेलायते हृार्चि: समिद्धे हव्यवाहने | तदाज्यभागावन्तरेणाहुती: प्रतिपादयेत् || (Mund. Upan. 1.2.2)</blockquote><blockquote>yadā lelāyate hr̥ārci: samiddhe havyavāhane | adājyabhāgāvantareṇāhutī: pratipādayet || (Mund. Upan. 1.2.2)</blockquote>Meaning : When the flames of the bearer of the havisya offerings (fire) are bright and high, let the offerings (of sacrificial ghee) be given, with faith, between the two (tongues) flares of the fire.<blockquote>यस्याग्निहोत्रमदर्शमपौर्णमासमचातुर्मास्यमनाग्रयणमतिथिवर्जितं च | अहुतमवैश्वदेवमविधिना हुतमाससप्तमां स्तस्य लोकान्हिनस्ति || (Mund. Upan. 1.2.3)</blockquote><blockquote>yasyāgnihotramadarśamapaurṇamāsamacāturmāsyamanāgrayaṇamatithivarjitaṁ ca | ahutamavaiśvadevamavidhinā hutamāsasaptamāṁ stasya lokānhinasti || (Mund. Upan. 1.2.3)</blockquote>One (householder) whose Agnihotra is devoid of the Darsa, Paurnamaasa Chaaturmasya (four autumnal observances) sacrifices, is not attended by the Atithi (uninvited guest), is without Vaisvedeva (offerings to the animals and birds) or is not performed without proper procedures or not performed at all (that Agnihotra) will destroy the seven worlds (of the householder).<ref name=":5" /><blockquote>काली कराली च मनोजवा च सुलोहिता या च सुधूम्रवर्णा | स्फुलिङ्गिनीं विश्वरुची च देवी लेलायमाना इति सप्त जिह्वा: || (Mund. Upan. 1.2.4)</blockquote><blockquote>kālī karālī ca manojavā ca sulohitā yā ca sudhūmravarṇā | sphuliṅginīṁ viśvarucī ca devī lelāyamānā iti sapta jihvā: || (Mund. Upan. 1.2.4)</blockquote>Meaning : That Agni, devours with his seven tongues or flames namely Kālī (black), Karālī (terrible),Manojava (speedy as the mind), Sulohita (very red), Sudhumravarna (coloured like thick smoke'), Sphulingini (emitting sparks) and Vishwaruchi (having the fuel as the Sun)<ref>Chadha, Prem Nath. (1980). ''Nine Upanishads'' Delhi : Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha</ref>

== Verses and Meanings ==

== Verses and Meanings ==

अग्निसूक्त - ९ मधुच्छन्दा वैश्वामित्रः ऋषिः । अग्निः देवता।  गायत्री छन्दः। प्रथमं मण्डलम्।<ref>Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/mandal-01/ Mandala 1, Sukta 1])</ref>

अग्निसूक्त - ९ मधुच्छन्दा वैश्वामित्रः ऋषिः । अग्निः देवता।  गायत्री छन्दः। प्रथमं मण्डलम्।<ref>Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/mandal-01/ Mandala 1, Sukta 1])</ref>

agnisūkta - 9 madhucchandā vaiśvāmitraḥ r̥ṣiḥ । agniḥ devatā।  gāyatrī chandaḥ। prathamaṁ maṇḍalam। (Rig. Veda. 1.1.1 to 9)<blockquote>अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम् । होतारं रत्नधातमम् ॥१</blockquote><blockquote>agnimīḻe purohitaṁ yajñasya devamr̥tvijam । hotāraṁ ratnadhātamam ॥1</blockquote><blockquote>अग्निः पूर्वेभिर्ऋषिभिरीड्यो नूतनैरुत । स देवाँ एह वक्षति ॥२</blockquote><blockquote>agniḥ pūrvebhirr̥ṣibhirīḍyo nūtanairuta । sa devām̐ eha vakṣati ॥2</blockquote><blockquote>अग्निना रयिमश्नवत् पोषमेव दिवेदिवे । यशसं वीरवत्तमम् ॥३</blockquote><blockquote>agninā rayimaśnavat poṣameva divedive । yaśasaṁ vīravattamam ॥3</blockquote><blockquote>अग्ने यं यज्ञमध्वरं विश्वत: परिभूरसि । स इद् देवेषु गच्छति ॥४</blockquote><blockquote>agne yaṁ yajñamadhvaraṁ viśvata: paribhūrasi । sa id deveṣu gacchati ॥4</blockquote><blockquote>अग्निर्होता कविक्रतुः सत्यश्चित्रश्रवस्तमः । देवो देवेभिरा गमत् ॥५</blockquote><blockquote>agnirhotā kavikratuḥ satyaścitraśravastamaḥ । devo devebhirā gamat ॥5</blockquote><blockquote>यदङ्ग दाशुषे त्वमग्ने भद्रं करिष्यसि । तवेत् तत् सत्यमङ्गिरः ॥६</blockquote><blockquote>yadaṅga dāśuṣe tvamagne bhadraṁ kariṣyasi । tavet tat satyamaṅgiraḥ ॥6 </blockquote><blockquote>उप त्वाग्ने दिवेदिवे दोषावस्तर्धिया वयम् । नमो भरन्त एमसि ॥७</blockquote><blockquote>upa tvāgne divedive doṣāvastardhiyā vayam । namo bharanta emasi ॥7</blockquote><blockquote>राजन्तमध्वराणां गोपामृतस्य दीदिविम् । वर्धमानं स्वे दमे ॥८</blockquote><blockquote>rājantamadhvarāṇāṁ gopāmr̥tasya dīdivim । vardhamānaṁ sve dame ॥8</blockquote><blockquote>स न: पितेव सूनवे ऽग्ने सूपायनो भव । सचस्वा नः स्वस्तये ॥९ </blockquote><blockquote>sa na: piteva sūnave 'gne sūpāyano bhava । sacasvā naḥ svastaye ॥9 </blockquote>Summary : Agni, the chosen one as the minister of yajnas (sacrifice), is worthy to be praised for he brings along other deities with him (He is the bearer of sacrificial offerings from the Yajamani or the Performer of the Yajna). Agni bestows his worshiper with boundless riches and wealth. Indeed greatly revered is Agni, the dispeller of darkness.

agnisūkta - 9 madhucchandā vaiśvāmitraḥ r̥ṣiḥ । agniḥ devatā।  gāyatrī chandaḥ। prathamaṁ maṇḍalam। (Rig. Veda. 1.1.1 to 9)<blockquote>अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम् । होतारं रत्नधातमम् ॥१</blockquote><blockquote>agnimīḻe purohitaṁ yajñasya devamr̥tvijam । hotāraṁ ratnadhātamam ॥1</blockquote><blockquote>अग्निः पूर्वेभिर्ऋषिभिरीड्यो नूतनैरुत । स देवाँ एह वक्षति ॥२</blockquote><blockquote>agniḥ pūrvebhirr̥ṣibhirīḍyo nūtanairuta । sa devām̐ eha vakṣati ॥2</blockquote><blockquote>अग्निना रयिमश्नवत् पोषमेव दिवेदिवे । यशसं वीरवत्तमम् ॥३</blockquote><blockquote>agninā rayimaśnavat poṣameva divedive । yaśasaṁ vīravattamam ॥3</blockquote><blockquote>अग्ने यं यज्ञमध्वरं विश्वत: परिभूरसि । स इद् देवेषु गच्छति ॥४</blockquote><blockquote>agne yaṁ yajñamadhvaraṁ viśvata: paribhūrasi । sa id deveṣu gacchati ॥4</blockquote><blockquote>अग्निर्होता कविक्रतुः सत्यश्चित्रश्रवस्तमः । देवो देवेभिरा गमत् ॥५</blockquote><blockquote>agnirhotā kavikratuḥ satyaścitraśravastamaḥ । devo devebhirā gamat ॥5</blockquote><blockquote>यदङ्ग दाशुषे त्वमग्ने भद्रं करिष्यसि । तवेत् तत् सत्यमङ्गिरः ॥६</blockquote><blockquote>yadaṅga dāśuṣe tvamagne bhadraṁ kariṣyasi । tavet tat satyamaṅgiraḥ ॥6 </blockquote><blockquote>उप त्वाग्ने दिवेदिवे दोषावस्तर्धिया वयम् । नमो भरन्त एमसि ॥७</blockquote><blockquote>upa tvāgne divedive doṣāvastardhiyā vayam । namo bharanta emasi ॥7</blockquote><blockquote>राजन्तमध्वराणां गोपामृतस्य दीदिविम् । वर्धमानं स्वे दमे ॥८</blockquote><blockquote>rājantamadhvarāṇāṁ gopāmr̥tasya dīdivim । vardhamānaṁ sve dame ॥8</blockquote><blockquote>स न: पितेव सूनवे ऽग्ने सूपायनो भव । सचस्वा नः स्वस्तये ॥९ </blockquote><blockquote>sa na: piteva sūnave 'gne sūpāyano bhava । sacasvā naḥ svastaye ॥9 </blockquote>Summary : Agni, the chosen one as the minister of yajnas (sacrifice), is worthy to be praised for he brings along other deities with him (He is the bearer of sacrificial offerings from the Yajamani or the Performer of the Yajna). Agni bestows his worshiper with boundless riches and wealth. Indeed greatly revered is Agni, the dispeller of darkness.

== References ==

== References ==

# Kanva Sakha Shukla Yajurveda, Shatapatabrahmana (4.1.4.11) : Swaminathan. C. R. (2000). ''Kanvasatapathabrahmanam'', Third Volume, New Delhi : Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts and Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd (Link : http://ignca.nic.in/eBooks/KANVASATAPATHABRAHMAAAM_Vol_III.pdf

# (Link : http://ignca.nic.in/eBooks/KANVASATAPATHABRAHMAAAM_Vol_III.pdf