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Agni (Samskrit: अग्निः) means Fire, Lighting, Purifier.  Agni (the Fire deity) occupies a key place in Vedic mantras. Fire was one of the main elements that brought about a change in the way human civilizations evolved and plays an important role in the evolution of man and this fact is explicit in Vedas as Agni was significantly praised for his prowess.

Agni (Samskrit: अग्निः) means Fire, Lighting, Purifier.  अग्निः ॥ Agni (the Fire deity) occupies a key place in Vedic mantras. Fire was one of the main elements that brought about a change in the way human civilizations evolved and plays an important role in the evolution of man and this fact is explicit in the वेदाः ॥ Vedas as अग्निः ॥ Agni was significantly praised for his prowess.

==    Introduction ==

==    परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

A large number of mantras of the Rig veda are devoted to describing and praising Agni. Some of the attributes are summarized as follows<ref name=":1">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>:  

A large number of mantras of the Rig veda are devoted to describing and praising Agni. Some of the attributes are summarized as follows<ref name=":1">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>:  

*    '''Panchabhutas''' : Fire is one of the Panchabhutas or the five traditional elemental forces that make up the world of matter.   

*    '''Panchabhutas''' : Fire is one of the Panchabhutas or the five traditional elemental forces that make up the world of matter.   

* 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.   

* 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.   

== Agni and Yajnas ==

== अग्निः यज्ञाः च ॥ Agni and Yajnas ==

Kindling of fire in a kunda (altar or yajnavedi) is the most important usage aspect of Agni, since ancient times. Shatapatabrahmana (Kanva) outlines the process of Agnyadhana (installation of the fire) and setting up the two Agnis () by for the purpose of yajnas. A unique feature about Agni is that it is classified and called by different names based on its purpose in yajnas (Srauta and smarta), the ahutis (oblations) offered and its use in loukika kriyas (cooking).

Kindling of fire in a kunda (altar or yajnavedi) is the most important usage aspect of Agni, since ancient times. Shatapatabrahmana (Kanva) outlines the process of Agnyadhana (installation of the fire) and setting up the two Agnis () by for the purpose of yajnas. A unique feature about Agni is that it is classified and called by different names based on its purpose in yajnas (Srauta and smarta), the ahutis (oblations) offered and its use in loukika kriyas (cooking).

=== Ekagni (One Fire) ===

=== एकाग्निः ॥ Ekagni (One Fire) ===

Grhyagni is also called aupasanagni since the daily rite of aupasana is performed in it by the grhastha. This is the fire contained in one "kunda" and so it is called "ekagni". Rites conducted in the family are included in the chapter called "Ekagni-kanda" in the Apastamba-sutra.<ref>Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamiji, (2000) ''[http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part5/chap5.htm Hindu Dharma (Collection of Swamiji's Speeches between 1907 to 1994)]''Mumbai : Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref> Agni acts as the intermediary between man and devatas as the divine sacrificial priest.  

Grhyagni is also called aupasanagni since the daily rite of aupasana is performed in it by the grhastha. This is the fire contained in one "kunda" and so it is called "ekagni". Rites conducted in the family are included in the chapter called "Ekagni-kanda" in the Apastamba-sutra.<ref>Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamiji, (2000) ''[http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part5/chap5.htm Hindu Dharma (Collection of Swamiji's Speeches between 1907 to 1994)]''Mumbai : Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref> 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 to fulfill the worldly desires. 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.  

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 to fulfill the worldly desires. 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.  

=== Tretagni (Three Fires) ===

=== त्रेताग्निः ॥ Tretagni (Three Fires) ===

अग्नि (Agni) is carried at the fore front in all ritualistic undertakings (yajnas) given in the Srauta sutras. Some Srauta yaagas require three fires called as [[Tretagni (त्रेताग्नयः)|Tretagni]] which are invoked through procedures with chanting of mantras. Example : Somayaga  

अग्नि (Agni) is carried at the fore front in all ritualistic undertakings (yajnas) given in the Srauta sutras. Some Srauta yaagas require three fires called as [[Tretagni (त्रेताग्नयः)|Tretagni]] which are invoked through procedures with chanting of mantras. Example : Somayaga  

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

=== Panchagni (Five Fires) ===

=== पञ्चाग्निः ॥ Panchagni (Five Fires) ===

Panchagni means 5 Agnis or fires<ref name=":1" />. In vedic and puranic literature, Panchagni has been mentioned as a methodology adopted for performing severe penance. 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<ref name=":1" />. In vedic and puranic literature, Panchagni has been mentioned as a methodology adopted for performing severe penance. 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.