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=== कार्तिकेयः ॥ Kartikeya ===

=== कार्तिकेयः ॥ Kartikeya ===

Different versions of birth of Kumaraswamy who is the chief of the devagana and plays a key role in the war between devatas and Taarakasura, have been described in Mahabharata and Ramayana as follows.  

Different versions of birth of Kumaraswamy who is the chief of the devaganas (देवगणाः) and plays a key role in the war between devatas and Tarakasura (तारकासुरः), have been described in Mahabharata and Ramayana as follows.  

==== वह्निगर्भः ॥ Vahnigarbha ====

==== वह्निगर्भः ॥ Vahnigarbha ====

Valmiki Ramayana ( Balakanda Sarga 36 and 37<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga37/bala_37_frame.htm Balakanda Sarga 37])</ref>) details the birth of Kaartikeya यत्र जातो महातेजाः कार्तिकेयो अग्नि संभवः |   

Valmiki Ramayana ( Balakanda Sarga 36 and 37<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga37/bala_37_frame.htm Balakanda Sarga 37])</ref>) details the birth of Kartikeya  <blockquote>यत्र जातो महातेजाः कार्तिकेयो अग्नि संभवः |</blockquote><blockquote>yatra jāto mahātejāḥ kārtikeyo agni saṃbhavaḥ |</blockquote>Although we see a few versions of this event, generally it is said that the devatas request Bhudevi to receive Shiva’s energy (formed due to divine association with Parvati for 300 divyayugas). Once received, part of it becomes the element gold and the rest of it, unable to be borne by her, is transferred to Agni upon the request of the devatas. Agni requests Gangadevi to accept Shiva's effulgence, who then bears a six-headed child and she unable to contain the tejas any longer slips Him in the Sharavana (शरवण) reeds in a forest near the river. Hence, Shiva's son is also called Vahnigarbha (वह्निगर्भः) as he is born through Agni, Gangeya (गाङ्गेयः) as he is born through Gangadevi and Sharavana (शरवणः) as he is born in Sharavana reeds. Thereafter, the six stars of Krttika (कृत्तिका), feed and raise the six-headed boy. Hence, he is called as Kartikeya (कार्तिकेयः) in honor of the six mothers who cared for him.  

Parvati angry at being denied motherhood curses that the Devas’ wives would be infertile and never enjoy parental happiness henceforth. She angered by Prthvi for being a part of this matter, also curses her to be uneven and 'one with many husbands' (Earth having many landscapes is ruled by many kings; King is called as Bhupati (भूपतिः). She curses Agni that he would be an all-consumer, without distinction between pure and impure things and and everything that touches him would turn into ash (bhasma).  

 

Parvati angry at being denied motherhood curses that the Devas wives would be infertile and never enjoy parental happiness henceforth. She angered by Prithvi for being a part of this matter, also curses her to be uneven and 'one with many husbands' (Earth having many landscapes is ruled by many kings (King is called as Bhupati). She curses Agni that he would be an all-consumer, without distinction between pure and impure things and and everything that touches him would turn into ash (bhasma).  

==== स्कन्दोत्पत्तिः ॥ Skanda Utpatti  ====

==== स्कन्दोत्पत्तिः ॥ Skanda Utpatti  ====

In Mahabharata, Vana Parva, the legend of Skanda, is described with Indra approaching the Brahmadeva, for advise regarding the marriage of his daughter Devasena. In this context it is described that Svahadevi, the daughter of Daksha Prajapati takes the form of 6 wives of Saptarshis to please Agni.  

In Mahabharata, Vana Parva, the legend of Skanda, is described with Indra approaching the Brahmadeva, for advise regarding the marriage of his daughter Devasena (देवसेना). In this context, it is described that Svahadevi (स्वाहादेवी), the daughter of Daksha Prajapati (दक्षप्रजापतिः) takes the form of 6 wives of Saptarshis (सप्तऋषि-s) to please Agni.  

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 (इष्टिक-s) 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 (हविष्यम्), notices the beautiful wives of the Saptarshis and desires them. Knowing that his Kama (कामः । 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 Shiva (शिवा). 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 Adhyaya 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.   

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. Vana parv Adhy. 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 Tarakasura. Indra then offers his daughter, Devasena, to Skanda.   

In the Anushasana Parva (Adhyayas 84 to 86)<ref name=":3">Pt. Ram Narayandatt. Mahabharat Volume 6 ( [https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata06_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n353/mode/2up Anushasana Parva Adhyaya 85]) Gorakhpur: Gita Press</ref>, the legend of Kartikeya is touched upon again (continued as given in Ramayana). When the effulgence of Shiva slipped and Parvati became angry as she was denied the privilege of bearing Shiva's son, she cursed the Devatas that henceforth they will not bear children. When devatas approach Brahma, he instructs them to search for Agni, who was absent and hence was excluded from the curse of Parvati. Devatas go in search of him and finally find him hiding in the Sami tree. They request him to transfer his tejas along with the effulgence of Shiva to Ganga. Gangadevi bears the tejas until a certain time and then unable to bear it leaves it in the reeds. That tejas partly becomes gold and partly into a boy who is called as Gangeya. Since Agni was also an instrument in the creation of gold - he is called hiranyaretas and earth which bore the gold or vasu was known as Vasumati.     

In the Anushasana Parva (Adhyayas 84 to 86)<ref name=":3">Pt. Ram Narayandatt. Mahabharat Volume 6 ( [https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata06_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n353/mode/2up Anushasana Parva Adhyaya 85]) Gorakhpur: Gita Press</ref>, the legend of Kartikeya is touched upon again (continued as given in Ramayana). When the effulgence of Shiva slipped and Parvati became angry as she was denied the privilege of bearing Shiva's son, she cursed the Devatas that henceforth they will not bear children. When devatas approach Brahma, he instructs them to search for Agni, who was absent and hence was excluded from the curse of Parvati. Devatas go in search of him and finally find him hiding in the Shami tree. They request him to transfer his tejas along with the effulgence of Shiva to Ganga. Gangadevi bears the tejas until a certain time and then unable to bear it leaves it in the reeds. That tejas partly becomes gold and partly into a boy who is called as Gangeya (गाङ्गेयः). Since Agni was also an instrument in the creation of gold - he is called hiranyaretas (हिरण्यरेतस्) and earth (वसुः । vasu) which bore the gold was known as Vasumati.     

=== अग्निप्रवेशः ॥ Agnipravesha ===

=== अग्निप्रवेशः ॥ Agnipravesha ===

Valmiki Ramayana (Yuddhakanda Sarga 118<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/yuddha/sarga118/yuddha_118_frame.htm Yuddhakanda Sarga 118])</ref>) 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 Sarga 118<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/yuddha/sarga118/yuddha_118_frame.htm Yuddhakanda Sarga 118])</ref>) describes the Agnipareeksha or 'Fire ordeal' undergone by Sitadevi after death of Ravanasura (रावणासुरः). Bhagavan Sri Rama, informs Sita that he has released her from her bondage from Ravanasura 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 Adhyaya 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>.

Shibi (उशीनरः । Ushenara) Chakravarthy, belonging to the Ikshvaku (इक्ष्वाकुः) dynasty, the ancestor of Bhagavan Sri Rama, was famous for his righteousness and charity. Indradeva who wanted to test his datrutva (दातृत्वम् । 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 (शरणागतिः । 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 (Maha, Vana parv Adhyaya 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>.

== श्रीमद्भागवद्गीतायाम् अग्निः ॥ Agni In Shrimad Bhagavadgita ==

== श्रीमद्भागवद्गीतायाम् अग्निः ॥ Agni In Shrimad Bhagavadgita ==

In Shrimad Bhagavad Gita (Sloka 15.14) it is said: अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः | Srikrishna says - Taking the form of Vaisvanara and residing in the bodies of creatures, I, in association with Prana and Apana, digest the four kinds of food.<ref>https://www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in/srimad?language=dv&field_chapter_value=15&field_nsutra_value=14&etsiva=1&etgb=1&choose=1</ref>   

In Shrimad Bhagavad Gita (Sloka 15.14) it is said: अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः | Srikrishna says - Taking the form of Vaisvanara and residing in the bodies of creatures, I, in association with Prana and Apana, digest the four kinds of food.<ref>https://www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in/srimad?language=dv&field_chapter_value=15&field_nsutra_value=14&etsiva=1&etgb=1&choose=1</ref>