Changes

   

   

Agni (Sanskrit: अग्निः) means Fire, Lighting, Purifier.  The Vedas place Agni, the deity of fire, in a key place in Vedic mantras.

Agni (Sanskrit: अग्निः) means Fire, Lighting, Purifier.  The Vedas place Agni, the deity of fire, in a key place in Vedic mantras. Fire was the one of the main elements that brought about a change in the way human civilizations evolved as man learnt to colonize.  During evolution, taming of the fire is a significant step as man learnt to eat cooked food and thereby moved away eating raw things (especially raw meat). Cooking of food further led to man's living in societies and thereby led to expansion of the concept of domestication of animals and agricultural systems. Thus harnessing the powers of nature plays an important role in the evolution of man and this fact is explicit in Vedas as Agni was significantly praised for his prowess.  

==  Introduction ==

==  Introduction ==

A large number of them are devoted to describing and praising Him. Some of his attributes are described as follows:  

A large number of mantras of the Rig veda are devoted to describing and praising Agni. Some of his attributes are described as follows:  

*  '''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.   

*  '''Bearer of Sacrificial Offerings''' : The presiding deity of tejas, fire and heat, Agni is revered as the receiver of oblations and sacrifices of men on behalf of the Devatas.  

*  '''Bearer of Sacrificial Offerings''' : The presiding deity of tejas, fire and heat, Agni is revered as the receiver of oblations and sacrifices of men on behalf of the Devatas.  

=== '''अग्निर्होता ॥ Agni as Hota''' ===

=== '''अग्निर्होता ॥ Agni as Hota''' ===

In the Vedic literature, Agni occupies, after Indra, the most important position. Agni occupies a prominent place in the Vedas and particularly the Brahmanas.  There are over 200 hymns addressed to and in praise of Agni. Apart from that 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.  There are over 200 hymns addressed to and in praise of Agni. Apart from that 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.   

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.   

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.  

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.  

=== देवता स्वरुपम् '''॥ Agnid'''evata Swaroopam ===

=== देवतास्वरुपम् '''॥ Agnid'''evata Swaroopam ===

==== Birth and Family ====

==== Birth and Family ====

There are different statements in puranas about the origin of Agni. Agni descended from Vishnu in the following order according to Puranic Encyclopedia (based on Bhagavata and Mahabharata) :  Vishnu - Brahma - Angiras - Brihaspati - Agni.  

There are different statements in puranas about the birth of Agni. Agni descended from Vishnu in the following order according to Puranic Encyclopedia (based on Bhagavata and Mahabharata) :  Vishnu - Brahma - Angiras - Brihaspati - Agni.  

Mahabharata Aanushasana parva (Chap. 85) mentions the association of the Sami tree and Agni devata.  After the curse of Bhrugu maharshi Agni hides himself in different places and ultimately devas find him in the Sami tree. Hence this tree is sacred and since this finding out of Agni after a long absence is like a rebirth, the Puranas mention it as being born from Sami Tree.   

Mahabharata Aanushasana parva (Chap. 85) mentions the association of the Sami tree and Agni devata.  After the curse of Bhrugu maharshi Agni hides himself in different places and ultimately devas find him in the Sami tree. Hence this tree is sacred and since this finding out of Agni after a long absence is like a rebirth, the Puranas mention it as being born from Sami Tree.