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Line 66: − === अग्निपुराणम् ॥ Agni Puranam ===+ − Agni has a purana ascribed to him, named as Agni Purana (one of the ten main Puranas), and is said to have been related to Brahmarshi Vasishta by Agni himself. In here, Agni gives the essence of Brahmavidya apart from the details of the ten avataras or incarnations of Vishnu. This purana is a sacred text containing the expositions on the following matters in brief − * religious rituals such as conducting vratas or sacred vows, pilgrimages and consequences of attaining hell when these dharmas are not adhered to. − * different Manu's in each Manvantara or Era of Manu − * the different varnasrama dharmas and raja dharmas − * astrology and time aspects − * various aspects about construction of temples − * wars between devas and asuras − * list of all other Mahapuranas and their length in terms of slokas − * literature and grammar. Agni Purana is the oldest text to talk about the characteristics of a Kavya or poetic text. − * the origin of sristi and pralaya or destruction − * yoga sastra and brahmavidya − − Line 110:
Line 97: − + − The Puranas associate with Agni the origin of Krittika nakshatra and the birth of Kartikeya or Subrahmanya. Although we see a few version of this event, generally it is said that Agni received Shiva’s energy (formed due to association with Parvati) and he unable to bear the effulgence gives it to Gangadevi, who then bears a child and leaves it in Saravana reeds in a forest near Ganga river, hence Shiva's son is also called Sharavana. Thereafter, the six stars of Krittika, feed and raise the six-headed boy. Hence he is called as Kaartikeya in honor of the six mothers who cared for him. Parvati angry at being denied the motherhood curses that the Devas wives would be infertile and never enjoy parental happiness furthermore. She angered by Prithvi for being a part of this matter, curses her to be uneven and 'one with many husbands' (Earth having many landscapes is ruled by many kings 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). + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − + − King Shibi, who was tested by Agni assuming the form of a pigeon and by Indra assuming the form of a hawk; Shibi offered his own flesh to the hawk in exchange of pigeon's life. The pigeon which had sought Shibi's shelter was thus saved by the king's sacrifice.<sup>[35]</sup>+ − === Ramayana ===+ − Agnipareeklsha or 'Fire ordeal' has Agni as the witness. Sita chose to prove her innocence . Agni redeemed the original Sita from the wrath and condemnation of her husband and her community. − Ayurvedic Viewpoint == Agni is an important entity in Ayurveda. Agni is the fiery metabolic energy of digestion called as Jataragni, allows assimilation of food while ridding the body of waste and toxins, and transforms dense physical matter into subtle forms of energy the body needs. ''Jathar-agni'' determines the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, ''Bhuta-agni'' determines the production of bile in the liver, ''Kloma-agni'' determines the production of sugar-digesting pancreatic enzymes and so forth. The nature and quality of these ''agnis'' depend on one’s ''dosha'' which can be – ''vata'', ''pitta'' or ''kapha''.<sup>[88]</sup> Agni is also known as ''Vaisvanara'', food.<sup>[note 27]</sup> Just as the illuminating power in the fire is a part of Agni’s own effulgence, even so the heating power in the foods digestive and appetizing power is also a part of Agni's energy or potency.+ − # According to tradition, Agni first appeared in the heavens in the form of lightening. His second birth was among the human beings as ''Jātaveda'' (learned by birth). His third birth was in water (Rig Veda I.45.1).<sup>[5]</sup> − # Rig Veda X.v.7: अग्निः ऋतस्य पूर्वे आयुनि वृषभ्श्च − # अग्नेर्होत्रेण प्रणुदे सपत्नान् - Atharvaveda 9.2.6 − # उक्षान्नाय वशान्नाय सोम पृष्ठाय वेधसे − # During those times the slaying of a barren cow was an essential feature of funeral ceremonies. − # X:1:2:3 − # मनो ब्रह्मेत्युपासीत "mind is to be meditated upon as Brahman", Chandogya Upanishad III.xviii.1 − # IX.v.2.15 − # IV.27, VII.34 − # SB X.vi.5.8-9 − # Brahma Sutras III.iii.44 − # Jaimini Sutras III.iii.14 − # मेधायैमनसेऽग्नये स्वाहेति − # Rig Veda VI.ix.5 − # अग्निर्यद् वेर्मर्त्ताय देवान्त्स चा बोधाति मनसा यजाति (Rig Veda (I.77.2) − # अस्माकमिदं वृधे भव (Rig Veda (I.79.11) − # स एतं देवयानं पन्थानमापद्याग्निलोकमागच्छतिस वायुलोकं स आदित्यलोकं (Kaushitaki Upanishad I.3) − # विश्ववेदा, appearing in the Taittiriya Samhita (IV.iii.2.10) – अभून्मम सुमतौ विश्ववेदा आष्ट प्रतिष्ठामविदद्धि गाधम्, and in the Rig Veda:<br>* ये पायवो मामतेयं ते अग्ने पश्यन्तो अन्धं दुरितादरक्षन् − # In a prayer (R.V.I.27.10) addressed to Agni, the sage prays ": जराबोध तद्विविड्ढि विशेविशे यज्ञियाय − # स्वाध्यो दिव आ सप्त यह्वी रायो (Rig Veda I.72.8) − # He says – विदद् गव्यं सरमा दृहमूर्वमं येना नु कं मानुषी भोजते विट् – "Saramā discovered the strong and wide places of the hidden knowledge; this discovery brings happiness to all human beings". − # "चित्तिमचित्ति चिनवद्वि विदवान् पृष्ठेव वीता वृजना च मर्त्तान् − # The same as is stated in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (I.ii.5) − # − # Rig Veda I.xliv.4 + − # Swami Sharvananda, Isavasyopanishad (1943), Madras, Sri Ramakrishna Math (For Isavasyopanishad)+ −
Adding material
Mundakopanishad, explains how a person progresses through the different ashrams in life and the rules and consequences of not tending to the Agnihotra by a grihasta (Mund. Upan. 1.2.2 to 1.2.4).
Mundakopanishad, explains how a person progresses through the different ashrams in life and the rules and consequences of not tending to the Agnihotra by a grihasta (Mund. Upan. 1.2.2 to 1.2.4).
=== जातवेदाः ॥ Jataveda and क्रव्याद ॥ Kravyaad ===
=== जातवेदाः ॥ Jataveda and क्रव्याद Kravyaad ===
Agni has two forms: Jaataveda and Kravyaada:
Agni has two forms: Jaataveda and Kravyaada:
# Jataveda is invoked to carry the offerings (except flesh) to the respective Gods, in which case Agni is light identified with knowledge and with Brahman.
# Jataveda is invoked to carry the offerings (except flesh) to the respective Gods, in which case Agni is light identified with knowledge and with Brahman.
Pleased with their offer of help Agni gave Arjuna an arrow case which would never be empty, a chariot bearing Hanuman on the flag and four white horses and the famous Gandiva bow. To Krishna he gave the Chakraayudha or discus. With the help of these military equipment, Krishna and Arjuna created a canopy of arrow against the downpour created by Indra and thus, Agni burned incessantly for fifteen days, and was cured of his stomach ailments.
Pleased with their offer of help Agni gave Arjuna an arrow case which would never be empty, a chariot bearing Hanuman on the flag and four white horses and the famous Gandiva bow. To Krishna he gave the Chakraayudha or discus. With the help of these military equipment, Krishna and Arjuna created a canopy of arrow against the downpour created by Indra and thus, Agni burned incessantly for fifteen days, and was cured of his stomach ailments.
=== Kartikeya ===
=== अग्निपुराणम् ॥ Agni Puranam ===
Agni has a purana ascribed to him, named as Agni Purana (one of the ten main Puranas), and is said to have been related to Brahmarshi Vasishta by Agni himself. In here, Agni gives the essence of Brahmavidya apart from the details of the ten avataras or incarnations of Vishnu. This purana is a sacred text containing the expositions on the following matters in brief
* religious rituals such as conducting vratas or sacred vows, pilgrimages and consequences of attaining hell when these dharmas are not adhered to.
* different Manu's in each Manvantara or Era of Manu
* the different varnasrama dharmas and raja dharmas
* astrology and time aspects
* various aspects about construction of temples
* wars between devas and asuras
* list of all other Mahapuranas and their length in terms of slokas
* literature and grammar. Agni Purana is the oldest text to talk about the characteristics of a Kavya or poetic text.
* the origin of sristi and pralaya or destruction
* yoga sastra and brahmavidya
== Agni In Ramayana ==
=== कार्तिकेय ॥ Kaartikeya ===
Valmiki Ramayana ( Balakanda) and associate with Agni the leadership of Krittika nakshatra and the birth of Kartikeya or Subrahmanya.
Although we see a few versions of this event, generally it is said that Agni received Shiva’s energy (formed due to divine association with Parvati for 300 divyayugas) and he unable to bear the effulgence, gives it to Gangadevi, who then bears a six-headed child and leaves Him in the Sharavana reeds in a forest near the river, hence Shiva's son is also called Sharavana.
Thereafter, the six stars of Krittika, feed and raise the six-headed boy. Hence he is called as Kaartikeya in honor of the six mothers who cared for him. Agni having given them this honour of being associated with the son of Shiva is accepted as the
Parvati angry at being denied the motherhood curses that the Devas wives would be infertile and never enjoy parental happiness furthermore. She angered by Prithvi for being a part of this matter, curses her to be uneven and 'one with many husbands' (Earth having many landscapes is ruled by many kings (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).
=== शिबिचक्रवर्तिः ॥ Shibi Chakravarty ===
King Shibi, who was tested by Agni assuming the form of a pigeon and by Indra assuming the form of a hawk; Shibi offered his own flesh to the hawk in exchange of pigeon's life. The pigeon which had sought Shibi's shelter was thus saved by the king's sacrifice.
=== अग्निप्रवेसम् ॥ Agnipravesham ===
Valmiki Ramayana (Yuddhakanda) describes the Agnipareeksha or 'Fire ordeal' undergone by Sitadevi after death of Ravanaasura. Bhagavan Rama, informs Sita that he has released her from her bondage from Ravanaasura and that she is free to go to the pace 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 as the witness to Sita's chastity, redeemed the original Sita from the wrath and condemnation of her husband and her community.
=== King Shibi ===
== Ayurvedic Perspective ==
Agni is an important entity in Ayurveda. Agni is the fiery metabolic energy of digestion called as Jataraagni, allows assimilation of food while ridding the body of waste and toxins, and transforms dense physical matter into subtle forms of energy the body needs.
Jataraagni determines the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, ''Bhuta-agni'' determines the production of bile in the liver, ''Kloma-agni'' determines the production of sugar-digesting pancreatic enzymes and so forth. The nature and quality of these ''agnis'' depend on one’s ''dosha'' which can be – ''vata'', ''pitta'' or ''kapha''.
Agni is also known as ''Vaisvanara'', food.<sup>[note 27]</sup> Just as the illuminating power in the fire is a part of Agni’s own effulgence, even so the heating power in the foods digestive and appetizing power is also a part of Agni's energy or potency.
== References ==
== References ==
# The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore
# The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore
# http://ignca.nic.in/Vedic_portal_rigveda_shakala_Samhita_m01.htm Agni Sukta as given in Vedic heritage portal with pronunciation.
# http://ignca.nic.in/Vedic_portal_rigveda_shakala_Samhita_m01.htm Agni Sukta as given in Vedic heritage portal with pronunciation.
# https://ia802606.us.archive.org/17/items/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft.pdf
# 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