Changes

[[Agni (आग्निः)|Agni]] (Samskrit: अग्निः) is the devata for fire, yagnas and divine knowledge. A large number of mantras and suktas are devoted to describing and praising Agni in various texts. Agni which generically refers to fire is used to refer to अग्निहोत्रः ॥ Agnihotra (fire of yagnas also called as sacrificial fire). He is associated with वैदिकयज्ञः (Yagnas or rituals prescribed in Vedas) through yagna (sacrificial fires) he carries the offerings (oblations) of men to the devatas in other world, who thereby pleased ensure the continuance of conditions favorable to mankind.  

[[Agni (आग्निः)|Agni]] (Samskrit: अग्निः) is the devata for fire, yagnas and divine knowledge. A large number of mantras and suktas are devoted to describing and praising Agni in various texts. Agni which generically refers to fire is used to refer to अग्निहोत्रः ॥ Agnihotra (fire of yagnas also called as sacrificial fire). He is associated with वैदिकयज्ञः (Yagnas or rituals prescribed in Vedas) through yagna (sacrificial fires) he carries the offerings (oblations) of men to the devatas in other world, who thereby pleased ensure the continuance of conditions favorable to mankind.

अग्निः ॥ Agni, as a devata important next to Indra, occupies a notable place as होत्र || hotr (the carrier of offerings in a yagna) and is significantly revered in the Rig veda with many suktas rendered to propitiate Him.  Further as we gradually progress towards the Upanishads, Agni is personified as the ज्ञानिः || Jnani (Knower of Brahman). The three Fires (गार्हपत्यः ॥ Gaarhapatya, आहवनीयः॥ Aahavaniya, and दक्षिणाग्निः ॥ Dakshinaagni) expound [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|brahmavidya]] to Upakosala (the student of Satyakama Jabaali), in the Chandogya Upanishad.   

अग्निः ॥ Agni, as a devata important next to Indra, occupies a notable place as होत्र || hotr (the carrier of offerings in a yagna) and is significantly revered in the Rig veda with many suktas rendered to propitiate Him.  Further as we gradually progress towards the Upanishads, Agni is personified as the ज्ञानिः || Jnani (Knower of Brahman). The three Fires (गार्हपत्यः ॥ Gaarhapatya, आहवनीयः॥ Aahavaniya, and दक्षिणाग्निः ॥ Dakshinaagni) expound [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|brahmavidya]] to Upakosala (the student of Satyakama Jabaali), in the Chandogya Upanishad.   

Thus, starting with the sacred agnihotras tended by the householder, as the sacred bearer of offerings, to the feared Kravaaya form of Fire which is invoked to burn corpses, and finally to the inner subtle form of representation of Jnana , Agni is the crucial lifeline of a grihastha engaged in Bharateeya samskriti.   

Thus, starting with the sacred agnihotras tended by the householder, as the sacred bearer of offerings, to the feared Kravaaya form of Fire which is invoked to burn corpses, and finally to the inner subtle form of representation of Jnana , Agni is the crucial lifeline of a grihastha engaged in Bharateeya samskriti.   

== Agni in Rig Veda  ==

== Agni in Rig Veda  ==

Rigveda starts with Agnisukta and thereafter many mandalas have suktas related to and in praise of Agni.  The very first word, mantra and sukta of the oldest veda, Rig veda starts with Agni as revealed to Rishi Madhuchchandah Vaishvamitah in Gaayatri chandas.  

Rigveda starts with Agnisukta and thereafter many mandalas have suktas related to and in praise of Agni.  The very first word, mantra and sukta of the oldest veda, Rig veda starts with Agni as revealed to Rishi Madhuchchandah Vaishvamitah in Gaayatri chandas.  

Agni is the Rishi or mantra drasta of many suktas in the 9th Mandala. He figures prominently in as many as 200 suktas in the Rig veda. Along with Indra and Surya, Agni is a significant deity of Rig veda (Sukta 10.124). A brief compilation of different mantras of Rig veda are presented below

Agni is the Rishi or mantra drasta of many suktas in the 9th Mandala. He figures prominently in as many as 200 suktas in the Rig veda. Along with Indra and Surya, Agni is a significant deity of Rig veda (Sukta 10.124). A brief compilation of different mantras of Rig veda are presented below

* Rig Veda mantras (1.77.1 to 5)  describes the role of Agni as the Hota, who carries the yagna offerings of the mortals to the deities.   

* Rig Veda mantras (1.77.1 to 5)  describes the role of Agni as the Hota, who carries the yagna offerings of the mortals to the deities.  <blockquote>यो अध्वरेषु शन्तम रतावा होता तमू नमोभिरा कर्णुध्वम | अग्निर्यद वेर्मर्ताय देवान स चा बोधाति मनसायजाति || (Rig. Veda.1.77.2) </blockquote>

<blockquote>यो अध्वरेषु शन्तम रतावा होता तमू नमोभिरा कर्णुध्वम | अग्निर्यद वेर्मर्ताय देवान स चा बोधाति मनसायजाति || (Rig. Veda.1.77.2) </blockquote>

* Agni is described as the  अग्निर्जातवेदाः Jataveda, meaning one who has the knowledge of vedas and is a learned by birth. Reference to Agni as Jataveda is made in many other places of Rig veda.<blockquote>अभि तवा गोतमा गिरा जातवेदो विचर्षणे | दयुम्नैरभि पर णोनुमः || (Rig. Veda.1.78.1) </blockquote><blockquote>जातवेदसे सुनवा मसोममरातीयतो निदहाति वेदः | स नः पर्षदति दुर्गाणि विश्वा नावेव सिन्धुं दुरितात्यग्निः || (Rig. Veda. 1.99.1)</blockquote>

* Agni is described as the  अग्निर्जातवेदाः Jataveda, meaning one who has the knowledge of vedas and is a learned by birth. Reference to Agni as Jataveda is made in many other places of Rig veda.

* Rig Veda mantras (1.95.1 to 11) describes the birth of Agni from the ten daughters of Tvashtra. This sukta describes the purifying form of agni.<blockquote>दशेमं त्वष्टुर्जनयन्त गर्भमतन्द्रासो युवतयो (Rig. Veda.1.95.1)</blockquote>

<blockquote>अभि तवा गोतमा गिरा जातवेदो विचर्षणे | दयुम्नैरभि पर णोनुमः || (Rig. Veda.1.78.1) </blockquote><blockquote>जातवेदसे सुनवा मसोममरातीयतो निदहाति वेदः | स नः पर्षदति दुर्गाणि विश्वा नावेव सिन्धुं दुरितात्यग्निः || (Rig. Veda. 1.99.1)</blockquote>

* Rig Veda mantras (3.26.7 and 8) describe Agni as अग्निरात्मा Agni is Atma  <blockquote>अग्निरस्मि जन्मना जातवेदा घर्तं मे चक्षुरम्र्तं म आसन | अर्कस्त्रिधातू रजसो विमानो.अजस्रो घर्मो हविरस्मि नाम || (Rig. Veda.3.26.7)</blockquote><blockquote>तरिभिः पवित्रैरपुपोद धयर्कं हर्दा मतिं जयोतिरनु परजानन | वर्षिष्ठं रत्नमक्र्त सवधाभिरादिद दयावाप्र्थिवी पर्यपश्यत || (Rig. Veda.3.26.8)</blockquote>

* Rig Veda mantras (1.95.1 to 11) describes the birth of Agni from the ten daughters of Tvashtra. This sukta describes the purifying form of agni.

* Rig Veda mantra 1.44.7 describes Agni as one who excites ''Buddhi'' (reason and intellect), the perceiving and the determining factor, and by illuminating the mind it makes one understand and comprehend the truth <blockquote>होतारं विश्ववेदसं सं हि त्वा विश इन्धते । स आ वह पुरुहूत प्रचेतसो ऽग्ने देवाँ इह द्रवत् ॥ (Rig. Veda.1.44.7)</blockquote>

<blockquote>दशेमं त्वष्टुर्जनयन्त गर्भमतन्द्रासो युवतयो (Rig. Veda.1.95.1)</blockquote>

* Rig Veda mantras (3.26.7 and 8) describe Agni as अग्निरात्मा Agni is Atma   

<blockquote>अग्निरस्मि जन्मना जातवेदा घर्तं मे चक्षुरम्र्तं म आसन | अर्कस्त्रिधातू रजसो विमानो.अजस्रो घर्मो हविरस्मि नाम || (Rig. Veda.3.26.7)</blockquote><blockquote>तरिभिः पवित्रैरपुपोद धयर्कं हर्दा मतिं जयोतिरनु परजानन | वर्षिष्ठं रत्नमक्र्त सवधाभिरादिद दयावाप्र्थिवी पर्यपश्यत || (Rig. Veda.3.26.8)</blockquote>

* Rig Veda mantra 1.44.7 describes Agni as one who excites ''Buddhi'' (reason and intellect), the perceiving and the determining factor, and by illuminating the mind it makes one understand and comprehend the truth  

<blockquote>होतारं विश्ववेदसं सं हि त्वा विश इन्धते । स आ वह पुरुहूत प्रचेतसो ऽग्ने देवाँ इह द्रवत् ॥ (Rig. Veda.1.44.7)</blockquote>

* Surya, Aditya, Prana and Agni stand for the Atman who reveals itself as knowledge by the all-illuminating bright rays of light and who reveals itself as objects cognized by the mind and described through speech (Rig Veda X.135.7).

* Surya, Aditya, Prana and Agni stand for the Atman who reveals itself as knowledge by the all-illuminating bright rays of light and who reveals itself as objects cognized by the mind and described through speech (Rig Veda X.135.7).

* Rig Veda mantra (I.27.10), addresses Agni as similar to Rudra (having the fierce qualities of Rudra)  

* Rig Veda mantra (I.27.10), addresses Agni as similar to Rudra (having the fierce qualities of Rudra) <blockquote>जराबोध तद्विविड्ढि विशेविशे यज्ञियाय | स्तोमं रुद्राय दृशिकम् || Meaning : Agni similar to Rudra, is one who makes the evil persons weep.</blockquote>

<blockquote>जराबोध तद्विविड्ढि विशेविशे यज्ञियाय | स्तोमं रुद्राय दृशिकम् || Meaning : Agni similar to Rudra, is one who makes the evil persons weep.</blockquote>

*Rig Veda mantra (2.1.6 II.i.6) –  त्वमग्नेरुद्रो असुरो महो दिवस्त्वं शर्द्धो मारुतं पृक्ष ईशिषे |  directly addresses Agni as Rudra.

*Rig Veda mantra (2.1.6 II.i.6) –  त्वमग्नेरुद्रो असुरो महो दिवस्त्वं शर्द्धो मारुतं पृक्ष ईशिषे |  directly addresses Agni as Rudra.

== Agni in Brahmanas ==

== Agni in Brahmanas ==

'''Madhyandhina satapatabrahmanam''' (Shukla Yajurveda)  

'''Madhyandhina satapatabrahmanam''' (Shukla Yajurveda)  

The 6th Kanda of Shatapatha Brahmana (SB 6.1.1.1) starts with the description of Agnichayana or building of the fire altar. This kanda describes the importance of Agni, the fire, who is identified with Prajapati, the Srustikarta, who is the source of life in this world. Prajapati as the Srustikarta creates all the celestial beings and heavenly bodies such as Aakasha and nakshtras. He also creates  Agni as the sacrificial fire. 

The 6th Kanda of Shatapatha Brahmana (Maadhyandina sakha) starts with the description of Agnichayana or building of the fire altar. This kanda describes the importance of Agni, the fire, who is identified with Prajapati, the Srustikarta, who is the source of life in this world.  

ततः यः जातगर्भः, सः अग्निः असृज्यत तस्मात् सर्वस्य स्थूलप्रपञ्चस्य अग्रम् आदौ सृष्टत्वात् अग्निरित्युच्यते 

स एव पुरुषः प्रजापतिरभवत् | स यः स पुरुषः प्रजापतिरभवत् - अयमेव सः योऽयमग्निश्चीयते || 5 काण्डिका (5th Kaandika) 

Add the material collected from Shatapatabrahmana 6.1.1. (vedamu.org)

'सः' एषः सप्तभिः पुरुषैर्निपऩ्न एकः पुरुषः 'प्रजापतिः' विराट् अभूत् | एवं लिङ्गशरीराभिमानिहिरण्यगर्भकर्तृका विराडुत्पत्तिरुक्ता, तस्य विराजोऽग्निरूपतामाह - स यः पुरुषः इति | 'स प्रजापतिः' एव 'अयं चीयमानः अग्निः' इत्यर्थः || Saayana Bhashyam of 5 काण्डिका (5th Kaandika)

'''Kanvasatpathabrahmanam''' (SB.IV.i.iv.11) calls Agni "wisdom".  The Adhvara (4th) kanda has 9 adhyayas each of which contains 4 brahmanas further divided into varying kaandikas describe the Agnistoma yagna wherein detailed procedures involving many "isthis" (sub parts of a yagna) including the construction of the yagasala and invocation of Agni are given. Add material collected from Kanva SB Vol 3 page 21 16/11/2017 [http://ignca.nic.in/eBooks/KANVASATAPATHABRAHMAAAM_Vol_III.pdf]  

 

 

 

 

 

 

'''Kanvasatpathabrahmanam''' (SB.IV.i.iv.11) calls Agni "wisdom".  The Adhvara (4th) kanda has 9 adhyayas each of which contains 4 brahmanas further divided into varying kaandikas describe the Agnistoma yagna wherein detailed procedures involving many "isthis" (sub parts of a yagna) including the construction of the yagasala and invocation of Agni are given. Add material collected from Kanva SB Vol 3 page 21 16/11/2017 [http://ignca.nic.in/eBooks/KANVASATAPATHABRAHMAAAM_Vol_III.pdf]

== Agni in Upanishads ==

== Agni in Upanishads ==

'''Isavasyopanishad'''

'''Isavasyopanishad'''

http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_portal_yajurveda_Krishna_Kathopanisad01.htm

http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_portal_yajurveda_Krishna_Kathopanisad01.htm

'''Kaushitaki Upanishad'''  

'''Kaushitaki Upanishad'''

स एतं देवयानं पन्थानमापद्याग्निलोकमागच्छतिस वायुलोकं स आदित्यलोकं (Kaushitaki Upanishad I.3)

स एतं देवयानं पन्थानमापद्याग्निलोकमागच्छतिस वायुलोकं स आदित्यलोकं (Kaushitaki Upanishad I.3)

http://www.astrojyoti.com/pdfs/DevanagariFiles/BrihadaranyakaUpanishat.pdf

http://www.astrojyoti.com/pdfs/DevanagariFiles/BrihadaranyakaUpanishat.pdf

== Mantras/Verses and Meanings ==

== Mantras/Verses and Meanings ==

अग्निसूक्त - ९ मधुच्छन्दा वैश्वामित्रः ऋषिः । अग्निः देवता।  गायत्री छन्दः। प्रथमं मण्डलम्।<blockquote>"अ॒ग्निमी॑ळे पु॒रोहि॑तं य॒ज्ञस्य॑ दे॒वमृ॒त्विज॑म् । होता॑रं रत्न॒धात॑मम् ॥१"</blockquote><blockquote>"अ॒ग्निः पूर्वे॑भि॒र्ऋषि॑भि॒रीड्यो॒ नूत॑नैरु॒त । स दे॒वाँ एह व॑क्षति ॥२"</blockquote><blockquote>"अ॒ग्निना॑ र॒यिम॑श्नव॒त् पोष॑मे॒व दि॒वेदि॑वे । य॒शसं॑ वी॒रव॑त्तमम् ॥३"</blockquote><blockquote>"अग्ने॒ यं य॒ज्ञम॑ध्व॒रं वि॒श्वत॑: परि॒भूरसि॑ । स इद् दे॒वेषु॑ गच्छति ॥४"</blockquote><blockquote>"अ॒ग्निर्होता॑ क॒विक्र॑तुः स॒त्यश्चि॒त्रश्र॑वस्तमः । दे॒वो दे॒वेभि॒रा ग॑मत् ॥५"</blockquote><blockquote>"यद॒ङ्ग दा॒शुषे॒ त्वमग्ने॑ भ॒द्रं क॑रि॒ष्यसि॑ । तवेत् तत् स॒त्यम॑ङ्गिरः ॥६"</blockquote><blockquote>"उप॑ त्वाग्ने दि॒वेदि॑वे॒ दोषा॑वस्तर्धि॒या व॒यम् । नमो॒ भर॑न्त॒ एम॑सि ॥७"</blockquote><blockquote>"राज॑न्तमध्व॒राणां॑ गो॒पामृ॒तस्य॒ दीदि॑विम् । वर्ध॑मानं॒ स्वे दमे॑ ॥८"</blockquote><blockquote>"स न॑: पि॒तेव॑ सू॒नवे ऽग्ने॑ सूपाय॒नो भ॑व । सच॑स्वा नः स्व॒स्तये॑ ॥९ (Rig. Veda. 1.1.1)</blockquote>Summary : Agni, the chosen one as the minister of yagnas (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 Yagna). Agni bestows his worshiper with boundless riches and wealth. Indeed greatly revered is Agni, the dispeller of darkness.

अग्निसूक्त - ९ मधुच्छन्दा वैश्वामित्रः ऋषिः । अग्निः देवता।  गायत्री छन्दः। प्रथमं मण्डलम्।<blockquote>"अ॒ग्निमी॑ळे पु॒रोहि॑तं य॒ज्ञस्य॑ दे॒वमृ॒त्विज॑म् । होता॑रं रत्न॒धात॑मम् ॥१"</blockquote><blockquote>"अ॒ग्निः पूर्वे॑भि॒र्ऋषि॑भि॒रीड्यो॒ नूत॑नैरु॒त । स दे॒वाँ एह व॑क्षति ॥२"</blockquote><blockquote>"अ॒ग्निना॑ र॒यिम॑श्नव॒त् पोष॑मे॒व दि॒वेदि॑वे । य॒शसं॑ वी॒रव॑त्तमम् ॥३"</blockquote><blockquote>"अग्ने॒ यं य॒ज्ञम॑ध्व॒रं वि॒श्वत॑: परि॒भूरसि॑ । स इद् दे॒वेषु॑ गच्छति ॥४"</blockquote><blockquote>"अ॒ग्निर्होता॑ क॒विक्र॑तुः स॒त्यश्चि॒त्रश्र॑वस्तमः । दे॒वो दे॒वेभि॒रा ग॑मत् ॥५"</blockquote><blockquote>"यद॒ङ्ग दा॒शुषे॒ त्वमग्ने॑ भ॒द्रं क॑रि॒ष्यसि॑ । तवेत् तत् स॒त्यम॑ङ्गिरः ॥६"</blockquote><blockquote>"उप॑ त्वाग्ने दि॒वेदि॑वे॒ दोषा॑वस्तर्धि॒या व॒यम् । नमो॒ भर॑न्त॒ एम॑सि ॥७"</blockquote><blockquote>"राज॑न्तमध्व॒राणां॑ गो॒पामृ॒तस्य॒ दीदि॑विम् । वर्ध॑मानं॒ स्वे दमे॑ ॥८"</blockquote><blockquote>"स न॑: पि॒तेव॑ सू॒नवे ऽग्ने॑ सूपाय॒नो भ॑व । सच॑स्वा नः स्व॒स्तये॑ ॥९ (Rig. Veda. 1.1.1)</blockquote>Summary : Agni, the chosen one as the minister of yagnas (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 Yagna). Agni bestows his worshiper with boundless riches and wealth. Indeed greatly revered is Agni, the dispeller of darkness.

== References ==

== References ==

# 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://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

# Swami Sharvananda, Isavasyopanishad (1943), Madras, Sri Ramakrishna Math  (For Isavasyopanishad)

# Swami Sharvananda, Isavasyopanishad (1943), Madras, Sri Ramakrishna Math  (For Isavasyopanishad)

# 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