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Line 26: − + − == Role of Agni == − − === हव्यवाहनः ॥ Havyavahana === − Agni is the very personification of the sacrificial fire. He is associated with Vedic sacrifice, taking offerings of men to the other world in his fire. He is the priest of the gods, and the god of the priests. Through ''yajna'' he carries the oblations to the gods, to ensure the continuance of conditions favorable to mankind. No devata is approachable without the medium of Agni, and no divinity is without the presence of Agni. − === अग्निर्होता ॥ Agni as Hota === − 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. 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. Rig Veda mantras (1.26.1 to 10) extol the role of Agni as the वरेण्य: (distinguished or chief ) पूर्व्य होता (Sanatana Yagnakarta). 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. This is of three types - nitya, naimittika and kaamya. − − 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. − === ज्ञानप्रदायकः ॥ Jnanapradayaka === − In Isavasyopanishad, Agni is worshiped as the torch bearer to the departing soul, leading it through the path of the Devatas (Devayana) towards the Parabrahman. He is the witness to the deeds of all beings. − − Kenopanishad describes Agni as the Energy that runs the life processes of any being. Kathopanishad reveals the secrets of the fire that lead one on an enlightened path to the higher worlds or realms. This most divinely is explained by Yama, the bearer of Dharma to Nachiketa, the young scholar. − − Chandogya Upanishad, in a more sakarmaka marg, throws light on how a normal householder can enter the Brahmajana marga through the tending of Agnihotra as given in Upakosala's and Satyakama Jabali's conversation (chap 5). The essence of brahmavidya symbolized by [[Panchagni Vidya (पञ्चाग्नि विद्या)|Panchagnividya]] for the householder is given in this Upanishad in the form of the dialogue between Uddalaka and Shvetaketu. − − 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). Line 107:
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Meaning : Agni is that which goes upward, and who was "first born" derived from the dhatu - अग् used in the meaning कुटिलायां गतौ (as in Panini's Dhatupatha) meaning that which moves crookedly.
Meaning : Agni is that which goes upward, and who was "first born" derived from the dhatu - अग् used in the meaning कुटिलायां गतौ (as in Panini's Dhatupatha) meaning that which moves crookedly.
* Yaskacharya explains in Nirukta (7.14) अग्रणीः भवति । अग्रम् अथ अतः अनुक्रमिष्यामः<ref name=":0" /> - अग्नि (Agni) is so called because he is अग्रणी (Agrani), the foremost leader, whom one follows.
* Yaskacharya explains in Nirukta (7.14) अग्रणीः भवति । अग्रम् अथ अतः अनुक्रमिष्यामः<ref name=":0" /> - अग्नि (Agni) is so called because he is अग्रणी (Agrani), the foremost leader, whom one follows.
* 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.
== Different Kinds of Agni ==
== Different Kinds of Agni ==
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.
==== हव्यवाहनः ॥ Havyavahana ====
Agni is the very personification of the sacrificial fire. He is associated with Vedic sacrifice, taking offerings of men to the other world in his fire. He is the priest of the gods, and the god of the priests. Through ''yajna'' he carries the oblations to the gods, to ensure the continuance of conditions favorable to mankind. No devata is approachable without the medium of Agni, and no divinity is without the presence of Agni.
==== अग्निर्होता ॥ Agni as Hota ====
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. 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. Rig Veda mantras (1.26.1 to 10) extol the role of Agni as the वरेण्य: (distinguished or chief ) पूर्व्य होता (Sanatana Yagnakarta). 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. This is of three types - nitya, naimittika and kaamya.
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.
==== ज्ञानप्रदायकः ॥ Jnanapradayaka ====
In Isavasyopanishad, Agni is worshiped as the torch bearer to the departing soul, leading it through the path of the Devatas (Devayana) towards the Parabrahman. He is the witness to the deeds of all beings.
Kenopanishad describes Agni as the Energy that runs the life processes of any being. Kathopanishad reveals the secrets of the fire that lead one on an enlightened path to the higher worlds or realms. This most divinely is explained by Yama, the bearer of Dharma to Nachiketa, the young scholar.
Chandogya Upanishad, in a more sakarmaka marg, throws light on how a normal householder can enter the Brahmajana marga through the tending of Agnihotra as given in Upakosala's and Satyakama Jabali's conversation (chap 5). The essence of brahmavidya symbolized by [[Panchagni Vidya (पञ्चाग्नि विद्या)|Panchagnividya]] for the householder is given in this Upanishad in the form of the dialogue between Uddalaka and Shvetaketu.
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).
== Agni and Puranas ==
=== अग्निपुराणम् ॥ Agni Puranam ===
=== 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
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