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→Different Kinds of Agni: added content and citations
<blockquote>बडवाग्निः ॥ Badavaagni (Vadavagni) in water (underground volcanic structures) as given in Shabdakalpadruma, बडवायाः समुद्रस्थितायाः घोटक्या मुखस्थोऽग्निः । समुद्रस्थाग्निः ।<ref>Shabdakalpadruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AC बडवाग्निः])</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>बडवाग्निः ॥ Badavaagni (Vadavagni) in water (underground volcanic structures) as given in Shabdakalpadruma, बडवायाः समुद्रस्थितायाः घोटक्या मुखस्थोऽग्निः । समुद्रस्थाग्निः ।<ref>Shabdakalpadruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AC बडवाग्निः])</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>जठराग्निः ॥ Jataraagni (hunger) in all mortal beings as fire that cooks food in the stomach as given in Vachaspatyam, जठरस्थितोऽग्निः । कौक्षेये अन्नादिपाचके वह्नौ “अन्नरसोजठराग्निना पच्यमानोरक्ततां प्रतिपद्यते”।<ref>Vachaspatyam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%9C जठराग्निः])</ref> Thus, as an element that lights up and consumes everything He plays a very significant role in Sristi.</blockquote>
<blockquote>जठराग्निः ॥ Jataraagni (hunger) in all mortal beings as fire that cooks food in the stomach as given in Vachaspatyam, जठरस्थितोऽग्निः । कौक्षेये अन्नादिपाचके वह्नौ “अन्नरसोजठराग्निना पच्यमानोरक्ततां प्रतिपद्यते”।<ref>Vachaspatyam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%9C जठराग्निः])</ref> Thus, as an element that lights up and consumes everything He plays a very significant role in Sristi.</blockquote>
* '''Devataswaroopam''' : He is prominent as the twin brother of Indra and the husband of Svāhā and Svadhā, and the father of Daksiham, Garhapatyam and Ahavanīyam.
* '''Devataswaroopam''' : He is prominent as the twin brother of Indra and the husband of Svaha and Svadha, and the father of Daksiham, Garhapatyam and Ahavaniyam.
* '''Jnana Tattvam''' : He is also known as the devata for Jnana or Knowledge. Knowledge or nature of every object is known only in the presence of Light or Deepam. But Fire is, by nature, self illuminating and does not need another lamp to reveal its nature.
* '''Jnana Tattvam''' : He is also known as the devata for Jnana or Knowledge. Knowledge or nature of every object is known only in the presence of Light or Deepam. But Fire is, by nature, self illuminating and does not need another lamp to reveal its nature.
== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==
== व्युत्पत्तिः || Etymology ==
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.
* According to Kanva Shatapatha Brahmana (1.2.4.2)<ref name=":8">Swaminathan. C. R. (2000). ''[http://ignca.nic.in/eBooks/KANVASATAPATHABRAHMAAAM_Vol_I.pdf Kanvasatapathabrahmanam, Volume 1.]'' New Delhi : Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts and Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd</ref>
<blockquote>स वा एषोऽग्रे देवतानामजायता तस्मादग्रिर्नामाग्रिर्ह वै नामैतद्यदग्निरित्याहुः स उ जातः पूर्वः प्रयाय तद्वैवास्य द्वितीयमग्रित्वं पूर्वं्हि यन्तमाहुरग्र एतीति ॥ (Kanv. Shat. Brah. 1.2.4.2)</blockquote>Meaning : This (Agni) was born before the devatas. Therefore, he is known as Agri. It is indeed Agri which they say as 'Agni'. Being born, he went ahead of others. That is indeed his second 'aheadness/firstness'. They say (of) one who goes first (before others) 'he goes ahead'.
* 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 ==
== Agni and Yajnas ==
A unique feature about Agni is that it is classified and called by different names based on its purpose in yajnas (Srauta and smarta), the ahutis (oblations) offered and its use in loukika kriyas (cooking).
Kindling of fire in a kunda (altar or yajnavedi) is the most important usage aspect of Agni, since ancient times. Shatapatabrahmana (Kanva) outlines the process of Agnyadhana (installation of the fire) and setting up the two Agnis () by for the purpose of yajnas. A unique feature about Agni is that it is classified and called by different names based on its purpose in yajnas (Srauta and smarta), the ahutis (oblations) offered and its use in loukika kriyas (cooking).
=== Ekagni (One Fire) ===
=== Ekagni (One Fire) ===
* '''Rig Veda Sukta''' (1.95.1 to 11) describes the birth of Agni from the ten daughters of Tvashtra according to Ralph Griffith's translation.<ref>Birth of Agni from Tvashtra's daughters Rig Veda ([http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv01095.htm Mandala 1 Sukta 95])</ref> However, according to Pt. Satavalekar, दश युवतयः ten ladies (in the meaning of 'ten fingers') त्वष्टुः गर्भे जनयन्ति give rise to Agni from Aranis (sticks).(Page 244 of Reference <ref name=":7" />). According to Acharya Dharmadev Vidya Martanda, another version is described as follows<ref>Acharya Dharma Deva Vidya Martanda (1978) ''The Rigveda, Volume 2'' New Delhi : Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha</ref>:
* '''Rig Veda Sukta''' (1.95.1 to 11) describes the birth of Agni from the ten daughters of Tvashtra according to Ralph Griffith's translation.<ref>Birth of Agni from Tvashtra's daughters Rig Veda ([http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv01095.htm Mandala 1 Sukta 95])</ref> However, according to Pt. Satavalekar, दश युवतयः ten ladies (in the meaning of 'ten fingers') त्वष्टुः गर्भे जनयन्ति give rise to Agni from Aranis (sticks).(Page 244 of Reference <ref name=":7" />). According to Acharya Dharmadev Vidya Martanda, another version is described as follows<ref>Acharya Dharma Deva Vidya Martanda (1978) ''The Rigveda, Volume 2'' New Delhi : Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha</ref>:
<blockquote>''"Men should know the 'ten directions' which like un-wearied industrious young women bring forth from electricity or wind त्वष्टुः this germ the origin of dealings गर्भे जनयन्ति"''</blockquote><blockquote>दशेमं त्वष्टुर्जनयन्त गर्भमतन्द्रासो युवतयो विभृत्रम् (Rig. Veda.1.95.2)<ref>Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhitas-mandal-01-sukta-095/ Mandala 1, Sukta 95])</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>''"Men should know the 'ten directions' which like un-wearied industrious young women bring forth from electricity or wind त्वष्टुः this germ the origin of dealings गर्भे जनयन्ति"''</blockquote><blockquote>दशेमं त्वष्टुर्जनयन्त गर्भमतन्द्रासो युवतयो विभृत्रम् (Rig. Veda.1.95.2)<ref>Rig Veda ([http://vedicheritage.gov.in/samhitas/rigveda/shakala-samhita/rigveda-shakala-samhitas-mandal-01-sukta-095/ Mandala 1, Sukta 95])</ref></blockquote>
* Agni was born from Prajapati as per '''Shatapatha Brahmana''' (2.2.4.1)
* Agni was born from Prajapati as per '''Shatapatha Brahmana (Madhyandina)''' (2.2.4.1)
<blockquote>प्रजापतिर्ह वा इदमग्र एक एवास । स ऐक्षत कथं नु प्रजायेयेति सोऽश्राम्यत्स तपोऽतप्यत सोऽग्निमेव मुखाज्जनयांचक्रे तद्यदेनं मुखादजनयत तस्मादन्नादोऽग्निः ... - २.२.४.[१] (Shatapatha Brahmana 2.2.4.1)<ref name=":4">Shatapata Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A8/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3_%E0%A5%AA Kanda 2 Adyaya 2])</ref></blockquote>Meaning : In the beginning Prajapati only existed. He thought 'How may I be reproduced?' He toiled and undertook penance and generated (gave birth to) Agni. And because he was so generated he became the consumer of food.<ref>http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbr/sbe12/sbe1247.htm</ref>
<blockquote>प्रजापतिर्ह वा इदमग्र एक एवास । स ऐक्षत कथं नु प्रजायेयेति सोऽश्राम्यत्स तपोऽतप्यत सोऽग्निमेव मुखाज्जनयांचक्रे तद्यदेनं मुखादजनयत तस्मादन्नादोऽग्निः ... - २.२.४.[१] (Shatapatha Brahmana 2.2.4.1)<ref name=":4">Shatapata Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A8/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3_%E0%A5%AA Kanda 2 Adyaya 2])</ref></blockquote>Meaning : In the beginning Prajapati only existed. He thought 'How may I be reproduced?' He toiled and undertook penance and generated (gave birth to) Agni from his mouth. And because he was so generated he became the consumer of food.<ref>http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbr/sbe12/sbe1247.htm</ref>
Same concept has been presented even in the Kanva Shatapatha Brahmana (1.2.4.1).<ref name=":8" />
* '''Mundakopanishad''' describes the origin of Sristi and the Panchabhutas. Thus, from the Paramapurusha arises Agni as one of the five elements. <blockquote>अग्निमूर्धा चक्षुषी चन्द्रसूर्यौ दिश: श्रोत्रे वाग्विवृताश्च वेदा: | वायु: प्राणो हृदयं विश्वमस्य पद्भयां पृथिवी ह्येष सर्वभूतान्तरात्मा || (Mund. Upan. 2.1.4).<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>
* '''Mundakopanishad''' describes the origin of Sristi and the Panchabhutas. Thus, from the Paramapurusha arises Agni as one of the five elements. <blockquote>अग्निमूर्धा चक्षुषी चन्द्रसूर्यौ दिश: श्रोत्रे वाग्विवृताश्च वेदा: | वायु: प्राणो हृदयं विश्वमस्य पद्भयां पृथिवी ह्येष सर्वभूतान्तरात्मा || (Mund. Upan. 2.1.4).<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>
Meaning : Agni (Fire) is forehead of the Paramapurusha while Surya and Chandra are the eyes. Vaayu is the breath.
Meaning : Agni (Fire) is forehead of the Paramapurusha while Surya and Chandra are the eyes. Vaayu is the breath.