Changes

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.

# Kravyaad is invoked to burn the flesh (corpses and animal parts) in the Pitri-yajna for which purpose Agni is obtained from the rays of the Surya.

# Kravyaad is invoked to burn the flesh (corpses and animal parts) in the Pitri-yajna for which purpose Agni is obtained from the rays of the Surya. (Rig. Veda. 10.16.9)

In the Jataveda form, "He who knows all creatures", Agni acts as the intermediary between man and devatas as the divine sacrificial priest. He is the messenger who carries the oblation from humans to devatas, bringing the Devatas to the site of sacrifice, and interceding between devatas and humans.     

In the Jataveda form, "He who knows all creatures", Agni acts as the intermediary between man and devatas as the divine sacrificial priest. He is the messenger who carries the oblation from humans to devatas, bringing the Devatas to the site of sacrifice, and interceding between devatas and humans.     

When Agni is praised for his presence, he brings all other deities to bless the yagnakarta (performer of the vedic ritual) with abundance, wealth and fulfill the desires when pleased. [[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotram]], or the sacrificial fires are thus kept by the grihasthas, and offerings (ghee, rice, purnaahuti etc) are made to Agnideva. This is of two types - nitya and kaamya.   

When Agni is praised for his presence, he brings all other deities to bless the yagnakarta (performer of the vedic ritual) with abundance, wealth and fulfill the desires when pleased. [[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotram]], or the sacrificial fires are thus kept by the grihasthas, and offerings (ghee, rice, purnaahuti etc) are made to Agnideva. This is of three types - nitya, naimittika and kaamya.   

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.