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Line 66: − + + + + + + + + + + + + − 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. Agni purana is an ancient text compared to many later puranas. In there, 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 exposition on religious rituals such as conducting vratas or sacred vows, pilgrimages and consequences of attaining hell when these dharmas are not adhered to. A detailed history of the different Manu's in each Manvantara or Era of Manu, the different varnasrama dharmas and raja dharmas, astrology and various aspects about construction of temples have been expounded. + − − − + − − ''Kravyād'' (क्रव्याद) is the form of Agni which eats corpses, the fire of the funeral pyre; the fire that eats corpses can eat everything. This is the impure form which is much feared.<sup>[8]</sup> In this form, after one’s death and at the time of cremation, Agni heats up and burns the body only, the body which is the impure human condition (SB 2.2.4.8). − === Knowledge === − Agni is ''Abhimāni'', from Sanskrit: ''abhi'' (towards) + ''man'' (the verbal root ''man'' 'to think', 'reflect upon') meaning dignified, proud; longing for, thinking. Agni is the 'Mystic Fire', who leads man on the journey to God. Agni is worshipped as the symbol of piety and purity; as expression of two kinds of energy i.e. light and heat, he is the symbol of life and activity. ''Agni-rahasya'', "the secret of fire," is the key to all knowledge because Agni is the power of inner and outer illumination. − − === Water === − − == Devata Swaroopam == + +
→Upanishads : Jnanapradayaka
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.
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.
=== '''Vedas''': '''अग्निर्होता - Agni as Hota''' ===
=== '''अग्निर्होता ॥ Agni as Hota''' ===
In the Vedic literature, Agni occupies, after Indra, the most important position. Agni occupies a prominent place in the Vedas and particularly the Brahmanas. There are over 200 hymns addressed to and in praise of Agni. Apart from that Agni also has the role of a mantra-drashta as to him are revealed many mantras of the 9th Mandala of Rig veda.
In the Vedic literature, Agni occupies, after Indra, the most important position. Agni occupies a prominent place in the Vedas and particularly the Brahmanas. There are over 200 hymns addressed to and in praise of Agni. Apart from that Agni also has the role of a mantra-drashta as to him are revealed many mantras of the 9th Mandala of Rig veda.
The Taittiriya samhita outlines the different activities of a householder as the one who tends the Agnihotra for the welfare of nature, animals and plants and fellow human beings.
The Taittiriya samhita outlines the different activities of a householder as the one who tends the Agnihotra for the welfare of nature, animals and plants and fellow human beings.
=== '''Upanishads''' : '''Jnanapradayaka''' ===
=== 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.
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.
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).
Puranas :
=== 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
=== जातवेदाः ॥ Jataveda and क्रव्याद Kravaayd ===
=== Jataveda and Kravyād ===
Agni has two forms: ''Jataveda'' and ''Kravyada'':
Agni has two forms: ''Jataveda'' and ''Kravyada'':
# ''Jātaveda'' is invoked to burn and carry the offerings (except flesh) to the respective Gods, in which case Agni is light identified with knowledge and with Brahman.
# ''Jātaveda'' is invoked to burn and carry the offerings (except flesh) to the respective Gods, in which case Agni is light identified with knowledge and with Brahman.
# ''Kravyād'' 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 Sun.
# ''Kravyād'' 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 Sun.
In the ''Jātaveda'' form, "He who knows all creatures", Agni acts as the divine model for the sacrificial priest. He is the messenger who carries the oblation from humans to the gods, bringing the Gods to sacrifice, and interceding between gods and humans (Rig Veda I.26.3). When Agni is pleased, the gods are generous. Agni represents the cultivated, cooked and cultured aspects of Vedic ritual.
In the Jataveda form, "He who knows all creatures", Agni acts as the divine model for the sacrificial priest. He is the messenger who carries the oblation from humans to the gods, bringing the Gods to sacrifice, and interceding between gods and humans (Rig Veda I.26.3). When Agni is pleased, the gods are generous. Agni represents the cultivated, cooked and cultured aspects of Vedic ritual.
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.
=== Devata Swaroopam ===
=== Birth and Family ===
=== Birth and Family ===
Agni is the son of Brahma. In the Visnu Purana, Agni, called ''Abhimāni'' is said to have sprung from the mouth of the Virat purusha, the Cosmic Man. In another version, Agni is the son of Dharma (Eternal Law) and Vasubhāryā (daughter of Light). A sage of the Rig Veda (Sukta IV.iii.11) states that the Sun became visible when Agni was born.<sup>[28]</sup>
Agni is the son of Brahma. In the Visnu Purana, Agni, called ''Abhimāni'' is said to have sprung from the mouth of the Virat purusha, the Cosmic Man. In another version, Agni is the son of Dharma (Eternal Law) and Vasubhāryā (daughter of Light). A sage of the Rig Veda (Sukta IV.iii.11) states that the Sun became visible when Agni was born.<sup>[28]</sup>