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Agni (Samskrit: अग्निः) means Fire, Lighting, Purifier. Agni (the Fire deity) occupies a key place in Vedic mantras. Fire was one of the main elements that brought about a change in the way human civilizations evolved and plays an important role in the evolution of man and this fact is explicit in the Vedas as Agni was significantly praised for his prowess.
Agni (Samskrit: अग्निः) means Fire, Lighting, Purifier. Agni (the Fire deity) occupies a key place in Vedic mantras. Fire was one of the main elements that brought about a change in the way human civilizations evolved and plays an important role in the evolution of man and this fact is explicit in the Vedas as Agni was significantly praised for his prowess.
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
A large number of mantras of the Rigveda are devoted to describing and praising Agni. Some of the attributes are summarized as follows<ref name=":1">Vettam. Mani, (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature].'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>:
A large number of mantras of the [[Rigveda]] are devoted to describing and praising Agni. Some of the attributes are summarized as follows<ref name=":1">Vettam. Mani, (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature].'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>:
* '''पञ्चभूतः ॥ Panchabhuta''' : Fire is one of thePanchabhutas or the five traditional elemental forces that make up the world of matter.
* '''पञ्चभूतः ॥ Panchabhuta''' : Fire is one of thePanchabhutas or the five traditional elemental forces that make up the world of matter.
* '''Bearer of Sacrificial Offerings''' : The presiding deity of tejas (fire and heat), Agni is revered as the receiver of oblations and sacrifices of men on behalf of the devatas.
* '''Bearer of Sacrificial Offerings''' : The presiding deity of tejas (fire and heat), Agni is revered as the receiver of oblations and sacrifices of men on behalf of the devatas.
* '''First Rigveda Sukta''' : Fire has a very prominent place since the Vedic period and the Rigveda starts with the Agni sukta (अग्निसूक्तम् ie. Agnimeele purohitam...). Agni is second only to Indrain power and importance attributed to him in Vedic literature, with 218 out of 1,028 hymns of the Rigveda dedicated to him. With वरुणः ॥ [[Varuna]] and इन्द्रः ॥ Indra, he is one of the supreme gods in the Rigveda.
* '''First Rigveda Sukta''' : Fire has a very prominent place since the Vedic period and the Rigveda starts with the Agni sukta (अग्निसूक्तम् ie. Agnimeele purohitam...). Agni is second only to [[Indra (इन्द्रः)|Indra]] in power and importance attributed to him in Vedic literature, with 218 out of 1,028 hymns of the Rigveda dedicated to him. With [[Varuna]] and Indra, he is one of the supreme gods in the Rigveda.
* दिक्पालकः ॥ '''Dikpalaka''' : He is the one of the [[Astadikpalakas (अष्टदिक्पालकाः)|Ashtadikpalakas (अष्टदिक्पालाकाः)]] or the presiding deities of the eight directions as described in Devi bhagavata (देवी भागवतम्)(Chap. 8). Among them, He is the Agneyadishadhipati (आग्नेयदिशाधिपतिः) the sovereign guardian of the Agneya direction or the south-east quarter).
* '''दिक्पालकः ॥ Dikpalaka''' : He is the one of the [[Astadikpalakas (अष्टदिक्पालकाः)|Ashtadikpalakas (अष्टदिक्पालाकाः)]] or the presiding deities of the eight directions as described in Devi bhagavata (देवी भागवतम्)(Chap. 8). Among them, He is the Agneyadishadhipati (आग्नेयदिशाधिपतिः), the sovereign guardian of the Agneya direction or the south-east quarter.
* स्वरूपम् ॥ '''Swaroopa (Nature)''' : Agni manifests as follows in nature
* '''स्वरूपम् ॥ Swaroopa (Nature)''' : Agni manifests as follows in nature
<blockquote>सूर्यः द्युस्थानः । वायुः वा इन्द्रः वा अन्तरिक्षस्थानः । अग्निः पृथिवीस्थानः ।(Nirukta 7.5)<ref name=":0">Nirukta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 7])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>sūryaḥ dyusthānaḥ । vāyuḥ vā indraḥ vā antarikṣasthānaḥ । agniḥ pṛthivīsthānaḥ ।(Nirukta 7.5)</blockquote>Meaning: Self illumine bodies such as Surya in the Antariksha (अन्तरीक्षम् | heavenly Cosmic regions), Lightning in the Akasha (आकाशः । Sky) ie. Vayu (वायुः) and Indra (इन्द्रः) representing wind and lightning, Fire (Flame or Agni) on the Prithivi (पृथिवी । Earth).
<blockquote>सूर्यः द्युस्थानः । वायुः वा इन्द्रः वा अन्तरिक्षस्थानः । अग्निः पृथिवीस्थानः ।(Nirukta 7.5)<ref name=":0">Nirukta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 7])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>sūryaḥ dyusthānaḥ । vāyuḥ vā indraḥ vā antarikṣasthānaḥ । agniḥ pṛthivīsthānaḥ ।(Nirukta 7.5)</blockquote>Meaning: Self illumine bodies such as [[Surya (सूर्यः)|Surya]] in the Antariksha (अन्तरीक्षम् | heavenly Cosmic regions), Lightning in the Akasha (आकाशः । Sky) ie. [[Vayu]] (वायुः) and Indra (इन्द्रः) representing wind and lightning, Fire (Flame or Agni) on the Prithivi (पृथिवी । Earth).
Badavagni or Vadavagni (बडवाग्निः) in water (underground volcanic structures) as given in Shabdakalpadruma, <blockquote>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>baḍavāyāḥ samudrasthitāyāḥ ghoṭakyā mukhastho'gniḥ । samudrasthāgniḥ ।</blockquote>जठराग्निः ॥ Jataragni (hunger) in all mortal beings as fire that cooks food in the stomach as given in Vachaspatya, <blockquote>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></blockquote><blockquote>jaṭharasthito'gniḥ । kaukṣeye annādipācake vahnau "annarasojaṭharāgninā pacyamānoraktatāṃ pratipadyate"।</blockquote>Thus, as an element that lights up and consumes everything He plays a very significant role in सृष्टिः ॥ Srishti.
Badavagni or Vadavagni (बडवाग्निः) in water (underground volcanic structures) as given in Shabdakalpadruma, <blockquote>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>baḍavāyāḥ samudrasthitāyāḥ ghoṭakyā mukhastho'gniḥ । samudrasthāgniḥ ।</blockquote>जठराग्निः ॥ Jataragni (hunger) in all mortal beings as fire that cooks food in the stomach as given in Vachaspatya, <blockquote>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></blockquote><blockquote>jaṭharasthito'gniḥ । kaukṣeye annādipācake vahnau "annarasojaṭharāgninā pacyamānoraktatāṃ pratipadyate"।</blockquote>Thus, as an element that lights up and consumes everything, he plays a very significant role in सृष्टिः ॥ Srishti.
* '''देवतास्वरूपम् ॥ Devataswaroopa''' : He is prominent as the twin brother of Indra, the husband of Svaha (स्वाहा) and Svadha (स्वधा), and the father of Dakshina (दक्षिणम्), Garhapatya (गार्हपत्यम्) and Ahavaniya (आहवनीयम्).
* '''देवतास्वरूपम् ॥ Devataswaroopa''' : He is prominent as the twin brother of Indra, the husband of Svaha (स्वाहा) and Svadha (स्वधा), and the father of Dakshina (दक्षिणम्), Garhapatya (गार्हपत्यम्) and Ahavaniya (आहवनीयम्).
* '''ज्ञानतत्त्वम् ॥ Jnana Tattva''' : He is also known as the devata for Jnana (ज्ञानम् | Knowledge). Knowledge or nature of every object is known only in the presence of Light or Deepa. But Fire is, by nature, self illuminating and does not need another lamp to reveal its nature.
* '''ज्ञानतत्त्वम् ॥ Jnana Tattva''' : He is also known as the devata for Jnana (ज्ञानम् | Knowledge). Knowledge or nature of every object is known only in the presence of Light or Deepa. But Fire is, by nature, self illuminating and does not need another lamp to reveal its nature.
* According to Shabdakalpadruma,
* According to Shabdakalpadruma,
<blockquote>अङ्गयन्ति अग्य्रं जन्म प्रापयन्ति इतिव्युत्पत्त्या... अङ्गति ऊर्द्ध्वं गच्छति इति . अगि गतौ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>aṅgayanti agyraṃ janma prāpayanti itivyutpattyā... aṅgati ūrddhvaṃ gacchati iti . agi gatau ॥</blockquote>Meaning : Agni is that which goes upward, and who was "first born" derived from the dhatu (धातुः) - अग् ॥ ag used in the meaning कुटिलायां गतौ || kuṭilāyāṃ gatau (as in Panini's Dhatupatha | धातुपाठः ) meaning that which moves crookedly.
<blockquote>अङ्गयन्ति अग्य्रं जन्म प्रापयन्ति इतिव्युत्पत्त्या... अङ्गति ऊर्द्ध्वं गच्छति इति . अगि गतौ ॥ </blockquote><blockquote>aṅgayanti agyraṃ janma prāpayanti itivyutpattyā... aṅgati ūrddhvaṃ gacchati iti . agi gatau ॥</blockquote>Meaning : Agni is that which goes upward, and who was "first born" derived from the dhatu (धातुः) - अग् ॥ ag used in the meaning कुटिलायां गतौ || kuṭilāyāṃ gatau (as in Panini's Dhatupatha | धातुपाठः ) meaning that which moves crookedly.
* Yaskacharya (यास्काचार्यः) explains in Nirukta (7.14) अग्रणीः भवति । अग्रम् अथ अतः अनुक्रमिष्यामः ॥ agraṇīḥ bhavati । agram atha ataḥ anukramiṣyāmaḥ <ref name=":0" /> - Agni (अग्निः) is so called because he is Agrani (अग्रणी) (the foremost leader), whom one follows.
* Yaskacharya (यास्काचार्यः) explains in Nirukta (7.14) अग्रणीः भवति । अग्रम् अथ अतः अनुक्रमिष्यामः ॥ agraṇīḥ bhavati । agram atha ataḥ anukramiṣyāmaḥ <ref name=":0" /> - Agni is so called because he is Agrani (अग्रणी) (the foremost leader), whom one follows.
* According toKanva Shatapatha Brahmana (काण्वशतपथब्राह्मणम्)(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>
* According to Kanva Shatapatha Brahmana (काण्वशतपथब्राह्मणम्)(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><blockquote>sa vā eṣo'gre devatānāmajāyatā tasmādagrirnāmāgrirha vai nāmaitadyadagnirityāhuḥ sa u jātaḥ pūrvaḥ prayāya tadvaivāsya dvitīyamagritvaṃ pūrvaṃhi yantamāhuragra etīti ॥ (Kanv. Shat. Brah. 1.2.4.2)</blockquote>Meaning : This ( Agni) was born before the devatas. Therefore, he is known as Agri (अग्री). 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'.
<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><blockquote>sa vā eṣo'gre devatānāmajāyatā tasmādagrirnāmāgrirha vai nāmaitadyadagnirityāhuḥ sa u jātaḥ pūrvaḥ prayāya tadvaivāsya dvitīyamagritvaṃ pūrvaṃhi yantamāhuragra etīti ॥ (Kanv. Shat. Brah. 1.2.4.2)</blockquote>Meaning : This ( Agni) was born before the devatas. Therefore, he is known as Agri (अग्री). 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.
== अग्निः यज्ञाः च ॥ Agni and Yajnas ==
== अग्निः यज्ञाः च ॥ Agni and Yajnas ==
Agni Upasana, commences with Samidadhanam in Brahmacharyasrama, grows into Aupasanam, Vaisvadevam, Nityagnihotram and many Srautha and Smartha karmas in Grihasthasrama.
Agni Upasana, commences with Samidadhanam (समि in Brahmacharyasrama, grows into Aupasanam, Vaisvadevam, Nityagnihotram and many Srautha and Smartha karmas in Grihasthasrama.
Kindling of fire in a kunda (altar or yajnavedi | यज्ञवेदी) is the most important usage aspect of Agni, since ancient times. Kanva Shatapatabrahmana outlines the process of Agnyadhana (अग्न्याधानम् | installation of the fire) and setting up the two Agnis (Smarta and Srauta agnis) by grihastha 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 (Shrauta | श्रौतः and smarta । स्मार्तः ), the ahutis (आहुति-s । oblations) offered and its use in laukika kriyas (cooking).
Kindling of fire in a kunda (altar or yajnavedi | यज्ञवेदी) is the most important usage aspect of Agni, since ancient times. Kanva Shatapatabrahmana outlines the process of Agnyadhana (अग्न्याधानम् | installation of the fire) and setting up the two Agnis (Smarta and Srauta agnis) by grihastha 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 (Shrauta | श्रौतः and smarta । स्मार्तः ), the ahutis (आहुति-s । oblations) offered and its use in laukika kriyas (cooking).