Agni, the god of fire, is one of the most prominent deities in the Vedas. With the unique exclusivity of Indra, more chants and hymns are directed at the deity Angi than at any other Hindu god. To this day, Agni is part of many rites of passage ceremonies for Hindus, including birth, marriage, and death.
1. The Origin and Appearance of Agni
In legend, there are several accounts of Agni’s origin. According to stories and legends, this god is said to be the son of the deities Dyaus and Prithivi. Another version says that he is the son of Brahma, named Abhimani. According to another fable, he is listed among the sons of the gods Kasyapa and Aditi, and is therefore one of the lesser gods of the Adityas. In later writings, he is described as a son of Angiras, king of the Pitris (fathers of humanity), and is credited with the authorship of several hymns.
In artwork, Agni is depicted as a red man with three legs and seven arms, dark eyes, eyebrows, and hair. He rides a ram, wears a poita (Brahmin thread), and a garland of fruits. Flames burst from his mouth, and seven lights of glory sparkle from his being.
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of Agni in Hindu religious practice and belief.
2. The Many Tones of Agni
Agni is an immortal who has taken up residence with mortals as their guest. He is the domestic priest who rises before dawn; he embodies a purified and intensified form of the sacrificial duties assigned to various human officials.
Agni is the most divine of the sages and is intimately familiar with all forms of worship. He is the wise director and protector of all ceremonies, enabling men to serve the gods in a proper and acceptable manner.
He is a swift messenger who moves between heaven and earth, commissioned by gods and men to maintain their mutual communication. He communicates to the immortals the hymns and offerings of earthly worshippers, and also brings the immortals from the heavens to the place of sacrifice. He accompanies the gods when they visit the earth and shares in the reverence and worship they receive. He makes human offerings tangible; without him, the gods do not experience satisfaction.
3. The Uniqueness of Agni
Agni is the lord, protector, and king of men. He is the lord of the house, dwelling in every dwelling. He is a guest in every home; he despises no man and lives in every family. Therefore, he is considered a mediator between gods and men and a witness to their actions. To this day, Agni is worshipped and his blessing is sought on all solemn occasions, including birth, marriage, and death.
In the old hymns, it is said that Agni dwells in the two pieces of wood that produce fire when rubbed together, the living being that springs from dry, dead wood. As the poet says, as soon as the child is born, he begins to consume his parents. Agni’s growth is seen as a marvel, as he is born of a mother who cannot nourish him, but receives his food from the offerings of clarified butter poured into his mouth.
4. The Power of Agni
The highest divine functions are attributed to Agni. Although in some accounts he is described as the son of heaven and earth, in others it is said that he must have formed heaven and earth and everything that flies or walks, stands or moves. Agni formed the sun and adorned the heavens with stars. Men tremble before his mighty deeds, and his edicts cannot be resisted. The earth, the sky, and all things obey his commands. All the gods fear and pay homage to Agni. He knows the secrets of mortals and hears all the invocations addressed to him.
5. Why Do Hindus Worship Agni?
The worshippers of Agni will prosper, be rich, and live long. Agni will watch with a thousand eyes over the man who brings him food and nourishes him with offerings. No mortal enemy can gain dominion over the person who sacrifices to Agni. Agni also confers immortality. In a funeral hymn, Agni is asked to use his heat to warm the unborn (immortal) part of the deceased and carry it to the world of the righteous.
Agni carries men through calamities, like a ship on the sea. He orders all riches on earth and in heaven and is therefore invoked for riches, food, liberation, and all other forms of temporal good. He also forgives sins committed through madness. It is said that all the gods are included within Agni; they surround him as the circumference of a wheel does the spokes.
6. Agni in Hindu scriptures and epics
In a famous hymn from the Rig-Veda, Indra and the other gods are called upon to destroy the Kravyads (the meat-eaters), or Rakshas, enemies of the gods. But Agni himself is a Kravyad, and as such takes on a completely different character. In this hymn, Agni exists in a form as horrible as the beings he has been called upon to devour. However, he sharpens his two iron fangs, puts his enemies in his mouth, and devours them. He heats the edges of his shafts and sends them into the hearts of the Rakshas.
In the Mahabharata, Agni exhausts himself by devouring too many offerings and wishes to regain his strength by consuming the entire Khandava forest. Initially, Indra prevents Agni from doing this, but once Agni obtains the help of Krishna and Arjuna, he confuses Indra and achieves his goal.
According to the Ramayana, to help Vishnu, when Agni incarnates as Rama, he becomes the father of Nila by a monkey mother. Finally, in the Vishnu Purana, Agni marries Swaha, with whom he has three sons: Pavaka, Pavamana, and Suchi.
7. The seven names of Agni
Agni has many names: Vahni (who receives the homo, or burnt sacrifice); Vitihotra, (who sanctifies the worshipper); Dhananjaya (who conquers riches); Jivalana (who burns); Dhumketu (whose sign is smoke); Chhagaratha (who rides a ram); Saptajihva (who has seven tongues).
