Questions tagged [agni]
Agni (Sanskrit: अग्नि), is a Hindu deity, one of the most important of the Vedic gods. He is also known as God of Fire.
54
questions
4
votes
1answer
85 views
How does the word 'Agni' acquire its traditional meaning as fire?
Literally, अग्नि = अंग् + नि, नलोपश्च।
And the root verb अंग् means "to revolve". The meaning of the suffix नि , I couldn't find anywhere, and then suddenly we start associating अग्नि with ...
5
votes
1answer
103 views
Who was Śukī, and what is the full story of Agni's desire for Śukī?
Srimad Bhagavatam says,
Mahārāja Barhiṣat — henceforward known as Prācīnabarhi — was ordered by the supreme demigod Brahmā to marry the daughter of the ocean named Śatadruti. Her bodily features were ...
12
votes
1answer
111 views
Should fire generated by match-sticks or petroleum-based products be used in homa?
In the Bṛhat Tantrasāra, it is stated that fire used for Tāntrika homa should belong to any one of the following categories :
It should be generated by araṇi wood.
It should be generated by stone (i....
1
vote
0answers
19 views
Stotra/Stuti from scriptures that confers same benefit as performing an agnihotra
I heard that there are some stotras or stutis in Mahabharata that have phala shruti in them which says that reciting that particular set of verses confers equivalent benefit as having done agnihotra ...
8
votes
0answers
70 views
preserving Agnihotra in present days?
I have heard in olden days, People used to preserve the Agni used in marriage ritual and the same agni was used for cremation of the same pair wedded. My question is, how this Agni was preserved and ...
2
votes
1answer
64 views
Sanskrit mantra of Sarasvati in agni purana to expand intelligence
Consider the following verses from Agni Purana regarding the goddess Sarasvati
The chief mantra, that is (known as) Sarasvati (Goddess of learning) ,
that which has the letters that have the ...
2
votes
0answers
30 views
Why did Bhrigu got angry with Agni when what Agni said was True, Pauloma was his wife?
I read the story of Pauloma in Mahabharat but couldn't understand the reason of Bhrigu's anger.
3
votes
1answer
252 views
Do agni's immortality contradicts gita 2:27?
RV 3.26.7
अग्निरस्मि जन्मना जातवेदाः घृतं मे चक्षुरमृतं म आसन् ।
अर्कस्त्रिधातू रजसो विमानो अजस्रो घर्मो हविरस्मि नाम ॥
“I am Agni, omniscient by birth, Light is my eye and Immortality is my mouth. I ...
5
votes
0answers
67 views
अग्निः सजीवः अस्ति अथवा निर्जीवः (Is Agni alive or dead entity)? [duplicate]
According to Hinduism, things like stone etc are called निर्जीव or अचेतन (dead) because stone has no consciousness and it doesn't feel pain.
The same goes for Agni, it looks like निर्जीव, but Veda ...
2
votes
1answer
96 views
How to practise fire worship in modern times?
Is there a simple way to practise fire worship more suited to modern times and not too complex and time-taking?
10
votes
0answers
663 views
Who are the eight vasus?
The list of 33 types of gods in Hinduism comprises 12 Adityas, 8 vasus, among others.
The 12 Adityas are said to be sons of Aditi and include Varuna the water god, Vivasvan or Surya.
The 8 vasus ...
0
votes
1answer
114 views
Why was Agni eulogised as Lord of slayers of VRITRA in Rig Veda III.16.1?
Rig Veda III.16.1, dedicated to AGNI, says:
ayamaghniḥ suvīryasyeśe mahaḥ saubhaghasya | rāya īśe svapatyasya
ghomata īśe vṛtrahathānām ||
The translation of this mantra by H.H. Wilson(P.12) is ...
2
votes
1answer
245 views
Who was the Manu that Rig Veda referring to?
Rig Veda II.10.6 says
जञेया भागं सहसानो वरेण तवादूतासो मनुवद वदेम | अनूनमग्निं जुह्वा
वचस्या मधुप्र्चं धनसाजोहवीमि ||
jñeyā bhāghaṃ sahasāno vareṇa tvādūtāso manuvad vadema |
anūnamaghniṃ ...
2
votes
1answer
87 views
Why Rig Veda II.7.5 says that Agni was the descendant of Bharata?
Rig Veda II.7.5 says as follows:
तवं नो असि भारताग्ने वशाभिरुक्षभिः | अष्टापदीभिराहुतः ||
Translation of H.H. Wilson is as follows:
AGNI. descendant of Bharata, thou art entirely ours, when ...
3
votes
0answers
59 views
Are there other instances of agni-pariksha in vedic scriptures?
We all know the famous agni-pariksha of Srimati Sita Devi from Sri Valmiki Ramayana, so I was wondering are there any other instances of Agni-pariksha described in vedas, puranas or itihasas?
4
votes
2answers
137 views
Did Agni take incarnation among men as per Rig Veda II.4.2?
Rig Veda II.4 is dedicated to Agni. RV II.4.2 says as follows:
इमं विधन्तो अपां सधस्थे दवितादधुर्भ्र्गवो विक्ष्वायोः | एष
विश्वान्यभ्यस्तु भूमा देवानामग्निररतिर्जीराश्वः ||
Translation of H.H. ...
2
votes
1answer
92 views
Was worship of 3 times mentioned in Rig Veda III.4.2, a precursor to performing of Sandhyavandana 3 times a day?
Rig Veda III.4.2, dedicated to Āprīs, says as follows:
यं देवासस्त्रिरहन्नायजन्ते दिवे-दिवे वरुणो मित्रो अग्निः | सेमं यज्ञं
मधुमन्तं कर्धी नस्तनूनपाद घर्तयोनिं विधन्तम ||
yaṃ ...
4
votes
2answers
444 views
Why agni is known as jaatavedas? [duplicate]
A shloka of Kena Upanishad says:
tey agnim abruvan jaataveda etad vijaanihi kim etad yaksham iti
tatheti
Agni – Fire, is called jaatavedas – ‘the knower of the Vedas.’
My question: Why is agni ...
2
votes
0answers
56 views
Is there any scriptural injuctions that says leaving 'Agni-seva' is a sin in kaliyuga?
Agni-seva was treated as a noble virtue in the Vedic ages.
Is there any scriptural injuctions that says leaving 'Agni-seva' is a sin in kaliyuga?
6
votes
1answer
169 views
Did Agni refuse to burn Sati at the Daksha Yagna?
Devdutt Pattanaik says this in one of his talks - when Agni wouldn't burn her, Sati burnt herself with her own internal fire, according to him. Is there scriptural basis for this?
8
votes
2answers
286 views
How was the behavior of Agni before he was cursed by Bhrigu?
How was the behavior of Agni before he was cursed by Bhrigu to be "Sarva bhakshakha" (consumer of all things)?
3
votes
2answers
265 views
How are offerings communicated from Agni to other gods?
During homa we give food to Agni (pour oblations in fire) but how will that food reach those particular deva's?
5
votes
1answer
1k views
Difference between Naishtika Brahmacharya and Sanyasa
What is the difference between Naishtika Brahmacharya and Sanyasa. Specifically in the context of 'Agni'. Since Sanyasa involves 'agni-tyaga'. Does Naishtika Brahmacharya also involve 'Agni-tyaga'?
5
votes
1answer
163 views
Which verse of taittiriya brAhmana talks of extinguishing agnihotra fire as sinful?
The book Hindu Dharma (comprised of speeches given by Chandrashekarendra Saraswati) states in this chapter that:
The Taittiriya Brahmana has it that to extinguish the agnihotra fire
is to earn ...
7
votes
1answer
312 views
Who are the seven mothers who taught Agni?
While reading the Sama Veda I came across a hymn to Agni which states something interesting:
Agni, thy faithful servant I call upon thee with many a gift,
As in the keeping of the great ...
5
votes
0answers
504 views
Why were the Saptarishis prevented from having relations with their wives?
Shatpatha Brahmana 2.1.2 gives the details about setting up sacrificial fires under the Krittikas (Pleiades constellation) and mentions something interesting:
He may set up the two fires under the ...
9
votes
1answer
358 views
Who is the 'messenger' of Asuras and what is his story?
Shatapatha Brahmana 1.4.1 mentions how Agni was chosen by the gods as their messenger:
He recites [the eighth sâmidhenî]: 'Agni we choose as messenger!' Now the gods and the Asuras, both of them ...
6
votes
0answers
78 views
What is the story of the three previous Agnis who passed away?
The Shatapatha Brahmana 1.3.3 mentions the following interesting conversation between Agni and the other gods:
He then lays the (three) enclosing-sticks (paridhi) around (the fire). The reason ...
6
votes
1answer
377 views
Have Devas like Indra, Agni, Varun ever done tapasya in order to counter attack Asuras?
We all know that asuras like Mahisasura, Hiranyakashipu, Tarakasur and many others did severe tapasya to impress either Brahma, Vishnu or Mahesh in order to seek various powers/boon so that they could ...
4
votes
0answers
186 views
Who is the Rishi Lamagayana, relative of Agni’s wife Svaha?
This excerpt from the Gopatha Brahmana of the Atharvana Veda describes the goddess Svaha, wife of Agni the fire god:
Svaha was born of truth, she was made by the Brahman, and she is of the same ...
10
votes
1answer
275 views
How can Wind, Sun and Fire be living beings?
There are many hymns dedicated to Wind, Sun, Fire in the Vedas. There was also a yajna done to please them. Sun is called Aditya, meaning son of Aditi and Kashyapa Rishi. How can a star be born from a ...
7
votes
1answer
515 views
What are the five kind of offerings and vedic hymns Srimad Bhagavatham is referring to?
In this verse from Srimad Bhagavatham 4.7.41, Fire God is praising Narayana.
The fire-god said: My dear Lord, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You because by Your favor I am as luminous as ...
5
votes
0answers
242 views
What is the relation of Surya & Yama with Agni?
Rig Veda Book 10, Hymn 21 is dedicated to Agni and mentions the following:
4 O Agni, what thou deemest wealth, Victorious and Immortal One!
Bring thou to give us vigour,—at your glad carouse -...
7
votes
1answer
320 views
Is Agni and Vayu great because RigVeda eulogized them or are they not great because they're subject to ego in Kenopanishad?
The opening hymn of Rig Veda is for Agni , the god of fire I am assuming .
And then there are many more hymns , but then there're ones for Vayu, Mitra, Indra, and so on for the other deities.
The ...
10
votes
1answer
403 views
Do any verses in the Vedas declare Agni to be the Highest Brahman?
After seeing this answer, I wish to know whether there are any verses declare Agni to be Highest Brahman (since he is frequently mentioned as Indra). Are there any such verses?
7
votes
3answers
787 views
Why Agni is called 'twice born' in Rigveda?
Agni is called twice born in RigVeda
abhi dvi janma tri rochanani vishva rajansi shushuchano asthat |
hota yajistho apam sadhaste".(RV.1.149.4) -
Griffith translates as -'He, doubly born, hath ...
10
votes
2answers
7k views
To whom the Durga suktam Of Rig veda is addressed To?
The Durga or Agni Suktam is an ancient hymn Of Rig Veda. So is this hymn addressed to Agni deva or Durga maa? If it is addressed to Agni deva then why it calls Agni as destroyer of hurdle as Durga maa?...
3
votes
0answers
310 views
Why are Hindu marriages done “Agni Sakshi” (fire as witness) [duplicate]
While marrying, the hindus pledge considering "fire" as a witness. Is there any specific with fire that it is given priority over the other master elements of the universe?
6
votes
1answer
4k views
Why are there so many similarities between Zoroastrianism and Hinduism? [closed]
As far as I know, Zoroastrian is the closest among all to the Vedic religion.
There are many similarities like:
Both have fire and fire rituals as its core.
Deities like Soma, Mitra, Varuna etc ...
7
votes
2answers
6k views
What is the significance of fire in rituals? [duplicate]
In all the Hindu rituals that I have attended, I have seen that there is always a fire burning. Why is fire so important?
4
votes
0answers
56 views
Do the Four Elements shown in Avatar Airbender series have any basis in Hinduism? [duplicate]
Do the four elements (fire, water, earth and air) shown in the Avatar (The Last Airbender) series have any basis in Hinduism?
Is this just a fun way to represent in Hinduism or are there verses in ...
3
votes
1answer
252 views
Did Lord Rama create or invent fire?
Is there any scripture mentioning Lord Rama creating fire or inventing it?
14
votes
2answers
2k views
Which Scriptures contain the verse "Arogyam bhaskarad ichcheth"?
First line of the following verse is used in Ayurveda and Surya Namaskaras to substantiate significance of Lord Surya as bestower of good health.
Arogyam bhaskarad ichcheth Sriyam ichcheth ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
Jataveda and Kravyada forms of Agni, the vedic God of fire
Agni is the vedic God of fire and sacrifice. Agni is prominent in the hymns of the Vedas and particularly the Brahmanas.In the Rig Veda there are over 200 hymns that praise Agni.
Agni is identified ...
7
votes
1answer
3k views
Different types of sacred fires from Vedic Period?
While reading This Web Site , I have come across a description of various fires a grihastha (householder) was expected to keep in his house during Vedic period.
The exact passage from website is as ...
3
votes
0answers
3k views
Why was Agni inside the mouth of the first king of Videha?
This chapter of the Satapatha Brahmana of the Yajur Veda describes how the ancient king Videha Madhava founded the kingdom of Videha, the kingdom that Sita's father Janaka later ruled. Once Videha ...
8
votes
2answers
36k views
Translation of the very first Mantra of the Rig Veda
This page mentions all the Sanskrit Shlokas of the Rig Veda. Here is the very first one
अग्निमीळे पुरोहितं यज्ञस्य देवमृत्विजम् । होतारं रत्नधातमम् १
I tried looking for translations by an Indian ...
8
votes
1answer
337 views
Did Agni curse Vedic mantras to become ineffective?
I have heard a story that a sankalpa (solemn vow) to destroy the snake race was taken during Janmajeya's snake sacrifice (yajna). But as that sankalpa couldn't be fulfilled as the yajna was stopped by ...
2
votes
0answers
180 views
Draupadi's connections with Sri Krsna and Agni Dev?
Goddess Draupadi-Panchali is sometimes referred to as Krsnaa, and sometimes as Agniputri or Agnijoytsna. Does this mean she has some sort of family or karmic connection with Sri Krsna and/or Agni Dev? ...
5
votes
0answers
351 views
Why did Agni serve as the priest for two kings?
In my question here, I discussed an excerpt from the Aitareya Brahmana of the Rig Veda which lists various kings who have performed the Rajasuya Yagna, the ritual to become an emperor. Now here is ...