Significance of Agni
Synonyms: Fire, Flame, Blaze, Heat, Inferno, Conflagration
In Dutch: Agni; In German: Agni; In Finnish: Agni; In Spanish: Agni; In Swedish: Agni; In Malay: Agni; In French: Agni
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Agni'
Agni in Hinduism embodies the fire deity central to rituals, symbolizing purification and transformation. He acts as a mediator for offerings, connects the divine, and is pivotal in Vedic sacrificial practices, representing both power and significance.
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) The fire deity and central figure in Vedic rituals, often called the protector of vows and invoked for guidance and prosperity.[1] (2) Referred to as the repeller of shafts, the fire-god associated with the altar and worshipped for stability during the sacrifice.[2] (3) The fire god, chosen for his role in rituals as the Hotri, responsible for carrying offerings.[3] (4) The personification of the sacred fire in Vedic traditions, who is invoked to facilitate the conveyance of sacrifices.[4] (5) The fire deity in Vedic tradition, who is life-sap and the energy that sustains life.[5]
From: Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra
(1) The fire god in Vedic tradition, central to sacrificial rites and invoked for auspiciousness.[6] (2) The fire deity central to Vedic rituals, symbolizing life, purification, and the mediator between humans and gods.[7] (3) The Vedic fire deity revered in Hinduism, representing the messenger between humans and the divine, often invoked in sacrifices.[8] (4) The deity of fire in Hindu tradition, to whom offerings are made during the renewal of sacred fires.[9] (5) The deity associated with fire, invoked during the Pravargya-rite for protection and blessings.[10]
From: Sankhayana-grihya-sutra
(1) The Vedic deity of fire, invoked during sacrifices for prosperity and protection.[11] (2) A reference to the fire god in Vedic literature, associated with rituals, particularly in invoking vigor.[12] (3) The Vedic fire god invoked in the verses, representing acceptance and good fortune.[13]
From: Hiranyakesi-grihya-sutra
(1) The Vedic fire god, associated with sacrifice, purification, and the mediating force between humans and the divine.[14] (2) The fire god, to whom offerings are dedicated during the Ashtaka festival rituals.[15] (3) The Vedic deity associated with fire, often invoked in rituals.[16]
From: Paraskara-grihya-sutra
(1) The fire god who is invoked during the sacrifice, symbolizing purity and the presence of the divine in rituals.[17] (2) The fire god, treated as a powerful entity during the ritual, regarded as the giver of boons.[18] (3) The fire god invoked during the marriage rites to bless the union and protect the couple.[19]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) The fire god, essential in Vedic rituals and representing transformation and purification.[20] (2) A reference to a divine being or manifestation in Hindu philosophy, recognized by some people.[21]
From: Vasistha Dharmasutra
(1) The fire god in Hindu tradition, often associated with sacrifices and offerings.[22]
From: Gobhila-grihya-sutra
(1) The Vedic deity of fire associated with both the physical fire used in rituals and as a symbolic figure in Hindu theology.[23]
From: Asvalayana-grihya-sutra
(1) The fire deity invoked during rituals; also represents the cosmic force of energy within Vedic traditions.[24]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) Agni is mentioned in the text and is connected to the word 'world,' implying a relationship with places of enjoyment for living beings.[25] (2) The agnis are fire-altars built of mind and are independent, with their independence being a central argument of the text, based on the connexion.[26] (3) This is a term referring to fire, and the same observations apply to it, suggesting that it is devoid of intelligence, similar to earth.[27] (4) This is a key figure in the discussion, as the text describes the speech and other elements entering into Agni, representing a metaphorical action within the scripture.[28] (5) The agnis are the central subject of the discussion, and the text explores their nature, their relationship to the sacrificial action, and the various means of proof that support the argument for their independence.[29]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) Fire; often symbolizes purity and is a focal point in many yogic practices.[30] (2) The fire element that is an integral part of the creation cycle and dissolution.[31] (3) Fire, symbolizing purity and transformation, associated with the purification process.[32] (4) Fire, which is an essential element in the processes of creation, evolving from vayu.[33] (5) The Hindu god of fire, often associated with purity and transformation, representing a high spiritual state.[34]
From: Kathopanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) Agni is the sacred fire, seen as an omniscient entity that is worshipped and appreciated by those who are spiritually enlightened.[35] (2) The fire that represents the divine and is believed to connect one with the ultimate reality.[36]
From: Katha Upanishad with Shankara鈥檚 Commentary
(1) A topic discussed within the text that symbolizes knowledge and the process through which spiritual enlightenment and its benefits can be achieved.[37]
From: Kena upanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) Recognized as the lowest of the Devas because he learned about Brahman last, only after being taught by Indra.[38]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The element associated with fire; bathing at its tirtha helps one ascend to Agni's regions.[39] (2) The god of fire who is depicted as Skanda's father and who engaged in a benign interaction with his son after Skanda's birth.[40] (3) Refers to the multitude of beings consumed by fire, representing destruction in the narrative.[41] (4) Agni refers to the fire in general, and in this text, it symbolizes various aspects of sacrifice and divinity.[42] (5) The voracious Brahmana who desires to consume the Khandava forest. He is associated with fire and is seeking food that suits his nature, indicating a narrative of hunger and need for sustenance.[43]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The household fire, which symbolizes the responsibilities and duties of a householder in rituals and worship.[44] (2) The fire god in Hinduism, revered as the mouthpiece of the Devas and an essential part of Vedic sacrifices.[45]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Griffith)
(1) Agni is a deity whose seat is viewed in the sacred grove.[46] (2) The deity who was to be glorified with lauds by the youth, as part of the ritual, when tied to the post.[47]
From: Garuda Purana
(1) The deity of fire included among the Vastu worship practices.[48]
From: Markandeya Purana
(1) A deity associated with fire, to whom Shanti prayed when the sacred fire was extinguished, highlighting his role in creation and purification.[49]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) fire; symbolizes trials or dangers that must be faced, similarly faced by the Pandavas.[50] (2) The fire god, called 'agnih', symbolizing energy, transformation, and the force of purification.[51]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) The fire-god, one of the demigods among others mentioned as being adopted in form by Vaikuntha residents.[52]
From: Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture)
(1) The divine fire or sacrificial element recognized in Vedic rituals that influences the rhythmic aspect of altar construction.[53] (2) A Purana which includes classifications and architectural details about temples in the North Indian tradition.[54]
From: History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda)
(1) Symbolically linked to Agnivesha, representing fire and transformation, often associated with health and vitality in Ayurveda.[55]
From: Charaka Samhita (English translation)
(1) The vital principle of digestive fire in Ayurvedic medicine, essential for maintaining health and combating disorders.[56]
From: Brihat Samhita
(1) The fire god associated with another circle of asterisms that signify potential earthquake symptoms.[57]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) The term for fire, which is central to the processes being described regarding both physical and linguistic generation.[58]
Jain concept of 'Agni'
In Jainism, Agni symbolizes one of the three jewels, which hold significant narrative importance, representing knowledge, right faith, and right conduct in the path to spiritual enlightenment and liberation.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) Azg of significance in the narrative, present as one of the three jewels with symbolic importance.[59]
The concept of Agni in local and regional sources
Agni symbolizes the fire god in Vedic literature, integral to rituals and representing divine essence. It embodies inner heat in yoga, connects with purity tests in Hindu myths, and signifies transformative power as Durga's energy.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The fire god, referenced in the context of testing Sita's purity; Arundhati defends Sita's sanctity as greater than Agni himself.[60] (2) The last poem in the collection, characterized as melancholy, sharing the author鈥檚 grief over destroyed manuscripts.[61] (3) Symbolizes heat and fire, representing Durga's fierce energy and transformative power in various texts.[62] (4) A deity in Hinduism symbolizing fire, viewed as the central figure in a unifying movement of all existences into one divine essence.[63]
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) This is the fire god associated with the Pleiades, and the Brahmin social class, considered the mouth of Prajapati, according to Vedic texts.[64] (2) This is fire, which is described as the strongest fire that prevails over everything and orders everything according to nature.[65] (3) Agni refers to a yogin's inner fire and it is mentioned in the text and is located in the abdomen, and it is also referred to as anala and vahni, and many practices are credited with increasing the body's heat.[66]