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Who is Agni? The Hindu God of Fire
The embodiment of fire is called Agni. Lord Agni is said to be one of the five elements (called Pancha Bhutas, namely Agni, Vayu, Akas, Jala and Prudvi) on which the entire cosmic creation is based. Further, He is said to be one of the Ashta Vasus and the ruler of the south-east direction.
Lord Agni is called Dvimukha for having two faces. One face is beneficent and the other is malignant. He is given a prominent place in the Vedas. According to the Vedic scriptures, He is considered the most invoked god along with Lord Indra and Lord Soma. Without Agni, no Hindu ritual will be performed because He transfers oblations given to Him during holistic Vedic rituals to the gods and goddesses in heaven.
Hence, He is described as the mouth of the gods and goddesses.
A promise made in the presence of Lord Agni is considered sacred. Hence, in Hindu marriages, Lord Agni is worshipped as the divine witness and for His blessings to the married couple. In some Hindu marriages, the bride and bridegroom walk seven steps (called Sapta padi) around Lord Agni. It signifies their commitment to each other and their journey together as wife and husband throughout life.
In Astrology, the twelve zodiac signs are categorised into four based on the four ‘tatvas’ namely Agni, Jala, Prudvi and Vayu. Aries (Mesha), Leo (Simha) and Sagittarius (Dhanu) come under ‘Agni tatva’ (the nature of Lord Agni) zodiac signs. Moreover, the Sun (Lord Surya) and Mars (Angaraka) are called ‘Agni tatva’ planets.
In Ayurveda Sastra, Lord Agni is said to be an entity that is responsible for all digestive and metabolic processes in human beings. Lord Agni converts food in the form of energy which is responsible for all the vital functions of our body. Therefore, Ayurveda considers that ‘Dehagni’ is the cause of life, complexion, strength, health, nourishment, lustre, oja, teja and ‘prana.’
Base of Life
Acharya Charak has mentioned that after stoppage of the function of Agni in the body, the individual dies. When the Agni of an individual is there, then that person would be healthy and would lead a long, happy and healthy life. But, if the Agni of a person is vitiated, the whole metabolism in his body would be disturbed, resulting in ill-health and disease.
Hence, Lord Agni is said to be the base of life. Dehagni is balanced by regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management. Everyone should chant the following Agni Gayatri Mantra every day with dedication to get mental equilibrium to enhance physical well-being, to reduce stress, and to promote inner peace and radiance.
Sloka
Om Mahajwalaaya Vidmahe Agni Madhyaaya Dheemahee |
Tanno Agnih Prachodayat ||
