Agni: Epic Characters of Vedas & Upanishads

By L. Subramanya

Agni is one of the ashtadikpalakas who protects the South-east direction (Agneya). He occupies the second position after Devendra and is the chief deity of the Rig Veda. The Maruth devas are born out of Agni. Agni is present in every living being or thing and is the energy that causes movement. He is Varuna's brother and is influenced by Vayu Deva. According to Vishnu Purana, he is the eldest son of Brahmadeva. Agnideva was once cursed by sage Bhrigu because of which he entered the ocean and performed tapas. The world was on the brink of disaster without Agni. Brahmadeva had to implore Agni to go back to the world and resume his duties. Agnideva once lost his immense power of digestion when King Swethaki performed a great yajna lasting  a hundred years.   As suggested by Brahmadeva, he had to burn the Khandava forest in order to regain his power. In spite of burning down a large part of Sahadeva's army, Agni  stopped his burning spree on  Sahadeva's plea and helped the Pandavas to complete the rajasuyayajna.  Devendra had once committed a sin of killing a Brahmin. When Brahma divided the sin into four parts, Agni accepted one of the parts in order to free Devendra. Agni appears in the Ramayana when he himself offered a pot of payasam to the childless Dasharatha. Later, when Sita was put through a test of fidelity, he announced to the world that she  was  the most faithful woman of her time.  Parameswara blessed Agni saying that he would never have to fear death.  Agni Deva is all powerful, present in all, sustaining and protecting all the time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bharatha Samskruthi Prakashana
• Release date: May 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9789389020991

Book preview

EPIC CHARACTERS OF VEDAS & UPANISHADS

Agni

Written by

L. Subramanya

Retd. Senior Engineer, ITI, Bangalore

Translated by

Prof. G. S. Mudambadithaya,M.A. M.Ed

© Bharatha Samskruthi Prakashana, Bengaluru. All rights reserved.

Published by:

Bharatha Samskruthi Prakashana

C/o. Bharatha Darshana,

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Sri Ranga Sadguruve Namaha

Benediction by Srimadparamahamsa Parivrajakacharya Sri Sri Rangapriya Mahadeshika Mahaswamiji

We are delighted to see Bharath Samskriti Prakashana bring out a series of small books on our rich ancient heritage. We bless the effort wholeheartedly. We have been witnessing, with a heavy heart, the situation in which our young boys and girls are being brought up without a constructive goal, far removed from our glorious ancient heritage which has been a spiritual beacon to the entire global society. The elders who are supposed to guide them and serve as role models are not well-versed in this aspect. At a time when there is a dearth of children’s literature of the proper kind, the efforts of Bharath Samskruti Prakashana Publications to wipeout this dearth is laudable. It is a sacred work and it is heartening to note that these books have been appreciated by children and parents. So far, four sets of ten books each on Epic Characters of Mahabharatha, Ramayana, Maharshis of Ancient India and Puranas have been brought out. Now they are bringing out a set of ten books on the great characters who appear in Vedas and Upanishads and it is a highly praise worthy effort.

We congratulate Bharatha Samskruti Publications for this sacred effort. May this series become popular, widely read and serve the purpose for which it is designed and brought out. May Lord Narayana bless us all.

Sri Sri Rangapriya Sripada Swamiji

Bangalore

Tharana Samvatsara

Phalguna Shukla Ekadashi,

Monday, 21.3.2005.

AGNI

Sri Gurubhyo Namaha

Identity

The earth on which we live is part of the cosmos which is beyond the measure of the human ken. It is made up of five elements or principles. They are the earth or soil, water, light or fire, vayu or wind and the sky. We call