The name of this deity has Indo-European roots. It is related to the Slavic word "fire", Lithuanian ugnis, Latin ignis. Since ancient times, the flame has warmed man, protected from wild animals and impenetrable darkness, provided food, accompanied by religious rituals. This article will be devoted to the description of the god Agni. In India, it was so popular that 200 hymns of the Vedic Rigved were dedicated to it. Indra (thunderer, analogue of the Greek Zeus) has more of them.
The meaning of the deity
The first information about the worship of God Angi in India dates to the end of the second millennium BC. e. From those ancient times and until now, the same qualities have been attributed to him, while the functions of other deities have changed. This stability is due to the fact that fire has always accompanied a person. It burned in caves and hearths, on it sacrifices were burned in honor of the gods and the bodies of dead people.
Agni has a threefold nature. He is the personification of heavenly fire (Sun), air (lightning) and earthly, familiar to all of us. Apparently, for the ancient Indians, he was also a symbol of vital energy, as he was closely associated with breathing and absorption of food. In addition, he connected people and gods because he accepted sacrifices. He supported the heavens with a column of smoke. And even the stars are his reflections illuminating the darkness.
Appearance
There are many images of the god Agni. In the photo you can see his different guises. He appears in the image of a wise old man and a stately young man with a red body. Often has long fiery hair and a large belly in which human sacrifices are placed. Agni is dressed in ritual clothes. The number of different parts of the body of God varies. Goals can be from one to three.
The three is a sacred number symbolizing the main fire ceremonies in a person’s life (birth, wedding and burial), as well as the three worlds over which Agni rules (divine, hellish and earthly). Therefore, God is painted with three heads, legs and tongues. However, there can be seven languages, as well as hands. This number corresponds to the days of the week, as well as to five planets known to the ancient Indians, and to two luminaries - the Sun and the Moon.
Agni moves on a ram (ram, lamb), which was a common sacrificial animal.
A place in the pantheon of gods
There are many legends about the birth of Agni. They say that he emerged from the friction of two sticks, came out of the water or arose in the morning rays. He is called the son of Brahma, from whose breath the whole world is woven. He crawled out of his navel or mouth of Purusha, the universal soul. God Agni originally entered the ancient triad along with such deities as Indra (thunder-creator) and Surya (Sun).
Later, they were replaced by another three: Shiva (destroyer), Brahma (creator) and Vishnu (keeper of the universe, maintaining balance). Agni lost his position and began to act as a dependent character, a mediator between people and other gods. Its main function was the acceptance and purification of sacrificial offerings. Often he becomes the accompanying person of the gods or their messenger.
Acts
The Agni God in the Vedas is presented in two main aspects. He is the power of light that begets the worlds, drives away darkness, all-knowing and omniscient. There are no secrets in the world that Agni would not have known. However, it can take on awesome forms. The most terrible of them is Wadawa Agni, a formidable deity imprisoned at the bottom of the ocean. According to legend, someday it will escape and destroy the world, swallowing the current cycle of existence. After which the universe will again begin the act of creation.
Agni, on the other hand, is a symbol of the divine power embodied in every person. This is the immortal part, the creative spark, thanks to which people are filled with energy, find strength for mental and physical labor, gain love and wealth. This is a fire that should burn brightly in the soul of everyone, inspiring glorious accomplishments. That is why in India Agni got the role of mediator between gods and people.
Ancient legend
There is an old legend about how Agni became the god of sacrificial fire. This happened in time immemorial, when he was just born. Other gods wanted to make a sacrifice, by making which people could turn to the Upper World with requests and thanks. However, Agni was afraid that when he offered up the offering, and the flame burned out, death awaited him. He escaped and hid securely under water.
Impenetrable darkness reigned on the planet, in which demons reigned, and there was no one to drive them away. Everyone began to search for the god Agni. He was given out by a fish, which was frightened by the heat that spread through the water. For this, an angry god cursed her and deprived her of a voice so that she could not scream, even when she felt pain. He himself admitted his fears. After conferring, the gods endowed Agni with immortality, promising that new duties would not harm him. Since then, he has honestly served people, taking with him prayers, bestowing protection and longevity.
Slavic mythology
In Russia, the god of fire Agni (Agun) also existed. He was the youngest son of Svarog and, like his Indian counterpart, served as a guide. Through it, people received the cleansing and protective power of the heavenly gods. Its symbol - an equilateral cross - the Slavs applied to clothes and utensils, they protected houses, temples. It was believed that the sign protects from evil and disagreement, drives away evil thoughts, endows a person with ardor and passion.
It was recommended to be worn by all those who are in a critical situation, and always with a picture from themselves. But for children under 12 years of age, the symbol could give undue warmth, so it was avoided until they reached the appropriate age.
God Agni is a bright patron, friendly to people, who has been revered since ancient times. He is the personification of the saving fire that arose from the friction of two sticks, dispersed the darkness, gave warmth and hope. It is not surprising that so many hymns and legends are devoted to him. Indeed, for an ancient person, the presence of fire in the hearth was a magic gift from the gods, a small piece of the huge Sun.