A prominent deity in the ancient Vedic religion and Hinduism, Agni is revered as the god of fire and one of the most important gods in the Hindu pantheon. He represents the transformative and purifying power of fire, and his worship dates back thousands of years to the Rigveda, the oldest of the Hindu scriptures.

In Vedic literature, Agni is described as a celestial being with multiple forms and manifestations. He is depicted as a radiant, red-skinned deity with two or seven tongues of flame, symbolizing his presence in various realms of existence. Agni is often portrayed riding a chariot pulled by fiery horses or as a young boy with a golden body.

Agni’s role and significance extend beyond being a mere physical fire. He is believed to be the divine intermediary between gods and humans, carrying the offerings and prayers of mortals to the celestial realm. As the messenger of the gods, Agni facilitates communication and acts as a conduit for divine blessings. He is also occasionally described as stealing sacrifices, and one text even claims that as the reason he loses importance as a god.

Agni’s association with fire goes beyond its literal interpretation. Fire, in the Vedic context, represents purity, transformation, and the power of sacrifice. Agni’s divine fire is seen as a force that consumes impurities, both physical and spiritual, and bestows blessings and prosperity upon those who offer their devotion to him.

Throughout Vedic rituals and ceremonies, Agni holds a central role. He is invoked at the beginning of sacrifices to purify the offerings and ensure their acceptance by the gods. Agni is also regarded as the patron of the household, guarding and protecting the home from negative forces.

In Hindu mythology, Agni is revered as one of the eight guardians of the directions, representing the southeast. Hindu temples most often place statues of him in the southeast corner. He is also associated with other deities and aspects of nature. For instance, he is regarded as the son of the sky god Dyaus and the earth goddess Prithvi, and is often depicted alongside Indra, the king of gods, and Soma, the god of the sacred drink.

Weapons

• Flames and Fire: Agni’s primary weapon or manifestation is fire itself. He is often depicted with multiple tongues of flames, symbolizing his fiery nature and power. The fire represents his transformative and purifying abilities, consuming impurities and illuminating the path for worshipers. In Hindu mythology, supernatural weapons were called Astra (sometimes split into Astra and Shastra). Agni’s Astra, Agneyastra, was a torrent of flames that could not be extinguished by any means except for Varunastra, which was the opposing Astra of Varuna the water god.
• Lightning: Agni is sometimes associated with lightning, which is often depicted as his divine weapon. Lightning is seen as a celestial manifestation of his power and represents his association with Indra, the king of gods and the wielder of lightning bolts.
• Scepter: Agni is sometimes depicted holding a golden scepter or rod, which represents his authority and command over fire. The scepter symbolizes his role as the messenger of the gods and his ability to transmit offerings and prayers from humans to the divine realm.

Family

• Parents: In Vedic mythology Agni is often regarded as the son of the sky god Dyaus (also known as Dyaus Pita) and the earth goddess Prithvi (also known as Prithvi Mata). But other times he is referenced as the son of Kashyapa (an important sage in Hinduism) and Aditi (Goddess of Motherhood, consciousness, and the future). In yet other stories, he is simply referred to as a creation of Brahma, an aspect of Supreme Divinity.
• Siblings: Agni is frequently mentioned as the brother of Indra, the king of gods, and Soma, the god of the sacred drink. Indra is known for his role as the warrior god and the lord of thunderstorms, while Soma is associated with the moon and the intoxicating drink made from a specific plant.
• Consorts: Agni is often depicted as having multiple wives or consorts. One of his prominent consorts is Svaha, the daughter of Daksha, who is believed to be the personification of the offering made into the sacred fire. With her he is said to have fathered at least three children, sometimes said to be as many as nine.

Pivotal Moment

There are a few important moments in Agni’s mythology, but as with much of mythology it can be a little confusing as to who exactly claims the deed of a specific event. For example, some texts give Agni credit for consuming the Halahala poison that emerged from the Churned Ocean of Milk, but other sources claim it was Vishnu. Agni is also sometimes accredited with the slaying of the demons Taraka and Mahishasura, but other sources say they were slain by Kartikeya (another form of Vishnu) and Durga respectively.

One legend that he can call his own more confidently however is the bringing of the sacrificial flame to the gods. The tale goes that the gods were losing their war against the demons so they called upon Agni to find them a weapon to turn the tide. He searched the earth and found a source of fire in a Sami tree and returned this great flame to the gods. They used it to defeat the demons and were forever grateful to Agni.