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, and accompanied religious rituals. This article will be devoted to the description of the god Agni. In India, he was so popular that 200 hymns of the Vedic Rigveda are dedicated to him. Only Indra (thunderer, analogue of the Greek Zeus) has more of them.
Meaning of a deity
The first information about the worship of the god Angi in India dates back to the end of the second millennium BC. e. From those ancient times 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 man. It burned in caves and hearths, it burned sacrifices in honor of the gods and the bodies of dead people.
Agni has a triple nature. He is the personification of fireheavenly (Sun), airy (lightning) and earthly, familiar to all of us. Apparently, for the ancient Indians, it was also a symbol of vital energy, as it was closely associated with breathing and the 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 its reflections, illuminating the darkness.
Appearance
There are many images of the god Agni. In the photo you can see his different appearances. He appears in the form 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 god's body fluctuates. Goals can be from one to three.
Three is a sacred number symbolizing the main fiery ceremonies in a person's life (birth, wedding and burial), as well as the three worlds ruled over by Agni (divine, hellish and earthly). Therefore, God is drawn 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 the five planets known to the ancient Indians, and 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 it appeared from the friction of two sticks, came out of the water or appeared in the morning rays. He is called the son of Brahma, from whose breath the whole world is woven. He got outfrom his navel or mouth of Purusha, the universal soul. God Agni was originally part of the ancient triad along with such deities as Indra (thunder) and Surya (Sun).
Later they were replaced by another trio: Shiva (destroyer), Brahma (creator) and Vishnu (guardian of the universe, maintaining balance). Agni lost his position and began to act as a dependent character, an intermediary between people and other gods. Its main function was the acceptance and purification of sacrificial offerings. Often he becomes the attendant of the gods or their messenger.
Acts
God Agni in the Vedas is presented in two main aspects. He is the power of light, generating worlds, driving away darkness, omniscient and omniscient. There are no secrets in the world that Agni would not know. However, it can also take intimidating forms. The most terrible of them is Vadava-agni, a formidable deity imprisoned at the bottom of the ocean. According to legend, someday it will escape and destroy the world by consuming the current cycle of existence. After that, the universe will start the act of creation again.
On the other hand, Agni is a symbol of the divine power contained in every person. This is that immortal part, the creative spark, thanks to which people are filled with energy, find strength for mental and physical labor, gain love and we alth. This is a fire that should burn brightly in the soul of everyone, inspiring to glorious deeds. That is why in India Agni got the role of an intermediary between the gods and people.
Ancient legend
There is an old legend about how Agni became the god of sacrificial fire. This happened in ancient times, when he was just born. Other gods wanted to establish a sacrifice, bringing which, people could turn to the Upper world with requests and thanks. However, Agni was afraid that when he made an offering, and the flame burns out, death awaits him. He escaped and hid safely underwater.
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 betrayed by a fish, which was frightened by the heat that spread through the water. For this, the angry god cursed her and deprived her of her voice so that she could not scream, even when she felt pain. He himself confessed 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 prayers with him, granting protection and longevity.
Slavic mythology
In Russia, too, there was the god of fire Agni (Aguna). He was the youngest son of Svarog and, like his Indian counterpart, served as a guide. Through him, people received the cleansing and protective power of the heavenly gods. His symbol - an equilateral cross - the Slavs applied to clothes and utensils, they protected houses and temples. It was believed that the sign saves from evil and quarrels, drives away bad thoughts, gives a person ardor and passion.
It was recommended to be worn by all those who are in a critical situation, and always with a drawing from themselves. BUTfor children under 12 years old, the symbol could give excessive vehemence, 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 that saving fire that arose from the friction of two sticks, dispersed the darkness, gave warmth and hope. No wonder so many hymns and legends are dedicated to him. Indeed, for an ancient man, the presence of fire in the hearth was a magical gift from the gods, a small piece of the huge Sun.
