Agni, the First god of Rigveda:
Agni is the foresome word of the first prayer of the first Veda. Lord Agni is the celestial Fire God and accepter of sacrifices of the ancient world and even today. He is also the cosmic messenger of the gods between different worlds. He bridges humankind and heavenly orders. So all the sacrifices offered to the numerous deities in the cosmos are made to him. He has the power to transfer offerings across existences and is the link between heaven and earth.
Agni, brother of Lord Indra, is ever young and immortal, being lit and re-lit every day. His name in Vedic also itself literally means fire – Ignis (Latin) and Agni (Sanskrit). He is simultaneously said to be the fire of the colossal sun and countless stars. Of powerful lightning and of the hearth that men light for worship. On the opposite side, other gods exist faraway in different realms and have personified representation on earth. He is also the one who remains closest to man in an elemental form. In common beliefs the Fire God is the contact point of all gods. And he is said to encompass them as the circumference of a great wheel, with each god being a spoke.
Other Vedas:
In the holy Rig Veda scriptures he is sometimes addressed as Lord Rudra, who is as regarded by scholars to be a precursor of Lord Shiva. Despite as the parent of the South East, he has no major sect in modern Hindu practices (except a handful of Agnihotri Brahmins), he is invoked in all religious ceremonies and pujas. With Lord Indra and Lord Varuna, he is a part of the three supreme Vedic gods who once ruled the roost. Gradually over centuries, without losing his esteemed standing, he successfully transitioned into the complex tiered Hindu pantheon of deities.
In most Vedas, Lord Agni is described as a ruddy-faced and double headed divine being. Simultaneously one face is benevolent and marks immortality, the other face is malevolent and denotes the mysterious symbol of life. His hair is the best amazingly feature as it stands on end like fiery glowing flames. His shadowy eyes peek through against his flushed red skin.
Vahana:
The Fire God wears a magnificent garland of beautiful fruit. Some scriptures say that he has three tongues while others say seven. Lord Agni adorned three legs and seven arms and his vahana or vehicle is also his prized ram. Flames from fire come out from his mouth and seven streams of glory emanate from his body.
According to one of the celebrated odes from the Rig Veda, Lord Indra and the other gods were summoned to kill the Rakshas who were flesh eaters or Kravyads. Agni is a Kravyad himself whose flames consumed dead bodies. When the other gods were baffled by the demons, Agni devoured his enemies by producing two iron tusks. He further heated up his seven streams and drove them through the hearts of the Rakshasas. Another famous folktale is how he even overcame his brother the Lord of Thunder and Rain to burn down the Khandava forest in order to regain his strength.
Similarity with Lord Indra:
Analogous to Lord Indra’s origin, there are several versions of the story of the birth of Lord Agni. Some scriptures say that he is the son of the Sky God Dyaus and Earth Mother Prithvi. Others argue that he is the son of Brahma and is thus called called Abhimani. He is also said to be the son of Kashyapa and Aditi. So he is an Aditya just
like Lord Indra. Later scriptures of today attribute his origin to Angiras, the king of Pitris (the fathers of mankind) and there are many hymns dedicated to this form of the Fire God.
Messenger:
The fast messenger of divine and earthly communication is known by many appellations. The most prominent ones include Vahni (burnt sacrifice), Chhagaratha (he who rides the ram), Saptajihva (7 tongued one), Dhananjaya (who conquers riches), Vitihotra (he who purifies the worshipper), Jivalana the one which burns and dhumketu (whose symbol is smoke) amongst others. He is thought to be a great sage and the most divine one of all. He is the protector or Rakshak of all ceremonies so whether marriage or death, his presence is a must.
Fire God gives power to mortals to justly serve the gods in the proper manner and which they cannot do without him in the process of puja. Agni even takes part in earth-visiting gods and shares the reverence that they receive in temples, homes and shrines. In terms of the Vishnu Purana he married Swaha, by whom he has three sons.
Pavaka, Pavamana and Suchi. Hence, when offerings are made to Agni, Swaha’s name is always taken while reciting ‘Om Namaha Swaha’.
Dwelling:
Lord Agni’s dwelling place is the most fascinating and unique. He is present in every abode and lives with every worshipful family that lights a fire, lamp or incense flame.
This supreme and celestial mediator between god and man is thus also known as the Lord of the House and blesses those who absorb the sacred warmth of his fire. He is also a welcoming deity for other gods as he sustains lamps during various Indian festivals and greets gods as they enter the homes of mortals.
Prayers:
Praying to Lord Agni creates several lifelong benefits including success and material wealth. He nourishes those who offer food and protects worshippers from enemies.
In fact he is present in all phases of mortal life – when diyas are lit honoring birth, during birthdays when lamps or candles on cakes are lit, and prayers during the coming of age ceremonies. No doubt the Fire God presides over Hindu weddings as the celestial union happens during the seven pheras, when the bride and groom encircle the fire seven times before being pronounced man and wife.
Lord Agni is said to sustain man tide over calamities and also forgive sinners by showing them the light and guiding them in inner reflection.
At funerals, he is the patron god at the time of cremation, the Fire God warms the immortal part of the deceased. And in his most auspicious form accompanies souls on their journey to the heavens.