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Agni Deva Mantra: Fire Element
The Hindu fire god is known as Agni Deva. He is a masculine deity who embodies primordial fire, holy fire, or spiritual fire. Fire is the perfect metaphor for the transformation of unwanted patterns, situations, and personal characteristics. Fire is an expression of both light and heat. These are two fundamentals for the sustenance of life.
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Origin of Agni Deva
“Agni” is the Sanskrit word for “fire.” “Deva” or “Dev” is a masculine form of God; “Devi” would be a feminine form or goddess. According to Hindu folklore, fire was originally a force that was devouring everything on earth. Then the Creator (Brahma) modified fire so that Agni Deva would be a purifier rather than the destroyer of everything he touched.
Ayurvedic Medicine and Fire Mantras
In the Vedic healing tradition, fire mantras have been used to bring the fire element into the physical body for purification and balance. Fire mantras can also support the health of the liver and digestion.
Fire Mantras and Health
Some traditions view the liver as a physical place where old emotions and memories are held in the body. In addition, mantras to the fire element have traditionally been recommended for maintaining a healthy weight through the support of vigorous metabolism.
Names of the Hindu Fire God
Gods and goddesses in the Hindu tradition often have many names. They may have 108 names or even 1008 names. These numbers are considered to be sacred. For example, malas are strings of beads used to count mantras. Malas are similar to rosaries. Traditional malas have 108 beads.
Why Hindu Gods Have Many Names
Each deity represents multiple functions or aspects of the cosmos. This is one reason for their many names. Another reason is the many different languages and cultures in India. Each culture has understood the gods and goddesses in their own distinct way. A few of the names of the Hindu fire god are given below with their meanings.
Vahni – Travels with wind
Dananjaya – Helps to earn wealth
Jwalana – Glittering, glowing
Jataveda – He who knows and creates all
Barhi – Creeping, crawling
Sushma – One who dries everything
Krishnavartma – Maker of black smoke
Sochiskesa – One who has flame as his hair
Usharbuh – Bright in the morning
Asrasya – One who burns everything
Brhatbanu – One who creates light
Pavaka – One who purifies
Rohitasva – One who has a red horse
Vayusaka – Friend of the wind
Shikavan – One who has flames
Asusukshani – Dries anything at once
Hutabuk – Everything offered to him is eaten
Dahana – One who makes everyone feels hot
Havyavahana – One with wind as a vehicle
Saptarchi – One who has seven flames
Damuna – One who subdues or makes quiet
Chitrabanu – Colourful light
Vivavasu – Light is his wealth
Suchi – One who purifies everything
Symbolic Family of Agni Deva
According to Indian mythology, Lord Agni married a goddess named Svaha. “Svaha” is a word often used at the end of mantras, especially those invoked during fire ceremonies. Svaha is a feminine noun meaning sacrifice, offering or oblation.
Origin of the Goddess Svaha
Svaha also means an auspicious ending. Svaha derives from Sanskrit root words meaning “to call the good.” In Tibetan, the word is often translated and pronounced as “soha.” Svaha represents a shakti (feminine) power that cannot be burned by sacred fire.
Descendants of Agni Deva and Svaha
Svaha and Agni had three sons: Pavaki (the purifier), Pavamana (purifying) and Suchi (purity). From these sons, Agni and Svaha had forty-five grandchildren, all representing various aspects of fire.
Kathleen Karlsen is a musician, artist, writer and speaker. She is the author of three books (Flower Symbols, The Color-Music Connection and Vocal Medicine) and over 200 articles. Kathleen, her husband Andrew, and their five children live in Bozeman, Montana. Learn more about Kathleen Karlsen.
AGNI DEVA ARTICLE SUMMARY
Agni Deva literally means “Fire God.” Agni Deva is the Hindu fire god, an embodiment of holy fire or spiritual fire. This article includes fascinating stories in the Hindu tradition about the role of fire in creation and spiritual practice. The article also includes a video with a mantra to Agni Deva.
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