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Since the religion of the Rg-veda was mainly
sacrificial, Agni, the god of fire, naturally got the pride of
place. A maximum number of hymns are devoted to describing and
praising Agni. He is often eulogised as the Supreme God, the
creator, the sustainer, the all-pervading cosmic spirit. All
other gods are his different manifestations. He manifests
himself as fire (Agni) on this earth (Prthvi), as lightning or
air (Indra or Vayu) in the sky (Antariksa) and as the sun (Surya)
in the heavens (Dyuloka). He acts as a mediator between men and
gods by carrying the offerings of men to gods. He is all-knowing
and all-powerful. He is all-merciful too. Though an immortal, he
lives among the mortals, in every house. He protects them by
dispelling their difficulties and giving them whatever they pray
for. Without him, the world can never sustain itself. .
In later literature, Agni is described as the lord presiding
over the southeast quarter.
The image of Agni in temples, represents him as an old man with
a red body. He has two heads, a big belly and six eyes, seven
arms in which he holds objects like the spoon, ladle, fan etc.,
seven tongues, four horns and three legs. He has braided hair,
wears red garment as also the Yajnopavita (the sacred thread).
He is attended on either side by his two consorts, Svaha and
Svadha. The smoke is his banner and ram, his vehicle. Obviously,
this is an anthropomorphic representation of the sacrificial
fire.
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