Agneya

Agneya (pronounced Aag-Nay-Aa) means "Daughter of the Fire God" or "Child of the Fire God" and is derived from ancient Hindu scriptures and Sanskrit texts. Agni is the Hindu God of Fire and has been revered and worshiped throughout the Indian subcontinent right from Vedic times to the modern era.

The Hindu name Agneya means "Goddess of Fire". The literal work Agneya in Sanskrit means "Born from Fire" or "Consecrated from Fire" and the name traces its origins to ancient Vedic literature where Agneya is defined as a divine and powerful Goddess. In Hindu mythology and spiritual texts Agneya has been considered as the daughter born to Agni and his consort Svaha.

Agneya is worshiped as the Goddess guarding the "South East" direction in Vasthu Shastra - an ancient text that recommends constructing the Kitchen in the south east corner of each household. To this day, traditional Hindus begin cooking by worshiping Agni and lighting the kitchen stove with prayers to Agni and Agneya to bless the food being prepared.

Almost all Vedic rituals and practices begin by invoking the blessings of Agneya as well as seven other celestial Goddesses, "Dhik Devadais" ("Angel guarding the 8 Directions"), and Demi-Gods. These Vedic practices codify best practices for sanctifying holy occasions and invoking good omens.

In some Hindu texts, Agneya is considered the most powerful form of "holy energy" ever to have been created. The "Agneya Astra" is believed to have been the most powerful of the ancient nuclear energies and was often invoked by the most elite of Gods to ensure the victory of good forces. Hindu texts associate the Agneya Astra as a near infinite energy source with the power, brilliance, heat, and light exceeding those of a billion trillion Suns.

Agneya Purana is amongst the 18 sacred Hindu 'Puranas' and is often confused with the Agni Purana which had been composed in various portions of the country during the 19th century. This Indian Purana is believed to have been written by the 'Tantriks' keeping in mind the doctrines of a particular sect. Gradually, with the passage of time and the growing popularity of the philosophy of 'Tantricism', the Agneya Purana started gaining importance. Therefore, the original Agneya Purana's name was finally altered to 'Vahni Purana' and it can be noticed inside the Asiatic Society in Kolkata, West Bengal.

In the Sanskrit language, 'Agneya' means 'Daughter of the Fire God' and also 'Child of the Fire God Agni', being a derivation from old Sanskrit texts and Hindu scriptures. Sometimes, 'Agneya' has also been referred to as 'Agneyi' in certain Sanskrit texts. Lord Agni is greatly revered by the Hindus in India who worship Him ever since the Vedic period and even till the present day. Besides, the name 'Agneya' also implies 'Goddess of Fire' while it also means 'Consecrated from Fire' or 'Born from Fire' as per the language of Sanskrit. Agneya had been portrayed as the daughter of Agni as per Hindu mythology and his wife or consort was respectfully referred to as 'Svaha' or 'Agnayi' meaning wife of Agni.

It is said that saint Angirasa was the son of Agneya, who was amongst the 'Seven Great Sages' or 'Saptarishis' who was believed to be the main ancestor of the Angirasa lineage of humans. The 'Angiris' are known as luminous deities. As per Vishnu Purana, Agneyi or Agneya was also the mother of Khyaati, Sibi, Sumanas, Anga, Kratu apart from Angirasa. According to the theory of 'Vaastu Shastra', Agneya is a Goddess who safeguards the direction of 'south-east' and it is believed that kitchens must be created at the south-eastern direction of every household. Even today, Hindus start cooking by offering prayers to Lord Agni and Goddess Agneya to invoke Her divine blessings, especially for the food prepared. About all sorts of Vedic customs and practises commence by worshiping Agneya and the seven heavenly Goddesses or 'Dhik Devadais', who are also respected as 'Angel guarding the 8 directions'. Such Vedic rituals offer some of the best practises for sacred good omens.

Agneyi (sans. आग्नेयी, IAST Āgneyī, 'Daughter of the Fire God') is mentioned in the Harivamsha and the Vishnu Purana as the wife of Ūru (a descendant of Angiras) and the mother of the kings Anga, Sumanas, Khyaati, Kratu and Sibi (Harivamsha includes another son, Gaya).[1][2] Her father Agni is the Hindu God of Fire and has been revered and worshipped throughout the Indian subcontinent right from Vedic times to the modern era.

Etymology

The masculine construction of the word, Āgneya, has been used as a generic adjective meaning flammable, fiery, consecrated to Agni, ruled by Agni etc.[3] It has also been used as a proper noun epithet of the Agni Purana, the Āgneya Astra, and the cardinal direction of the South East (of which Agni is the Dikpala). The feminine construction Āgneyī is used only as proper noun.[4]

Significance to Hindu religion

Āgneyī is known in ancient Vedic literature as Āgneyā where she is defined as a divine and powerful Goddess. Her mother is credited to be a consort of Agni interchangeably known as Svaha and Agnāyī (meaning, "Wife of Agni").

It is also suggested that the masculine epithet Āgneya -- used to signify the Southeastern cardinal direction -- actually refers to the Goddess Āgneyā. Likewise, she is also said to be the Shakti of the Āgneya Astra.

References
  1. Harivamsa. Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune.
  2. Pathak, M. M. (1997–1999). The Critical Edition of the Viṣṇupurāṇam. Oriental Institute, M. S. University, Vadodara.
  3. "The Sanskrit Heritage Dictionary".
  4. "Monier-Williams Sanskrit dictionary".
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