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Also known as : VAISVANARA

God of : Fire and Sacrifice | Religion : Hindu | Vahana (Vehicle) : Ram

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The God of fire is a go between, linking Gods and mortals, in a sacrificial sense.

Agni's appearance alone would clear a path on the sacrificial super highway - two heads, golden teeth, seven tongues of fire, you wouldn't want to get in his way. He is more often than not smeared with butter but i'm not sure if this is to help with aero-dynamics or his preferred basting for potential sacrifices which must be made on an east facing fire.

Every sacrifice would have to go through Agni and he'd make sure it got to the chosen Godly destination. But he's so much more than a delivery boy.

As the God of fire he comes in all forms, spark, lightning, flames, electricity, sun, he's basically the essence of all fires on earth. Even his chariot has been known to burn everything in its wake. And he never ages. For as long as the fire is relit every morning Agni stays forever young. Well, he was born from the rubbing together of two bits of wood.

Agni is seen as both cruel and kind as on the one hand he dispells darkness and illuminates the whole world but on the other he ate both of his parents as soon as he was born. I'm not sure that exactly balances things out, but hey, what do i know?

Very few Deities have made the trip from Vedic to Puranic unscathed but Agni is one of them. He's as popular as ever with more mentions in the Rig Veda than anyone else. And you'll be pleased to know he's on your side. What would you do if Agni wasn't there to provide you with warmth and light and flames for your barbecue?