Yajna - Types of Agni (Fire)

Types of Agni (Fire)

The Aupasana Agni, lit at the time of the Yajna conducted at the grooms wedding, is divided into two in a sacrifice called Agnyadhana. One part is called the Grhyagni and the other the Srautagni. These two fires have to be preserved throughout an individual's life. The son's fire is lit from the father's fire at the time of his wedding.

The Grhyagni or Aupasanagni is used in the Paka Yajnas. Many such rituals are described in the Grihasutras, like the Ekagni Kanda of the Apastambha Sutra. Normally these fires are located in the centre or north of the hall which accommodates them. The fire altars or the Yajna Kunda may be circular or square.

The rituals pertaining to the three Śrautagnis are described in the Śrauta Sutras. Their performers are called Śrautins. Fourteen of the 21 compulsory sacrifices are performed in the Śrautagnis. They are called Garhapatya, Ahavaniya and Dakshinagni and collectively called the tretagni. The Garhapatya is circular in shape and is situated in the west of the offering ground. Fire is taken from the Garhapatya and kindled in the remaining two fires. The Dakshinagni is semi-circular, situated in the south and used for certain rituals, mainly for offerings to the forefathers. The Ahavaniya is square, situated in the east, and is used as the main offering fire of most Srauta sacrifices. The last three haviryajnas and all the seven somayajnas are performed in a specially built yajnashala.

At the time of the individuals demise, cremation is done with one of the fires preserved during a person's lifetime. The fires associated with deceased individuals are extinguished.