The Four Agnis - Origin of Fire

Dadi: "Guddu beta, do you know why fire is so important in our pujas and rituals?"

Guddu: "Because it's bright and warm, Dadi?"

Dadi: "That's part of it! But there's a deeper story - the story of Agni, the god of fire, and why he almost didn't want his job at all!"

Guddu: "A god who didn't want to be a god?"

Dadi: "Not quite - but a god who was afraid of his job! You see, beta, the Shatapatha Brahmana tells us there have been FOUR Agnis. The first three died while doing their duty as fire gods."

Guddu: "Fire gods can die?!"

Dadi: "In mythology, yes. When it came time for the fourth Agni to take up his responsibilities, he was terrified. He thought, "My three brothers all died doing this work. If I become the fire god, I will die too!""

Guddu: "Poor Agni! What did he do?"

Dadi: "He hid! First, he hid underwater in the depths of the ocean. But some fish saw him and told the gods where he was."

Guddu: "Tattletale fish!"

Dadi: "*laughs* Exactly! Agni was so angry that he cursed the fish - which is why fish became easy prey for humans. Then he hid again, and frogs revealed his location. So he distorted their speech - that's why frogs only croak!"

Guddu: "The curse of the frog croak!"

Dadi: "Then elephants gave away his hiding place, so he cursed their tongues too. Finally, parrots told on him."

Guddu: "Poor Agni couldn't hide anywhere!"

Dadi: "His final hiding place was inside a sami tree. That's why the sami tree is considered sacred - it's believed to hold fire within it. Even today, we use sami sticks to start sacred fires!"

Guddu: "So the gods found him eventually?"

Dadi: "Yes, and they convinced him to take up his duty. But Agni negotiated! He said, "I will be the fire god, BUT I want something in return. I want a share of every sacrifice offered to the gods. And I want immortality - I don't want to die like my brothers.""

Guddu: "He bargained with the gods?"

Dadi: "And he won! The gods agreed. That's why Agni always receives a portion of every offering - he's the one who carries our prayers to heaven, and he gets his share."

Guddu: "Dadi, where did Agni originally come from?"

Dadi: "The Vedas describe it beautifully, beta. The universe began with nothing - neither night nor day. Only Prajapati, the creator, existed. Agni's "foster parents" are two fire sticks that Prajapati rubbed together. When they created friction, Agni was born!"

Guddu: "Fire is born from friction!"

Dadi: "At first, baby Agni is tender and small - just a spark that needs careful attention. But with care, he smokes, then flames, then grows stronger than the sticks that created him. Eventually, he grows so powerful he burns to ashes the very sticks that gave him birth!"

Guddu: "That's kind of sad but also amazing!"

Dadi: "It's the nature of fire, beta. And Agni exists in three forms everywhere. In the heavens, he's lightning - that flash you see during storms. On earth, he's the sacred fire in our rituals - called Jataveda. In water, he represents the purification of the soul."

Guddu: "Fire in water? How?"

Dadi: "Think about how water can purify and transform - that's Agni's spiritual form. He's everywhere, in every realm."

Guddu: "Does Agni have a family?"

Dadi: "Yes! His wife is Svaha - that's why we say "Svaha!" when we offer things to fire. They have three sons: Pavaka represents electric fire like lightning, Pavamana represents heat from friction, and Suchi represents the fire of the sun."

Guddu: "Three different types of fire!"

Dadi: "All from the same divine source. Now you understand why fire is central to Hindu worship. Agni carries our prayers to heaven. He transforms what we offer. He represents light, transformation, and the connection between earth and sky."

Guddu: "What's the lesson, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Many lessons, beta. First, even gods can be afraid of responsibility - but facing your duty is important. Agni was scared, but he eventually accepted his role."

Guddu: "Second?"

Dadi: "Second, negotiation is acceptable! Agni asked for fair compensation for difficult work. There's wisdom in knowing your worth."

Guddu: "Third?"

Dadi: "Third, that creation often consumes its creators. The fire sticks give birth to flame, then are consumed by it. Parents give everything for children who grow beyond them. Teachers are surpassed by students. That's not tragedy - that's the natural way."

Guddu: "And when I see fire in our puja now?"

Dadi: "Remember that you're seeing the fourth Agni - the survivor of his three brothers, the hider in trees, the negotiator with gods. He carries your prayers. He connects you to the divine."

Guddu: ""Svaha!" I'll say it with more meaning now!"

Dadi: "*smiles* That's my good boy. Now, shall we light a diya together and thank Agni for his eternal service?"

Guddu: "Yes, Dadi! Thank you, Agni!"