Niyata

Markandeya narrates the entire genealogy of fire — from Mudita and Saha Apa, through Apamgarbha, Bharata, and Niyata, to Agni's flight, his discarding of his body, and his restoration by Atharva. The account reveals that all fires are ultimately one, issuing from Angiras's body in many forms.

When the sage Niyata arrives, Agni is so frightened he abandons his cosmic duty and hides in the ocean. The gods cannot find him. He asks Atharva to carry oblations in his place, then discards his body entirely — creating minerals, gems, and metals from his flesh — before being restored to his sacrificial role through Atharva's churning.