Vyasa

Aranyaka Parva›The Birth and Rise of Skanda

Agni and Angiras Resolve the Fire-God Conflict

Why "Minor"?

Causal ReachTop 99%
Character WeightTop 91%
State ChangeTop 98%
Narrative RecallTop 50%

~1 min read

Agni, displaced by the sage Angiras who has become the new fire-god, returns from his austerities to find himself forgotten. He approaches Angiras fearfully, and the sage offers him a way to regain his position — not by reclaiming his role, but by obtaining his first son through Angiras himself.

Agni had gone to the forest to perform austerities. While he was gone, something happened that he had not anticipated. The great rishi Angiras transformed himself into Agni. Through his own powers, he destroyed distress and darkness. In his hermitage, the immensely fortunate sage surpassed the original fire-god. Having become Agni, he illuminated the world. When Agni returned from his austerities, he found himself tormented by Angiras's energy. He was extremely distressed, but did not know what to do. He thought: "This other Agni has been unleashed in the world by Brahma. While I was engaged in austerities, my services as Agni have been dispensed with. How can I become Agni again?" While he was reflecting on this, Agni saw the great sage providing heat to the world. He approached slowly and fearfully. Angiras saw him and spoke: "Swiftly become Agni and bring prosperity to the worlds again. You are known to the three worlds and all objects, mobile and immobile. You were the first to be created by Brahma, so that darkness could be dispelled. O destroyer of darkness! Swiftly regain your own position." But Agni refused. "My deeds have been destroyed in this world and you have become Agni. You are known as Agni and people do not know me. I have thrown away my role as Agni. You remain as the primary Agni. I will be the second, known as Prajapatyaka." Angiras pressed him: "Perform the auspicious deeds that take beings to heaven. Be Agni, the dispeller of darkness. O god! O Agni! Perform the act of obtaining your first son through me." Agni heard these words and did as he had been asked. Angiras had a son by the name of Brihaspati. When the gods learned that Angiras's son was considered Agni's first son, they arrived and asked about the reason. Angiras told them the explanation, and the gods accepted it. The conflict was resolved. Agni had not reclaimed his old position — he had been given a new one, through a son who was not his own but who was acknowledged as his firstborn.

Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 504