Markandeya Recounts the Genealogy of the Fires
Markandeya begins to describe the sacred fires — their origins, their names, and the rites that correct them when they are defiled. What follows is a genealogy of fire itself, from the primal austerity of Tapas through the sons of Bhanu and Manu, down to the fires that dwell in breath, in anger, and in the bodies of all living beings.
Markandeya said: The fire named Bharata is subject to severe restrictions. The fire named Pushtimati provides prosperity when it is satisfied. It is because it sustains all beings that it is known as Bharata.
The fire named Shiva is always engaged in the worship of Shakti. Since he alleviates the sufferings of everyone and brings purification, he is known as Shiva.
When Tapas — the primordial austerity — witnessed the great fruits that come from austerities, an extremely wise son named Purandara was born to him, with a desire to pass on these fruits. Another son named Ushma was born, and this fire can be seen in all beings. A fire named Manu was also born, and he officiates as Prajapati, the lord of creatures. The brahmanas who are learned in the Vedas speak of a fire named Shambhu. The brahmanas also speak of an extremely radiant fire named Avasathya.
Thus Tapas created five sons from his sacrifice — Urjaskara and Havyavahana, both like gold in their radiance.
O immensely fortunate one! When exhausted and pacified, the lord of the cows gave birth to terrible asuras and various other beings on earth.
Angiras created Tapas's son Manu, and Bhanu too. However, brahmanas who know the Vedas refer to him as Brihadbhanu. Bhanu's wife was Supraja, and so were Brihadbhasa and Somaja. They gave birth to six sons. Listen to the offspring.
The fire that provides strength to all beings is Bhanu's first son and is known as Balada. The fire that is seen as terrible wrath in calm beings is Bhanu's second son and is known as Manyumat. The fire in whose honour oblations are offered at the time of the new moon or the full moon is known by the name of Vishnu, also named Dhritiman Angiras. There is a fire to whom the first offerings of oblations are made, together with Indra. He is Bhanu's son and is named Agrayana. In addition to these four, there is a son named Niragraha who always takes oblations at chaturmasya sacrifices. He is Bhanu's son.
Nisha was Manu's wife. She gave birth to a daughter, the two Agnishomas, and five other fires. The radiant fire who receives the first offerings at chaturmasya sacrifices, together with Parjanya, is known as Vaishvanara. The fire that is said to be the lord of all beings is Manu's second son and has the name of Vishvapati. Svishtakrit is regarded as the supreme, because there is great merit in offering oblations to him.
The maiden named Rohini was Hiranyakashipu's daughter. Because of her deeds, she became the wife of a fire who was a Prajapati.
There is another fire that resides in the bodies of all living beings in their breath of life. This is named Samnihita and leads to sound and form.
There is a god whose path is marked in black and white. He is the fire who bears oblations. He is the lord of all that leads to taints in untainted ones and is based in anger.
The fire named Kapila is the expounder of sankhya yoga. Ascetics refer to him as the supreme rishi Kapila.
In various rites, there is a fire through which the first share of oblations is rendered to those who are deceased. This is known as Agrani.
Thus he created different famous fires on earth. When there are seen to be defects in agnihotra sacrifices, they correct these.
If the action of the wind makes the fires interact with each other, eight different rites must be performed to the fire Shuchi.
If the fire to the south is mixed with the other two fires, eight different rites must be performed to the fire named Viti.
If the sacrificial fire is mixed with the fire of a conflagration, eight different rites must be performed to the fire Shuchi.
If the fire of agnihotra is touched by a woman who is in her season, eight different rites must be performed to the fire Dasyumat.
If one hears that a living being has died, or if an animal dies, eight different rites must be performed to the fire Abhimat.
A brahmana who has not rendered offerings into the fire for three nights must perform eight different rites to the northern fire.
He who still awaits the observance of new moon and full moon rituals must perform eight different rites to the fire Pathikrit.
If the fire of one who is expecting touches the agnihotra fire, eight different rites must be performed to the Agnimat fire. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 508