Guardians of Fire
Guardians of Fire
(It is due to Yagya that Devatas get strength and mortals their share of beneficial rains.)
The Vedic and Puranic
times just orbited around the worship of gods and the worshipers. Indra was the
chief god heading subservient minor gods, protecting people who believed in his
powers and in response answered their prayers as well. The supreme gesture of
the belief and faith was to perform Yagya, offer oblations and sacrifices in
his name that would further enhance Indra’s powers. These important rituals
were carried on by rishis, munis and the kings. The gods would in return agree
to protect the kingdom and Yagya from the onslaughts of Asura enemies from time
to time. Indra and his gods thus acted as the chief guardians of fire. The
rishis and munis also never hesitated to lay their lives at risk to protect the
holy fire aflame.
At one time Atri risked his life to protect Devatas from Daityas. Enraged Asuras put Atri into the dark chamber of Shatdwar yantra (a machine of torture with a hundred doors) to burn him down to ashes. He prayed to the Ashwani Kumars to liberate and cure his burns.
Gritasmad who was a good friend of Indra also staked his life for him. Prithu held a Yagya once in which Gritasmad was the chief priest. Indra was also supposed to take part in this Yagya, so Daityas conspired against him. They wanted Indra to either make him captive or kill him. Gritasmad somehow came to know about this, and to protect him he disguised himself as Indra. Deceived by this disguise, Daityas captured and tied him with ropes. When he disclosed them that it is of no use, since he is Gritasmad, friend of Indra, they let him go.[1]
These gods and innumerable rishis find prolific references in Vedas, Puranas, and Itihas literature, such as Ramayan and Mahabharat, covering pre and post Four Eras, even till the next onset of Krit Yug brought forth by Kalki.
The hymns to Agni in the Rig Ved are surpassed in number only by those to Indra. These two divinities are very well associated with each other and are inseparable.
Agni, a god of fire is also sung and praised as Bhanu, the Sun and its seven rays by Gritasmad.[2] His powers are no less than Varun who divides day and night. Agni also presides over lightening in the sky, a form of fire in the sky and stands at Indra's side in all exploits of the latter. The sacrificial fire is obtained from this lightening in the sky, the thunderbolt of Indra, an essential weapon to win over Vritrasur and other enemies of men. Agni invites gods to the sacrificial Yagya and thus act as the messenger of gods. Agni also acts as the messenger between men and gods. Agni is said to share the chariot of Indra.
This is an excerpt from my book “Four Eras of The Battling Gods.” The book can be obtained from Amazon. The is also available at Kitab Ghar, Gaiety, Shimla. The Amazon link is given below:
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