AGNI THE MESSENGER

The Messenger God

I often wondered why Agni was the second most important deity, next only to Indra, to the vedic civilization (if importance is measured in terms of the number of hymns in the Rig Veda). After all, fire would have been common place at the time of the vedic people and therefore the mystique would not have been great enough to accord a Godhood to the fire element.

As I research, it has become apparent there are more than one reasons to explain the prominence of Agni.

One of them is the role that Agni played in the Vedic pantheon. To the Vedic people, Agni was their messenger to the Gods. It is Agni who bears to the Gods the prayers, praises and oblations of his worshippers and brings the Gods down to their sacrifices or their homes.

Hymn 2 of Mandala IV has a detailed account of how Agni was the messenger to the Gods for the Vedic people.

Rig Veda 4.002.01
THE, Faithful One, Immortal among mortals, a God among the Gods, appointed envoy,
Priest, best at worship, must shine forth in glory . Agni shall be raised high with man’s oblations.

Source The Vamadeva Danastutis

THE SACRED FIRE AND AGNI

Messages from Our Ancestors

The great spiritual teachings of the ancient world-deriving from an era before our consciousness became dominated by the rational mind-speak primarily in terms of symbols. Vedic sages articulated this approach stating that ‘the Gods love the mysterious and dislike the obvious’.[i] The wise often avoid stating anything directly because most people are unprepared to see the truth. The wise prefer to intimate the truth for real seekers whose minds are receptive, rather than trying to broadcast it to those who are not really interested.[ii] Their goal is to stimulate our own insight and experience, not merely to pass on a belief or idea as final.

Spiritual truth transcends mere words. Whatever is put into words immediately becomes profane, a commodity capable of manipulation and distortion. Truth is not the evident form, but the hidden fire. We cannot find truth in outer forms any more than we can see fire in wood that has not been enkindled.

HEAL THE WORLD WITH YOUR MIND

The Participatory Mind

The Participatory Mind helps us realise the central role of the mind in designing new cosmologies, ontologies, and in determining social behaviour. Mind is central to everything, every process and phenomenon. This world is also a product of the mind for it shapes the world we live in the way it likes.

Human beings tend to shift from a boring mode of living to one which is more interesting and life-enhancing. Intense will showing affinity to spirituality is growing, for this mode of living factors in the integrity and enhancement of individual beings and of society. Spirituality also takes us closer to nature and inspires us to be devoted to the healing of self and nature.

A Holistic View

Science is beginning to take this kind of holistic view, in recognition of the interconnected nature of existence. Physicists seek the unified theory. Medical sciences advocate yoga and meditation. Psychology now regards an individual human as being more than a ‘social animal’. A new mind appears to be evolving caressed by the universe. This mind will help create a universe with a new world blossoming with happiness and fullness of life

HEALING THE WORLD WITH YOUR MIND

INTEGRITY IN THE COSMOS

There is a wonderful unity and integrity in the cosmos. But we tend to divide and disintegrate it. Environmental disruption leading to environmental catastrophe is a stark example of this. Our ordinary mind is responsible for this division and disintegration. Yet the mind could remould the universe and give it a new shape and structure, restoring to it its infinite beauty. The mind which could give new and the real meaning to the universe is the wonderful creation of the universe itself.  The key to our reconstruction of the universe is the mind. When we grasp the meaning and place of the mind in the cosmos, we shall be astonished to discover that other things are falling into their places much more readily than we expected.

HEAL THE WORLD WITH YOUR MIND

Ecological Healing-- Modern view

Healing the mind translates into ecological healing, vital to save the living planet and humanity. Environmental pollution and ecological disruption are the consequences of a polluted mind. The theory of the Participatory Mind unfolds the magical potency of mind. The mind mends and heals itself provided it is nurtured by right philosophy. The mind does not only mend and heal itself; it could contribute to heal the tormented planet as well. The theory  says, “The healing of the world -- and of ourselves within it -- and a new understanding of the universe are complementary aspects of the same process.” Thus, the quality or virtues of the mind are the qualities or virtues of the world we dwell in, and vice-versa
It is imperative to learn from the roots and it is available in Keno Upanishad.

Monotheistic Commands in Bhagvad Gita

Those whose minds are distorted by material desires surrender unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship according to their own natures. Chapter 7, Verse 21. I am in everyone's heart as the Supersoul. As soon as one desires to worship the demigods, I make his faith steady so that he can devote himself to some particular deity. Chapter 7, Verse 22. Endowed with such a faith, he seeks favors of a particular demigod and obtains his desires. But in actuality these benefits are bestowed by Me alone.

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