Agni is the Sanskrit word for ‘fire’. Agni is one of the foremost among the Vedic deities. In regard of the number of Vedic hymns (sūkta; sukta) attributed to the deities, Agni comes only second to Indra (almost two hundred hymns have been dedicated to Agni). Since Agni’s deeds and actions are mainly observable on […]

The Sanskrit verbal root an etymologically signifies the verb ‘to breathe’ or ‘to live’. The breathing air (prāṇavāyu; pranavayu) which sustains man to life is specifically called anila. In Īśopaniṣada (Isopanishada), during a discussion on death, we come across a famous verse which says – vāyuranila mṛtaṃ yathedaṃ bhasmāntaṃ śarīram. This verse talks about the breathing air getting […]

One of the one thousand and eight names of Śiva-Mahādeva (Siva-Mahadeva). In Śivasahasranāmastotra (Sivasahasranamastotra; the hymn recounting one thousand names of Śiva) he has been hailed as Anila twice. Anila in Sanskrit means ‘air’. Upaniṣadas (Upanishadas) consider air as one of the manifestations of brahma, the Supreme Being. According to Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣada (Swetaswatara Upanishada), when a person engrossed in […]