Fire in Religion(Introduction)

Fire is universally understood to be related to the sun and also to lightning, but also to the hearth and home, it is the element embodies the very nature of the relationship between the states of existence. The ancient Persians saw fire as the living embodiment of light, a symbol of Good. Apollo, the Sun god, in Greek mythology is associated with the fire of the sun as it is he who was considered the driver of horses of his chariot that makes its way from east to west of the heavens (Sun rises from the east and sets on the west). Agni (a Hindu and Vedic deity), is considered as one of the most important of the Vedic deities. He is the god of fire, and much of his importance comes from the role of fire in sacrifices and rituals. As the giver of immortality and the cleanser of sins after death, Agni acted as a mediator between gods and men.. As the fire which consumes the offerings to the gods, he is seen as the mediator between heaven and earth. There too is evidence of Agni’s worship even up to now. Agnimathana, a sacred fire drill, is performed and it symbolizes the miraculous birth of Agni, the god of fire.