Shriyam Sarasvateem Gaureem Ganesham Skandameeshvaram,

Brahmaanam Vaahnimindraadeen Vasudemam nammamyaham/                                                                     

(My greetings to Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Gauri, Parvati, Ganesh, Kartikeya, and Vasudeva)



Stated to have been recited by ‘Agni’ (The Fire God) to the illustrious Sage Vasishtha, Agni Purana is among the renowned Eighteen Sacred Puranas of Hindu Belief. In turn, Vasishtha narrated the contents to Vedavyasa, who passed on the same to the learned Suta Maha Muni. As a Sacred Yagna (Ritualistic Sacrifice) dedicated to Lord Vishnu was being performed at the ‘Nimisharanya’ (Nimisha Forest) under the guidance of ‘Shaunaka’, Suta Maha Muni arrived at the Yagna and preached the Agni Purana, which taught the Essence of Parama Brahma Tatwa to all the Rishis who were assembled there and further on to the Gen Next.

‘Agni Purana’ is the essence of Vedas and Upanishads. It underlines the concept of ‘Advaita Brahma Gyan’ (Awareness of Unity of Almighty and the Self). In other words, Human Soul and the Supreme Power are one and the same. Also, the Purana emphasizes on the ritualistic aspects and religious practices related to temples, installation of idols, idol worship, ‘Japas’ (repetitive recitation of ‘Mantras’), ‘Homams’ and ‘Yagnas’, visits to ‘Thirthas’ (Holy Places including Rivers, Worship Spots and ‘Ashrams’ (places where Religious Leaders and Godmen seek retreat,) and so on. Spread over some 383 chapters over twelve thousand “Shlokas’, Agni Purana contains the gists of the Ten Avatars/ Incarnations of Lord Vishnu viz. ‘Matsya’, (Fish), ‘Kurma’ (Turtle), ‘Varaha’ (Boar), ‘Narasimha’ (Man/Lion), ‘Vamana’ (Dwarf), ‘Parasurama’, ‘Rama’, ‘Krishna’, ‘Buddha’ and Kalki. It also gives a detailed account of the Great Hindu Epics of ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Maha Bharata’ as also of ‘Harivamsa’.There are references in the Purana to Physical Features of World, Varnashrama and Ashrama Dharma, Temple Construction, Procedure of Pujas, Achaara Varnana,  Tirtha Mahatmya, Power of Gayatri Mantra, Yoga Practice, Vedas and Puranas, Dhanurveda and Principles of Battle, Duties of Kings, ‘Brahma Gyan’, Bhagavat Gita and Yama ‘Gita’. Shri Lakshmi Stotra, Vishnu Panjara Stotra and Paapa Naasha Stora are other highlights. Being the Preserver of the Universe, Lord Vishnu takes to human form on earth occasionally whenever an evil force takes an extreme presence to upset the equilibrium of human existence and destroys the evil to re-establish and vindicate righteousness. The Lord had already taken to nine such ‘Avatars’ (incarnations) and the Tenth is in the offing as the Contemporary ‘Yuga’ (the fourth and final cycle of Time viz. ‘Kali’ Yuga, preceded by ‘Dwapara’ Yuga, ‘Tretha’ Yuga and ‘Kritha’ Yuga)) would be terminated.