Agni mahabhuta
The word ‘agni’ literally means ‘fire’.[1] The word meaning of ‘tejas’ is glow, glare, splendor, light, fire, the bright appearance of human body, vital power, essence etc.[2] It is one among the panchamahabhuta. (Sharira Sthana 1/27). The word teja also represents oja (vitality or essence). Agni is present in two forms: mahabhuta and pitta dosha. The present article deals with agni mahabhuta. Agni related to pitta dosha is dealt with separately.
Etymology and definition
The word Agni is derived from three verbs – from 'going', from 'shining or burning', and from 'leading'. The letter "a" (अ) is from root "i" which means 'to go'. The letter "g" (ग्) is from the root "añj" meaning 'to shine' or "dah" meaning 'to burn'. And the last letter is by itself the root "nī" (नी) which means 'to lead'.[3]
References
- ↑ Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, agni, Page 5
- ↑ Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, tejas, Page 454
- ↑ Lakshman Sarup (1998). The Nighantu and the Nirukta. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 120. ISBN 978-81-208-1381-6. Available from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agni#cite_ref-31 accessed on 11-04-2020