Essential Concepts
We can encounter several concepts such as Agni (Fire), Agni Yoga, Agnihotra, Agnaya, fire sacrifice, purification by the element of Fire, Spirit of Fire. All mysticism is full of such references. So what is this Spirit of Fire? What does the concept of Agni mean? What is the mystery behind fire rituals? Let’s try to look at it all.
Touching on the essence of the matter, it is necessary to deal a little with the topic of Heaven, i.e. the topic of Devachan. Guru Agni is considered the Ruler, Guardian and Prince among angels of the so-called Heavens of the Earth (Bhut Akasha) – the lowest of the three Great Hierarchies of Devachan, also called the Kingdom of God.
Deva is an angel, a luminous being, a messenger of God. The Deva lives in the world of HEAVEN. This is a subtle sphere of existence of the world “above” the physical plane (Stulla) and the astral-mental plane (kama – manas), also called the higher mind, the sphere of divine intelligence, the plane of light, ananda (eternal happiness), the plane of light and sound.
The consciousness of angels is non-dual, focused in God (Brahma) and sattvic (full of goodness). This means that angels are essentially of the nature of Goodness and Harmony with the Supreme Will. Nondual philosophy we call Advaita and it is the way of thinking and acting of all inhabitants of Heaven. The consciousness of enlightened yoga adepts and all truly spiritual schools can be called angelic consciousness. Advaita is the state of consciousness of the Sufi (Rishi) mind. We can say that it is the pure intelligence of angels and the world of light.
The structure of the Kingdom of Heaven
Basically, we are talking about three heavenly Great Circles or Hierarchies. The lowest sphere is the Heavens of Earth, above which we have the Heavens of Air (Mana Akasha), also called the Middle Heavens, and the highest is the sphere called the Heavens of Truth and Love or the Heavens of Heaven (Chitta Akasha). The Supreme Heavens are also called the Heaven of Pure Consciousness.
If we are to deal with the nature of the Spirit of Fire, we should deal more deeply with that Hierarchy which is the lowest, called Bhutaloka Devachan: The Abode of the Earth Angels. Agni is considered in yoga as the Ruler of this First Great Celestial Circle. The angels of this sphere are all souls inhabiting God’s Kingdom of Peace and Justice.
The ruler of the Middle Heavens is Chohan (Lord) Indra, and in the Supreme Heavens Chohan Surya (Lord Sun) reigns. We see, therefore, that the ruler of the First Great Circle is the Lord of Fire, the Second Circle is ruled by the Lord of the Senses, and the Third is ruled by the Lord Sun.
Each sphere is divided into three smaller subsystems, which among the Devas of the Earth we call respectively: angels, archangels and principalities. The ordinary inhabitants of Heaven are angels. Devachan is full of angels of both sexes. The female angelic form is called DEVI. This may come as a surprise to many people, but celestial beings also reflect genders that they can assume at will. Traditionally, we have male angels (devas) and female angels (devi). We also call all the inhabitants of the entire Kingdom of God in all heavenly spheres as angels (devou).
It should be mentioned that demons (asuras, rakshasas) and devils (pisacha) cannot enter the world of angels. These kinds of beings reside only in the astral and mental worlds, where there are countless hosts of them. Sometimes they also come to our sphere of the material world, but between Prakrit and Devachan there is a boundary that is impossible for derailed existences to cross unless they are corrected.
Light beings also incarnate in worlds lower than their own sphere. When it comes to our planetary world and the very physical plane of existence, we must consider two fundamental concepts defining the two classes of matter-embodied celestial beings: Sura and Jiva.
Sura – it is a deva that has an incarnation as a being living in nature. Tree, stone, grass, animal, bush, flower, insect, fish, bird, river, lake, stream, mushroom, rain, wind, storm, sea, mountain, steppe, desert, valley… Indians refer to all such beings as “Other People”. We understand that the spiritual nature (soul) of such a living being in nature is an inhabitant of the Earth’s Heavens. This means that everything living in nature has its own heavenly, divine soul. It can be said that the incarnated angel – sura, in his own world is a pure, truly divine, higher self.
The term “sura” also means “book”, hence yoga mystics and Sufis call the life of nature the holy book of nature. By looking at the world of the kingdom of minerals, plants and animals, we can try to become more deeply aware of the truly divine nature of all existing life. We can try to feel the divine life of the souls embodied in material shells of our world, whose presence here creates all the beauty of our planet.
Suras also inhabit the spaces of Kama-manas, or the astral-mental world. They sometimes appear as apparitions, phantoms, strange animals, as spaces and forms from our dreams. They also appear as otherworldly and cosmic beings. They are often confused with both angels and demons, although their nature is essentially angelic.
Asuras (demons) are generally also inhabitants of the astromental world, although sometimes they are born in human or animal forms on the physical plane. Their nature, however, is not subject to any connection with the inheritance of the heavenly world. They exist as empty, soulless forms in a space called the world of PRAKRITI, which is a material reflection of Devachan. Asura exists only relatively, and its scope of existence is limited to this world of duality and material form. There are no demons in the Heavenly world. Paradise is guarded against robbers from all 18,000 material universes.
The Sphere of Heaven is a world that is the Embodiment of Light, Love, Harmony, Goodness and Truth. Sura is a DEVA that has a body and consciousness in spheres of existence lower than Heaven. Asura is a form that has no connection or presence in Devachan. There is no embodied evil in Advaita consciousness. Heaven is only Goodness. Asura literally means “Unnatural”, which perfectly shows the nature of such an entity.
A jiva is a deva that has an embodiment as a human and we usually call it simply the human soul or higher self. It is the divine soul in man, also called natural goodness, eternal life and the Kingdom of God within us. The Polish words “dźiwić się (jiveech shie – ‘to wonder’)”, “zdziwienie (sjivyenye – ‘surprise’)”, “dziwo (jivo – ‘marvel’)” are terms that perfectly reflect the feelings flowing from the sphere of heavenly consciousness.
Usually, when we think about male and female angels we give them human shapes. This is the case with devas of human origin. Of course, in the heavenly world the suras have a form similar to the one in which they were reflected on a plane denser than Heaven. However, it is always a more beautiful, more perfect, more ideal and subtle shape. For this reason, we are constantly searching for our ideal and constantly have a tendency to perfect our manifested form to resemble heavenly beauty. Seeing an angel is an extremely rare phenomenon and has nothing to do with the so-called spiritism usually arranged by asuras or, even worse, by pishacha.
The divine couple of the Princes of the Flame: Chohan Agni and Chohani Agnaya
AGNI is the Archduke among the angels, archangels and princes of the Heaven of the Earth. Agni is the Lord of the Flame and God as the Consuming Fire. He appears in visions as an angelic deity among the flames of the divine, heavenly Fire and in his essence he is pure Divine Flame. Called Guru Agni by yoga, he is the spiritual director of the Earth’s Heavens and the Guardian (Idam) of law and order in the natural course of nature. It governs the eternal principle, the natural order of nature, that what is called natural law (Rta, Tao). Even the Old Testament says that God (Yahweh) is a Consuming Fire. God appeared to Moses in the flames of Fire.
AGNAYA, also called SVAHA, is his wife and Princess among the angels and archangels of the world of Heaven and Earth ruled by Agni. Agnaya is simply FEMALE FIRE, the Queen of Heaven, the partner in heavenly happiness of the Archduke of angels of the First Hierarchy of Heaven. Agnaya is the spiritual power of Agni.
Agni – Prince of the Earth’s Heaven is also the guardian of the southeastern side of the entire world. He is called the Lord of Hosts. All nature is subject to his spiritual power, including devas of the heavenly nature that we humans have never even dreamed of. Agni is the mysticism of seven flames, seven sacred fires and seven rays of light.
When Guru Agni takes human form, which rarely happens, he looks like this:
“The figure is red-skinned, like an Indian, four-armed, with a fiery crown on his head, usually double (two faces), the hair is red and flaming, he has a long and flowing beard (also red flaming), with reddish flaming eyes.” In his hands he holds the following attributes: a trident, flames, a rosary, and a burning spear. The trident is a symbol of initiatory power over the three kingdoms of nature and a sign of the power of the Holy Trinity. Flames are a symbol of the power to baptize with fire and cleanse the soul of contamination of the incarnation in lower planes of existence. The rosary maintains the rhythm of the universe and the order of nature. The burning spear annihilates all dark forces that would like to enter the Heavens, because nothing unclean can enter there. Agni sits in a rust-colored and flaming Chariot drawn by seven fiery horses, the heavenly steeds. The reddish-rust colored horse is a symbol of the heavenly traveller. Sometimes, Agni travels sitting on a donkey or a goat. He usually appears together with Agnaya, with his partner – Fire.
The typical visualization of Agni is the bodiless and formless flame of Fire. It appears as a vision of the Threefold flame within the purified heart. The three flame tongues are colored blue, yellow and red, respectively. They also shine in many other shades of colors. Agni illuminates the entire Great Circle of Earth’s Heaven. It is therefore a source of heavenly brightness and luminosity. The Threefold Flame is the fiery Heart of Agni. An interesting fact is that the Polish word Fire (‘Ogień’) comes from the word Agni as its etymological prototype.
Agni and Swaha form a pair of androgenic nature. They are an inseparable pair of Twin Flames. In spiritual rituals, Female Fire is greeted more often. The sacred mantric phrase “Om Agnaye Svaha” is recited for this purpose. She brings prosperity and is the caring Mother of the World. Agni is greeted with the phrase “Om Guru Agnideva”. The divine pair of heavenly princes can be greeted by chanting both phrases alternately. The female essence of this androgen shines with a threefold Flame of greenish, orange and amethyst colors. The essence of both flames shines with a bright, whitish flame of cosmic spiritual light.
Yoga and Sufi adepts often practice gazing into the flame of an oil lamp or candle, or into the flames of a small fire. This reminds us of the luminous essence that lies dormant within our heart and the principle (tattva) of the element of fire in the solar plexus center. The Kingdom of Heaven within us begins by crossing the gate of fiery radiance. Truly, the gateway within is luminous and fiery. God within us is Fire and Light. This brightness brings us enlightenment from the Depths within. The four pillars of self-realization of the self-luminous nature emerge: bliss, simplicity, prudence and conciliation. The feeling of struggle and threat disappears, anxiety, fear and hatred disappear. A clear and distinct insight called intuition develops. And all this and much more is thanks to Agni and Agnaya – the Luminous Princes of the Flame.
The Temple of the Flame
The Ashram of the Princes of the Flame of Life is located in the area of the so-called lotus of the last boundary separating the Heavens of Earth from the Heavens of Lord Indra – the Lord of the Senses. The charisma of control over sensual impulses is given by the Vajra King, by Indra. It can be said that Agni’s ashram is the subtlest area of the world of the Princes among the Celestials of Bhut Akasha, the third from the bottom choir of the Earth Heavens. In the Temple of the Flame is the princely throne of the First Hierarchy of Devachan. Male and Female Fire sitting on the throne constitute divine authority and wield the power of initiation (sanctification and blessing), they rule over the entire nature, and in particular over the action of gunas and elements of nature.
The rituals of fire sacrifice are performed continuously in this heavenly temple by the chief priest with the beautiful name BRIHASPATI, who is the embodiment of priestly perfection. Semitic tradition calls him Melchizedek. The First Priest of this temple is the ideal of a Brahmin and ritualist.
Brihaspati has knowledge of countless fire sacrificial rituals for various occasions and celebrations celebrated by angels in the Earth Heavens. The Bible calls the Temple of the Flame the “Heavenly Jerusalem.” Indeed, it is the temple of God’s Peace, where pure fire offerings are offered. It is also worth noting that animal sacrifices were introduced into cults on earth by demons and do not belong to the heavenly tradition. They only open the way to the world of hell. Agni accepts only pure offerings, untainted by the death of innocent animals.
The chief religious dignitary in the Kingdom of Heaven is also the Guardian of the Law of Nature, also called the Rita (Tao). Spiritual and religious leaders of every tradition on earth model their priestly authority on this Spiritual Ideal. It can be said that in the higher ideas of the human mind, Brihaspati is the archetype of the Priest and Guardian of our conscience, which burns mercilessly and destroys us when we act against the laws of nature. Also, the karmic record is kept by the same natural law of our conscience.
Brihaspati is the lord of prayer and a great singer. Spoken and melodically recited prayer is a fundamental priestly (Brahmin) practice. Symbolically, Brihaspati is said to be the Prince of angels with a hundred wings, signifying spiritual completeness. He is present at all priestly ordinations that take place in all religious traditions established on earth. Therefore, he has the power to transmit ordinations (Priestly Initiations) on behalf of Agni – the Supreme Hierarch of the Temple of the Flame.
The Power of Heart (Himma) is activated during the ordination performed by Brihaspati. Ritual (Puja) is a form of priestly practice. If we ask why this particular ceremony, the answer is very simple. Repeating spiritual practices in the most effective order produces the greatest power. Doing this systematically increases and accumulates this power. And the mark of the enlightened is simplicity! Yes, this ritual is the secret of power. It can be said that if anyone considers themselves spiritual and does not like spiritual and religious rituals, unfortunately they have nothing to do with Heaven. The ritual is the secret of the existence of all nature. All phenomena in nature take place in a regular order, constituting a ritual of worshiping God by Suras and Devas from Bhutaloka Devachan. A ritual is a fundamental spiritual practice, especially the ritual of lighting a flame of fire.
AGNIHOTRA – Ritual of Flame
Hotri is a flame symbol representing Agni and Swaha. Hotri is a real and concrete flame of fire, both in Heaven and on earth, a living symbol of the very essence of the Spirit of Fire. Hotri is also the eternal Flame kept alive in many ancient and modern temples. Hotri also burns as a living and ever-burning flame on the Sacrificial Altar in the Temple of the Flame in Devachan. It is like the source of all forms of fire rooster.
AGNIHOTRA (Fire Offering) is not only a ritual of lighting the sacred Fire, but also a ritual called feeding the Fire. DHUNI – the holy Fire is kindled in meditative concentration, and even better in the company of spiritual prayers and melodic recitations. HAVAN – the ritual of feeding the sacred Sacrificial Fire is performed by pouring clarified butter called GHI over the flames. Grains are also offered, especially rice grains and, even better, rice donuts (Purodaśa). The flame is kept alive by the best food: scented wood, if possible sandalwood. We use wood that smells of resins. Herbs (preferably sage in Poland) are also burned in a flame as the best incense. In the Agnihotra ritual, offerings of milk, olive oil or sour soup are offered to the Fire.
Serious Ritual fire is burned in the form of a sacred ritual bonfire, inside a circle made of field stones. Lighting a candle and incense dispels the forces of darkness and establishes a world of light. You should always burn Fire and incense near sick people, because all illness has its source in the world of darkness and dark imperfection. Additionally, fire and incense have the power of exorcism. You should never light a fire with poisonous plants (e.g. tobacco), as it attracts demonic forces and all kinds of diseases, and even imminent death.
Agni Yoga – The Path to the Temple of the Flame
The method of fire transformation is also called the path of transformation, the burning of the false self. Agni leads the way of living ethics called natural law (Rita, Tao), the order of nature. Transformation in the great School of Life, the process of birth and death – these are the basic mysteries of all Agni Yoga.
What is the Law of Nature? This is the right of species to live and reproduce, form pairs and produce offspring. Protection of life and health, including the principle of non-harming all beings, is a narrow and tight gate to the Kingdom of Heaven. The aspect of naturalness also includes living in harmony and accordance with nature and its natural rhythm, and in particular with the rhythm of day and night, with the rhythm of the seasons, and with the rhythm of the lunar month, where the new moon is the beginning of a new monthly cycle.
The lunar rhythm is the most important spiritual practice “on the pure and beaten path”. Rituals of feeding of the Fire Spirit should be celebrated during every new moon! The beginning of the new lunar month should be very ceremonial. The first sphere in the Earth’s Heavens is the lunar sphere. We unite with its rhythm of work and remain in harmony with the entire manifest and heavenly plan of nature’s life.
Priesthood Degrees of the Temple of the Flame
Fire Rituals are performed by Vedic priests, who are basically divided into four levels of ordination and skill. Collectively, we call all priests by the term Brahman or Pujari.
- HOTAR recites prayer formulas as a Prayer Guide based on the texts of the Rig Veda.
- ADHVARYU supervises the ritual side and recites the prayer formulas of the Yajur Veda, the so-called Yajas – constituting one of three types of prayers composed in prose and recited in a low voice or in a whisper. He is actually the Worship Director.
- UDGATAR is a priest who is literally the singer of the hymns of the Sama Veda. Sings ecstatic hymns of praise to angels or God. Saman is a sacrificial song bringing light and inspiration. It performs the function of Light, also called cherag.
- BRAHMAN supervises the entire rite or rite, being the one who watches over the entire liturgy. He is a senior priest with the character of a bishop or siraja.
Among the most important Fire Rituals, apart from Agnihotra, we can mention VAYTANIKA, i.e. the so-called Ritual of the Three Fires. In this sacrifice, three sacrificial fires are lit at the same time and three sacrifices are performed simultaneously. It takes three Sacrificial Priests (Hotar) to perform this highly sanctifying Vaytanika ritual.
AGNISHTOMA is the Glory of Fire, a variant of the Vedic ritual sacrifice, more commonly known as Jyottishtoma – the Glory of Light. Such a ritual is performed by someone who desires Heaven. The sacred drink Soma (water with honey) is offered as an offering in honour of the angels (devou). The ritual lasts for five days without interruption, and as many as sixteen Fire priests participate in the ritual. The fire burns for five whole days.
SATTRA is a special sacrificial session called the Great Sacrifice of Soma. The ceremony lasts from thirteen to one hundred days and is officiated by many priests. Sattra attracts the powerful blessings of all the heavenly Hierarchies and Angelic Choirs. Hum!
Many Blessings on your Path to Awakening and Realization!
Om Namaśśivaya! Hum!
Acharyacharya Swami Lalita-Mohan G.K.
Leave a Reply