Agni Tīrtha (Sarasvatī)

Agni Tīrtha is a tīrtha on the river Sarasvatī. It is the place where Bhagavān Agni, the deva of fire, hid inside the Śamī tree (Prosopis cineraria, called jammi) because of a curse from the ṛshi Bhṛgu Maharshi. With Bhagavān Agni gone, the whole world came close to ruin. The devas, led by Bṛhaspati and Indra, found him at this tīrtha and brought him back to his work.

Bhagavān Agni hides

The Mahābhārata tells that mighty Bhagavān Agni feared the curse of the great ṛshi Bhṛgu. He hid inside the womb of the Śamī tree and could not be seen by any being. Without fire no yajña could be done and no food could be cooked, and all life was in danger. The world came close to dissolution.

The devas were full of grief. They gathered and went to Brahmā. They prayed: “Bhagavān Brahmā! We cannot find Bhagavān Agni anywhere. We do not know why. Universal dissolution has come upon all beings. O Prabhu Brahmā, please give Agni back to us.”

Brahmā guided the search. The devas, with Bṛhaspati and led by Indra, came to Agni Tīrtha on the Sarasvatī. Here, hidden in the Śamī tree, they found Bhagavān Agni. They were overjoyed and took him back, and he took up again his work as sarvabhakshaka (the one who devours all). This is why fire is made from Śamī wood: the Śamī carries Bhagavān Agni in its womb, and the fire-sticks (araṇi) are of Śamī wood.

Balarāma at Agni Tīrtha

Balarāma bathed at Agni Tīrtha and made offerings. Then he went on to Brahmayoni Tīrtha.

Sources

  • Mahābhārata, Śalya Parva, Chapter 47.