Araṇi
Araṇi, “the fire-stick”
Grammar: feminine noun: the fire-stick; usually spoken of as a pair, the lower and the upper araṇi, which are churned (mathana) one against the other.
Meaning: the wooden fire-sticks by whose churning the sacred fire for a yajña or homa is kindled; fire so born is pure, new fire for the rite.
In the scriptures: in the rite of laying the stones of a temple, which Hayagrīva teaches, after the stones and bricks are wetted with the water of the kalaśas, the stones are placed in the foundation and Śrī Mahāvishṇu is worshipped on a śayyā (bed) in the eastern maṇḍala of the maṇḍapa. Then, in fire produced by churning the araṇi, samidhs (sacred sticks) are offered while reciting the dvādaśākshara mantra (the twelve-syllable mantra). The āghāra and ājyabhāga oblations are made with the praṇava; eight āhutis are given with the ashṭākshara mantra; with the three vyāhṛtis, “oṃ bhūḥ svāhā”, “oṃ bhuvaḥ svāhā”, “oṃ suvaḥ svāhā”, oblations are offered in order to Agni the lord of the world, to the graha Soma and to Śrī Mahāvishṇu. Then the prāyaścitta-homa is done, and the pūrṇāhuti is offered with māsha, ghee and sesame mixed, with the dvādaśākshara mantra joined to the praṇava (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 41).
Related terms: Agni · Homa · Samidh · Mathana · Yajña
Other meanings
Araṇi has more than one meaning in the Purāṇas and Itihāsas. Besides the meaning above, it names those listed here, each with where it is told.
- Araṇi, the river: Araṇi is one of the holy rivers asked to perform the abhisheka of the king and protect him. Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 219
Sources
- Agni Purāṇa, Chapters 41, 219