Agni Tīrtha is a sacred tīrtha (holy bathing place) in the Setu-kshetra near Rāmasetu. It lies close to Lakshmī Tīrtha. It is the spot where Agni Deva rose from the ocean when Bhagavān Rāma called him, after the slaying of Rāvaṇa, to bear witness to the purity of Sītā Devī. Agni came out of the sea, declared that Sītā is Lakshmī herself, and proclaimed her complete purity. Bhagavān Rāma then took Sītā back in the presence of all the devas, ṛshis and the whole world. The place where Agni came out became Agni Tīrtha.

Location

Agni Tīrtha lies next to Lakshmī Tīrtha in the Setu-kshetra. It is the exact spot in the ocean where Agni rose from the water when Bhagavān Rāma called him. This spot in the sea, near the shore of Rāmasetu, became holy because of the divine event that happened here (Chapter 22).

The purification of Sītā

Bhagavān Rāma slew Rāvaṇa and freed Sītā Devī from Laṅkā. He then returned with Sītā, Lakshmaṇa, Vibhīshaṇa and the whole army of vānaras by the Setu-mārga (the path of the bridge) to the Gandhamādana mountain. There, in front of all the devas, ṛshis, gandharvas, siddhas, pitṛs, apsarases and all living beings, Bhagavān Rāma wished to show Sītā’s complete purity to all the worlds. He called on Agni Deva to bear witness. He performed the āvāhana (invocation) of Agni near Lakshmī Tīrtha, on the bank of the setu (Chapter 22).

Agni rises from the ocean

When Bhagavān Rāma called him, Agni rose from the ocean itself. The Setu Māhātmya describes him closely. He had red eyes (rakta-netra) and a golden-yellow body (pīta-varṇa), and he wore golden-yellow clothes. He carried a bow, and with his seven tongues he licked all ten directions. His form was both awesome and auspicious. He is the witness of all yajñas (fire rituals), and now he rose from the ancient ocean to give his witness (Chapter 22).

Agni’s words

Agni spoke to Bhagavān Rāma:

“O Mahābāhu, O Rāma who fills the rākshasas with fear! Sītā’s purity was the very force that let you slay Rāvaṇa. This is wholly true. This Sītā is Kamala herself, the mother of all worlds, who has taken the form of a human woman in her divine play (līlā*). In her divine state she takes the form that fits that realm. In her human state she takes the human form. She adjusts her form to Vishṇu’s own body. O master of all worlds, O Janārdana! When you take an avatāra, she comes with you as your helper. When you were Bhārgavarāma, she was Dharaṇī (the earth). Now she is Jānakī. In the future she will be Rukmiṇī. In all your avatāras she helps you. Therefore, O Rāma, accept her on my word.”* (Chapter 22)

Bhagavān Rāma takes Sītā back

When they heard Agni’s words, the devas, ṛshis, vidyādharas, gandharvas, humans and all the beings present raised a great shout of joy. They praised both Sītā and Rāma. Bhagavān Rāma accepted the wholly pure Sītā again, as Agni had testified, before all the worlds (Chapter 22).

How the tīrtha formed

The exact spot in the ocean from which Agni rose at Bhagavān Rāma’s call, where divine fire came out of the ancient waters, became holy as Agni Tīrtha. Agni came out (nirgatam) from this spot, and so it is called Agni Tīrtha (Chapter 22).

Merit of bathing here

A person who bathes at Agni Tīrtha with devotion and performs the rites that go with it is freed from all pāpa (sin) and reaches Vishṇu-sāyujya (union with Bhagavān Vishṇu). The rites are feeding qualified brāhmaṇas and giving cloth, land, wealth and a decorated kanyā (maiden). The tīrtha also removes all kilbisha (defilements). A great pāpī (sinner) who had taken the form of a piśāca (a ghoul) was freed from that terrible form and gained a divine body (divya-rūpa) by bathing here (Chapter 22).

Sources

Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Setu Māhātmya, Chapter 22

Agni Tīrtha (Rāmasetu)