Vahnyashṭaka

The Vahnyashṭaka is an eight-verse stotra (hymn of praise) that Sītā offered to Gārhapatya Agni, the sacred household fire, when Rāvaṇa came to carry her away from the forest āśrama. It is found in the Kūrma Mahā Purāṇa, Uttarardha, Chapter 33. It praises Agni in his supreme form as Parameśvara Rudra, who is Bhagavān Śiva.

Agni answered her by making a māyā-Sītā (an illusory Sītā) and keeping the true Sītā safe within the fire. He showed her again only at the agni-parīkshā (the trial by fire) after the war with Rāvaṇa.

The setting

Sītā was alone at the āśrama. Rāma had been drawn away by the golden deer. She saw the true purpose of Rāvaṇa as he came near.

She remembered Bhagavān Śiva’s name through her husband. She turned to Gārhapatya Agni and addressed him as Mahāyogasvararūpa, the supreme witness and the all-knowing fire. She joined her palms in śaraṇāgati (taking refuge).

The stotra she offered shows Agni not as a separate deva but as a form of Parameśvara Rudra. He is the Kālarūpa, the Bhūtapati, the Sarvabhūtadāhaka, the same Bhagavān Śiva who is the fire of the whole cosmos.

The stotra

Verse 1

I bow to you, the paramgahana, the mahāyogasvararūpa, the kṛtānta, the sarvabhūtadāhaka, the kālarūpa Īśvara, the fire-form of Agni. I bow to you.

Verse 2

Namaskaraḥ to the Viśvatomukha, the sarvasākshin Pāvaka. I seek you, the one who dwells in the heart of every prāṇin (living being), whose body is prakāśa (light), whose svarūpa (own form) is Ātman, who is Brahmarūpi, dear to all brāhmaṇas.

Verse 3

I take refuge in the Carmavasaya, the Bhūtapati, the Śaraṇya, the one whose svarūpa is parama-pada (the highest state).

Verse 4

I take refuge in the Jagadyoni, the sarvatejaḥkāraṇabhūta, the Mahāyogeśvara, the Āditya-parameshṭhisvarūpa.

Verse 5

I take refuge in the Mahāgrāsa, the Triśūlī, the one who grants bhoga (enjoyment) and moksha as phala (fruit), the Yogeśa, the Rudra, the Kālāgnirūpa.

Verse 6

I take refuge in the Vyāhṛtitraya-svarūpa, the Virūpāksha, the one hidden in the hiraṇmaya gṛha (the golden house).

Verse 7

I take refuge in the Vaiśvānara who dwells in all prāṇins. I seek the Havyakavya-vahana Īśvara, the Vahni. I seek the paratattva, the uttama-savitṛtattva, the tejasvin, the jyotisvarūpa Agni.

Verse 8

Havyapohana, protect me.

The names of Agni as Parameśvara

The stotra shows that Agni is Bhagavān Śiva-Rudra through this line of names:

  • Paramgahana: the one whose nature is deep beyond measure
  • Mahāyogasvararūpa: whose svarūpa is Mahāyoga itself
  • Kṛtānta: the finisher, the one who brings an end
  • Sarvabhūtadāhaka: the one who consumes all beings
  • Kālarūpa Īśvara: Īśvara in the form of Kāla (Time, Death)
  • Viśvatomukha: whose face is the whole universe
  • Sarvasākshin: witness to all
  • Pāvaka: the purifier
  • Bhūtapati: master of all bhūtas
  • Śaraṇya: the ultimate refuge
  • Jagadyoni: the womb of the jagat (world)
  • Mahāyogeśvara: the supreme master of yoga
  • Triśūlī: the bearer of the trident (Bhagavān Śiva himself)
  • Rudra: the one who makes weep, the fierce, the auspicious
  • Kālāgnirūpa: the form of the fire of Kāla (pralayāgni, the fire of dissolution)
  • Virūpāksha: of unusual or deformed eyes (one of the names of Bhagavān Śiva)
  • Vaiśvānara: the universal fire that dwells in all prāṇins
  • Paratattva: the supreme principle

Agni’s answer

When Sītā finished the Vahnyashṭaka, the Mahāyogeśvara Havyavāhana (Agni) rose from the Gārhapatya fire. He blazed as a mass of tejas (radiance), flowing like light itself, in the form of light.

He made the divine exchange. He took the true Sītā, who is Mahālakshmī in human form, into his own keeping. In her place he made a māyā-Sītā for Rāvaṇa to see and carry away.

At the agni-parīkshā after the war, Agni gave back the true Sītā. He declared before the whole assembly that Rāvaṇa had never touched her.

Sources

  • Kūrma Mahā Purāṇa, Uttarardha, Chapter 33