Matsya Purana 51.1

51.1

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ.
ye pūjyāḥ syurdvijātīnāmagnayaḥ sūta sarvadā .
tānidānīṃ samācakṣva tadvaṃśaṃ cānupūrvaśaḥ 51.1 .
sūta uvāca.
yo'sāvagnirabhīmānī smṛtaḥ svāyambhuve'ntare .
brahmaṇo mānasaḥ putrastasmātsvāhā vyajījanat 2 .
pāvakaṃ pavamānaṃ ca śuciragniśca yaḥ smṛtaḥ .
nirmathyaḥ pavamāno'gnirvaidyutaḥ pāvakātmajaḥ 3 .

The Ṛiṣis.—O! Sûta! Pray tell us about those Agnis or Fires which are honored amongst the twice-born, and narrate the history of the descendents of that dynasty in detail.—1.

Sûta.—Ṛiṣis! In Svâyambhuva Manvantara, Agni Abhimânî (the presiding spirit of Fire), was born from the mind of Brahmâ, and Svâhâ was his wife. She gave birth to Pâvaka (Subterranean), Pavamâna (Terrestrial) and Śuchi (Celestial) Fires. Pavamâna or Terrestrial Fire is produced by friction, and Pâvaka (Subterranean) Fire produces the magnetic fire, called Vidyuta.—2-3.