Vedic Mythology c5.s3.t2.16

c5.s3.t2.16

The powerful friction necessary to produce fire is probably the reason why Agni is frequently called the ‘son (*sūnu*, *putra*, once *yuvan*) of strength’ (*sahasaḥ*)¹². This explanation is supported by a passage of the RV. stating that Agni ‘rubbed with strength (*sahasā*) is produced (*jāyate*) by men on the surface of the earth’ (6, 48⁵). According to a later text, the kindling of Agni by friction must not take place before sunrise (MS. 1, 6¹⁰). Being produced every morning for the sacrifice Agni appropriately receives the very frequent epithet, exclusively connected with him, of ‘youngest’ (*yaviṣṭha*, *yaviṣṭhya*). His new births are opposed to his old (3, 1²⁰). Having grown old he is born again as a youth (2, 4⁵). In this sense, he does not grow old (1, 128²), his new light being like his old (6, 16²¹). Like some other gods, Agni is also spoken of simply as ‘young’. At the same time he is old. There is no sacrificer older than Agni (5, 3⁵), for he conducted the first sacrifice (3, 15⁴). He shone forth after former dawns (1, 44¹⁰), and the part played by Agni in the sacrifices of ancestors is often referred to (8, 43¹³ &c.). He is thus sometimes in the same passage paradoxically called both ‘ancient’ and ‘very young’ (10, 4¹⁻²).