Vedic Mythology c5.s3.t2.39

c5.s3.t2.39

Agni is a divine (*asura*) monarch (*samrāj*), strong as Indra (7, 6¹). His greatness surpasses that of mighty heaven (1, 59⁵). He is greater than heaven and earth (3, 6²; 10, 88¹⁴), than all the worlds, which he filled when born (3, 3¹⁰). He is superior to all the other gods in greatness (1, 68²). All the gods fear and do homage to him when he abides in darkness (6, 9⁷). He is celebrated and worshipped by Varuṇa, Mitra, the Maruts, and all the gods (3, 9⁸. 14⁴; 10, 69⁹). Agni performed great deeds of old (7, 6²). Men tremble at his mighty deeds (8, 92⁵). In battle he procured space for the gods (1, 59⁵) and he delivered them from curse (7, 13²). He is a conqueror of thousands (*sahasrajit*: more commonly an attribute of Soma). He drives away the Dasyus from the house, thus creating a wide light for the Ārya (7, 5⁶). He is a promoter of the Ārya (8, 92¹) and a vanquisher of irreligious Paṇis (7, 6³). He receives with some frequency the epithet of ‘Vṛtra-slayer’, and two or three times that of ‘fort-destroyer’ (*puraṃdara*), attributes primarily appropriate to Indra (p. 60). Such warlike qualities, though suitable to Agni in his lightning form, are doubtless derived by him from Indra, with whom he is so frequently associated (p. 127).