Agni as Durga Swarupa

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Pranams bhaskariji,

 

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For that matter even durgA sUkta (jAtavedase

> sunavAma sOma marAteeyato nidahAti vedaH) also is about agni, but dont we use

it in devi ArAdhana??

 

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The creation of cosmos was the product of Sopadhika Parabrahman (Purusha with

Prakriti). The principle that has its origin from Sopadhika Brahman and cause of

Evolution of Cosmos is called with the name Hiranyagarbha. Agni is an aspect of

Hiranyagarbha. From this Agni, rests of the gods have originated.

 

This Agni eventually became Chaturmukha Brahma and created the cosmos. Entire

Veda extols this Agni as Jatavedas (from whom Vedas or Jnana finds its source).

This Jatavedas is the remover of all afflictions and giver of Supreme Knowledge.

Jatavedas or Agni who is the remover of Afflictions is called Durg (masculine)

and Durga (as feminine) (Durga durgaarthi nasini). Both are Sopadhika Brahama.

It is this Agni in feminine form that is worshipped at Durga. Of all the Durgas,

Vana-Durga is the original source.

 

There is a beautiful temple of Vanadurga called " Bana Sankari " in Karnataka of

Chitradurga District.

 

Now, Vana and Bhaya (fear) are synonyms because vana or forest causes fear. This

fear can be any fear but the uttama adhikari understands this to be " Dvaita

bhaya " or " samsara-bhaya " . Since, Durga is remover of all afflictions and

bestower of fearlessness, she is coined as Vana-Durga. (that gives protection

from all

fear and removes afflictions and bestows supreme knowledge of Brahman).

 

In the Durga Mantra, there is a word called " Purusha " which is the Key Word

around which the entire Mantra Tattva revolves whose source can be traced to

Brihadaranyaka & Krishna Yajuraranyaka patha. Shri Vidyaranya while writing the

bhashya to this mantra, explains in details what " Purusha " is and says that it

is synonymous to Agni.

 

The word PURUSHA in Brihadaranyakopanishad

 

1st chapter of Brihadaranyakopanishad (4th Brahmana 1st and 2nd Kanda)

 

aatmaiveda magra aasit PURUSHAVIDHAH sonuveekshyanaanyadaatmanopasya

tso-AHAM ASMI itityagre vyahara ...Ya evam veda (1)

 

so bibhe-tasmaat ekaaki..........Dvitiyaadvai BHAYAM bhavati (2)

 

Please note that the two words PURUSHA, AHAM ASMI and BHAYAM are found in the

above two verses.

 

Shri Vidyaranya explaining the above verses says that Purusha (Pura + usha

>Pur+Usha>Purusha) is the Prathama Jiva in the form of Prajapathi. This Prathama

Jiva during the early stage do not know his REAL NATURE. Thus, not knowing his

TRUE NATURE (SVA-SVARUPA), experienced a sort of Illusion. This illusion gave

rise to Fear (Bhava). Thus, this is Dvaita Bheeti or the Fear of Duality. Then

the same Prajapathi performed intense Tapas and knowing his TRUE

SELF became " One with Supreme Purusha. The cause of Fear in the Prajapathi is

due to the presence of Prakriti in him in the form of Maya. And hence, the

principle of Aham Asmi has evolved. With the Tapas, the Prajapathi burnt his

Dvaita Bhaya and dissolved in Paramaatma (Nirupadhika Paramatma).

 

SO, IN THE KRISHNA YAJUR ARANYAKA, THE JATAVEDAS AND HIS AHANTA SAKTI IS CALLED

DURGA AND IN SUKLA YAJUR ARANYAKA, THIS JATAVEDAS IS CALLED PURUSHA AND DURGA IS

CALLED PURUSHI.

 

Hence, PURUSHI and DURGA are Synonyms that is the Sakti of JATAVEDAS or PURUSHA.

And both are inseparable (abhinna).

 

In the vanadurga mantra, the Bhaya or Fear is the Fear of Duality and Purushi is

Durga of Sukla Yajur Aranyaka in the form of Purushi.

 

These are the words of Shri Vidyaranya in his commentary on Vana Durga Mantra.

 

So, ultimately what i wanted to convey is it is this Agni rupa Durga which is

the Upasya Tattva in Durga Sukta of Rg Veda.

 

With regards,

Sriram