Etymology of Agni — Why Fire is Called Agni
Nirukta (Yaska) · 7 · Verse 1
niruktaagnietymologyfireyajnayaska
Sanskrit Original
अग्निरिति कस्मात्? अग्रणीर्भवति यज्ञेषु। अग्निर्नयति देवान्, अग्निर्ग्रसत आहुतीः। अत एव अग्र-नि इत्युच्यते॥
agnir iti kasmāt? agraṇīr bhavati yajñeṣu | agnir nayati devān, agnir grasata āhutīḥ | ata eva agra-ni ity ucyate ||
🤖 AI GeneratedAI Generated
Why is fire called Agni? Because Agni is the forerunner (agra-nī) — the leader in all rituals. Agni leads the gods (nayati devān) and receives/consumes (grasate) the oblations. Hence the compound: agra + ni = Agni, the one who leads the way.