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The Vedic God Agni, Early 10th century
Sandstone
Gift of Bernice and Robert Dikes
In Vedic times (1800–500 BCE) the much-venerated god of fire Agni played a crucial role as the main mediator between men and gods during offertory rituals. He also represented the ritual fire that was to be kept burning in the home by the male head of the household. On top of that he was the all-destroying fire held by Shiva Nataraja during his cosmic dance. Since the beginning of the Common Era, Agni and most of the other ancient Vedic deities have become secondary gods of the eight cardinal directions (dig-pala), and Agni can be found in the southeastern direction of ancient temple ceilings.
This sublime sculpture depicts Agni as a potbellied figure with a bearded and mustached young face and hair in a high chignon. An elliptical aureole of flames surrounds his head. He is wearing necklaces, a brahmanical thread, and a tight dhoti with a draped, linked girdle.
