Recited by Agni, the deity of fire to the illustrious Sage Vasishtha, Agni Purana is among the renowned Eighteen Sacred Puranas of Hindu Belief. In turn, Vasishtha narrated the contents to Veda Vyasa, who passed on the same to the learned Suta Maha Muni. As a Sacred Yagna dedicated to Lord Vishnu was being performed at the Nimisharanya Forest under the guidance of Shaunaka Suta Maha Muni arrived at the Yagna and preached the Agni Purana, which taught the Essence of Para Brahma Tatwa to all the Rishis who were assembled there and further on to the generations next.
Agni Purana is the essence of Vedas and Upanishads. It underlines the concept of Advaita Brahma Gyana. In other words, Human Soul and the Supreme Power are one and the same. Also, the Purana emphasizes on the ritualistic aspects and religious practices related to temples, installation of deities, deity worship, Japa, Mantra, Homa and Yagnas’ procedure, visits to Thirthas (Holy Places including Rivers) and so on.
Spread over some 383 chapters and over twelve thousand slokas, Agni Purana contains the gists of the Ten Avatars of Bhagwan Vishnu viz. Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parasurama, Rama, Krishna, and Kalki. It also gives a detailed account of the Great Hindu Epics of Ramayana and Maha Bharata as also of Harivamsa. Geography is described in detail. Varnashrama and Ashrama Dharma, Temple Construction, Procedure of Pujas, Achaara Varnana, Â Tirtha Mahatmya, Power of Gayatri Mantra, Yoga Practice, Vedas and Puranas, Dhanurveda and Principles of Battle, Duties of Kings, Brahma Gyana, Bhagavat Gita and Yama Gita. Shri Lakshmi Stotra, Vishnu Panjara Stotra and Paapa Naasha Stora are other highlights.
