Significance of Fire altar
Synonyms: Sacred fire, Pyre, Sacrificial altar, Hearth, Offering altar
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Fire altar'
The Fire altar in Hinduism is a sacred structure central to rituals, symbolizing Agni, facilitating divine communication, representing seasons and the cosmos, and integrating both physical and mental constructs in sacrificial practices.
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) During the Sarvamedha sacrifice, the greatest possible fire-altar is built because the Sarvamedha is supreme amongst all sacrificial performances, leading to supremacy.[1] (2) The fire-altar is built up in the space of a year, and one recites for a year, and when the fire-altar is built up, a name is given to it to keep away evil.[2] (3) It is associated with performing expiations, along with that of the Soma sacrifice, in specific sequences.[3] (4) Representations of the worlds and elements, connecting them to Prajapati.[4] (5) It consists of seven layers, and is related to the seven seasons of the year, and is a measure of greatness, as well as being associated with a deity.[5]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) The fire-altars, constructed of mind, are independent and connected with the mental energies, cups, and other elements of the sacrifice, as described in the provided text.[6] (2) These are described as being built of mind, and they are understood to constitute a mere vidya, according to the text.[7] (3) The fire-altars, constructed of mind and other elements, are not considered to be supplementing a sacrificial action, despite their resemblance to the manasa cup, because they serve a purpose for man.[8] (4) Fire-altars are mentioned in the text as being built of mind, speech, breath, sight, hearing, work, and fire; the text discusses whether these are connected to a sacrificial act.[9] (5) Symbolic representations of rituals or materials that serve human purposes, distinct from sacrificial purposes.[10]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) An object used in sacrificial rituals, specifically referencing the physical construction of altars as well as their mental or meditative counterparts.[11] (2) Structures traditionally used in sacrificial rites, which, in the context of this text, can also be viewed as symbolic constructs in the mind.[12] (3) Metaphorical references to altars made not of bricks but of mental constructs, linked to sacrificial actions.[13] (4) Structures referred to in the context of knowledge, specifically emphasizing their creation through understanding rather than physical construction.[14]
From: Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture)
(1) A specific type of altar characterized by its independence from time and place, made from rhythmic patterns rather than physical bricks.[15]
From: Samarangana-sutradhara (Summary)
(1) Raised structures used in rituals to make offerings to fire, significant in Vedic practices.[16]
From: Vasistha Dharmasutra
(1) After building the fire-altar for a Shrauta-sacrifice, one should not approach a wife of the Shudra caste, as the text indicates.[17]
The concept of Fire altar in local and regional sources
The Fire altar is a significant religious structure used in Yajurvedic rituals, featuring depictions of gods, animal bones, and sacrificial remains, integral to elaborate year-long ceremonies as described in ancient texts.
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) The ritual context of the Yajurvedic Samhitas and Brahmanas involves building this elaborate structure, which is a significant part of a year-long rite.[18]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) One of the several cult objects, which are found with religious purport and depiction of gods, cut animal bones specially of Boswithin these (Kundis) and sacrificial remains.[19]