Tongues of Agni

Agni is said to have SEVEN tongues. Each tongue is meant to serve a particular purpose, like Maran, Mohaqn, Ucchatan, Vashikaran, Pushti etc. Thus it becomes imperative for a person doing havan to know how to activate any particular tongue of the Fire. There are many tantra scriptures giving out such details. One found this reference in the Ling Puran also. Their directions, mantras mentioned, joined with some information from other scriptures too for the benefit of the readers, being reproduced below :

1. South: Nyas-Eye; Adhidevta-Pishach

Om Bahurupayai Madhya Jihvayai Anekvarnayai Dakshinottar-Madhyagayai  Shantik-Paushtik-Mokshaphal-Pradayai Swaha.

2.North-East: Nyas-Lingam; Adhidevta-Devta(Divines)

Om Hiranyayai Chamikarabhayai Ishan-Jihvayai Gyan-Pradayai Swaha.

3. East: Nyas-Feet; Adhidevta-Pitra(Ancestors)

Om Kankayai Kanaknibhayai Ramyayai Indrajihvayai Swaha.

4. South East: Nyas-Head; Adhidevta-Gandharva

Om Raktayai Raktvarnayai Agney-Jihvayai Anekvarnayai Vidveshan Mohnayai Swaha.

5. South West: Nyas-Face; Adhidevta-Yaksh

Om Krishnayai Nairritejihvayai Marnayai Swaha.

6. West: Nyas: Nose, Adhidevta-Naag(Serpents)

Om Suprabhayai Pashchim Jivhayai Muktaphalayai Shantikayai Paushtikayai Swaha.

7. North West: Nyas-Whole body; Adhidevta: Rakshas (Demon)

Om Abhivayaktayai(Atiriktayai) Vayavjhivayai Shtruucchatnayai Swaha. 

General Mantra of Agni dev mentioned here is 'Om Vahnaye Tejasvine Swaha'.

When we are performing havan and Agni is established its various tongues keep on moving in different directions. Thus it is not possible to select one tongue and offer ahutis in that very tongue. To overcome this problem, it has been mentioned in the scriptures that whichever tongue one desires to use, initial poojan of the tongues be done with that very tongues kept in the East direction on the yantra drawn (Star shaped) and all other tongues in their sequence shifted accordingly. For example, if we do poojan of NE direction tongue Hiranya poojan in East then East tongue Gagna will move to S-E. Thus all other tongues will shift to their next places. 

Further,

Inside kund, where only wood is seen - represents Ear of the fire

  ,,           ,,     ,,        only Bhasm or Ashes are -  represent Head of the fire

  ,,           ,,     ,,        only Earth is seen     -   represent Nose of the fire

  ,,           ,,     ,,        only burning power   -  represents Eye of the fire.

One should not offer ahuti into any of these spaces, as they will bear problems for the performer. Ahuti should always be offered into the middle of the roaring flame when one chants SWAHA, as at that moment mouth of the fire opens to accept ahuti. Hope it is informative for the readers. Next time. will share some more aspects of havan with the readers............Om! Agni Vaishwanaraye Namah Swaha.