Agni in the Vedas has the role of an invoker who takes our prayers to the higher gods and brings them to us. The first mantra of the Rig Veda is itself an adoration of Agni, describing his qualities, one of which is that of an invoker.
अग्निम् ईडे पुरोहितम् |
यज्ञस्य देवं ऋत्विजम् |
होतारं रत्नधातमम् |
“I praise Agni, who leads from front, the deity of the Yagna, the bearer of truth, the invoker, the supreme instiller of delight”. ‘Hotr’ is one who invokes and brings to us the various divine forces. The first two mantras of the much chanted Shree Sukta are a testimony to this role of Agni.
१) हिरण्यवर्णां हरिणीं सुवर्णरजतस्रजाम्
चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह |
“O Agni (Jataveda)! , bring me that Lakshmi, who is of the hue of gold, who is the spouse of Hari, who is garlanded with ornaments of gold and silver, who is radiant like the moon and has the shine of gold”.
यस्यां हिरण्यं विन्देयं गाम् अश्वं पुरुषान् अहम् |
“O Agni (Jataveda)! , bring me that Lakshmi who once she comes never goes away from me. Bring me her, in whom I shall obtain the riches, knowledge, energy and successors”.
