The Story of Agni and Swaha: A Tale of Vedic Love, Deception and Divine Birth

This narrative is described in the Rigveda (Mandala 1, Sukta 31) and Shatapatha Brahmana (2.2.4). It contains the love of Agni, the cleverness of Swaha and the mysterious birth of Kartikeya.

Detailed Narrative

Chapter 1: Agni's Attraction

Once, while taking offerings to the yajna, Agni saw the wives of the Sapta Rishis. Enchanted by their beauty, Agni expressed his love:

"O divine women! I am captivated by your beauty. I deeply desire to be with you."

However, the wives of the sages, who were devoted to their husbands, rejected Agni's advances:

"O Agni! We are devoted to our husbands. Your proposal goes against dharma."

Chapter 2: Swaha's Plan

Swaha, the daughter of Daksha, had secretly fallen in love with Agni. She devised a plan:

1. She took on the appearance of the six wives of the sages (except Arundhati).
2. She approached Agni and accepted his love.
3. For six days, she met Agni in the forms of the six different wives.

Chapter 3: The Birth of Divine Flames

Through these unions, seven flames were born. Swaha gathered them into a golden vessel and hid them in a pond at the banks of the Saraswati river. There:

1. The flames were nurtured under the protection of the six Krittika stars (constellations).
2. Six months later, they manifested as Kartikeya.

Swaha held them and said, "You are the seven flames but you share the same soul."

Chapter 4: Agni's Repentance

When the Sapta Rishis learned the truth, Agni:

1. Performed penance to atone for his actions.
2. Accepted Swaha as his wife.
3. Accepted Kartikeya as his son.

Symbolic Meaning of the Story

Vedic Significance

• Swaha's Importance in Yajna: The utterance "Om Swaha" in yajnas carries the offerings to Agni.
• Swaha's Role: She is the goddess who controls Agni's power.
• Rigveda Sukta (1.31.11): "Agne tvam Swaha vashinah sakhayah" (O Agni! Your friends are controlled by Swaha.)

Philosophical Essence

This story teaches us that:

1. Love in alignment with dharma: Swaha did not indulge in an extramarital affair. Love is only auspicious when it follows the path of righteousness.
2. Transmutation of energy: Agni's desire for the divine feminine led to the birth of the divine warrior, Kartikeya.
3. Cleverness in women: Swaha turned a crisis into an opportunity, illustrating how a woman’s wisdom can resolve challenges.

"Swaha taught Agni: Love is that fire which burns selfishness and illuminates the path of duty."

This narrative is a unique example in Vedic literature of energy transformation and the ethical dimension of love.