th Vedic lore, guided by the authority of the Vedas.
The pieces of wood that keep alive the flames of Agni are regarded as the
Months. The Juices that the fuel yields constitute the Fortnights. The
liver of Agni is called the Day and Night, and his fierce light is called
the Muhurtas. The blood of Agni is regarded as the source of the Rudras.
From his blood sprang also the gold-complexioned deities called the
Maitradevatas. From his smoke sprang the Vasus. From his flames sprang
the Rudras as also the (twelve) Adityas of great effulgence. The Planets
and Constellations and other stars that have been set in their respective
orbits in the firmament, are regarded as the (burning) charcoals of Agni.
The first Creator of the universe declared Agni to be Supreme Brahma and
Eternal, and the giver of all wishes. This is verily a mystery.

"'"'After all these births had taken place, Mahadeva who had assumed the
form of Varuna (for his sacrifice) and who had Pavana for his soul, said,
"This excellent Sacrifice is mine. I am the Grahapati in it. The very
beings that first sprang from the sacrificial fire are mine. Without
doubt, they should be regarded as my offspring. Know this, ye gods who
range through the skies! They are the fruits of this Sacrifice."

"'"'Agni said, "These offspring have sprung from my limbs. They have all
depended upon me as the cause of their starting into life. They should,
therefore, be regarded as my children. Mahadeva in the form of Varuna is
in error in respect of this matter."[392] After this, the master of all
the worlds, the Grandsire of all creatures, viz., Brahman, then said,
"These children are mine. The seed was mine which I poured upon the
sacrificial fire. I am the accomplisher of this Sacrifice. It was I who
poured on the sacrificial fire the seed that came out of myself. The
fruit is always his who has planted the seed. The principal cause of
these births is the seed owned by me." The deities then repaired to the
presence of the Grandsire and having bowed their heads unto him joined
their hands in reverence and they said unto him, "All of us, O
illustrious one, and the entire universe of mobile and immobile
creatures, are thy offspring. O sire, let Agni of blazing flames, and the
illustrious and puissant Mahadeva who has, for this sacrifice, assumed
the form of Varuna, have their wish (in the matter of the offspring)." At
these words, although born of Brahman, the puissant Mahadeva in the for