Agni is an early Aryan god of fire and the Divine Fire of the Vedic religion. His name comes from the Sanscrit word for fire, and fire is one of the eight Vasus, the divine attendants of Indra, a warrior and rain god. These include Apa (Water), Dhruva (the Pole Star), Soma (the Moon), Dhara (the Earth), Anala (Fire), Anila (Wind), Prabhasa (Dawn), and Pratyusha (Light).
As Brahmanism developed, Agni became one of a triad of gods with Indra as ruler of the Air and Surya as ruler of the Sky and Sun. In this Triad, Agni was ruler of the Earth. There are numerous references to Agni in Vedic law, and horses were sacrificed to him annually (possibly to provide new steeds for his chariot). His offerings were sent via fire.