The Indians worshipped AGNI, the fire god, with great devotion. Since they practised their religion by performing sacrifices, Agni was the carrier of their sacred offerings to all other gods. Since anything touched by fire becomes pure, the Aryans believed him to be an ever-present sakshin or witness to all events of religious importance. They believed that he was present in the poorest as well as the richest of homes and could therefore witness sacraments accompanying births, marriages and deaths.

In sculptures and paintings Agni is depicted as a dark man with headgear made of smoke. His pennant is also of smoke. He carries a javelin which throws out flames. His vehicle is a chariot driven by the wind and drawn by fiery red horses. Even today, in most Hindu rituals, Agni is considered the chief witness and representative of all the gods.