Agni

Agni is one of the foremost Vedic deities, the god of fire and the mouth of the sacrifice (yajna). He is the intermediary who carries offerings between gods and humans; his seven tongues are described as seven flames. His presence is essential in the fire of the seven steps at marriage and in Agnihotra ritual — hence fire is treated as the 'first deity' in Hindu rites. The Agni-suktas of the Rigveda and the fire-witnessed marriage vow are examples of rituals built around him.