Skanda–Svāhā-saṃvāda; Gaṇa-vyutpatti and Śvetaparvata-vaibhava
Chapter 220
भरतो भरतस्याग्ने: पावकस्तु प्रजापते: । महानत्यर्थमहितस्तथा भरतसत्तम,सबका भरण-पोषण करनेवाले प्रजापति भरत नामक अग्निसे “पावक' की उत्पत्ति हुई। भरतश्रेष्ठ) वह अत्यन्त महनीय (पूज्य) होनेके कारण “महान” कहा गया है
bharato bharatasyāgneḥ pāvakastu prajāpateḥ | mahān atyarthamahitastathā bharatasattama ||
马尔坎德耶说道:“由名为‘婆罗多’之火——婆罗多之火——生出‘波婆迦’(Pāvaka),即与生主(Prajāpati)相系的火神。又因其极受崇敬、堪当供奉,故亦称‘摩诃难’(Mahān,伟大者)。”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Honorific names are not arbitrary: they reflect lineage and recognized qualities. Here, ‘Pāvaka’ signals Agni’s purifying function, while ‘Mahān’ is grounded in exceptional reverence earned through greatness and beneficence.
Mārkaṇḍeya explains a genealogical/etymological point about Agni: from a fire associated with Bharata arises Pāvaka, linked with Prajāpati, and Agni is also called ‘Mahān’ because he is supremely honored.