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However, the term 'Agnihotra' is also used for setting up of [[Agni (आग्निः)|Agni]] in a yajnavedi (altar) invoked by the chanting of mantras during homas of special occasions like marriages and samskaraas and nitya Grhyakarmas.<ref name=":0222222" />

However, the term 'Agnihotra' is also used for setting up of [[Agni (आग्निः)|Agni]] in a yajnavedi (altar) invoked by the chanting of mantras during homas of special occasions like marriages and samskaraas and nitya Grhyakarmas.<ref name=":0222222" />

Sanatana Dharma is founded on the principle that the primary responsibility of perpetually maintaining Agni at home is vested with a grihastha. In the present days, very rarely, grihasthas are maintaining Agni at homes nor are conducting regular Agnihotra rituals as prescribed by sastras. Agni is invoked in every occasion (auspicious and inauspicious) of dharmic life, from nityakarma, yagas in temples, in special homas during housewarming and grahashanti, upanayana and other samskara celebrations, at weddings (the yajna where the bride and groom circle the fire seven times) and lastly for अन्त्येष्टिः ॥ Anteysti (cremation).

Sanatana Dharma is founded on the principle that the primary responsibility of perpetually maintaining Agni at home is vested with a grihastha. In the present days, very rarely, grihasthas are maintaining Agni at homes nor are conducting regular Agnihotra rituals as prescribed by sastras. Agni is invoked in every occasion (auspicious and inauspicious) of dharmic life, from nityakarma, yagas in temples, in special homas during housewarming and grahashanti, upanayana and other samskara celebrations, at weddings (where the bride and groom circle the sacred fire seven times) and lastly for अन्त्येष्टिः ॥ Anteysti (cremation).

== अग्नेः नित्यकर्मणि प्राधान्यम् ॥ Importance of Agni in Nityakarmas ==

== अग्नेः नित्यकर्मणि प्राधान्यम् ॥ Importance of Agni in Nityakarmas ==

The history of performing kratus, yajnas and yagas is quite ancient and their process is described in the Samhitas. Yajnas, yagas, istis, and homas were performed for individual benefit as well as community welfare. While some yajnas were performed by people of all varnas, some like the Rajasuya or Aswamedha yagam were prescribed only for Kshatriyas.  Elaborately conducted yagas such as Soma yagas are not performed these days, while Varuna yagam and Kareeresti for propitiating Varuna devata to obtain good rains is performed at regular intervals as temple events for community benefit.<ref name=":022222222222">Radhakrishna Bhat, N. ''[http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_heritage/Vedic_tradition_karnataka.pdf Vedic Ritual Tradition of Karnataka]'', Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref>      

The history of performing kratus, yajnas and yagas is quite ancient and their process is described in the Samhitas. Yajnas, yagas, istis, and homas were performed for individual benefit as well as community welfare. While some yajnas were performed by people of all varnas, some like the Rajasuya or Aswamedha yagam were prescribed only for Kshatriyas.  Elaborately conducted yagas such as Soma yagas are not performed these days, while Varuna yagam and Kareeresti for propitiating Varuna devata to obtain good rains is performed at regular intervals as temple events for community benefit.<ref name=":022222222222">Radhakrishna Bhat, N. ''[http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_heritage/Vedic_tradition_karnataka.pdf Vedic Ritual Tradition of Karnataka]'', Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref>      

==== स्मार्ताग्निः॥ Smartagni ====

==== स्मार्ताग्निः॥ Smartagni ====

Smartagni (Grhyagni) is also called औपासनाग्निः ॥ Aupasanagni since the daily rite of '''Aupasana''' is performed in it. This is the fire contained in one "kunda" and so it is called "ekagni". The section in the Apastamba-sutras dealing with rites performed in it is called "Ekagni-kanda".  Thus, this is the Agni used for performing the नित्यकर्म ॥ nityakarmas where a grihastha makes daily offerings of ghee or milk in Agni while reciting the prescribed mantras (given in Grhyasutra texts).<ref name=":122222222" /><ref name=":022222222" />  

Smartagni (Grhyagni) is also called औपासनाग्निः ॥ Aupasanagni since the daily rite of '''Aupasana''' is performed in it. This is the fire contained in one "kunda" and so it is called "ekagni". The section in the Apastamba-sutras dealing with rites performed in it is called "Ekagni-kanda"(according to Yajurveda Brahmanas).  Thus, this is the Agni used for performing the नित्यकर्म ॥ nityakarmas where a grihastha makes daily offerings of ghee or milk in Agni while reciting the prescribed mantras (given in Grhyasutra texts).<ref name=":122222222" /><ref name=":022222222" />  

==== श्रौताग्निः॥ Srautagni ====

==== श्रौताग्निः॥ Srautagni ====

Srautagni is meant for the srauta karmas (srauta yajnas such as ). It involves the use of three fires burning in three mounds hence called [[Tretagni (त्रेताग्नयः)|Tretagni]].. From the Aupasanagni Agnyadhanam for the Srautaagni is performed. One of the three sacred fires (tretagni), is called "garhapatya" and it belongs to the master of the household. It must be kept burning in the garhapatya mound which is circular in shape. The section in the Apastamba-sutra dealing with rites performed in it is called "Tretagni-kanda". One who worships all these three Agnis is called a "Tretagni" or "'''Srautin'''".<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":322" />

Srautagni is meant for the srauta karmas (srauta yajnas such as Agnistoma). It involves the use of three fires burning in three mounds hence called [[Tretagni (त्रेताग्नयः)|Tretagni]].. From the Aupasanagni Agnyadhanam for the Srautaagni is performed. One of the three sacred fires (tretagni), is called "garhapatya" and it belongs to the master of the household. It must be kept burning in the garhapatya mound which is circular in shape. The section in the Apastamba-sutra dealing with rites performed in it is called "Tretagni-kanda". One who worships all these three Agnis is called a "Tretagni" or "'''Srautin'''".<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":322" />

One who worships the Srauta and Grhyagnis, is called an "'''Ahitagni'''".

One who worships the Srauta and Grhyagnis, is called an "'''Ahitagni'''".

== अग्निहोत्रम् ॥ Agnihotram ==

== अग्निहोत्रम् ॥ Agnihotram ==

Agnihotra, is a term specifically applicable to the first and important vaidika yajnas classified among the Srauta karmas - [[हविर्यज्ञानि ॥ Haviryagnas|हविर्यज्ञानि ॥ Haviryajnas]] (offering of havis is made) or homas. It is performed as a daily worship to Agni and also with an intent to fulfill any specific desire<ref name=":03222222222" /><ref name=":022222222" />. A brief outline of the various aspects about Agnihotram have been summarized below

Agnihotra, is a term specifically applicable to the first and important vaidika yajnas classified among the Srauta karmas - [[हविर्यज्ञानि ॥ Haviryagnas|हविर्यज्ञानि ॥ Haviryajnas]] (offering of havis is made) or homas. It is performed as a daily worship to Agni and also with an intent to fulfill any specific desire<ref name=":03222222222" /><ref name=":022222222" />. A brief outline of the various aspects about Agnihotram have been summarized from Kanva Satapata Brahmana<ref>Swaminathan, C. R. (1997) ''[http://ignca.nic.in/eBooks/KANVASATAPATHABRAHMAAAM_Vol_I.pdf Kanvasatapathabrahmanam Volume 1.]'' New Delhi : Indra Gandhi National Centre For the Arts and Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>

=== अग्न्याधेय ॥ Agnaadheya ===

=== अग्न्याधेय ॥ Agnaadheya ===

अग्न्याधेय ॥ Agnaadheya is technically the process by which the sacred fire or agnihotram is newly established in the kundas along with the chanting of mantras as prescribed by Grhyasutras and Srauta sutras. Samhita texts<ref name=":03" /> form the base from where the Grhya and Srauta sutras are compiled from. This process is generally similar across all vedic srauta sutras, with a few variations. Some aspects are as follows  

अग्न्याधेय ॥ Agnaadheya is technically the process by which the sacred fire or agnihotram is newly established in the kundas along with the chanting of mantras as prescribed by Grhyasutras and Srauta sutras. Samhita texts<ref name=":03" /> form the base from where the Grhya and Srauta sutras are compiled from. This process is generally similar across all vedic srauta sutras, with a few variations. Some aspects are as follows  

* Nitya agnihotra is not to be performed by an uninitiated bachelor or widows.   

* Nitya agnihotra is not to be performed by an uninitiated bachelor or widows.   

=== आहीताग्निः ॥ Aahitagni ===

=== आहीताग्निः ॥ Aahitagni ===

Aahitagni is the sapatinika yajamani who has established the fires by performing the Agnyadhana ceremony. He who worships Ekagni (Grhyagni) as well as the Tretagni (one of the Tretagni called Garhapatya) is known as Aahitagni.<ref name=":322">Kannan, P. R. [https://sanskritdocuments.org/sites/prkannan/Balabodha%20Sangraham%20-%203.pdf Balabodha Sangraha - 3] (Topic Efficacies of Agni Upasana) Kanchi Kaamkoti Peetham</ref> One who worships all the three Agnis (Tretagni) is called a "Srauti".

Aahitagni is the sapatinika yajamani who has established the fires by performing the Agnyadhana ceremony. He who worships Ekagni (Grhyagni) as well as the Tretagni (one of the Tretagni called Garhapatya) is known as Aahitagni.<ref name=":322">Kannan, P. R. [https://sanskritdocuments.org/sites/prkannan/Balabodha%20Sangraham%20-%203.pdf Balabodha Sangraha - 3] (Topic Efficacies of Agni Upasana) Kanchi Kaamkoti Peetham</ref> One who worships all the three Agnis (Tretagni) is called a "Srautin".

* The grihastha who never performed any Haviryajna and never studied Vedas, and whose father or forefathers never performed yaga are not eligible to perform some yagas/yajnas. Example : Somayaga<ref name=":122222222" />.  

* The grihastha who never performed any Haviryajna and never studied Vedas, and whose father or forefathers never performed yaga are not eligible to perform some yagas/yajnas. Example : Somayaga<ref name=":122222222" />.  

* Eligibility for a grihastha to perform other yagas or yajnas will be obtained once he regularly performs Aupaasana at his house on a daily basis and after he learns the relevant vaidika procedures to conduct them <ref name=":122222222" /><ref name=":022222222" />. For example: Agnisthoma is the first of the 5 Jyotisthomas or Somayaga. Performance of haviryajna and some isthis is a prerequisite for conducting a Somayaga.  

* Eligibility for a grihastha to perform other yagas or yajnas will be obtained once he regularly performs Aupaasana at his house on a daily basis and after he learns the relevant vaidika procedures to conduct them <ref name=":122222222" /><ref name=":022222222" />. For example: Agnisthoma is the first of the 5 Jyotisthomas or Somayaga. Performance of haviryajna and some isthis is a prerequisite for conducting a Somayaga.