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Agnihotra (Samskrit : अग्निहोत्रम्) is generically referred to Agni in a yagnavedi (altar) invoked by chanting of mantras. However, Agnihotra as a specific nityakarma refers to a vedic process whereby a grihastha makes daily offerings of ghee or milk in it while reciting the prescribed mantras.

Agnihotra (Samskrit : अग्निहोत्रम्) is generically referred to Agni in a yagnavedi (altar) invoked by the chanting of mantras. However, Agnihotra as a specific nityakarma refers to a vedic process whereby a grihastha makes daily offerings of ghee or milk in it while reciting the prescribed mantras.

Sanatana Dharma is founded on the principle that the primary responsibility of perpetually maintaining Agni at home, called as Agnihotra, is vested with a grihastha. Apart from grihastha's nitya Agnihotra many other events like yagnas, yagas, isthis, and homas involve the kindling of fire as evident from ancient Rig Vedic Agni sukta.

Sanatana Dharma is founded on the principle that the primary responsibility of perpetually maintaining Agni at home, called as Agnihotra, is vested with a grihastha. Apart from grihastha's nitya Agnihotra many other events like yagnas, yagas, isthis, and homas involve the kindling of fire according to karmakanda procedures given in Samhitas and Brahmanas.

In the present days, very rarely, grihasthas are maintaining Agni at homes nor are conducting regular Agnihotra rituals as prescribed by sastras. However, Agni is invoked in every occasion (auspicious and inauspicious) of dharmic life, from Nityayagnas, 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 Anteysti (cremation).   

In the present days, very rarely, grihasthas are maintaining Agni at homes nor are conducting regular Agnihotra rituals as prescribed by sastras. However, Agni is invoked in every occasion (auspicious and inauspicious) of dharmic life, from Nityayagnas, 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 Anteysti (cremation).   

Elaborately conducted yaagas such as Soma yaagas are not widely performed, while Varuna yaagam and Kareeresti for propitiating Varuna devata to obtain rains is performed at regular intervals as temple activities.  

Elaborately conducted yaagas such as Soma yaagas are not widely performed, while Varuna yaagam and Kareeresti for propitiating Varuna devata to obtain rains is performed at regular intervals as temple activities.  

Agnikarya : by brahmacharya   

Agnikarya : by brahmacharya   

Somayagi : one who uses three agnis, tretagni.   

Somayagi : one who uses three agnis, tretagni.   

'''Yaagam''' : Yaagas are elaborate rituals with specific names (in contrast to Yagna which is a general name) involving Agnihotra with special offering of suitable materials (havish including purodaasa, milk, ghee, etc) to the devatas, lasting for at least three or more days. However, some yaagas like Sattrayaagam involves nitya Agnihotram, but does not involve special invocation nor offerings to Agni and includes reading and discussion of spiritual texts such as Shrimad Bhaagavatam '''(to recheck).''' Sarpa sattra yaga was performed by King Janamejaya where all sarpas serpents were destroyed in the yaaga fire.        

'''Yaagam''' : Yaagas are elaborate rituals with specific names (in contrast to Yagna which is a general name) involving Agnihotra with special offering of suitable materials (havish including purodaasa, milk, ghee, etc) to the devatas, lasting for at least three or more days. However, some yaagas like Sattrayaagam involves nitya Agnihotram, but does not involve special invocation nor offerings to Agni and includes reading and discussion of spiritual texts such as Shrimad Bhaagavatam '''(to recheck).''' Sarpa sattra yaga was performed by King Janamejaya where all sarpas serpents were destroyed in the yaaga fire.        

A ‘Yaga’ is made up of several rituals which has its own principal part (Pradhana). Those that form subsidiary or supplement to this are called ‘Angas’. Some of the rituals may be common to several ‘Yagas’<ref name=":022">Radhakrishna Bhat, N. ''[http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_heritage/Vedic_tradition_karnataka.pdf Vedic Ritual Tradition of Karnataka]'', Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref>.      

A ‘Yaga’ is made up of several rituals which has its own principal part (Pradhana). Those that form subsidiary or supplement to this are called ‘Angas’. Some of the rituals may be common to several ‘Yagas’<ref name=":0222">Radhakrishna Bhat, N. ''[http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_heritage/Vedic_tradition_karnataka.pdf Vedic Ritual Tradition of Karnataka]'', Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref>.      

A Yaga is specialized vedic process involving an uddesa or intention (sankalpa) towards a particular deity, an altar (yajnakunda), a host (yajamaana), sacrificial offerings of various kinds (kratuvu, bali), utensils, sacred fire (yagagni), one or more officiating priests (purohita), gifts (dakshina) for the priests and guests, expiation ceremony (prayaschitta) and other concluding rituals. They are performed in open or in a house, temple, palace or a temporary structure (yajnavatika) built for the purpose<ref name=":03" />.

A Yaga is specialized vedic process involving an uddesa or intention (sankalpa) towards a particular deity, an altar (yajnakunda), a host (yajamaana), sacrificial offerings of various kinds (kratuvu, bali), utensils, sacred fire (yagagni), one or more officiating priests (purohita), gifts (dakshina) for the priests and guests, expiation ceremony (prayaschitta) and other concluding rituals. They are performed in open or in a house, temple, palace or a temporary structure (yajnavatika) built for the purpose<ref name=":032" />.

'''Homa''' : Homa refers to both the small scale rituals involving specially constructed altars with Agnihotra such as in navagraha homa conducted for grihapravesam (housewarming) to larger scale rituals such as Chandi homa conducted in temples. Homas are usually conducted as Angas for mantrajapams and do not involve all the vedic procedures.

'''Homa''' : Homa refers to both the small scale rituals involving specially constructed altars with Agnihotra such as in navagraha homa conducted for grihapravesam (housewarming) to larger scale rituals such as Chandi homa conducted in temples. Homas are usually conducted as Angas for mantrajapams and do not involve all the vedic procedures.

# Pasu  

# Pasu  

# Soma   

# Soma   

== Agnihotram ==

== Agnihotram ==

Agnihotra, is a term specifically applicable to the most common and important yagnas classified among the haviryajñas and considered to be nitya. It is performed as a daily worship rather than with an intent to fulfill any specific desire<ref name=":03" />.

Agnihotra, is a term specifically applicable to the most common and important yagnas classified among the haviryajñas and considered to be nitya. It is performed as a daily worship rather than with an intent to fulfill any specific desire<ref name=":032" />. Some salient features may be summarized as below

 

* It is prescribed by sastras that all the dvijas (the ‘twice-born,’ the men of the first three varṇas) are to perform this Agnihotra. A brahmachari (a student initiated by upanayana) is also initiated to perform agnihotra with special procedures called Agnikarya

All the dvijas (the ‘twice-born,’ the men of the first three varṇas) are entitled to its performance. It must be done twice daily at dawn and dusk, along with the wife. Wife, son or pupil can perform it on his behalf in emergencies.  The performer of Agnihotra is obliged to rear a cow. The milk vessel which must be an earthen pot with a straight brim is called ‘agnihotra-sthālī’ and the ladle is called ‘agnihotrahavaṇī.’  

* Gaarhapatya agni is the main fire that is worshipped and this is also called as Aupasana<ref name=":0" />, wherein grihasta performs Agnihotra twice daily at twilight time (dawn and dusk) along with the wife but is not participate in yagna.

 

* Wife, son or pupil can perform it on his behalf in emergencies.  

If the yajamāna (performer of the sacrifice) goes on a pilgrimage along with his wife, he can carry the gārhapatya fire with him or can ceremonially put it out and perform punarādhāna (re-establishing the fire) on his return. When he dies, the various wooden implements used by him for Agnihotra should be kept on various parts of his body as prescribed and then his body is cremated with the gārhapatya fire<ref name=":03">http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Agnihotra#cite_note-1</ref>.

* The performer of Agnihotra is obliged to rear a cow. The milk vessel which must be an earthen pot with a straight brim is called ‘agnihotra-sthālī’ and the ladle is called ‘agnihotrahavaṇī.’  

If the yajamāna (performer of the sacrifice) goes on a pilgrimage along with his wife, he can carry the gārhapatya fire with him or can ceremonially put it out and perform punarādhāna (re-establishing the fire) on his return. When he dies, the various wooden implements used by him for Agnihotra should be kept on various parts of his body as prescribed and then his body is cremated with the gārhapatya fire<ref name=":032">http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Agnihotra#cite_note-1</ref>.

== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ==

== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ==

All Srauta yagnas or yaagas are associated with त्रेताज्ञयः the three Agni's<ref>Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref> namely   

All Srauta yagnas or yaagas are associated with त्रेताज्ञयः the three Agni's<ref name=":0">Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref> namely   

=== गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya Agni ===

=== गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya Agni ===

Information about of गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya agni  

Information about of गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya agni  

* According to Sata. Brah 64 ref every grihastha has to maintain this (jaraamarya satra yaaga ) agni until he is prevented by old age or illness or death. In case where he cannot perform it on behalf of him his son, brother or son-in-law Satapata 65 ref chap 1<ref>Roy, Snigdha Das (2014) Ph. D Thesis from Assam University : ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/41946 A Study of the Asvalayana srauta sutra with reference to the principal sacrifices]''</ref> .   

* According to Sata. Brah 64 ref every grihastha has to maintain this (jaraamarya satra yaaga ) agni until he is prevented by old age or illness or death. In case where he cannot perform it on behalf of him his son, brother or son-in-law Satapata 65 ref chap 1<ref>Roy, Snigdha Das (2014) Ph. D Thesis from Assam University : ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/41946 A Study of the Asvalayana srauta sutra with reference to the principal sacrifices]''</ref> .   

* Only a sapatnika yajamani (grihastha) of the three varnas is allowed to tend the Agnihotram.

* Only a sapatnika yajamani (grihastha) of the three varnas is allowed to tend the Agnihotram.

=== आहवनीयाग्निः ॥ Aahvaniya Agni ===

=== आहवनीयाग्निः ॥ Aahvaniya Agni ===

Some salient aspects about आहवनीयाग्निः ॥ Aahvaniya Agni are as follows

Some salient aspects about आहवनीयाग्निः ॥ Aahvaniya Agni are as follows

* It is placed to the east of the yagnavedi, in a rectangular shaped kunda.

* It is placed to the east of the yagnavedi, in a rectangular shaped kunda.

* It is used to offer aahutis to the devatas only.  

* It is used to offer aahutis to the devatas only.  

=== दक्षिणाग्निः ॥ Dakshinaagni ===

=== दक्षिणाग्निः ॥ Dakshinaagni ===

Salient aspects about दक्षिणाग्निः ॥ Dakshinaagni is as follows

Salient aspects about दक्षिणाग्निः ॥ Dakshinaagni is as follows

* It is placed to the south of the yagnavedi, in a half circle shaped kunda.

* It is placed to the south of the yagnavedi, in a half circle shaped kunda.

* It is used to offer aahutis to the pitrudevatas or forefathers only.

* It is used to offer aahutis to the pitrudevatas or forefathers only.

==== Aahitagni  ====

==== Aahitagni  ====

Aahitagni is one who performs at least one yagna (or yagam) and continues to keep Agni on a daily basis. They extensively study procedures of vedic rituals and conduct yagnas and yaagas after attaining authority to do so. For example:   

Aahitagni is one who performs at least one yagna (or yagam) and continues to keep Agni on a daily basis. They extensively study procedures of vedic rituals and conduct yagnas and yaagas after attaining authority to do so. For example:   

Some ‘Srauta priests’ called as 'Aahitagnis' or  ‘Agnihotris’ keep ‘Agni’ in their houses and protect it even today by offering oblations everyday. The ‘Agni’ usually transferred from father to son and the tradition is continued without any break. The rituals are conducted using the same ancient procedures with some modifications according to the convenience of the modern society and availability of required materials<ref name=":022" />.  

Some ‘Srauta priests’ called as 'Aahitagnis' or  ‘Agnihotris’ keep ‘Agni’ in their houses and protect it even today by offering oblations everyday. The ‘Agni’ usually transferred from father to son and the tradition is continued without any break. The rituals are conducted using the same ancient procedures with some modifications according to the convenience of the modern society and availability of required materials<ref name=":0222" />.  

There has been a tradition of ‘Ahitagnis’ and ‘Srauta priests’ in South India and have continued to perform Vedic rituals as and when possible. These priests inherited the tradition of Vedic ritual practices from their ancestors and perform Vedic rituals even today.  

There has been a tradition of ‘Ahitagnis’ and ‘Srauta priests’ in South India and have continued to perform Vedic rituals as and when possible. These priests inherited the tradition of Vedic ritual practices from their ancestors and perform Vedic rituals even today.  

Pashumedha (Asvamedha)    

Pashumedha (Asvamedha)    

== Classification of Yagnas ==

== Classification of Yagnas ==

A ‘Yaga’ is made up of several rituals which has its own principal part (Pradhana). Those that form subsidiary or supplement to this are called ‘Angas’. Some of the rituals may be common to several ‘Yagas’.<ref name=":022" />

A ‘Yaga’ is made up of several rituals which has its own principal part (Pradhana). Those that form subsidiary or supplement to this are called ‘Angas’. Some of the rituals may be common to several ‘Yagas’.<ref name=":0222" />

The different modes of classifications of Yagnas are 

The different modes of classifications of Yagnas are