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== Agnihotram ==

== Agnihotram ==

Agnihotra, is a term specifically applicable to the most common and important vaidika yagnas classified among the haviryajñas (offering of havis is made) or homas, and considered to be nityakarma (daily activity). It is performed as a daily worship rather than with an intent to fulfill any specific desire<ref name=":0322" />.  

Agnihotra, is a term specifically applicable to the most common and important vaidika yagnas classified among the haviryajñas (offering of havis is made) or homas, and considered to be nityakarma (daily activity). It is performed as a daily worship and also with an intent to fulfill any specific desire<ref name=":0322" />.  

=== Agnyaadhana/Agnaadheya ===

=== Agnyaadhana/Agnaadheya ===

Agnaadheya is technically the process by which the sacred fire or agnihotram is newly established in the kundas as prescribed by Srauta sutras. This process is generally very similar across all vedic srauta sutras, with minute differences. Some features are as follows  

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 Srauta sutras. This process is generally very similar across all vedic srauta sutras, with minute differences. Some features are as follows  

* Agnaadheya ceremony starts with the collection of arani (the samidha wood) and ends in purnaahuti (offering at the end of ceremony).  

* A sapatinika yajamana should perform this homa daily in the morning with milk, obtained separately from the cow reared for this purpose (agnihotra gaabhi). 

This ceremony is performed when chandra (moon) is situated in certain nakshatras. Krittika, rohini, margasira, phalguni, vishakha and uttara, hasta, chitta and sravana stars are preferred according to different Srauta sutras <ref>Asvalayana Srauta Sutram [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8_%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8C%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8 (2.1.10)]</ref><ref>Aapasthamba Srauta Sutram [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%82_%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8C%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AB (5.3.3)]</ref><blockquote>कृत्तिकासु रोहिण्यां मृगशिरसि फल्गुनीषु विशाखयोरुत्तरयोः प्रोष्ठपदयोः ॥ १० (Asva. Srau. Sutr. 2.1.10) </blockquote><blockquote>kr̥ttikāsu rōhiṇyāṁ mr̥gaśirasi phalgunīṣu viśākhayōruttarayōḥ prōṣṭhapadayōḥ ॥ 10 (Asva. Srau. Sutr. 2.1.10)</blockquote><blockquote>कृत्तिकासु ब्राह्मण आदधीत मुख्यो ब्रह्मवर्चसी भवति ॥ ३ गृहांस्तस्याग्निर्दाहुको भवति ॥ ४ (Apas. Srau. Sutr. 5.3.3)</blockquote><blockquote>kr̥ttikāsu brāhmaṇa ādadhīta mukhyō brahmavarcasī bhavati ॥ 3 gr̥hāṁstasyāgnirdāhukō bhavati ॥ 4 (Apas. Srau. Sutr. 5.3.3 and 4)</blockquote><blockquote>Summary : </blockquote>

* While performing agnihotra is a regular activity, it is also performed to attain some special desires called as Kaamyakarma with varying aahutidravyas<ref>Asvalayana Srauta Sutram [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8_%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8C%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8 (2.3.2)]</ref>.  

<blockquote>पयसा नित्यहोमः १ यवागूरोदनो दधि समिग्रामकामान्नाद्यकामेन्द्रियकाम-तेजस्कामानां २ (Asva. Srau. Sutr 2.3.1 and 2) </blockquote><blockquote>payasā nityahōmaḥ 1 yavāgūrōdanō dadhi samigrāmakāmānnādyakāmēndriyakāma-tējaskāmānāṁ 2 (Asva. Srau. Sutr 2.3.1 and 2)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Milk is used for nityahoma. Yavaagu (gruel of rice grain) is offered for acquiring leadership over villages, and curd is offered for attaining strength. </blockquote>

=== Aahitagni ===

==== Seasons ====

Aahitagni is the sapatinika yajamani who has established the agnihotra by performing the Agnyadheya ceremony. Eligibility for a grihastha to perform other yaagas or yagnas 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=":12" /><ref name=":02" />. For example: Agnisthoma is the first of the 5 Jyotisthomas or Somayaaga. Performance of haviryagna and some isthis is a prerequisite for conducting a Somayaaga.  

The people of different sections are advised to establish fire in different seasons - Brahmanas in vasanta or spring season, while the kshatriya and vaishya varnas can establish it in summer, rainy and autumn seasons.

The tradition of ‘Aahitagnis’ and ‘Srauta priests’ continues in South India and they 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.<ref name=":02222" />

* The grihastha who never performed any Haviryagna and never studied Vedas, and whose father or forefathers never performed yaagaa are not eligible to perform some yaagas/yagnas. Example : Somayaaga<ref name=":12" />.  

A sapatinika yajamana should perform this homa daily in the morning with milk, obtained separately from the cow reared for this purpose (agnihotra gaabhi).  

* 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=":0322">http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Agnihotra#cite_note-1</ref>  

* 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=":0322">http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Agnihotra#cite_note-1</ref>  

* Wife, son, pupil or a priest can perform Agnihotram on behalf of the yajamani in case of emergencies. Agnihotra cannot be performed by a widower, however on remarriage a widower becomes eligible to perform all yagnas<ref name=":12" />. When the yajamana is separated from his wife and he chooses not to remarry, he can instill his wife's idol for the process of the yaaga. Example : Aswamedha yaaga performed by Sri Ramachandra in Ayodhya while his consort Seetadevi was in Valmiki Maharshi's ashram following the sastra laid down exceptions to some situations.'''(Reference needed)'''   

* Wife, son, pupil or a priest can perform Agnihotram on behalf of the yajamani in case of emergencies. Agnihotra cannot be performed by a widower, however on remarriage a widower becomes eligible to perform all yagnas<ref name=":12" />. When the yajamana is separated from his wife and he chooses not to remarry, he can instill his wife's idol for the process of the yaaga. Example : Aswamedha yaaga performed by Sri Ramachandra in Ayodhya while his consort Seetadevi was in Valmiki Maharshi's ashram following the sastra laid down exceptions to some situations.'''(Reference needed)'''   

* 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.’<ref name=":02222" /><ref name=":12" />  

 

 

 

The performer of Agnihotra is obliged to rear a cow primarily for providing milk as havis to devatas. The milk vessel which must be an earthen pot with a straight brim is called ‘agnihotra-sthālī’ and the ladle is called ‘agnihotrahavaṇī.’<ref name=":02222" /><ref name=":12" />

 

 

 

=== Brahmachari Agnikaryam ===

=== Brahmachari Agnikaryam ===

* Every grihastha has to maintain Agnihotra 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. <ref name=":12">Purkayastha, Dipanjona (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 Satapatha Brahmana   

* Every grihastha has to maintain Agnihotra 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. <ref name=":12">Purkayastha, Dipanjona (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 Satapatha Brahmana   

<blockquote>एतद्वै जरामर्यं सत्रं यदग्निहोत्रं जरया वा ह्येवास्मान्मुच्यते मृत्युना वा (Sata. Brah. 7.4.1.1) </blockquote><blockquote>ētadvai jarāmaryaṁ satraṁ yadagnihōtraṁ jarayā vā hyēvāsmānmucyatē mr̥tyunā vā (Sata. Brah. 7.4.1.1)</blockquote><blockquote>Summary: this agnihotram is 'jaraamarya satra' because he can get relief from this only if he dies or becomes old. </blockquote>

<blockquote>एतद्वै जरामर्यं सत्रं यदग्निहोत्रं जरया वा ह्येवास्मान्मुच्यते मृत्युना वा (Sata. Brah. 7.4.1.1) </blockquote><blockquote>ētadvai jarāmaryaṁ satraṁ yadagnihōtraṁ jarayā vā hyēvāsmānmucyatē mr̥tyunā vā (Sata. Brah. 7.4.1.1)</blockquote><blockquote>Summary: this agnihotram is 'jaraamarya satra' because he can get relief from this only if he dies or becomes old. </blockquote>

* Performance of nitya agnihotra is mandated to the grihasta men of all three varnas. If due to any reason, a grihasta has not conducted agnihotra rituals, he can do so after performing the praayaschitta vidhis as given in the Srauta sastras.  

* Performance of nitya agnihotra is mandated to the grihasta men of all three varnas. If due to any reason, a grihasta has not conducted agnihotra rituals, he can do so after performing the praayaschitta vidhis as given in the Srauta sastras.<ref name=":12" />

* As a nityakriya agnihotra, Anuditahomi's perform homa before sunrise and some Uditahomi's after sunset.   

* As a nityakriya agnihotra, Anuditahomi's perform homa before sunrise and some Uditahomi's after sunset.<ref name=":12" />  

* Morning aahutis are made to the deities Surya and Prajapati, while the evening aahutis are made to Agni and Prajapati.   

* Morning aahutis are made to the deities Surya and Prajapati, while the evening aahutis are made to Agni and Prajapati.<ref name=":12" />  

* Nitya agnihotra is not to be performed by an uninitiated bachelor or women '''(Reference needed)'''.   

* Nitya agnihotra is not to be performed by an uninitiated bachelor or women '''(Reference needed)'''.   

== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ==

== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ==

All Srauta yagnas or yaagas are associated with त्रेताज्ञयः the three Agni's.<ref name=":02" /> However, not all three fires are lighted and maintained at all times. While Aupasana is performed with the Gaarhapatya Agni, त्रेताज्ञयः the three fires are kindled in Somayaagas<ref name=":12" />.     

All Srauta yagnas or yaagas are associated with त्रेताज्ञयः the three Agni's.<ref name=":02" /> However, not all three fires are lighted and maintained at all times. While Aupasana is performed with the Gaarhapatya Agni, त्रेताज्ञयः the three fires are kindled in Somayaagas<ref name=":12" />.     

चत्वारो ह वा अग्नयः। आहित उद्धृतः प्रहृतो विहृतोऽयमेव लोक आहितोऽन्तरिक्षलोक उद्धृतो द्यौष्प्रहृतो दिशो विहृतोऽग्निरेवाहितो वायुरुद्धृत आदित्यः प्रहृतश्चन्द्रमा विहृतो गार्हपत्य एवाहित आहवनीय उद्धृतोऽथ यमेतमाहवनीयात्प्राञ्चं प्रणयन्ति स प्रहृतोऽथ यमेतमुदञ्चम्पशुश्रपणायाहरन्ति यं चोपयङ्भ्यः स विहृतस्तस्मात्प्रहार्येऽग्नौ पशुबन्धेन यजेत - ११.८.२.[१]

चत्वारो ह वा अग्नयः। आहित उद्धृतः प्रहृतो विहृतोऽयमेव लोक आहितोऽन्तरिक्षलोक उद्धृतो द्यौष्प्रहृतो दिशो विहृतोऽग्निरेवाहितो वायुरुद्धृत आदित्यः प्रहृतश्चन्द्रमा विहृतो गार्हपत्य एवाहित आहवनीय उद्धृतोऽथ यमेतमाहवनीयात्प्राञ्चं प्रणयन्ति स प्रहृतोऽथ यमेतमुदञ्चम्पशुश्रपणायाहरन्ति यं चोपयङ्भ्यः स विहृतस्तस्मात्प्रहार्येऽग्नौ पशुबन्धेन यजेत - ११.८.२.[१]

== Aahutis (Offerings) in Agnihotram ==

== Aahutis (Offerings) in Agnihotram ==

Aahuti is an important aspect of Agnihotram. Different types dravayas are offered as aahuti which changes according to the yaagas and fires being offered to and purpose of the yaaga. The dravyas or materials being offered in agnihotram are of the following kinds

Aahuti is an important aspect of Agnihotram. Different types dravayas are offered as aahuti which changes according to the yaagas, the fires being worshipped and purpose of the yaaga. The dravyas or materials being offered in agnihotram are of the following kinds

# Vegetable source : Soma juice,  tila (sesame),   

# Vegetable source : Soma juice,  tila (sesame),   

# Uncooked Animal source : Payaha (Milk) and milk products like dadhi (curds), ajyam (ghee), navanita (butter). Vaapa (animal fat), honey and wine.   

# Uncooked Animal source : Payaha (Milk) and milk products like dadhi (curds), ajyam (ghee), navanita (butter). Vaapa (animal fat), honey and wine.