Changes

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 अन्त्येष्टिः ॥ 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 अन्त्येष्टिः ॥ Anteysti (cremation).   

== परिचय || Introduction ==

== परिचय || Introduction ==

The history of Vedic rituals is quite ancient and can be traced to the period of Vedic Samhithas. A few definitions here would throw light on the terms used in this context.   

The history of performing kratus, yagnas and yaagas is quite ancient and is described in the Samhitas. Yagnas, yaagas, istis, homas were performed for individual benefit as well as community welfare. While some yagnas were performed by people of all varnas, some like the Rajasuya or Aswamedha yaagam were prescribed only for Kshatriyas. Elaborately conducted yaagas such as Soma yaagas are not performed these days, while Varuna yaagam and Kareeresti for propitiating Varuna devata to obtain good rains is performed at regular intervals as temple event for community benefit.   

 

'''Yagna''' : A common and general term used to denote all satkarmas (good deeds) and encompasses several aspects such as worship, praise, pleasing of a deity, a purpose to achieve, a yaaga, an oblation and could be a mental (Jnana) or physically ritualistic process (Kratu) which may or may not include the piling of Agnihotra. An unmarried man is not allowed by sastras to perform any special yagnas or yaagas. A brahmachari is restricted to perform only some vaidika kriyas.    

 

Bhagavad geeta gives the process of Jnanayagna. Adhiyagnam katham  8 .2 bhagavadgeeta Karma brahmo 3.15 bhagavadgeeta Yagnanardhat karmano yatra 3.9 Bhagavadgeeta 9.15 Jnana yagne, 9.16   

 

'''Yaagam''' : Yaagas are elaborate rituals with specific names (in contrast to Yagna which is a general name) involving Agnihotra with special offering of suitable dravyas (havis such as purodaasa, milk, ghee, etc) to the devatas. Some yaagas last for one day to three or more days even up to 12 years. Example: Sarpa sattra yaga was performed by King Janamejaya where all sarpas serpents were destroyed in the yaaga fire.      

 

A ‘Yaaga’ 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 ‘Yaagas’<ref name=":022222222">Radhakrishna Bhat, N. ''[http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_heritage/Vedic_tradition_karnataka.pdf Vedic Ritual Tradition of Karnataka]'', Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref>.    

 

A Yaaga 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=":03222222" />.

 

In Yaagas, yajamani offers the aahuti, in a standing position, using the utterance "वौशट् ॥ vaushat" at the end of mantras for the deity. Thus the ceremonies which are performed with the root "yaj" are yaagas like in "सोमेन यजेत ॥ somena yajeta"<ref name=":122222" />.

 

'''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.

 

In Homam yajamani offers the aahuti, in a seated position, using the utterance "स्वाह ॥ svaaha" at the end of mantras for the deity. Thus the ceremonies which are performed with the root "hu" are Homas like in "अग्निहोत्रम् जुहुयात् ॥ agnihotram juhuyaat"<ref name=":122222" />.

 

In present days, homas are being conducted by women priests but that aspect is outside the purview of the nitya agnihotram.

== श्रौतकर्माणि ॥ Srauta Karmas ==

== श्रौतकर्माणि ॥ Srauta Karmas ==

Srauta karmas include elaborate activities such as yaagas meant for the well-being of mankind. These karmas are so called because their procedures are directly based on the Srutis or instructions given in Vedas. The brahmanas contain the description of yagnas (which last for many days) and different aakhyayikas as part of the Srauta karmas (for example Haviyagnakandam of Kanvasatapatha brahmana contains the details of Haviryagnas). However, in Kalpas the rules are methodically compiled in Sutra format without the aakhyayika part.<ref name=":122222" /> Usually, Srauta karmas involve the Chaaturhotr - the four priests (Hota, Adhvaryu, Udgaata, Brahma).     

Srauta karmas include elaborate activities such as yaagas meant for the well-being of mankind. These karmas are so called because their procedures are directly based on the Srutis or instructions given in Vedas. The brahmanas contain the description of yagnas (which last for many days) and different aakhyayikas as part of the Srauta karmas (for example Haviyagnakandam of Kanvasatapatha brahmana contains the details of Haviryagnas). However, in Kalpas the rules are methodically compiled in Sutra format without the aakhyayika part.<ref name=":122222" /> Usually, Srauta karmas involve the Chaaturhotr - the four priests (Hota, Adhvaryu, Udgaata, Brahma).     

Aasvalayana Srautasutras (Rig Veda)   

Aasvalayana Srautasutras (Rig Veda)   

Katyayana Srautasutras ()

Hiranyakesi Srautasutras and Aapasthamba Srautasutras (Yajur veda)   

 

Hiranyakesi Srautasutras  

Aapasthamba Srautasutras

Katyayana Srautasutras and Baudhayana Srautasutras (Saama veda)  

 

Baudhayana Srautasutras   

Different classifications of Yaagas may be taken into consideration based on the offerings and time period of conducting them.   

Different classifications of Yaagas may be taken into consideration based on the offerings and time period of conducting them.   

Vikritiyaagas derive their procedures from the respective Prakritiyaagas<ref name=":122222" />.   

Vikritiyaagas derive their procedures from the respective Prakritiyaagas<ref name=":122222" />.   

=== प्रकृतियागम् ॥ Prakritiyaagas ===

=== प्रकृतियागम् ॥ Prakritiyaagas ===

In the Asvalaayana Srautasutra based on the Rig Veda, there are a number yagnas but five among them are regarded as Prakritiyaagas<ref name=":122222" />. In the present days Prakriti yagnas mentioned in the Vedas are rarely conducted.<ref name=":022222222" />

In the Asvalaayana Srautasutra based on the Rig Veda, there are a number yagnas but five among them are regarded as Prakritiyaagas<ref name=":122222" />. In the present days Prakriti yagnas mentioned in the Vedas are rarely conducted.<ref name=":022222222">Radhakrishna Bhat, N. ''[http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_heritage/Vedic_tradition_karnataka.pdf Vedic Ritual Tradition of Karnataka]'', Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref>

# होमम् ॥ Homa : '''Agnihotra''' is the Prakriti (model) of all Homas<ref name=":122222" />   

# होमम् ॥ Homa : '''Agnihotra''' is the Prakriti (model) of all Homas<ref name=":122222" />   

# इष्टिः ॥ Isthti : '''Darsapurnamaasa yaga''' is the Prakriti (model) of all Isthis<ref name=":122222" />   

# इष्टिः ॥ Isthti : '''Darsapurnamaasa yaga''' is the Prakriti (model) of all Isthis<ref name=":122222" />   

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]

== Yaagas/Yagnas without Agnihotram ==

== Yaagas/Yagnas without Agnihotram ==

Invocation of Agni in a vedi (altar) and offering of aahutis is performed in yagnas. However, not all yagnas involve this process.  

Invocation of Agni in a vedi (altar) and offering of aahutis is performed in yagnas. However, not all yagnas involve this process. Vaidika yagnas are also categorized into external and internal rituals, depending upon how they are performed. External rituals are physical, in which visible dravyas such as milk and ghee are offered to devatas. Internal rituals are mental or spiritual, in which the mind and the senses are withdrawn and engaged in contemplative or meditative practices, which culminated in self-absorption. In the internal rituals, the sacrificial model is internalized. The mind and the body become the field or the sacrificial pit, breath becomes fire, whatever that is offered to the body such as food or pleasure becomes the offering. Aranyakas deal with a form of meditative yagnas wherein water is offered in place of milk as a substitute for it. 

 

 

We may also classify Vedic sacrifices into external and internal rituals, depending upon how they are performed. External rituals are physical, in which offerings are externally made to devatas. Internal rituals are mental or spiritual, in which the mind and the senses were withdrawn and engaged in contemplative or meditative practices, which culminated in self-absorption. In the internal rituals, the sacrificial model is internalized. The mind and the body become the field or the sacrificial pit, breath becomes fire, whatever that is offered to the body such as food or pleasure becomes the offering.  

The sage of the Atharvaveda (Sukta 19.55.3) prays to the fire for happiness and peace, for a happy temperament, resolve and good health, for strength and mental contentment, and as the ladder to spirituality. The sage also states that ''Agnihotra'' destroys enemies.^{[note 5]}

The sage of the Atharvaveda (Sukta 19.55.3) prays to the fire for happiness and peace, for a happy temperament, resolve and good health, for strength and mental contentment, and as the ladder to spirituality. The sage also states that ''Agnihotra'' destroys enemies.^{[note 5]}

Shatapatha Brahmana (SB 3.1.3.18) tells us that ''Agnihotra'' should be performed by the performer knowing that he will gain the strength and victories gained by Agni who conquered the earth, Vayu, the air and Surya, the sky, with whom he shares the world; and the same text further tells us that the ''Agnihotra'', doubtless, is the Sun.^[38]

Shatapatha Brahmana (SB 3.1.3.18) tells us that ''Agnihotra'' should be performed by the performer knowing that he will gain the strength and victories gained by Agni who conquered the earth, Vayu, the air and Surya, the sky, with whom he shares the world; and the same text further tells us that the ''Agnihotra'', doubtless, is the Sun.^[38]

Contemporary fire ritual === Hindus consider it as the duty of a man to perform ''Agnihotra''. The main offering is milk, and at the end, the sacrificer offers four water oblations, to the gods, to father and the fathers, to the seven seers and to Agni on earth.^[39]  The priest invokes Agni through Agni in his sacrificial form; the sacrificial form of Agni is the Sun which shining brightly appears to all men. The priest also invokes Vayu which is Agni’s own greatness. Therefore, Agni as the deity is treated differently from Agni, the messenger who carries oblations to the gods. The sacrificial form of Agni is Aditya and Vayu.

Contemporary fire ritual === Hindus consider it as the duty of a man to perform ''Agnihotra''. The main offering is milk, and at the end, the sacrificer offers four water oblations, to the gods, to father and the fathers, to the seven seers and to Agni on earth.^[39]  The priest invokes Agni through Agni in his sacrificial form; the sacrificial form of Agni is the Sun which shining brightly appears to all men. The priest also invokes Vayu which is Agni’s own greatness. Therefore, Agni as the deity is treated differently from Agni, the messenger who carries oblations to the gods. The sacrificial form of Agni is Aditya and Vayu.