Changes

'''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=":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 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=":02222">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=":032" />.

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=":0322" />.

'''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.

 

In Homam the yajamani offers the aahuti, in seated position, using the utterance "svaaha" at the end of mantras for the deity. Thus the ceremonies which are performed with the root "hu" are Homas like in "agnihotram juhuyaat".

== Srauta Yaagas ==

== Srauta Yaagas ==

Aitreya Aranyakam (2.3.3) describes five categories of srauta yagnas   

 

 

Aitreya Aranyakam (2.3.3) describes five categories of srauta yagnas as follows  

sa esha yajnah panchavidho agnihotram darsapurnamaasau chaturmasyaani pasu somah  

sa esha yajnah panchavidho agnihotram darsapurnamaasau chaturmasyaani pasu somah  

# Agnihotra  

# Agnihotra  

# Darsapurnamaasa  

# Darsapurnamaasa  

# Chaturmasya

# Chaaturmasya

# Pasu  

# Pasu  

# Soma   

# Soma   

== Agnihotram ==

Agnihotra, is a term specifically applicable to the most common and important yagnas classified among the haviryajñas 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=":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 eligible to perform Agnihotra. A brahmachari so initiated during Upanayana is prescribed procedures and taught different mantras to conduct agnihotra, called as Agnikarya '''(recheck)'''. Valmiki Ramayana states that Sri Ramachandra and Lakshmana tended agnihotram while they lived in Panchavati ().

== Aupasana  ==

* After marriage when the brahmachari enters the grihasta ashram, he is receives additional procedures and becomes eligible to perform Agnihotram twice daily at twilight time (dawn and dusk) along with his wife in the Gaarhapatya agni, this is also called as Aupasana.<ref name=":0">Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref>   

Agnihotra, is a term specifically applicable to the most common and important yagnas classified among the haviryajñas (offering of havis is made) and 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" />. Some salient features may be summarized as below

* Agnihotra cannot be performed by an uninitiated bachelor. In present days, homas are being conducted by women priests but that process is outside the purview of nitya agnihotras.  

* It is prescribed by sastras that all the dvijas (the ‘twice-born,’ the men of the first three varṇas) are eligible to perform Agnihotra. A brahmachari so initiated during Upanayana is prescribed procedures and taught different mantras to conduct agnihotra, called as Agnikarya '''(recheck)'''. Valmiki Ramayana states that Sri Ramachandra and Lakshmana tended agnihotram while they lived in Panchavati '''(Reference needed)'''.

* After marriage when the brahmachari enters the grihasta ashram, he is receives additional procedures and becomes eligible to perform Agnihotram, twice daily at twilight time (dawn and dusk) along with his wife, with aahutis in the Gaarhapatya agni, this is also called as Aupasana.<ref name=":02">Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref>   

* Nitya agnihotra is not to be performed by an uninitiated bachelor or women '''(Reference needed)'''. In present days, homas are being conducted by women priests but that process is outside the purview of this nitya agnihotram.  

== Aahitagni ==

== Aahitagni ==

Eligibility for a grihastha to perform other yaagas or yagnas will be obtained once he regularly performs Agnihotram at his house on a daily basis and after he learns the vaidika procedures to conduct them. Such a grihasta is called '''Aahitagni''' <ref name=":0" />. For example: Agnisthoma is the first of the 5 Jyotisthomas or Somayaaga. Performance of Agnistoma haviryagna and some Isthis is a prerequisite for conducting a Somayaaga.  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=":0222" />

Eligibility for a grihastha to perform other yaagas or yagnas will be obtained once he regularly performs Agnihotram at his house on a daily basis and after he learns the vaidika procedures to conduct them. Such a grihasta is called '''Aahitagni''' <ref name=":02" />. For example: Agnisthoma is the first of the 5 Jyotisthomas or Somayaaga. Performance of Agnistoma haviryagna and some Isthis is a prerequisite for conducting a Somayaaga.  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=":1" />.  

* 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" />.  

* 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>  

* 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=":1" />. 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.   

* 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.   

* 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=":0222" /><ref name=":1" />  

* 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" />  

 

== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ==

== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ==

All Srauta yagnas or yaagas are associated with त्रेताज्ञयः the three Agni's.<ref name=":0" /> However, not all three fires are lighted and maintained at all times. While Agnihotram is maintained with the Gaarhapatya Agni, त्रेताज्ञयः the three fires are kindled in Somayaagas<ref name=":1" />. A few important features of the three agnis are summarized below   

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 Agnihotram is maintained with the Gaarhapatya Agni, त्रेताज्ञयः the three fires are kindled in Somayaagas<ref name=":12" />. A few important features of the three agnis are summarized below   

=== गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya Agni ===

=== गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya Agni ===

Information about of गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya agni  

Information about of गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya agni  

* It is the source of other two Agnis

* It is the source of other two Agnis

* It is kindled at the time of marriage and brought home to be worshipped for the rest of the life by the grihastha  

* It is kindled at the time of marriage and brought home to be worshipped for the rest of the life by the grihastha  

* 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 name=":1">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 name=":12">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 ===

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

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

== Aahutis (Offerings) in Agnihotram ==

 

Aahuti is an important aspect of Agnihotram. The type of aahuti (offering) changes according to the yaagas and fires being offered to. The dravyas or materials being offered to are of the following kinds

 

 

 

 

 

Pashumedha (Asvamedha)  

== 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=":0222" />

==== Paaka yagnas ====

==== Paaka yagnas ====

They involve cooking of food (paka) for offering to gods. They go by different names such as aṣtaka, sthālipāka, parvana, srāvaṇi, āgrahayani, etc.

They involve cooking of food (paka) for offering to gods. They go by different names such as aṣtaka, sthālipāka, parvana, srāvaṇi, āgrahayani, etc.

They are performed at different times in the life of an individual and involved homas and istis.   

They are performed at different times in the life of an individual and involved homas and istis.   

== 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.  

External and internal rituals

External and internal rituals

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 gods. 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.  

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]}

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.

Discussion

== Discussion ==

 

Ritual versus knowledge is a much debated topic. Shankara in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras states that the rightful observance of the ''agnihotra'' and other rites are meant for those desirous of attaining Heaven and other enjoyments, and the understanding of the rightful doctrine of the Soul is meant for those desirous of emancipation. Refence needed

Ritual versus knowledge === Shankara in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras states that the rightful observance of the ''agnihotra'' and other rites are meant for those desirous of attaining Heaven and other enjoyments, and the understanding of the rightful doctrine of the Soul is meant for those desirous of emancipation.^[41]

== References ==

== References ==