Changes

In Homam yajamani offers the aahuti, in a 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"<ref name=":12" />.

In Homam yajamani offers the aahuti, in a 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"<ref name=":12" />.

== Srauta Yaagas ==

== Srauta Yaagas ==

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.   

=== Categories of Srauta Yagnas ===

=== Categories of Srauta Yagnas ===

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

Aitreya Aranyakam (2.3.3) (belonging to Rig veda) 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  

Some features about agnihotra homa  

Some features about agnihotra homa  

* This ceremony is performed when the moon is situated in certain nakshatras - Ex कृत्तिकासु रोहिण्यां मृगशिरसि फल्गुनीषु विशाखयोरुत्तरयोः प्रोष्ठपदयोः १० (Para. Grha. 2.1.10) Krittika, rohini, margasira, phalguni, vishakha and uttara, hasta, chitta and sravana stars 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>  

* This ceremony is performed when the moon is situated in certain nakshatras

* The people of different sections are advised to establish fire in different seasons - Brahmanas in vasanta or spring season, and the rest of the 3 varnas can establish it in summer, rainy and autumn seasons.  

<blockquote>कृत्तिकासु रोहिण्यां मृगशिरसि फल्गुनीषु विशाखयोरुत्तरयोः प्रोष्ठपदयोः १० (Asva. Srau. Sutr. 2.1.10) </blockquote><blockquote>kr̥ttikāsu rōhiṇyāṁ mr̥gaśirasi phalgunīṣu viśākhayōruttarayōḥ prōṣṭhapadayōḥ 10 (Para. Grha. 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 : Krittika, rohini, margasira, phalguni, vishakha and uttara hasta, chitta and sravana stars 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>

* The people of different sections are advised to establish fire in different seasons - Brahmanas in vasanta or spring season, and the rest of the 3 varnas can establish it in summer, rainy and autumn seasons.

 

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

* 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).   

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

* 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.   

=== Aahitagni ===

=== Aahitagni ===

* 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" />.  

* 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=":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.   

* 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. 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 ===

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 is initiated into performing Agnihotram during Upanayana with prescribed procedures and is taught different mantras to conduct the agnihotram. At the time of investing the yagnopaveeta, he is taught to perform daily aahuti in the fire called '''Praajapatyaagni'''. '''(recheck)'''.  

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 is initiated into performing Agnihotram during Upanayana with prescribed procedures and is taught the relevant mantras to conduct the agnihotram. At the time of investing the yagnopaveeta, he is taught to perform daily aahuti in the fire called '''Praajapatyaagni'''. '''(recheck)'''.  

=== Grihastha Aupasana  ===

=== Grihastha Aupasana  ===

During vivaha samskara the brahmachari is initiated to enter the grihasta ashram by setting up the Aavasatyaagni<ref>Paraaskara Grhya Sutras [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D (1.2.1)]</ref> (Paaraskara Grhya Sutra : Adhyaya 1 Kandika 2 Mantra 1)  

During vivaha samskara the brahmachari is initiated to enter the grihasta ashram by setting up the Aavasatyaagni<ref>Paraaskara Grhya Sutras [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D (1.2.1)]</ref> (Paaraskara Grhya Sutra : Adhyaya 1 Kandika 2 Mantra 1)  

आवसथ्याधानं दारकाले १ दायाद्यकाल एकेषाम् २ ॥ āvasathyādhānaṁ dārakālē 1 dāyādyakāla ēkēṣām 2 (Para.Grhy.Sutra. 1.2.1)  

आवसथ्याधानं दारकाले १ दायाद्यकाल एकेषाम् २ ॥ āvasathyādhānaṁ dārakālē 1 dāyādyakāla ēkēṣām 2 (Para.Grhy.Sutra. 1.2.1). 

He receives additional procedures to perform Agnihotram.  

He receives additional procedures to perform nitya Agnihotram. A few features include

* Starting at the time of marriage, a grihasta (along with his wife) offers aahuti  twice daily at twilight time (dawn and dusk) in the Gaarhapatya agni, this is also called as Aupasana.<ref name=":02">Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref> For Ex: Valmiki Ramayana states that Sri Ramachandra and Lakshmana tended agnihotram while they lived in Panchavati '''(Reference needed)'''.

* Starting at the time of marriage, a grihasta (along with his wife) offers aahuti  twice daily at twilight time (dawn and dusk) in the Gaarhapatya agni, this is also called as Aupasana.<ref name=":02">Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref> For Ex: Valmiki Ramayana states that Sri Ramachandra and Lakshmana tended agnihotram while they lived in Panchavati '''(Reference needed)'''.

* 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.

* 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.

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

== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ==

== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ==

* It is the only Agni that is maintained continuously and daily aahutis are to be made to this Agni by a grihastha.

* It is the only Agni that is maintained continuously and daily aahutis are to be made to this Agni by a grihastha.

* 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 after marriage and and is 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=":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> .

* 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 ===