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== परिचय || Introduction ==   

== परिचय || Introduction ==   

Agnihotra is the ritual in which "offerings are made to Agni (sacrificial fire)".    

The history of Vedic rituals is quite ancient and can be traced to the period of Vedic Samhithas. Most of the ‘Haviryajnas’, ‘Agnihotra’, ‘Darsapurnamasa’ and ‘Caturmasya’ sacrifices, the basic ‘Somayajnas’, ‘Agnistomas’ and its varieties, and some culturally and historically important sacrifices like ‘Vajapeya’, “Asvamedha’, ‘Sarvamedha’ etc are found in ‘Yajurveda’ (Adhvaryuveda). Later in ‘Puranas’ the references to Vedic rituals and practices are found. In classical Sanskrit literature some references to Vedic rituals and practices are mentioned. This shows that the Vedic ritual tradition is continued to modern period too without any interruption<ref>Radhakrishna Bhat, N. ''[http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_heritage/Vedic_tradition_karnataka.pdf Vedic Ritual Tradition of Karnataka]'', Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref>.    

''Agnihotra'' is believed to free the ''yajmāna'' (the performer of the ''yajna'') from evil and death, both signified by Agni.^[37]Prajapatihad to create milk as food for the hungry Agni and perform the first act of ''Agnihotra'' to avoid death and preserve his own existence.^[37]

‘Vedanga Kalpa’ mainly deals with Vedic rituals. The very name itself means ‘Kalpyate Samarthyate Yaga Prayogo Atra’ which means “The practice of Vedic ritual traditions are explained here”. This Vedanga has four parts namely, ‘Sulvasutras’, ‘Srautasutras’, ‘Dharmasutras’ and ‘Grhyasutras’. The ‘Sulvasutras’ and ‘Srautasutras’ directly deal with the performance of Vedic rituals. These texts provide guidance for the performance of Vedic sacrifices. The performance of Vedic rituals is being continued even to modern period especially in South India. 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. Some ‘Srauta priests’, ‘Agnihotris’ keep ‘Agni’ in their houses and protect it even today. The ‘Agni’ usually transferred from father to son and the tradition is continued without any break. The rituals are conducted in the same ancient procedures with some modifications according to the convenience for the modern society and availability of required materials.  

Vedic times === The Agnihotris once maintained a perpetual fire in their homes. This ritual ceremony was conducted on important and auspicious occasions. In many homes prayers are still offered to Agni (fire). 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]}

 

‘Yajna’ (Vedic Rituals) is the most important feature of Vedic literature. It occupies very important cultural position in the literature and life as well. The word ‘Yajna’ is derived from the root ‘Yaj’ – to Worship or offering an oblation to a deity and paying one’s respect to it. Its meaning is further drawn signifying devotion in different ways. The materials offered to ‘Yajna’ are called ‘Havis’. The performance of offering, the dedicated ‘Havis’ into the principal of universal fire is ‘Homa’. ‘Adhvara’, ‘Kratu’, ‘Makha’, ‘Yaga’ and ‘Medha’ are other words used as synonyms for the term ‘Yajna’ in general sense though there are many features which differ among themselves. These play a great role in shaping our civilization order and peace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Srauta, as the name suggest, refers to the texts which have been derived from the Sruti or the Vedas. Although they are memorial texts (Smriti), their source is Sruti or God. They also serve as the source of Kalpa. The Srauta rituals cover a whole gamut of rituals from the simplest to the most complicated. Most of them are no more practiced, but their study is useful for historical reasons. As per tradition, the Srauta Shastras identify the following six types of sacrifices (yajnas).

 

 

Soma sacrifices: These sacrifices involved the extraction of Soma and its offering to Soma, Indra and their companion gods. Examples of Soma sacrifices are Agnistoma, atyagnistoma, uktya, shodasi, vājapeya etc.

 

Oblationary sacrifices or Havir Yajna: In these sacrifices, the priests poured oblations of milk, vegetable oil, sesame oil, clarified butter, honey and other liquid offerings. Agniyādhāna, Agnihotra, Darśa-Pūrṇamāsa, Agrayana, Cāturmāsya, Sautrāmaṇi are a few important Havir yajnas

 

The five daily sacrifices or mahayajnas: They are performed daily by the householders. They will be explained later.

 

Vedavratas: These were meant to mark the progress of a student’s education under a teacher and his success in attaining the knowledge of the Vedas, while keeping his vows of celibacy and secrecy until his graduation as a Snataka (one who has bathed and was ready for the life of a householder or an apprentice).

 

 

 

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. 

 

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]