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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 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.     

'''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.      

'''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     

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 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=":02" />.      

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=":022" />.      

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=":0" />.

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=":03" />.

'''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.

== Srauta Yaagas ==

== Srauta Yaagas ==

Agnihotra, is a term specifically applicable to the most common and important yagnas classified among the haviryajñas and considered to be nitya. It is performed as a daily worship rather than with an intent to fulfill any specific desire<ref name=":0" />.   

Agnihotra, is a term specifically applicable to the most common and important yagnas classified among the haviryajñas and considered to be nitya. It is performed as a daily worship rather than with an intent to fulfill any specific desire<ref name=":03" />.   

Aitreya Aranyakam (2.3.3) describes five categories of srauta yagnas  

Aitreya Aranyakam (2.3.3) describes five categories of srauta yagnas  

# Pasu  

# Pasu  

# Soma   

# Soma   

All the dvijas (the ‘twice-born,’ the men of the first three varṇas) are entitled to its performance. It must be done twice daily at dawn and dusk, along with the wife. Wife, son or pupil can perform it on his behalf in emergencies.  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.’  

All the dvijas (the ‘twice-born,’ the men of the first three varṇas) are entitled to its performance. It must be done twice daily at dawn and dusk, along with the wife. Wife, son or pupil can perform it on his behalf in emergencies.  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.’  

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=":0">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=":03">http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Agnihotra#cite_note-1</ref>.

 

== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ==

== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ==

All Srauta yagnas or yaagas are associated with त्रेताज्ञयः the three important Agni's namely   

All Srauta yagnas or yaagas are associated with त्रेताज्ञयः the three Agni's<ref>Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref> namely   

 

=== गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya Agni ===

=== गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya Agni ===

Important Information about of गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya agni  

Information about of गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya agni  

* It is used by grihastas for general domestic usage, to cook food and aahutidravyas used in yagnas by reciting mantras.  

* It is used by grihastas for general domestic usage, to cook food and aahutidravyas used in other yagnas by reciting mantras.  

* It is placed to the west of the yagnavedi and placed in circular shaped kunda.  

* It is placed to the west of the yagnavedi and placed in circular shaped kunda.  

* It is ceremonially established with the elaborate vedic procedure involving recitation of specific mantras and is called Agnyādhāna.   

* It is ceremonially established with the elaborate vedic procedure involving recitation of specific mantras and is called Agnyādhāna.   

* It is the only Agni that is maintained continuously and daily offerings are to be made to this Agni by 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 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>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>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.

 

Agni used for yaagas where a particular offerings are made to deities). It is derived from the Gaarhapatya agni and placed east of the yagnavedi.

दक्षिणाग्निः ॥ Dakshinaagni 

=== आहवनीयाग्निः ॥ Aahvaniya Agni ===

Agni used to give offerings to pitris). It is also derived from the Gaarhapatya Agni and placed south of the yagnavedi.

* It is invoked only in special yaagas like Aahvaniya agni.

* The first Dakshinaagni is established from the Gaarhapatya agni along with the recitation of specific mantras.

* It is not maintained everyday and is extinguished at the end of the specific yaaga for which it is invoked.

* It is placed to the south of the yagnavedi, in a half circle shaped kunda.

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

==== Aahitagni  ====

==== Aahitagni  ====

Aahitagni is one who performs at least one yagna (or yagam) and continues to keep Agni on a daily basis. They extensively study procedures of vedic rituals and conduct yagnas and yaagas after attaining authority to do so. For example:   

Aahitagni is one who performs at least one yagna (or yagam) and continues to keep Agni on a daily basis. They extensively study procedures of vedic rituals and conduct yagnas and yaagas after attaining authority to do so. For example:   

Some ‘Srauta priests’ called as 'Aahitagnis' or  ‘Agnihotris’ keep ‘Agni’ in their houses and protect it even today by offering oblations everyday. The ‘Agni’ usually transferred from father to son and the tradition is continued without any break. The rituals are conducted using the same ancient procedures with some modifications according to the convenience of the modern society and availability of required materials<ref name=":02" />.  

Some ‘Srauta priests’ called as 'Aahitagnis' or  ‘Agnihotris’ keep ‘Agni’ in their houses and protect it even today by offering oblations everyday. The ‘Agni’ usually transferred from father to son and the tradition is continued without any break. The rituals are conducted using the same ancient procedures with some modifications according to the convenience of the modern society and availability of required materials<ref name=":022" />.  

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.  

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.  

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. 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.   

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. 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.   

According to Prof Radhakrishna Bhat,<blockquote>"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 name=":02">Radhakrishna Bhat, N. ''[http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_heritage/Vedic_tradition_karnataka.pdf Vedic Ritual Tradition of Karnataka]'', Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref></blockquote>

According to Prof Radhakrishna Bhat,<blockquote>"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 name=":022">Radhakrishna Bhat, N. ''[http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_heritage/Vedic_tradition_karnataka.pdf Vedic Ritual Tradition of Karnataka]'', Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref></blockquote>

== Classification of Yagnas ==

== 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=":02" />  

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=":022" />

The different modes of classifications of Yagnas are 

The different modes of classifications of Yagnas are