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* It is prescribed by sastras that all the dvijas (the ‘twice-born,’ the men of the first three varṇas) are to perform Agnihotra. A brahmachari so initiated is prescribed procedures and taught to conduct agnihotra with different chantings called as Agnikarya '''(recheck)'''.

* It is prescribed by sastras that all the dvijas (the ‘twice-born,’ the men of the first three varṇas) are to perform Agnihotra. A brahmachari so initiated is prescribed procedures and taught to conduct agnihotra with different chantings called as Agnikarya '''(recheck)'''.

* After marriage the grihasta performs Agnihotram twice daily at twilight time (dawn and dusk) along with the wife in the Gaarhapatya agni, this is also called as Aupasana.<ref name=":0" /> 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>  

* After marriage the grihasta performs Agnihotram twice daily at twilight time (dawn and dusk) along with the wife in the Gaarhapatya agni, this is also called as Aupasana.<ref name=":0" /> 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>  

* Eligibility for a grihastha to perform other yaagas or yagnas will be obtained once he regularly performs Agnihotram at his house and after he learns the vaidika procedures to conduct them. For example: Agnisthoma is the first of the 5 Jyotisthomas or Somayaaga.<ref name=":0" /> Performance of Agnistoma haviryagna and some Isthis is a prerequisite for the undertaking Somayaaga.  The grihastha who never performed any Haviryagna and never studied Vedas, and whose father or forefathers never performed this yaaga are not eligible to perform Somayaaga<ref name=":1" />.

* Eligibility for a grihastha to perform other yaagas or yagnas will be obtained once he regularly performs Agnihotram at his houseon a daily basis and after he learns the vaidika procedures to conduct them. Such a person is called "'''Aahitagni'''". For example: Agnisthoma is the first of the 5 Jyotisthomas or Somayaaga.<ref name=":0" /> Performance of Agnistoma haviryagna and some Isthis is a prerequisite for the undertaking Somayaaga.  The grihastha who never performed any Haviryagna and never studied Vedas, and whose father or forefathers never performed this yaaga are not eligible to perform Somayaaga<ref name=":1" />. There has been a tradition of ‘Aahitagnis’ and ‘Srauta priests’ in South India and they 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.<ref name=":0222" />

* Wife, son, pupil or a priest can perform Agnihotram on behalf of the yajamani in case of emergencies. Agnihotra cannot be performed by an uninitiated bachelor or a widower, however on remarriage a widower becomes eligible to perform all yagnas<ref name=":1" />.  

* Wife, son, pupil or a priest can perform Agnihotram on behalf of the yajamani in case of emergencies. Agnihotra cannot be performed by an uninitiated bachelor or a widower, however on remarriage a widower becomes eligible to perform all yagnas<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.’  

* 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" />

== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ==

== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ==

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

* 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 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.

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

Invocation of Agni in a vedi (altar) and offering of aahutis is performed in yagnas. However, not all yagnas involve this process. A few yagnas described in the Samhitas and Brahmanas include the following  

 

 

Invocation of Agni in a vedi (altar) and offering of oblations is performed in yagnas. However, not all yagnas involve this process. A few yagnas described in the Samhitas and Brahmanas include the following   

Agnichayana    

Agnichayana