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Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्) (view source)
Revision as of 13:49, 30 December 2017
, 13:49, 30 December 2017no edit summary
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" />.
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" />.
In Yaagas, the yajamani offers the aahuti, in a standing position, using the utterance "vaushat" at the end of mantras for the deity. Thus the ceremonies which are performed with the root "yaj" are yaagas like in "somena yajeta".
In Yaagas, yajamani offers the aahuti, in a standing position, using the utterance "vaushat" at the end of mantras for the deity. Thus the ceremonies which are performed with the root "yaj" are yaagas like in "somena yajeta"<ref name=":12" />.
'''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".
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.
== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ==
== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ==
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 Aupasana is performed with the Gaarhapatya Agni, त्रेताज्ञयः the three fires are kindled in Somayaagas<ref name=":12" />.
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 Aupasana is performed 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
A few important features of the three agnis are summarized below
* 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.
Shatapata Brahmana (11.8.2) mentions about four different fires
११.८.२ अग्नेश्चातुर्विध्याभिधायकं ब्राह्मणम्
चत्वारो ह वा अग्नयः। आहित उद्धृतः प्रहृतो विहृतोऽयमेव लोक आहितोऽन्तरिक्षलोक उद्धृतो द्यौष्प्रहृतो दिशो विहृतोऽग्निरेवाहितो वायुरुद्धृत आदित्यः प्रहृतश्चन्द्रमा विहृतो गार्हपत्य एवाहित आहवनीय उद्धृतोऽथ यमेतमाहवनीयात्प्राञ्चं प्रणयन्ति स प्रहृतोऽथ यमेतमुदञ्चम्पशुश्रपणायाहरन्ति यं चोपयङ्भ्यः स विहृतस्तस्मात्प्रहार्येऽग्नौ पशुबन्धेन यजेत - ११.८.२.[१]
== Aahutis (Offerings) in Agnihotram ==
== Aahutis (Offerings) in Agnihotram ==