Changes

Agnichayana, Agnistoma, Jyotistoma,   

Agnichayana, Agnistoma, Jyotistoma,   

Agnikarya : by brahmacharya   

Agnikarya : by brahmacharya   

Yagam - of tretagni is present in all yagas except satra.  

Yagam - of tretagni is present in all yagas except satra.  

== परिचय || Introduction ==

== परिचय || Introduction ==

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.     

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 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=":02" />.      

'''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.

== Agnihotram ==

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

All Srauta yagnas or yaagas are associated with the 3 Agni's namely  

# गार्हपत्यः ॥ Gaarhapatya ( Agni used by grihastas for general domestic usage). It is placed to the west of the yagnavedi.

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

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

गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya 

 

Characteristics Agni  

* It is used by grihastas for general domestic usage, to cook food and heat the utensils.  

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

* According to Sata. Brah every grihastha has to maintain this (jaraamarya satra yaaga ) agni until he is prevented by old age or illness or death. In such a case

आहवनीयाग्निः ॥ Aahavaniya  

 

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 

 

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

==== Aahitagni  ====

==== Aahitagni  ====