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Agnihotra (Samskrit : अग्निहोत्रम्) is generically referred to Agni in a yagnavedi (altar) invoked by the chanting of mantras. However, Agnihotra as a specific nityakarma refers to a vedic process whereby a grihastha makes daily offerings of ghee or milk in it while reciting the prescribed mantras.

Agnihotra (Samskrit : अग्निहोत्रम्) is generically referred to [[Agni (आग्निः)|Agni]] in a yagnavedi (altar) invoked by the chanting of mantras. However, Agnihotra as a specific nityakarma refers to a vedic process whereby a grihastha makes daily offerings of ghee or milk in Agni while reciting the prescribed mantras.

Sanatana Dharma is founded on the principle that the primary responsibility of perpetually maintaining Agni at home, called as Agnihotra, is vested with a grihastha. Apart from grihastha's nitya Agnihotra many other events like yagnas, yagas, isthis, and homas involve the kindling of fire according to karmakanda procedures given in Samhitas and Brahmanas.

Sanatana Dharma is founded on the principle that the primary responsibility of perpetually maintaining Agni at home, called as Agnihotra, is vested with a grihastha. Apart from grihastha's nitya Agnihotra many other events like yagnas, yagas, isthis, and homas involve the kindling of fire according to karmakanda procedures given in Samhitas and Brahmanas.

== Agnihotram ==

== Agnihotram ==

Agnihotra, is a term specifically applicable to the most common and important yagnas classified among the haviryajñas and considered to be nityakarma (daily activity). It is performed as a daily worship rather than with an intent to fulfill any specific desire<ref name=":032" />. Some salient features may be summarized as below

Agnihotra, is a term specifically applicable to the most common and important yagnas classified among the haviryajñas and considered to be nityakarma (daily activity). It is performed as a daily worship rather than with an intent to fulfill any specific desire<ref name=":032" />. Some salient features may be summarized as below

* 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 eligible to perform Agnihotra. A brahmachari so initiated during Upanayana is prescribed procedures and taught different mantras to conduct agnihotra, called as Agnikarya '''(recheck)'''. Valmiki Ramayana states that Sri Ramachandra and Lakshmana tended agnihotram while they lived in Panchavati.

* 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 when the brahmachari enters the grihasta ashram, he is receives additional procedures and becomes eligible to perform Agnihotram twice daily at twilight time (dawn and dusk) along with his wife in the Gaarhapatya agni, this is also called as Aupasana.<ref name=":0">Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref> 

* 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" />

* Agnihotra cannot be performed by an uninitiated bachelor. In present days, homas are being conducted by women priests but that process is outside the purview of nitya agnihotras.  

* 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" />.  

 

== Aahitagni ==

Eligibility for a grihastha to perform other yaagas or yagnas will be obtained once he regularly performs Agnihotram at his house on a daily basis and after he learns the vaidika procedures to conduct them. Such a grihasta is called '''Aahitagni''' <ref name=":0" />. For example: Agnisthoma is the first of the 5 Jyotisthomas or Somayaaga. Performance of Agnistoma haviryagna and some Isthis is a prerequisite for conducting a Somayaaga.  The tradition of ‘Aahitagnis’ and ‘Srauta priests’ continues in South India and they 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" />

* The grihastha who never performed any Haviryagna and never studied Vedas, and whose father or forefathers never performed yaagaa are not eligible to perform some yaagas/yagnas. Example : Somayaaga<ref name=":1" />.  

* 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>  

* Wife, son, pupil or a priest can perform Agnihotram on behalf of the yajamani in case of emergencies. Agnihotra cannot be performed by a widower, however on remarriage a widower becomes eligible to perform all yagnas<ref name=":1" />. When the yajamana is separated from his wife and he chooses not to remarry, he can instill his wife's idol for the process of the yaaga. Example : Aswamedha yaaga performed by Sri Ramachandra in Ayodhya while his consort Seetadevi was in Valmiki Maharshi's ashram following the sastra laid down exceptions to some situations.   

* 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" />  

* 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 ==

All Srauta yagnas or yaagas are associated with त्रेताज्ञयः the three Agni's<ref name=":0">Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref> namely  

All Srauta yagnas or yaagas are associated with त्रेताज्ञयः the three Agni's.<ref name=":0" /> However, not all three fires are lighted and maintained at all times. While Agnihotram is maintained with the Gaarhapatya Agni, त्रेताज्ञयः the three fires are kindled in Somayaagas<ref name=":1" />. A few important features of the three agnis are summarized below  

=== गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya Agni ===

=== गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya Agni ===

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