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→त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires: added content
In case of Agnihotra yaagam (as a part of Agnihotram Yaagam) it is performed by the yajamani or his son, brother, son-in-law on behalf of the the yajamani. Only in the absence of all these persons आध्वर्यु Adhvaryu is the only person who should perform the Agnihotram<ref name=":122222" />.
In case of Agnihotra yaagam (as a part of Agnihotram Yaagam) it is performed by the yajamani or his son, brother, son-in-law on behalf of the the yajamani. Only in the absence of all these persons आध्वर्यु Adhvaryu is the only person who should perform the Agnihotram<ref name=":122222" />.
=== अग्निकार्यम् ॥ Agnikaaryam ===
=== अग्निकार्यम् ॥ Agnikaaryam ===
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 is initiated into performing Agnihotram during Upanayana with prescribed procedures and is taught the relevant mantras to conduct the agnihotram. At the time of investing the yagnopaveeta, he is taught to perform daily aahuti in the fire called '''Praajapatyaagni'''. '''(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 is initiated into performing Agnihotram during Upanayana with prescribed procedures and is taught the relevant mantras to conduct the agnihotram. At the time of investing the yagnopaveeta, he is taught to perform daily aahuti in the fire called '''Praajapatyaagni'''. '''(recheck)'''.
Brahmachari's should perform Samidhaadhanam in Agni everyday in the morning and evening.
=== औपासन ॥ Aupaasana ===
=== औपासन ॥ Aupaasana ===
During vivaha samskara the one is initiated to enter the grihasta ashram by setting up the आवसथ्याग्निः ॥ Aavasatyaagni<ref>Paraaskara Grhya Sutras [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D (1.2.1)]</ref> to the north of the vedi. (Paaraskara Grhya Sutra Adhyaya 1 Kandika 2 Mantra 1) <blockquote>आवसथ्याधानं दारकाले १ दायाद्यकाल एकेषाम् २ ॥ āvasathyādhānaṁ dārakālē 1 dāyādyakāla ēkēṣām 2 (Paara.Grhy.Sutra. 1.2.1).</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : The setting up of Aavasatya agni is (performed) at the time of wedding. At the time of inheritance according to some. </blockquote>He receives additional procedures to perform nitya Agnihotram. A few features include
During vivaha samskara the one is initiated to enter the grihasta ashram by setting up the आवसथ्याग्निः ॥ Aavasatyaagni<ref>Paraaskara Grhya Sutras [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D (1.2.1)]</ref> to the north of the vedi. (Paaraskara Grhya Sutra Adhyaya 1 Kandika 2 Mantra 1) <blockquote>आवसथ्याधानं दारकाले १ दायाद्यकाल एकेषाम् २ ॥ āvasathyādhānaṁ dārakālē 1 dāyādyakāla ēkēṣām 2 (Paara.Grhy.Sutra. 1.2.1).</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : The setting up of Aavasatya agni is (performed) at the time of wedding. At the time of inheritance according to some. </blockquote>He receives additional procedures to perform nitya Agnihotram. A few features include
* Starting after marriage, a grihasta (along with his wife) offers aahuti twice daily at twilight time (dawn and dusk) in the Gaarhapatya agni, this is also called as Aupasana.<ref name=":022222">Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref> For Ex: Valmiki Ramayana states that Sri Ramachandra and Lakshmana tended agnihotram while they lived in Panchavati '''(Ramayana reference needed)'''.
* Starting after marriage, a grihasta (along with his wife) offers aahuti twice daily at twilight time (dawn and dusk) in the Gaarhapatya agni, this is also called as Aupasana.<ref name=":022222">Venkateswara Rao. Potturi (2010) ''Paaramaathika Padakosam'' Hyderabad: Msko Books</ref> For Ex: Valmiki Ramayana states that Sri Ramachandra and Lakshmana tended agnihotram while they lived in Panchavati '''(Ramayana reference needed)'''.
* Aahutis must be offered to Surya in the morning and Agni in the evening. Svistakrut is the second devata.
* Every grihastha has to maintain Agnihotra 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. <ref name=":122222">Purkayastha, Dipanjona (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 Satapatha Brahmana <blockquote>एतद्वै जरामर्यं सत्रं यदग्निहोत्रं जरया वा ह्येवास्मान्मुच्यते मृत्युना वा (Sata. Brah. 7.4.1.1) </blockquote><blockquote>ētadvai jarāmaryaṁ satraṁ yadagnihōtraṁ jarayā vā hyēvāsmānmucyatē mr̥tyunā vā (Sata. Brah. 7.4.1.1)</blockquote><blockquote>Summary: this agnihotram is 'jaraamarya satra' because he can get relief from this only if he dies or becomes old. </blockquote>
* Every grihastha has to maintain Agnihotra 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. <ref name=":122222">Purkayastha, Dipanjona (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 Satapatha Brahmana <blockquote>एतद्वै जरामर्यं सत्रं यदग्निहोत्रं जरया वा ह्येवास्मान्मुच्यते मृत्युना वा (Sata. Brah. 7.4.1.1) </blockquote><blockquote>ētadvai jarāmaryaṁ satraṁ yadagnihōtraṁ jarayā vā hyēvāsmānmucyatē mr̥tyunā vā (Sata. Brah. 7.4.1.1)</blockquote><blockquote>Summary: this agnihotram is 'jaraamarya satra' because he can get relief from this only if he dies or becomes old. </blockquote>
* Performance of nitya agnihotra is mandated to the grihasta men of all three varnas. If due to any reason, a grihasta has not conducted agnihotra rituals, he can do so after performing the praayaschitta vidhis as given in the Srauta sastras.<ref name=":122222" />
* Performance of nitya agnihotra is mandated to the grihasta men of all three varnas. If due to any reason, a grihasta has not conducted agnihotra rituals, he can do so after performing the praayaschitta vidhis as given in the Srauta sastras.<ref name=":122222" />
* Nitya agnihotra is not to be performed by an uninitiated bachelor or women '''(Reference needed)'''.
* Nitya agnihotra is not to be performed by an uninitiated bachelor or women '''(Reference needed)'''.
=== आहीताग्निः ॥ Aahitagni ===
=== आहीताग्निः ॥ Aahitagni ===
Aahitagni is the sapatinika yajamani who has established the agnihotra by performing the Agnyadheya ceremony.
Aahitagni is the sapatinika yajamani who has established the agnihotra by performing the Agnyadheya ceremony. One who worships Ekagni as well as the Tretagni is known as Aahitagni.<ref>Kannan, P. R. [https://sanskritdocuments.org/sites/prkannan/Balabodha%20Sangraham%20-%203.pdf Balabodha Sangraha - 3] (Topic Efficacies of Agni Upasana) Kanchi Kaamkoti Peetham</ref>
* The grihastha who never performed any Haviryagna and never studied Vedas, and whose father or forefathers never performed yaaga are not eligible to perform some yaagas/yagnas. Example : Somayaaga<ref name=":122222" />.
* The grihastha who never performed any Haviryagna and never studied Vedas, and whose father or forefathers never performed yaaga are not eligible to perform some yaagas/yagnas. Example : Somayaaga<ref name=":122222" />.
* Eligibility for a grihastha to perform other yaagas or yagnas will be obtained once he regularly performs Aupaasana at his house on a daily basis and after he learns the relevant vaidika procedures to conduct them <ref name=":122222" /><ref name=":022222" />. For example: Agnisthoma is the first of the 5 Jyotisthomas or Somayaaga. Performance of haviryagna and some isthis is a prerequisite for conducting a Somayaaga.
* Eligibility for a grihastha to perform other yaagas or yagnas will be obtained once he regularly performs Aupaasana at his house on a daily basis and after he learns the relevant vaidika procedures to conduct them <ref name=":122222" /><ref name=":022222" />. For example: Agnisthoma is the first of the 5 Jyotisthomas or Somayaaga. Performance of haviryagna and some isthis is a prerequisite for conducting a Somayaaga.
After the Pratah Homa or after the Madhyaanika Sandhya or after the Vaisvedeva, Brahma yagna has to be performed. It includes the study of vedas, itihasas and puranas and slight variations are seen according to the shakaas followed.
After the Pratah Homa or after the Madhyaanika Sandhya or after the Vaisvedeva, Brahma yagna has to be performed. It includes the study of vedas, itihasas and puranas and slight variations are seen according to the shakaas followed.
== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ==
== Agni in Yagnas ==
All Srauta yagnas or yaagas are associated with त्रेताज्ञयः the three Agni's.<ref name=":022222" /> 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=":122222" />.
Agni used for Aupasana during marriage should be used for Agnayadhaanam and divided into two parts
* Grhyagni or Aupasanaagni
* Srautagni
Grhyagni is used for performing grhyakarmas and is also called as "Ekagni". Details of the grhyakarmas to be performed are found in Ekagnikandam of Aapastambha ghyasutras belonging to Krishna Yajurveda.
Srautagni is used for Srauta karmas. From the Aupasanaagni Agnyaadhanam for the Srautaagni is to be performed in order to do Srautakarmas and start yaagas. The three srautagnis are called Tretagnis.
=== त्रेताज्ञयः ॥ Three Fires ===
All Srauta yagnas or yaagas are associated with त्रेताज्ञयः the three Agni's.<ref name=":022222" /> However, not all three fires are lighted and maintained at all times. त्रेताज्ञयः the three fires are kindled in performance of yaagas. Somayaagas require the kindling of all three fires whereas others do not require so<ref name=":122222" />.
A few important features of the three agnis are summarized below
A few important features of the three agnis are summarized below
=== गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya Agni ===
==== गार्हपत्याग्निः ॥ Gaarhapatya Agni ====
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 other 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 kindled after marriage and and is be worshipped for the rest of the life by the grihastha.
* It is kindled after marriage and and is be worshipped for the rest of the life by the grihastha.
* Only a sapatnika yajamani (grihastha) of the three varnas is allowed to tend the Agnihotram.
* Only a sapatnika yajamani (grihastha) of the three varnas is allowed to tend the Agnihotram.
=== आहवनीयाग्निः ॥ Aahvaniya Agni ===
==== आहवनीयाग्निः ॥ Aahvaniya Agni ====
Some salient aspects about आहवनीयाग्निः ॥ Aahvaniya Agni are as follows
Some salient aspects about आहवनीयाग्निः ॥ Aahvaniya Agni are as follows
* It is invoked only in special aabhicharika yaagas unlike Gaarhapatya agni.
* It is invoked only in special aabhicharika yaagas unlike Gaarhapatya agni.
* The first Aahvaniya agni is established from the Gaarhapatya agni along with the recitation of specific mantras.
* The first Aahvaniya agni 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 not maintained everyday and is considered as Laukikagni at the end of the specific yaaga for which it is invoked.
* It is placed to the east of the yagnavedi, in a rectangular shaped kunda.
* It is placed to the east of the yagnavedi, in a rectangular shaped kunda.
* It is used to offer aahutis to the devatas only.
* It is used to offer aahutis to the devatas only.
=== दक्षिणाग्निः ॥ Dakshinaagni ===
==== दक्षिणाग्निः ॥ Dakshinaagni ====
Salient aspects about दक्षिणाग्निः ॥ Dakshinaagni is as follows
Salient aspects about दक्षिणाग्निः ॥ Dakshinaagni is as follows
* It is invoked only in special yaagas similar to Aahvaniya agni.
* It is invoked only in special yaagas similar to Aahvaniya agni.
* The first Dakshinaagni is established from the Gaarhapatya agni along with the recitation of specific mantras during yagna karmas.
* The first Dakshinaagni is established from the Gaarhapatya agni along with the recitation of specific mantras during yagna karmas.
* It is not maintained everyday and is extinguished at the end of the specific yaagam for which it is invoked.
* It is not maintained everyday and is considered as Laukikagni at the end of the specific yaagam 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.
Shatapata Brahmana (11.8.2) mentions about four different fires
Shatapata Brahmana (11.8.2) mentions about four different fires and their association to the 4 directions.
११.८.२ अग्नेश्चातुर्विध्याभिधायकं ब्राह्मणम्
११.८.२ अग्नेश्चातुर्विध्याभिधायकं ब्राह्मणम्