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Line 99: − + − − === अग्नेः नित्यकर्मणि प्राधान्यम् ॥ Importance of Agni in Nityakarmas === − Agni to be tended by a grihastha (nityakarma) is of two types. Sri. Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamiji summarizes the following essentials about Smarta and Srautagnis.<ref name=":0">Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamiji, (2000) ''[http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part19/chap6.htm Hindu Dharma (Collection of Swamiji's Speeches between 1907 to 1994)]''Mumbai : Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref> <blockquote>''"The aupasana fire (lighted at the time of marriage from that of the groom's father) is divided into two in a ceremony called "agniyadhana". One part is called "grhyagni" or "smartagni": it is meant for rites to be performed at home. The second part is srautagni and meant for srauta rites. These two sacred fires must be preserved throughout."''</blockquote> − + − + − * Aupasana (in Smartagni) and Agnihotra (in Srautagni) are the two Agnikaryas (fire rituals) in the Nityakarmas to be performed everyday apart from the other nityakarmas like Sandhyavandanam, Vaisvedeva, and Panchamahayajnas. − + − + Line 122:
Line 120: − A brief outline of the various aspects about Agnihotram have been summarized as below. Agnihotra<ref name=":2">Swaminathan, C. R. (1997) ''[http://ignca.nic.in/eBooks/KANVASATAPATHABRAHMAAAM_Vol_I.pdf Kanvasatapathabrahmanam Volume 1.]'' New Delhi : Indra Gandhi National Centre For the Arts and Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>+
→अग्नि मन्थन ॥ Agni Manthana
== Agnihotra - Brief Discussion ==
== Agnihotra - Brief Discussion ==
The Agnihotra yaga may be of two types - Nitya and Aichika (Kamya) and their ahutis differ. Aupasana (in Smartagni) and Agnihotra (in Srautagni) are the two Agnikaryas (fire rituals) in the Nityakarmas to be performed everyday apart from the others like Sandhyavandanam, Vaisvedeva, and Panchamahayajnas.
Agnihotra is the model or Prakriti of Homa sacrifices. After establishment of the Srauta agni in the home with Agnyadhana ceremony a sapatnika yajamani can perform agnihotra yaga daily. This is performed by yajamani daily morning and evening by offering the ahuti of milk, curd, purodasa, in the Aahavaniya fire for the deities Surya and Agni. This yaga is considered as nityakarma for the three classes of people - Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas in the vedic age. In Satapatha Brahmana, it is mentioned that this yaga must be performed by the householder till his death with some exceptions. The main ahuti is milk and for that the yajamana should maintain a cow called as Agnihotra gabhi.
Agnihotra is the model or Prakriti of Homa sacrifices. After establishment of the Srauta agni in the home with Agnyadhana ceremony a sapatnika yajamani can perform agnihotra yaga daily. This is performed by yajamani daily morning and evening by offering the ahuti of milk, curd, purodasa, in the Aahavaniya fire for the deities Surya and Agni. This yaga is considered as nityakarma for the three classes of people - Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas in the vedic age. In Satapatha Brahmana, it is mentioned that this yaga must be performed by the householder till his death with some exceptions. The main ahuti is milk and for that the yajamana should maintain a cow called as Agnihotra gabhi.
अग्न्याधेय ॥ Agnaadheya (also called Agnyadhana) is technically the process by which the Agni or sacred fire is newly established in the kundas along with the chanting of mantras as prescribed by Srauta sutras. The mantras and the procedural aspects are generally similar across all vedic srauta sutras, with a few variations.
अग्न्याधेय ॥ Agnaadheya (also called Agnyadhana) is technically the process by which the Agni or sacred fire is newly established in the kundas along with the chanting of mantras as prescribed by Srauta sutras. The mantras and the procedural aspects are generally similar across all vedic srauta sutras, with a few variations.
Ekapat Kanda of Kanvasatapatha Brahmana<ref name=":2" /> and Satapatha Brahmana (Madhyandina)<ref name=":3">Madhyandina Satapatha Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A8/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3_%E0%A5%A7 Ekapatkanda Adhyaya 1]) Brahmana 1</ref> outlines the requisite materials and procedures of Agnyadhana. Some aspects of Agnyadhana are as summarized follows
Ekapat Kanda of Kanvasatapatha Brahmana<ref name=":2">Swaminathan, C. R. (1997) ''[http://ignca.nic.in/eBooks/KANVASATAPATHABRAHMAAAM_Vol_I.pdf Kanvasatapathabrahmanam Volume 1.]'' New Delhi : Indra Gandhi National Centre For the Arts and Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref> and Satapatha Brahmana (Madhyandina)<ref name=":3">Madhyandina Satapatha Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A8/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3_%E0%A5%A7 Ekapatkanda Adhyaya 1]) Brahmana 1</ref> outlines the requisite materials and procedures of Agnyadhana. Some aspects of Agnyadhana are as summarized follows
=== संभराः ॥ Sambharas ===
=== संभराः ॥ Sambharas ===
=== अग्नि मन्थन ॥ Agni Manthana ===
=== अग्नि मन्थन ॥ Agni Manthana ===
Agnyadhana starts with the collection of Arani and ends with Purnahuti. <ref name=":122222222" />Agni manthana is the process by which the fire is generated by the manthana (literally churning) or friction of two sami sticks. Rig veda mentions the process of kindling of fire from Arani (fire sticks) made from Sami and Asvattha trees. This is also called Agni Samaaropa<ref name=":0222222">''[http://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/dharmasindhu/bookview.php?chapnum=23 Essence of Dharmasindhu - Homa Prakriyas]'' by Sri. V. D. N. Rao as given in Kamakoti.org </ref>.
Agnyadhana starts with the collection of Arani and ends with Purnahuti. After purnahuti of Agnayadhana the yajamana can be considered as an Ahitagni and he should abide by all the rules of a ahitagni yajamana. <ref name=":122222222" />Agni manthana is the process by which the fire is generated by the manthana (literally churning) or friction of two sami sticks. Rig veda mentions the process of kindling of fire from Arani (fire sticks) made from Sami and Asvattha trees. This is also called Agni Samaaropa<ref name=":0222222">''[http://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/dharmasindhu/bookview.php?chapnum=23 Essence of Dharmasindhu - Homa Prakriyas]'' by Sri. V. D. N. Rao as given in Kamakoti.org </ref>.
The stick on top called the Uttara-arani is called Pururavas (Indra) and the lower arani called as Aadhara-arani is called Urvasi (Apsara). The rope used for manthana is called rasanaa. The process of generating fire is also described in various Srauta sutra texts apart from Taittriya Brahmana in the पौरोडाशिक काण्ड under अग्न्याधानम् prapathaka <ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/तैत्तिरीयब्राह्मणम्_(विस्वरपाठः)/काण्डः_१/प्रपाठकः_०१ Taittriya Brahmana Kanda 1] (1.1.9.1)</ref>. <blockquote>शमीगर्भादग्निं मन्थति । एषा वा अग्नेर्यज्ञिया तनूः । (Tait. Brah. 1.1.9.1)</blockquote><blockquote>śamīgarbhādagniṁ manthati । ēṣā vā agnēryajñiyā tanūḥ । (Tait. Brah. 1.1.9.1)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : From the hearth of sami (sticks) Agni is churned. This is the yajna body of Agni.</blockquote>
The stick on top called the Uttara-arani is called Pururavas (Indra) and the lower arani called as Aadhara-arani is called Urvasi (Apsara). The rope used for manthana is called rasanaa. The process of generating fire is also described in various Srauta sutra texts apart from Taittriya Brahmana in the पौरोडाशिक काण्ड under अग्न्याधानम् prapathaka <ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/तैत्तिरीयब्राह्मणम्_(विस्वरपाठः)/काण्डः_१/प्रपाठकः_०१ Taittriya Brahmana Kanda 1] (1.1.9.1)</ref>. <blockquote>शमीगर्भादग्निं मन्थति । एषा वा अग्नेर्यज्ञिया तनूः । (Tait. Brah. 1.1.9.1)</blockquote><blockquote>śamīgarbhādagniṁ manthati । ēṣā vā agnēryajñiyā tanūḥ । (Tait. Brah. 1.1.9.1)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : From the hearth of sami (sticks) Agni is churned. This is the yajna body of Agni.</blockquote>
=== श्रौताग्निः॥ Srautagni ===
=== श्रौताग्निः॥ Srautagni ===
Srautagni is meant for the srauta karmas (srauta yajnas such as Haviryajnas and Somayajnas). It involves the use of three fires burning in three mounds hence called [[Tretagni (त्रेताग्नयः)|Tretagni]].
Agni to be tended by a grihastha (nityakarma) is of two types. Sri. Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamiji summarizes the following essentials about Smarta and Srautagnis.<ref name=":0">Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamiji, (2000) ''[http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part19/chap6.htm Hindu Dharma (Collection of Swamiji's Speeches between 1907 to 1994)]''Mumbai : Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan</ref> <blockquote>''"The aupasana fire (lighted at the time of marriage from that of the groom's father) is divided into two in a ceremony called "agniyadhana". One part is called "grhyagni" or "smartagni": it is meant for rites to be performed at home. The second part is srautagni and meant for srauta rites. These two sacred fires must be preserved throughout."''</blockquote>Srautagni is meant for the srauta karmas (srauta yajnas such as Haviryajnas and Somayajnas). It involves the use of three fires burning in three mounds hence called [[Tretagni (त्रेताग्नयः)|Tretagni]].
* From the Aupasanagni, by the procedure of Agnyadhanam, Srautaagni also called as the Garhapatyagni is kindled at the time of the vivaha samskara and maintained throughout his life by the grihastha.
* From the Aupasanagni, by the procedure of Agnyadhanam, Srautaagni (Garhapatyagni) is kindled at the time of the vivaha samskara and maintained throughout life by the grihastha.
* Of the three sacred fires (tretagni), "garhapatya" belongs to the master of the household. It must be kept burning in the garhapatya mound which is circular in shape.
* Of the three sacred fires (tretagni), "garhapatya" belongs to the master of the household. It must be kept burning in the garhapatya mound which is circular in shape.
* The section in the Apastamba-sutra dealing with rites performed in it is called "Tretagni-kanda" for those following Yajurveda.
* The section in the Apastamba-sutra dealing with rites performed in it is called "Tretagni-kanda" for those following Yajurveda.
* One who worships all these three Agnis is called a "Tretagni" or "'''Srautin'''".<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":322" />
* One who worships all these three Agnis is called a "Tretagni" or "'''Srautin'''".<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":322" />
* One who worships the Srauta and Grhyagnis, is called an "'''Ahitagni'''".
* One who worships the Srauta and Grhyagnis, is called an "'''Ahitagni'''".
=== पुनराधान पुनराधेय ॥ Punaraadheya and Purnaraadhana ===
=== पुनराधान पुनराधेय ॥ Punaraadheya and Purnaraadhana ===
In the event forbidden materials come into contact with Agni, or the Pavitra samidhas or the homa kunda, there would be agni nasha or destruction of agni called "Agnyopaghaata". In such case Punaraadheya or revival of Agni is to be performed with sterner measures. Taittriya Samhita outlines the पुनराधानविधानम् Punaradhanavidhanam.<ref name=":03" />
In the event forbidden materials come into contact with Agni, or the Pavitra samidhas or the homa kunda, there would be agni nasha or destruction of agni called "Agnyopaghaata". In such case Punaraadheya or revival of Agni is to be performed with sterner measures.<ref name=":0222222" /> Taittriya Samhita outlines the पुनराधानविधानम् Punaradhanavidhanam.<ref name=":03" />
Either the karta or his wife should be present near the Agnihotram at the time of sunrise and sunset. If both of them leave the house and cross the boundaries of the village or city without tending to the Agni, then on their return Agni Punaraadhana (Agni Sparsa) has to be done. Thus travel for karta at the time of homa or during the Parvadinas (Amavasya, Poornima tithis) is forbidden and Punaraadhana of Agni is a must.
Either the karta or his wife should be present near the Agnihotram at the time of sunrise and sunset. If both of them leave the house and cross the boundaries of the village or city without tending to the Agni and they become extinguished then on their return Agni Punaraadhana (Agni Sparsa) has to be done. Thus travel for karta at the time of homa or during the Parvadinas (Amavasya, Poornima tithis) is forbidden and Punaraadhana of Agni is a must.<ref name=":0222222" />
During the time when Asoucham occurs in the family - Rajodosha (menses time for wife), Sutakam (when there is a death or birth in the family) re-instatement of Agni by Punaraadhana process has to be done<ref name=":0222222" />. Many prayaschitta vidhis are to be performed if the Agni in the homa kunda is spent, lost due to travel, or destroyed. If for 12 days at a stretch homa is not performed (Homa lopa due to any reason) then prescribed Prayaschittas are to be performed by doing samidha samskaara (purification of homa dravyas) and additional Aahutis. This observance of prayaschitta varies according to different sutras. For example : Hiranyakeshi Sutras prescribe prayaschitta after homa lopa for 12 days, Aapasthamba Sutras advise prayaschitta after homa lopa for 3 days.
During the time when Asoucham occurs in the family - Rajodosha (menses time for wife), Sutakam (when there is a death or birth in the family) re-instatement of Agni by Punaraadhana process has to be done<ref name=":0222222" />. Many prayaschitta vidhis are to be performed if the Agni in the homa kunda is spent, lost due to travel, or destroyed. If for 12 days at a stretch homa is not performed (Homa lopa due to any reason) then prescribed Prayaschittas are to be performed by doing samidha samskaara (purification of homa dravyas) and additional Aahutis. This observance of prayaschitta varies according to different sutras. For example : Hiranyakeshi Sutras prescribe prayaschitta after homa lopa for 12 days, Aapasthamba Sutras advise prayaschitta after homa lopa for 3 days.
Both Agnyaadhana and Punaradhana are always performed in the evening times.
Both Agnyaadhana and Punaradhana are always performed in the evening times.
== अग्निहोत्रम् ॥ Agnihotram ==
== अग्निहोत्रम् ॥ Agnihotram ==
Once Srautagni is established by Agnyadhana, it is to be maintained and protected by yajamani. He is required to follow some observances and vratas as prescribed in sastras.
==== कर्ता ॥ Karta ====
==== कर्ता ॥ Karta ====
The कर्ता ॥ Karta should be सपत्नीक ॥ sapatinika (have a wife) which is the main criteria to perform Aupasana.
The कर्ता ॥ Karta should be सपत्नीक ॥ sapatinika (have a wife) which is the main criteria to perform Aupasana.