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→Vaidika Kriyas
॥ Pani
॥ Pani
== Vaidika Kriyas ==
== Vaidika Kriyas ==
॥ Yagnam
॥ Yagnam : A common and general term used to denote all satkarmas (good deeds) and encompasses several aspects such as worship, praise, pleasing of a deity, a purpose to achieve, a yaaga, an oblation and could be a mental (Jnana) or physically ritualistic process (Kratu) which may or may not include the piling of Agnihotra. An unmarried man is not allowed by sastras to perform any special yagnas or yaagas. A brahmachari is restricted to perform only some vaidika kriyas.
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
॥ Isthi
॥ Yaagam : Yaagas are elaborate rituals with specific names (in contrast to Yagna which is a general name) involving Agnihotra with special offering of suitable dravyas (havis such as purodaasa, milk, ghee, etc) to the devatas. Some yaagas last for one day to three or more days even up to 12 years. Example: Sarpa sattra yaga was performed by King Janamejaya where all sarpas serpents were destroyed in the yaaga fire.
A ‘Yaaga’ 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 ‘Yaagas’<ref name=":022222222">Radhakrishna Bhat, N. ''[http://ignca.nic.in/vedic_heritage/Vedic_tradition_karnataka.pdf Vedic Ritual Tradition of Karnataka]'', Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref>.
A Yaaga 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=":03222222">http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Agnihotra#cite_note-1</ref>.
In Yaagas, yajamani offers the aahuti, in a standing position, using the utterance "वौशट् ॥ vaushat" at the end of mantras for the deity. Thus the ceremonies which are performed with the root "yaj" are yaagas like in "सोमेन यजेत ॥ somena yajeta"<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>.
॥ 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 yajamani offers the aahuti, in a seated position, using the utterance "स्वाह ॥ svaaha" at the end of mantras for the deity. Thus the ceremonies which are performed with the root "hu" are Homas like in "अग्निहोत्रम् जुहुयात् ॥ agnihotram juhuyaat"<ref name=":1222222">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>.
In present days, homas are being conducted by women priests but that aspect is outside the purview of the nitya agnihotram.
॥ Isthi : Smaller Angas of the yaagas, some of them can be performed as individual events. Putrakaamesti is the famous example which was performed by King Dasaratha for obtaining a son.
॥ Nityapuja
॥ Nityapuja