Agnihotra & what it has to offer in today's crisis

Time and again I am asked, “what is Agnihotra and how can it be of use to me?”

Agnihotra is paying obeisance to the Sun-God who is considered virtually as the ‘living god for entire humanity’ by virtue of ‘Sunrise and Sunset’ on a daily basis at the appointed time, since time immemorial without an alarm and with prejudice to none.  This is an astounding glory we have to acknowledge. Even an atheist if he has gratitude, then he has God within him and acknowledges that this is no mean feat of rising and setting all through 365 days. Be it a Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Jew, Sikh, Parsi or a Buddhist, all of them experience the glory of the Sun and must make an effort to thank for the same.  Jwaalahotra , Vitihotra are other names for Agnihotra.

                                 

Any person of sound mind and above seven years of age can perform Agnihotra which is a fire ritual for exactly 18 minutes, and once he/she is initiated into it, the person will automatically get into the groove of performing the ritual exactly before sunrise and sunset. The timing is very important here.  While there is no foolproof evidence of it tackling Corona, it certainly has been very powerful in eliminating bacteria and viruses of all sorts all along and there’s no denying that.  I have no doubts that it can protect the Pandemic crisis too now. Anyway, it would suffice to say that it safeguards you as there are no side-effects. It can only do good. Agnihotra is being executed before sunrise and sunset in many countries the world over.

Spiritual Research shows the Mechanism behind Agnihotra which one needs to know. At least one member of every family must do Agnihotra , if all are unable to.

The essential meaning of the term ‘Agnihotra’ is derived from two different words – 'Agni', which represents the fire and 'Hotra', which represents the therapy that offers healing effect. In essence, Agnihotra refers to the Vedic version of homa therapy that involves a simple healing process using fire as the healing agent. The healing takes place by creating equilibrium of body, mind, and creates a spiritual level protection from various negativity arising from this world.

The entirety of the Universe is based on the 5 elements, (the Pancha bhootas  being :  air, water, fire, earth and space ) out of which a nuclear explosion involves the main element of fire. On a spiritual level, the nuclear detonation creates vibrations that are dominant in raja-tamas qualities of the fire element in the Absolute Cosmic. These have negative effect on the human intellect and mind, thereby resulting in depression and negative thoughts. Agnihotra increases the sattva vibrations of the fire element in the Absolute Cosmic, which disintegrates the negativity of raja-tamas aspects and purifies the spiritual aura of a person. In other words, at a spiritual level, the positivity of the sattva force from within gains more power to destroy the negativity of the raja-tama from the nuclear detonation.

When children are taught this science early, they develop good qualities and are able to perform this fire ritual as a habit; for, whatever sadhanas commences early in one's life, is imbibed easily. The fire ritual lasts just 18- 23 minutes at the max.

Keep ingredients for the havan ready just 10 mins before commencement of the ritual. Not earlier.  A pinch of raw rice, a dried Cowdung pancake, small herbal sticks/twigs, Cinnamon stick (a small piece – optional), essentially used for the good smell and flavour), Cow’s ghee ( essential ) , match box and a small lamp is all that is needed.

Morning Mantra:  SIT FACING EAST

‘Om Suryaya Swaha, Suryaya idam na mama

Prajapathaye  Swaha, Prajapathaye idam na mama’

Evening mantra: SIT FACING WEST

‘Om Agnaye Swaha, Agnaye idam na mama

Prajapathaye Swaha, Prajapathaye idam na mama’

Before sitting for the ritual, wash face, feet and hands. Then sit before the copper pyramid (homa kundam as is the term it is known as). Place the dried Cow dung pancake inside the pyramid by cutting it into 9 pieces by following an ‘X’ pattern of placement -- commencing from the right-hand up first to the left-hand bottom, then moving to left upwards followed by right downwards with the last piece in the center. Add the herbal-sticks/twigs in between and ignite the fire with the help of camphor or a lamp beside.

Take Sankalpam first with the raw rice (which you must clean just then to ensure it is not broken as they must be full grains only) and then add a tsp of Cow’s ghee to the rice in a small bowl.  Bifurcate the rice into two segments. Take one pinch of rice segment and offer as an oblation in the fire when you utter ‘Swaha’ reciting the mantra and do again by offering the second bit of rice reciting the second line of the mantra similarly and pour into fire when uttering ‘Swaha’. This is to be done exactly at the sunrise and sunset time, which may vary from place to place and exact time at any place can be determined from google for the entire month.  Normally speaking sunrise and sunset also vary when the climate changes- In winter, the sunset is early always compared to summer. 

You can chant the ‘Gayathri Mantra’ after this for 108 times if you so wish to, as this is the most powerful time and any mantra chanted during this special hour before break of Dawn or Sunset is extremely special and will have supreme effects.  You may alternately remain silent and observe your breathing pattern. You may sit in meditation watching the glory of the flames in the ritual.

Remember to thank your Guru who initiated you into Agnihotra and seek their blessings to move up the ladder. You may get clues or some answers to your questions when you become proficient in the same over a period of time. A seasoned Agnihotri can, over the years with practice, dedication and deep involvement, get visual images of many things in the fire (havan), which can be interpreted too.   

Note: after the havan is completed, it is not to be removed of its contents until just prior to performing the next havan. Also, the copper pyramid ( Homa Kundam) is not to be cleaned even if it becomes black inside.  No detergent or any cleaning is to be resorted to for the copper pyramid. Each individual must perform only in their respective homa-kundam, as the aura of individuals performing the Agnihotra vary. The individual needs to improve his /her aura and therefore individuality with respect to the copper pyramid is to be maintained, even if it be twins and is recommended.

What are the benefits of Agnihotra?

1.     Develop self-discipline by doing it meticulously.

2. Waking up early to execute before sunrise establishes punctuality and a sense of orderliness for the day.

3.    Thanksgiving is a must and children when initiated, get into the routine from an early age to perform the fire ritual and develop a sense of responsibility in life.

4.  Lungs get good oxygen as the smoke is from a havan which involves eco- friendly products. Breathing the healthy fumes inside with deep breaths is a good way to cleanse the internal organs.

5.     Agnihotra purifies the air for a radius of approx.12 kms.

6.     A home with members performing agnihotra will find a healthy, homa smell emanating and the aura of the home expands.

7.   A sense of peace engulfs as you enter the place where it is performed, as it cleans the atmosphere from virus/ bacteria which are air-borne.

8.   Ensures safety and good health. Nature has a way of reciprocating when you resort to doing good by growing a havan at the appointed time dedicatedly each day to show your appreciation and gratitude.

9.     Agnihotra ash can be taken internally as also sprinkled over garden, as it acts as a natural, organic fertilizer.  A handful of ash when mixed with a litre of water is far better than just plain water to the plants and good to be done at least once in a fortnight for a healthy, pest-free growth of plants. Sprinkling a mugful of ash over one’s compost bin in the making does a lot of good too.

10. If a person has had a bruise and his hand is bleeding, the hand can be washed and dabbed with Agnihotra ash that is sieved, as it acts as an antiseptic. The bruise gets healed quickly as a result of the application of the ash smeared directly on the bruise.

11. One can have a bath with sieved Agnihotra ash. It will do the body a lot of good and keep the body moisturized as there is ghee in it. The ash can also be used as a tooth powder and teeth can be brushed with it. It ensures bacteria in the mouth are removed when one swishes it and cleans with the ash.

12.  A child’s concentration and focus is developed when he performs the Agnihotra ritual and his marks improve in school. Even a dull student will get better marks thanks to focus which sets in. Memory power also boosts.

13. Just as the Sun shines brilliantly, so also, one who performs Agnihotra is blessed with abundant blessings in life to shine brilliantly.

14. The home gets a purified atmosphere apart from a graceful growth seen in the personal lives of Agnihotri (s) on a spiritual footing.

15. One can experience problems disappear gradually as things are able to get done with ease almost miraculously. Confidence builds up.  

16. A barren land can get turned into a fertile land with the sprinkling of ash in the soil and this has been scientifically proved.

17. Immunity power builds up when you perform the homa daily at home, which is so essential during the pandemic. One can also do it on the terrace of their building. 

18. Health gets better as immunity builds and insomnia is no more an issue as lifestyle changes take place with the introduction and incorporation of the homa on a daily basis. Meditation can follow with homa, so you develop calmness and a sense of building silence within you which helps problems like High BP and a host of other ailments which confront today’s generation – at a holistic level, without any side-effects  

19. Even asthmatic patients get relief gradually as the fumes are powerful cleansers.   Constipation also gets rid eventually as the body cells undergo a change and the aura   of the individual changes to a positive one. Cancer patients in stage two have recovered  dramatically over a period of time as their cells have changed as a result of rigorous , daily practice of agnihotra at the appointed time.    

20. Negativity is driven away by the daily performance of the ritual as it is cleansing every 12 hours on a rotational basis.  You exude positive energy and glow. Fear in you disappears and you take on challenges. That’s the power and strength   derived as a result of continuous practice intermingled with dedication. You become victorious in your efforts at anything which is deemed good for you.

21. By practice of Agnihotra you will notice that tension on mind disappears and you begin to experience peace. The mind is reshaped so nicely, so delicately, so effortlessly by sitting in Agnihotra atmosphere.

22. Agnihotra renews the brain cells. It revitalizes the skin. It purifies the blood. Agnihotra has the ability to neutralize pathogenic bacteria.

23. When you build an Agnihotra fire and breathe in the smoke, it goes quickly into the bloodstream and lungs. This has excellent effect on Circulatory system and even more so if Agnihotra ash is ingested. The smoke has a good effect on the brain and nervous system.

24. A totally barren land can be converted into a fertile ground with the help of Agnihotra ash and this has been proved scientifically. 

MALINI KALYANAM

Agnihotri and teacher.  

Therapeia Infinity

Shirdi Sri Sathya Sai Kuberar Trust  (imparts FREE training of Agnihotra and initiations which take place in the evenings with prior appointment in different places across India. The Trust welcomes donations which are exempt u/s 80g.)

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Shirdi Sri Sathya Sai Kuberar Trust 

SB account: 05310100035834

Bank of Baroda , Teynampet 

IFSC: BARB0COLMAD ( First is a number and second is an alphabet) 

You are welcome to donate items required for the agnihotra havan, if you prefer to do that .

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