Agnihotra

HOW TO PERFORM AGNIHOTRA

Anyone, man or woman, can perform Agnihotra. Thousands have experienced for themselves that Agnihotra reduces stress, clears the mind and improves general health.

Agnihotra requires a number of special organic materials:

Vessel:

The pyramid: Pyr comes from the Greek and means fire; mid means middle. The pyramid was therefore originally a vessel for fire in the middle. In the case of the Agnihotra copper pyramid, certain proportions come into play: four sides (edges, corners) are complemented by three graduated surfaces on each side.

For Agnihotra, a copper pyramid of prescribed size is required. The size is 14.5 cm × 14.5 cm at the top, 5.25 cm × 5.25 cm at the bottom and 6.5 cm high. The pyramid shape of the container is essential. Pyramid forces are known for accumulating electromagnetic and cosmic forces.

The vibratory effects of certain metals such as copper or gold are also widely known. When specific substances are burned in a copper pyramid with specific mantras at the exact time of sunrise/sunset, then a special effect is guaranteed to result.

Copper stands in the middle of the periodic table of elements. In astrology/alchemy, copper is associated with the planet Venus. Its atom shows structural analogies to the pyramid form, so that a (harmonious) resonance exists between macrocosmic and microcosmic structure. This resonance amplifies the (physically measurable) vibrational effects during the fire ceremony. Finally, copper stands as the essence of the mineral kingdom, which nourishes the next one, the plant kingdom:

THE COMPONENTS FROM THE PLANT KINGDOM

In evolutionary terms, plants originated in the sea and, over millions of years, conquered the entire planet. They even changed the composition of the Earth's atmosphere so that we humans can live here. All the ingredients in Agnihotra have, at their core, a strong medicinal property.

Rice:

For Agnihotra, only whole grains of rice should be used, if possible unpolished or brown wholegrain rice. If the rice grains are broken, the chemical analysis may remain the same – but the fine energetic structure is interrupted; that is why the ancient science of bioenergy states that such rice grains should not be used for the healing Agnihotra fire.

Rice is in essence a solar plant, born in water-fire. It unites these polarities within itself, and according to the Asian teaching of Yin and Yang, rice is perfectly balanced. Probably for this reason it is customary in several countries (including Italy) to scatter rice over newlyweds. Rice also represents the fruit-quality, the essence of the plant kingdom. Ideally, natural rice should be used for Agnihotra, as it is still capable of germinating.

THE COMPONENTS FROM THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

Ghee (clarified butterfat):

Clarified butter (ghee) was also used for detoxification; within Ayurveda, ghee is still used today for healing purposes. Mythologically, butter plays a major role: there is the Hindu child-god “Gopala-Krishna” at crawling age, who pilfers fresh butter from his divine mother despite a strict prohibition.

And the sky goddess Nut, who was depicted as a cow and whose star-strewn belly symbolised the firmament for the ancient Egyptians. There is talk of the Milky Way and the legend that the cosmos came into being because a careless divine child spilled milk.

And finally the Vedic myth that, in the struggle between the polar powers of the gods and demons, the “ocean of milk” (creation) was churned until its essence (Amrita) had been worked out.

The ghee that is offered to the fire purifies the atmosphere and spreads a pleasant fragrance.

The malignant, negative effects of the chemical and toxic environmental gases in the atmosphere are cancelled out with the addition of pure cow ghee.

According to the Vedas, cow ghee is the most important and most essential addition in the performance of Agnihotra.

Cow's milk is a mixture of 101 different substances. In the proteins of cow's milk there are 19 amino acids, in the butter 11 fatty acids, 6 vitamins, 8 enzymes, 25 minerals, 2 sugars, 5 phosphorus components, 14 nitrogenous substances and much more.

When Agnihotra is performed as described, 4 different gases identified so far develop: 1. ethylene oxide, 2. propylene oxide, 3. formaldehyde, 4. betapropiolactone.

Immediately after the ghee is added, acetylene is produced, the energy of the great heat that attracts and cleanses the polluted air in the immediate surroundings. Agnihotra works within a radius of approx. 1.5 km and 12 km upwards.

The scents that arise when the ghee burns have the wonderful capacity to release mental tensions as well as illnesses.

Without pure cow ghee, Agnihotra cannot be performed!

Dried cow dung:

Dried cow dung is used for the Agnihotra fire. Cow dung is a remedy. In all ancient cultures, cow dung is used to combat a whole range of illnesses, for example among the Indigenous peoples living in North and South America, in Scandinavia, Asia and Africa. Books on European folk medicine contain many references to cow dung as a remedy.

Cow dung from a happy, organically fed mother cow is best suited for Agnihotra. Cow dung contains menthol, ammonia, phenol, indole, formalin and in particular the ability to eliminate pathogens.

In earth zones with rainy seasons, where the cow dung cannot dry out completely, the following five Yagna woods are also used to help kindle the fire: Vata (Banyan Tree) – Ficus Bengalnensis, Audumbara – Ficus Glometra, Palaash – Butea Prondosa, Peepal – Ficus religiosa and Bel – Aegle mamelos. Finger-thick, dry twigs of these medicinal woods are burned together with the cow dung.

Since ancient times, cow dung has also been used, e.g. in India, as a building material and remedy, on account of its cleansing, antibacterial and disinfecting effect (similar to penicillin). Its property of reducing radioactive radiation is likewise fascinating!

In cow dung we encounter a hybrid form of the plant and animal kingdoms. On the one hand it still contains original plant material, on the other hand information is imprinted on this material. In old books on folk medicine, cow dung is described as a substance with a detoxifying effect. In simple medical stations in the so-called Third World, cow dung diluted with water is therefore said to still be used today for cleaning the floor.

HOW TO PREPARE THE FIRE:

The fire is prepared with cow dung a few minutes before the Agnihotra time, inside the pyramid container.

Do not use lighters! A candle works best. Pieces of the dried cow dung, coated with ghee, are arranged on the pyramid base so that the air can circulate well and good combustion is possible. The fire should be fully ablaze at the time of the Agnihotra.

The sacredness of fire seems to be deeply imprinted on the human soul. There is scarcely a cult on earth that has not worshipped fire in its own way.

This tradition seems most alive in the Hindu temples: every day, the sacral flame is kindled by the Brahmins in the pujas.

Agnihotra:

Exactly at sunrise or sunset, chant the first mantra and then place the first portion of rice into the fire after the word Swaha.

Then chant the second mantra and place the second portion of rice into the fire after the word Swaha.

With each Agnihotra, try to remain quietly by the fire for as many minutes as possible, to absorb the peace and the healing vibrations. Empty your mind and remain at rest. Breathe.

Scientific studies have shown that a higher value and a higher intensity of alpha waves are present in the brain, an excellent sign.

What one should know about mantras when practising Agnihotra:

Vibrations exist everywhere. When examined more closely, everything ultimately consists merely of vibrations. Where there are vibrations, there are also sounds. When we chant these mantras, the sounds we utter activate special vibrations, which then create a particular atmosphere or bring about particular effects. In this way the desired results are achieved. Such vibrations exist for everything. Thus everything can be activated, controlled and changed through mantras. Etymologically, «Vedas» means knowledge. The Vedas are composed of particular combinations of words, namely mantras.

The Vedas give people a kind of guide for a happy life on the planet. From the Vedas we know Ayurveda, yoga, Vasthu, Vedic astrology, mantras and so on.

When mantras are chanted in connection with the HOMA fire, the vibrations of the mantras are captured in the pyramid and the ash. The ash therefore becomes even more effective and serves as a basis for medicinal applications.

«In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God» (John 1, verse 1). With these words the Bible testifies to the primordial power of sound. Even everyday words sometimes prove so powerful that, once spoken, their effect can no longer be controlled. And it is often the emotional or other energy bound up with the words that unleashes this irreversible effect. Thus sound is ultimately about energy, which humankind can consciously shape and direct by means of the word, or of song, or of music.

In the case of Agnihotra, seed syllables and especially mantras are used for this purpose. Mantras are original words in Sanskrit that generate quite specific vibrations for the benefit of the mind and the atmosphere. Sanskrit is the mother tongue of all languages, yet it is no one's mother tongue. All languages contain words from Sanskrit. Yet not a single word from any language is found in Sanskrit.

THE TWO CORE MANTRAS OF AGNIHOTRA

At sunrise:

SURYAYA SWAHA, SURYAYA IDAM NA MAMA, PRAJAPATAJE SWAHA, PRAJAPATAJE IDAM NA MAMA.

In a figurative sense this means: I call upon the spirit of the sun and I call upon the spirit of the One God. Behind this I wholly efface myself. (O God, everything is yours, not mine)

At sunset:

AGNAYE SWAHA, AGNAYE IDAM NA MAMA, PRAJAPATAJE SWAHA, PRAJAPATAJE IDAM NA MAMA.

In a figurative sense this means:  O God, everything is yours, not mine (I offer the gifts to Agni, Surya or Prajapati. This now belongs to Agni, Surya or Prajapati. It is no longer mine)

For the fire to take effect as Agnihotra, one of these mantras must be sung or recited at the corresponding moment, for otherwise the required integration and focusing of the elements described above will not come about. The offering of rice/ghee is presented to the fire once each after the word «Swaha».

After the offerings have been made, please do not disturb the fire in the pyramid. Let it go out and cool down of its own accord. Agnihotra, performed at the exact time of sunrise and sunset, activates the pyramid, which then constantly draws in a beam of solar energy throughout the day. The same happens in the evening, when the pyramid draws in lunar and other planetary energies throughout the night.

AGNIHOTRA IS THE FUNDAMENTAL YAJNYA (HOMA)

The layer of usable atmosphere surrounding our Earth is very thin. Pollution of the environment by cars, by industrial emissions, pollution of water, noise pollution, disturbance of marine life through the dumping of nuclear waste in the seas, the effect of radioactivity on the human body, the indiscriminate felling of forests for raw materials, the indiscriminate drilling into the depths of the Earth to obtain raw materials for modern industry, the indiscriminate use of pesticides, insecticides, chemical fertilisers, spray cans – all of this causes harmful effects on the atmosphere.

This leads to strains on our psyche and to a more frequent occurrence of illnesses, of nervousness and of psychiatric treatments.

Agnihotra is a process from the science of bioenergy given through the Vedas. The word «Vedas» means – translated literally – «knowledge» and derives from the Sanskrit verb «vid», which means «to know». The English word «wit» (mind, mental power) has the same root. The Vedas represent the oldest combinations of words known to humankind.

The Vedas also describe Agnihotra as a process of disinfection. When performed regularly, Agnihotra bestows great healing powers upon both the atmosphere and the person performing it. On every continent, natural remedies are made from Agnihotra ash. This is the medical aspect of HOMA therapy.

Sunrise and sunset are the times for Agnihotra. You can find the times in some calendars, or you can ask the nearest weather station for information. Or have it calculated here yourself.

You can collect the Agnihotra ash in an organic container. Agnihotra ash can be used to make medicine for humans and animals, or simply to fertilise the soil for plants. In South America the ash is also called miracle ash.

A large fire, or several in a group, intensifies the healing effect and produces a great quantity of healing ash.