Agnihotra er en gave til menneskeheden fra den ældgamle Vediske videnskab om bioenergi, medicin, landbrug og klima videnskab.



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FAQ

BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION

Where does Agnihotra come from?

Agnihotra comes from Vedas, the most ancient body of knowledge known to man. This knowledge belongs to all mankind. In ancient days, this knowledge was all over the planet. Virtually all ancient civilizations had some practices of purification through fire. Archeological digs from around the world have found remains of fire altars, etc.  In the course of time, the science behind Yajnya was lost, and today, in view of our polluted conditions, the science of atmospheric purification through Yajnya is being revived.

Is Agnihotra a religion?

Agnihotra is ancient knowledge that anyone, of any religion or no religion, can practice for his/her benefit.  

How does Agnihotra work?

There is an ancient science given in Vedas which talks of subtle energies. On a phenomenological level, we have documented that Agnihotra supports plant life and has healing effects on humans and animals.  Modern science still has to understand and explain how those results come about.

We have a lot of observations on the beneficial effects of Agnihotra on our environment, on the health and growth of plants, on animal health and human health.  But modern science has only started to examine the underlying mechanisms of how Agnihotra works, how all these effects are brought about. Key will be the science of sound and vibration and research on more subtle kinds of energy such as Prana energy. 

Which disciplines are compulsory for Agnihotra practice?

The following requirements are absolutely essential for correct practice of Agnihotra:

  •     copper pyramid of prescribed shape and size
  •     pure cow dung
  •     pure cow's ghee
  •     uncooked, unpolished whole grains of rice
  •     timings according to sunrise/sunset computer timetable up to seconds accuracy
  •     mantras recited once only precisely as given
  •     offerings made by one person only

WHO CAN PERFORM AGNIHOTRA

Can anyone perform Agnihotra?

Agnihotra can be performed by anyone irrespective of religion, sect, caste, creed, nationality, color, gender and age. Men, women, and also children can practice Agnihotra. Agnihotra is for everyone.

How many people can make offerings for Agnihotra?

Only one person should make the offerings in Agnihotra. Others can derive benefits by sitting opposite the person performing Agnihotra or anywhere around the Agnihotra pyramid. Two or more members of the same household can perform Agnihotra individually, but they should prepare fire and make offerings in separate Agnihotra pyramids -- one pyramid for each person practicing Agnihotra.

What if I cannot do Agnihotra every day?

Whenever Agnihotra is done correctly, it will have effects. Encourage the person to do it whenever they can. Of course, for maximum effect one should do it every day, twice a day, but if he or she does Agnihotra even once, it is better than never doing it at all. If a person tries Agnihotra and has a good experience, he/she may be motivated to find ways to do it more often. People sometimes find that their circumstances change in time to allow them to practice Agnihotra more regularly. It can be helpful to mention this to beginners who may be feeling discouraged about their schedules. 

If I cannot do both sunrise and sunset Agnihotra because of my work schedule, should I be doing it at all?

Whenever Agnihotra is done correctly, it will have effects. It's like taking a vitamin -- the more regularly you take it, the greater the benefit will be, but it will have effects whenever you take it. Many people who now do Agnihotra regularly started by doing Agnihotra whenever they could.

If I start Agnihotra in my house can any other family members perform it?

Yes. If for any reason you cannot perform Agnihotra, another family member or friend can perform it.  If you are not present at Agnihotra time, another family member or friend can perform it, in order to maintain the healing cycle. It is also possible to carry a second Agnihotra kit if you will be away from the house at Agnihotra time and you can perform it wherever you are at local timings. 

If Agnihotra is discontinued for any reason will there be any bad effect?

No. If regular practice of Agnihotra is stopped or interrupted for any reason there will be absolutely NO bad effect as a result. Only the beneficial effects which are derived from its regular practice will cease.

TIMINGS

Why are the timings on my sunrise/sunset time sheet different from those in the newspaper?

For Agnihotra, we use a specific definition for sunrise and sunset. That definition is used in the computer program which calculates our time sheets.  The timings given in newspapers refer to visible sunrise/sunset, and this is a different definition than that used for Agnihotra. (See next question.)

Why is there a difference between the visible sunrise/sunset timing and the one given in the computer timetable?

There is always a difference between visible and true sunrise/sunset timings. This difference is due mainly to a refraction effect (bending) as the sun's rays enter the atmosphere of the earth as the density of the medium through which the light travels changes.

There are several definitions of sunrise/sunset given in Vedas. For Agnihotra the definition used is that sunrise and sunset are when the middle of the sun’s disc is exactly at the horizon. But because of refraction we do not see the exact position of the sun – the top edge of the visible sun would be approximately one and a half discs above the horizon. Practically speaking, this means that at sunrise the sun will appear to have already risen at the correct timing of Agnihotra; at sunset the sun will appear to have not yet set at the correct timing. The difference in time between the visible and true timings may vary by up to as much as five (5) minutes. 

Computer generated timetables for a whole year, for any particular place, are available up to seconds accuracy using software developed in Germany.  

About the timings -- how late is too late?

We can only encourage the person to allow enough time to set up for Agnihotra and to count down the seconds until Agnihotra time, in order to do Agnihotra exactly on time.  

When this question was asked of Shree Vasant in July, 2008, the following email reply was received:  “The fire is ablaze and your clock or watch is with you. Supposing you know that sunset is at six hours-ten minutes-25 seconds. Your rice with ghee is in your hand or on a plate. When it comes to 06-10-25 according to your watch or clock, you are not going to wait until 06-10-35 to become late purposely.”

“Then the question comes if your watch is not correct. Then you set up your watch or clock on the radio of your country daily.”

It is difficult for me to practice Agnihotra at the times given. Can I practice another Yajnya instead?

No. Agnihotra establishes the basic healing cycle. The other Yajnyas strengthen that cycle.

If I miss the Agnihotra timing, should I still do it anyway?

No. If you miss the timing, it is not Agnihotra and the healing effects will not be there.  

How can I set my watch to the second?

If you live in a very large city, your telephone directory should have a listing for Time, and that time service should provide the correct time to the second. If not, you may be able to get correct time from BBC radio. Also some websites give local time, e.g. www.homatherapyindia.com, www.agnihotra.com.au

The exactness of time given on these websites is depends on a good, high speed internet connection. If the internet connection is too slow, the time given is not exact enough for Agnihotra.

If you have a computer there is a program you can use to set your PC's clock, which will keep it updated every time you go online. To set your PC's clock to the atomic clock at the Naval Observatory in USA, select a time-keeping program from this address: http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~ntp/software.html.

The easiest program (and freeware too) for Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users is at: http://www.thinkman.com/dimension4/.  This program can be customized by the user. According to information on this site, at an interval you specify, Dimension 4 connects to a time server that you choose from an exhaustive list of time servers.

MAKING THE AGNIHOTRA FIRE

Are cow dung and cow's ghee the only materials that can be used to prepare Agnihotra fire?

Agnihotra should be performed using only 100% pure cow dung cakes and 100% pure cow's ghee. When we say cow we mean either the male or female progeny of the cow species. Dung and ghee from other animals is strictly forbidden in the practice of Agnihotra.

Cow's ghee is a unique substance with properties unlike any other known material. Ghee from other animals such as the buffalo or goat will fail to produce the same beneficial healing result.

Are there any tips on how to make the Agnihotra fire?

Start by placing a piece of dried cow dung flat in the bottom of the pyramid. Add two small pieces in opposing corners. Continue adding pieces in alternating corners, using bigger and bigger pieces as the pile grows. Ghee can either be spread on each piece before adding to the pyramid or the ghee can be poured over each layer as you build. If you want, you may prepare a larger fire by continuing to stack the dung pieces above the top of the pyramid, but use smaller pieces to make the stack more stable. To light the dung, spread some ghee on a narrow piece of dung, ignite it and stick it down the "chimney" created by the layers of dung. The air flow will give you a blazing fire which will not collapse as it burns. 

The fire should be lit enough in advance so that the fire coming from the "chimney" is burning with maximum intensity exactly at the instant of sunrise or sunset. A hand-fan may be used if necessary, but lighter fluid or other ignitable materials such as kerosene should never be used. 

In Agnihotra there are two offerings. The quantity of rice which can be held in the fingertips of one hand constitutes the rice for one offering. Apply a little ghee to the body of rice and divide into two portions. Exactly at sunrise and sunset utter the first Mantra and add the first portion of rice after you say the word "Swáhá." The rice and ghee are given to the fire with the thumb between middle and ring fingertips. The right hand only should be used. There is a power present in the right hand of humans for the purpose of making the Agnihotra offerings. Even if the person is left-handed, offerings are always made with the right hand. Then utter the second Mantra and give the second portion of rice after the word "Swáhá." All the ingredients in the pyramid should be consumed by the fire, leaving only ash. After the Mantras are uttered and the offerings have been made you can sit quietly until the fire subsides naturally. Never try to extinguish the fire. 

For maximum effects, it is best if the pyramid always faces the same direction, and if possible, facing East. (This refers to the secondary effects of Agnihotra, as Agnihotra will have effects no matter which way the pyramid faces.) This is possible by scratching the underside of one lip of the pyramid with a sharp object. This scratch can be felt and used to orient the pyramid in the same direction each time. Also, some pyramids already have a dot on one side which then, accordingly, can always face east.

As the fire burns, concentrate your mind on something you regard as sacred, such as love, the image of any Divine Messenger, or holy symbol. 

Can I use medicinal herbs in Agnihotra fire?

The materials required for practice of Agnihotra are 100% pure cow dung cakes, 100% pure cow's ghee and uncooked, unpolished whole grains of rice.

What about the medicinal Yajnyas mentioned in Homa Therapy, Our Last Chance? Can I learn to put herbs in the Yajnya fire, as the book mentions? Shree Vasant said that to do those Yajnyas with herbs, one would have to study for years. We teach Agnihotra, Vyahruti Homa, Om Tryambakam Homa, etc., and they are very powerful. Shree Vasant said that when the time comes, we will be shown how to do those Yajnyas.

MANTRAS

Why are you chanting Mantras? To whom are you praying?

There are three inputs to Agnihotra: specific organic substances burned, exact timings of sunrise/sunset, and vibrational input in the form of two short Mantras.  All three inputs are necessary to produce Agnihotra's effects.  

Mantras are a vibrational input necessary to bring about Agnihotra’s healing and purifying effects. Scientists know that different vibrations have different effects on living things: if you play nice music to cows, they yield more milk; if you play nice music to plants, they grow better.   Human voice must be involved in offering.

It is not a question of prayer. Agnihotra is a science of atmospheric purification simply. In such an atmosphere, the breathing becomes more calm, one’s mind becomes more at peace. It is thereby a good time for meditation or concentrating on the breath. If you wish to pray, that is your choice. Agnihotra will enable you to become a better person. It will help you become a better Christian, a better Muslim, a better Jew, a better Buddhist, and so on.

In any case, it should be quite clear to the people that Agnihotra is not prayer, but a scientific process which will also alleviate stress on body and mind. Some people take advantage of the purified atmosphere and resultant calmness of mind and use Agnihotra time for prayer, meditation, etc.

Is it not correct to begin the Agnihotra Mantra with Om?

No. No change of any kind should be made in the Mantra as originally given.

Can the Agnihotra Mantras be rendered in other languages?

No. Agnihotra Mantras are given in Vedas in Sanskrit language. They are special sound combinations. They are unique in their vibrational effect. It is this vibrational aspect which provides the healing power. If you were to render the Mantra in any other language it would no longer be Agnihotra. 

Can Agnihotra Mantras be chanted continuously?

No.  The Agnihotra Mantras are to be recited only once and only two offerings are given at each Agnihotra performance. Apart from Agnihotra time of course we can sing or practice these mantras as long as we like.

AGNIHOTRA PYRAMID

What do you do with the pyramid and ash after Agnihotra?

If possible the Agnihotra pyramid and the energy resulting from the Agnihotra process are best left undisturbed until the next Agnihotra time. Just before the next Agnihotra you can empty the ash using your right hand and store it in a glass jar, paper bag, box or clay pot. Bags and containers made of plastic are not recommended.

The ash from the Agnihotra fire is extremely medicinal. It can be ingested daily. Several ash medicines have been developed in Germany. The ash is also a powerful fertilizer for the garden or farm and beneficial in any water source.

What materials can be used for cleaning the Agnihotra pyramid?

It is not necessary to clean the Agnihotra pyramid. The gradual accumulation of ash on the inside of the pyramid does not adversely affect the Agnihotra vibration. In fact by cleaning the pyramid you may inadvertently disturb the crystalline structure of the copper atoms which would definitely interfere with the Agnihotra vibration. Never scratch the inside of the pyramid. In case a crust of unburnt substances has built up inside the pyramid, this can be removed by having a bigger fire.

EFFECTS OF PERFORMING AGNIHOTRA

What are the positive effects of doing Agnihotra?

  •     Agnihotra relieves tension on the mind
  •     A magnetic field is created which neutralizes negative energy and reinforces positive energy
  •     When Agnihotra is performed, the Agnihotra smoke gathers particles of harmful radiation in the atmosphere and, on a very subtle level, neutralizes the radioactive effect. Nothing is destroyed, merely changed.
  •     When Agnihotra fire is burnt, there is not just energy from the fire but subtle energies are generated and thrust into the atmosphere by fire---Much healing energy emanates from the Agnihotra pyramid.
  •     Agnihotra has the ability to neutralize pathogenic bacteria
  •     Agnihotra has an excellent effect on the circulatory system
  •     Agnihotra renews brain cells
  •     Agnihotra revitalizes the skin
  •     Agnihotra purifies the blood.
  •     Plants receive nutrition in Agnihotra atmosphere

By burning cow dung and ghee, we are producing carbon dioxide. How can we say Agnihotra reduces air pollution?

If you're burning things in Agnihotra, how can you say that you are getting rid of pollution? Aren't you creating more pollution?
Agnihotra is done to counteract pollution -- chemical pollution of the air; physical pollution (radioactivity, nano particles); and, most importantly, thought pollution. This is the need of the hour as all these different kinds of pollution are increasing to levels which endanger human life on this planet.

Like any fire, Agnihotra produces carbon dioxide. Currently carbon dioxide is very much in the focus because of its contribution to the greenhouse effect. But we should be aware that the increase of greenhouse gases is only one aspect of atmospheric pollution. Alas, nowadays not much attention is paid to all the other aspects mentioned above. Also, carbon dioxide itself is not at all poisonous. On the contrary, it is necessary for plant metabolism. Plants breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen; humans breathe out carbon dioxide and breathe in oxygen. So carbon dioxide plays an essential role in the cycle of life on this planet.

However, this cycle is out of balance now due to indiscriminate burning of fossil fuels. (Carbon was slowly taken out of the cycle through millions of years, and now it is burnt within a few decades).  Does Agnihotra add to this imbalance? No, not at all: When we perform Agnihotra immediately an aura energy field is created around all plants in the vicinity. This speeds up the rate of photosynthesis; thus more carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants and oxygen released. The net result will be that Agnihotra actually reduces carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.

In farming projects around the world, it has been shown that Agnihotra and Homa Therapy rejuvenated the plant life on farms and plantations, thereby increasing oxygen and helping to purify the atmosphere.  Some plants have the ability to remove, degrade, or render harmless various hazardous materials present in the soil or groundwater. (This process is known as phytoremediation.) By supporting the plant kingdom, Agnihotra and Homa Therapy can help purify land and water contaminated by heavy metals and other pollutants. 

Qualitatively this has been shown by increased growth of plants. Please see the many reports on the effects of Homa Therapy in agriculture (where in addition to Agnihotra the resonance technique is used and also Om Tryambakam fires are performed every day).

Quantitatively it would be interesting to measure exactly how much the plant metabolism and especially the photosynthesis are sped up in Agnihotra atmosphere so that we could exactly tell how much more carbon dioxide we remove from the atmosphere than the fires actually produce. But this quantitative analysis has not been done yet. 

Isn't all smoke bad for the lungs?

In many cases around the world, people with asthma, who normally cannot tolerate smoke, experienced improvement and relief by sitting in Homa atmosphere.  Negative ions signify pure air.  Positive ions signify polluted air.  When scientists tested cigarette smoke, positive polluting ions were present.  With Agnihotra fire, exactly the opposite occurred - negative ions were produced.

Will Agnihotra cure my sickness?

We cannot promise or make claims that Agnihotra will cure a particular person's illness, but we can say that thousands of people around the world have been healed by Agnihotra and Homa Therapy. We can share Homa Therapy information--Agnihotra ash medicines, etc.  

OTHER DISCIPLINES

Is it necessary to take bath before Agnihotra?

Taking bath prior to Agnihotra is not compulsory. However, if water is available and you are in the habit of taking bath daily, then bathing before Agnihotra enhances the healing effect. If it is not possible to take a full bath then at least you can wash hands, feet and mouth. 

Is it necessary to adopt a vegetarian diet before taking up the practice of Agnihotra?

No. It is not necessary to adopt a vegetarian diet before starting to practice Agnihotra. However, many people have discovered that after practicing Agnihotra regularly for some time they feel less attracted to a non-vegetarian diet. 

What should I do after Agnihotra?

After uttering the Mantra and giving the offering to the fire Agnihotra is complete. You can now go about your business. However, it is good if possible to sit quietly for a few minutes until the flames subside. If you are in the habit of practicing meditation or any other spiritual discipline, then the atmosphere created after performance of Agnihotra is ideal and conducive to these pursuits.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

What if someone criticizes the Homa Therapist for thinking negatively when discussing pollution, climate change, etc.?

One could say, "Try sitting by a polluted river and changing it with your thoughts!" Agnihotra is a material aid we use to help restore balance in nature. We are aware of the current state of the environment, but we also offer a solution.  

(The following questions were asked of Shree Vasant between 2006-2008):

Should a person do Agnihotra if there has been a death in the immediate family?

If the mother is in New York and the son is in San Francisco and the son dies in an accident, the mother immediately feels something is wrong with the son. This is the subtle connection. This subtle connection exists when somebody's mother or father dies and hence, at least for a few days, the person can ask someone else to do the fires and he can sit near the fire. In case of sister or brother, the period can be minimum three days. Then take bath as you normally do. 

After giving birth, for how many days should the mother refrain from doing Agnihotra?

After giving birth, it is better that the woman herself does not do Agnihotra for twelve days or when the flow stops, whichever is more.

What if a woman is having perimenopausal bleeding?

So long as blood is coming she should not do Agnihotra. This is the principle in general and this period should be treated as a monthly period with all rules applied.