Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Agnihotra - Grace of Subtle Energies




It was evening 6.30 pm. Periappa was calling Prakash from the balcony after getting back from office, Prakash was busy playing his first innings with the apartment cricketers. Periappa was calling him for Sandhya vandhanam (refers to the prayers which are performed thrice daily after the upanayanam – Thread ceremony in Hindus) to be performed with him. Being a strict disciplinarian himself, he wanted his son also to follow the same practices as part of the culture building process, preserving traditions, imparting morals through rituals. At the age of  9, Prakash was initiated into this practice known as ‘Brahmopadesam’ – it is the initiation of the child into the knowledge of the infinite (Brahman) by his father or a revered guru. It is called as thread ceremony by many in English now. In Indian traditions every ritual has  the use of a holy  thread involved in it. For instance, in marriages it’s a mangal sutra (the symbolic locket attached to a sacred thread). Similarly in punal ceremony also this thread is significant and it reminds the child of his brahmacharya. The Sandhya vandhanam consists of a few pranayamas, mantras, namaskarams etc. In earlier days most of the men in Brahmin homes use to perform these rituals religiously during the sunrise, noon and sunset. They definitely had the effect in boosting sattva in the home and the entire atmosphere. Here is another such simple practice  where dried cowdung, rice and ghee is turned into ashes with a small flame with some mantras – it’s called Agnihotra. This is suppose to purify the entire surroundings with positive energy. If there are any vaastu doshas, this ritual has got lot of power to minimize the vaastu defects and clear the space. Often this practice is done during sunrise and sun set (morning and evening Sandhya vandhanam). The mantras to be chanted while performing are also mentioned above. Please note.

 

 It is believed that by performing Agnihotra in the farm , farmers have been able to double their produce, spread more peace around the place. Plants are more receptive and produce better crops etc by the regular practice of this technique. It’s a very simple and easy practice to follow on a regular basis. After the floods in Mumbai a few years ago, this practice was done to get rid of the mosquito menace, reduce the ill effects of water pollution, diseases etc.  


In Peru, the government has been supporting Agnihotra to promote peace, prosperity and organic farming. On the weekends, there are volunteers who educate the masses about the practice of Agnihotra. The practice of Agnihotra is simple, easily adoptable and universal.   It may be performed by any one irrespective of barriers like religion, sect, creed, nationality, color, sex and age.

 

To know a little about this practice

The process of Agnihotra consists of making two offerings to the fire exactly at the time of sunrise and sunset along with the chanting for two small Sanskrit mantras. The offering consists of two pinchfuls of uncooked rice grains smeared with a few drops of cows pure ghee. The fire is prepared out of dried cowdung cakes in a small copper pot of a semi – pyramid shape. The positive effects of Agnihotra are an outcome of simultaneous functioning of many subtle scientific principles such as effect of chanting of specific sounds on the atmosphere and mind, energies emanating from the pyramid – shape, nutritional effect of burning of medicinal ingredients and the effects of bio rhythms etc.

 

For the practice of Agnihotra a few disciplines are observed:

1. Agnihotra is performed exactly at local sunrise/sunset timings. 
2. A semi-pyramid shaped copper pot has to be used. 
3. A small fire prepared using dried cow dung cakes.
4. Two pinchfuls of uncooked rice grains smeared with few drops of cow's ghee are offered in fire. 
5. Two simple Sanskrit mantras are chanted while offering.

 

The positive effects of Agnihotra are an outcome of simultaneous functioning of many subtle scientific principles, such as, effect of chanting of specific sounds on the atmosphere and mind, energies emanating from the pyramid- shape, nutritional effects of burning the medicinal ingredients, effects of the bio-rhythms etc.
Agnihotra balances the cycle of nature and nourishes the human life.
It creates pure, clean and medicinal atmosphere.
It cleanses the negative effects of pollution.

In today's polluted atmosphere, we witness Mass Destruction of forests, Disappearance of many species of plants, animals, insects, birds, Disturbance in Ecocycles,Ozone Depletion, Global Warming, Acid rain and Decreasing Agricultural Production. Human health is at stake. Many killing diseases like Cancer and AIDS are on the rise. Increased alcoholism and drug abuse is a great challenge. Human mind is under great stress giving rise to more violence and many complex family and social problems. The list is unending. 

 

If we want to live happily it is imperative to end the Vicious cycle by starting a Virtuous cycle. Agnihotra is the starting point of the virtuous cycle. With the regular practice of Agnihotra many of our problems will find their solutions automatically. As an individual you will find yourself a totally changed person! A stress-free & happy man!
With Agnihotra you bring happiness to yourself and others.
So you not only better yourself but also immensely contribute for the betterment of the world. 

 

(Information Source –www.agnihotraindia.com) 


4 comments:

  1. Informative and Interesting...something that we ourselves have forgotten in our daily chores...what do we do and how do we get back to our roots?

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  2. hi , vijay n me had read abt Agnihotra when v visited the Bangalore ashram. I think this technique has been derived from Rig Veda.. Interesting, with this, there is no use of fertilizers and pesticides, i have read before.

    Sometimes I feel, technology is a Curse, however, now that its prevelant today, it must b used for the benefit of mankind..

    I also hope that more no. of farmers are educated about this unique technique of " Agnihotra" so that dey can produce better yield widout artificial manure and fertilizers. also feel proud of those doing social service to educate these farmers. they are indeed accumulating good karma in their life.

    tc.
    rgds
    JH




    "

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  3. Hi this is interesting. Would you have a contact name in Bangalore where we could learn more info about this practice. Thanks

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  4. Can u pls let me know where we can buy this agnihotra copper pot in bangalore ??

    ReplyDelete