Arya Samaj

Shishya · Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 3:05 pm Post subject: Vedic Agnihotra

Vedic Agnihotra
by
Dr. Chaman Lal Raina
Ajmer, India
November 2000

Agnihotra is an integral part of the Vedic Heritage. Literally, Agnihotra is the sacrificial fire, which is of three kinds: Gaarhapatya, Aahavaniya and Dakshina. The Vedas stand for true knowledge, both physical and transcendental. The Vedic teachings are based on the intuition of man who meditated upon the Truth or Absolute to know what Paramaatman, Jivatman and Prakriti mean. Therefore the Vedas are said to be the guideline for Dharma, Artha, Kaama and Moksha, which can be attained through Purushartha and Praarabhdha.

Purushartha stands for the actions based on morality, ethics and religious obligations. In other words, Purushartha is based upon human actions associated with the will power. Praarabhdha is the fruit of our actions, which we are destined to have as a result of the actions we do in daily life. Every action corresponds to its fruit, i.e. an equal reaction. Therefore, if we long for the serene life from today, we must go in for right actions, right deeds and right thoughts. The Agnihotra is a way which leads us to attain the highest. That highest is the attainment of Ishwara -- to realize the Divinity in and around us, both immanent and transcendent.

Agnihotra has its spiritual and materialistic values. It elevates our Spirit, lifts us from physical understanding to the blissful state of mind. It is a step by step approach to reach the highest dawn, from man to Rishi. It is the very concept of sat-chit-anand, or Truth, Consciousness and Bliss.

Etymologically, if we analyze the word Agni, it is the combination of A (aa), G (ga), N (na), and I (ee). A stands for the Immutable Lord Parmeshwara. Akaar is 'vishnu', which pervades everywhere. It is the Primal Sound -- the sound that travels in the Universe, which is the very cause of existence. G or ga means 'what goes' -- the movement. The movement is the vibration which is present in the Universe. N or na means 'the integral universe' and I represents 'compassion', 'wonder' and ''to obtain. So, Agni is 'to give us what we need for a meaningful life'. Agni is therefore the closeness of man with nature. It is to offer everything to Ishwara, who is none else but the Supreme Force of creation, preservation and dissolution.

To put our oblations, which belong to Agni, Soma, Prajapati, Indra etc. in the physical Agni, is Agnihotra. It is the action or will to do. It is linked with samidha -- the fuel obtained from the forest, the ignition, samagri, Vedi/Kunda, jalam -- water, shrucha -- the spoon. Also needed is the knowledge of the four directions. Agnihotra involves geography associated with forestry, agronomy, oceanography, and metallurgy. Above all, the knowledge of Sanskrit is essential to know its meaning, so that we could commune with the WORD and its meaning.

The Agnihotra stands for the integration of human resources with spiritual knowledge. Agni is both physical and spiritual. Therefore, we must promote the concept of Agnihotra with recitation of the Vedic Mantras. Agnihotra is of social value. It gives us the basic concept of Samaj -- the highest values governing the Vedic ethos, tradition and teaching.

(Source)