Cow-Dung Cake Fire

Fire for Agnihotra is prepared by lightening cow dung cakes in the prescribed pot. To prepare the fire, arrange well broken bits of these cow-dung cakes one over the other in a circular formation in the Agnihotra pot. The cake bits should be so placed as to leave a little open space in the middle of the pot where either a piece of camphor, ghee-soaked wick of cotton or kundru gum may be placed to be lighted with a match stick. This should be done about ten minute before the appointed time. The placing of the cake beat should be such as would allow air to pass between them to ensure good burning.

The little opening in the middle where the camphor cotton, or gum has been placed is also the spot to receive the Agnihotra oblations. In about ten minutes cow dung cake bits would come good stage of burning. Oblations should then be offered in the prescribed way with chanting of indicated antras on the exact time.

It is scientifically proved that cow-dung contains chemicals like menthol, phenol, ammonia, indal and formalin. Many curative properties are attributed to it. That is why cow-dung cake fire in Agnihotra pot is important. Cow-dung picked up for a clean place uncontaminated with rubble or rubbish of any kind should be used in the making of cakes. If such cakes were not available for purchase in the market then it would be advisable, that the performer should prepare them at home.

Petrol diesel, gas, kerosene, and such other malodorous polluting stuff should not be used to ignite Agnihotra fire. As has been said, use only camphor, guggulu and kundru gum or cotton wick soaked in cow-ghee only.