Rules for Performing Agnihotra

Definite Timings

Pot to be used of a specific size and shape

Cow-dung cake fire

Offerings (Oblations)

A receptacle (pot) in correct step-pyramid shape in prescribed dimensions made of copper or clay. This copper or clay ‘kund’ (pot) is available at Madhavashram. It can  not be had in market shops.

Daily sunrise - sunset time table for the whole year applicable to the place of performance. Such a time table applicable to the place can be obtained by a request email to Madhavashram.

Two drops of pure cow-ghee and few grains of whole, unbroken rice are sufficient for one time performance. 250 grams of unbroken rice grains and fifty grams of cow-ghee would be sufficient for a month’s performance (daily at sunrise and sunset). It would be easy to make this little quantity of cow-ghee at home every month if cow-smilk is available. Only cow-ghee is to be used for oblations in Agnihotra, no other kind of ghee is allowed.

Dried cow-dung cakes prepared hygienically. Two small, thin, cow-dung cakes are sufficient  for the one time Agnihotra.

Camphor crystals (deshi kapoor) and a matchbox for lighting the cow-dung cakes to prepare the fire for offering oblations in the copper or clay ‘kund’.

How to Perform

Suppose the date today is 1st of July. Look into the time table to find out exact time of sunset. The time table tells you that the sun would set at 6 minutes past 7. So about 10 minutes before the sun-set time you should properly arrange the dry cow-dung cake pieces inside the pot leaving a little empty space in the center to place the camphor bits. Light the camphor bits with a matchstick, cow-dung pieces would burn and in about 8-9 minutes the fire in the pot would be ready for offering oblations. A minute before the exact time of sunset, pick up a few grains of rice, smear them with two drops of cow-ghee, place them on your palm, divide  them into two equal parts, and as the clock shows 6 minutes past 7, pick up one part of ghee-smeared rice grains with the fingers of your other hand, and chant the following mantra in clear, loud voice :

“Agnaya Swaha”

Just as “swaha” is being uttered, drop the rice offering into fire in the pot (kund) with a neat smooth motion of your fingers. The offering would instantly burn emitting flame/smoke. Follow it up immediately with the chanting of second part of the mantra :

“Agnaya Idam Na Mama”

This would complete the first mantra and the oblation. Next pick up the rest of the rice-grains placed on your palm, hold them in the fingers of your other hand, and make the second offering into the fire by chanting in the above manner the following mantra :

“Prajapataye Swaha”

After offering , you must loudly chant.

“Prajapataye Idam Na Mama”

This would complete the proceedings, the two offerings take around two minutes. The rice-grain burns  with a clear flame or could emit some smoke. You have to sit straight backed while performing Agnihotra, and look into the oblation flame in the fire pot as you make the offerings and chant mantras. Get up after the oblations are consumed by the fire, or you can do meditation, yoga, prayer, or your daily rituals after Agnihotra.

The Sun-rise Agnihotra is performed similarly  at the exact time of sun-rise everyday. There is a little change in the first mantra chanted; the sunrise offering is made to Surya (Sun), hence the mantra at sun-rise Agnihotra is

“Surya Swaha”

(Release the first offering.)

“Surya Idam Na Mama”

(Release the second offering.)

The second mantra remains the same.

“Prajapataye Swaha”

“Prajapataye Idam Na Mama”

Everybody present at Agnihotra must join in chanting the mantra. Bathing is not a necessary condition for one to perform Agnihotra. However , it is advisable to take bath before performing the sunrise Agnihotra. Sunset Agnihotra can be performed after washing of hands and feet. The stress is on ensuring bodily cleanliness while performing Agnihotra.