~~OM~~

Definition of Homa

1. What is Homa? Are there simple forms of homa that can be performed by beginners?

   Homa is the abbreviated form of yajna, from the root yuj- to unite. The union between the divine fire burning in the homa kunda and the light of meditation burning in the ajna cakra is the yajna.

   The simple version of a homa is described in the Hanuman Puja Book.

Purifying effect of Homas

2. Could Swamiji speak on the healing power of homas and their purifying effect on the atmosphere?

   There is no doubt that every homa sends innumerable positive vibrations into the environment, both physically and metaphysically. The mantras are sounds which communicate inspiration and meaning, the purest vibrations that mankind has conceived, and all the articles of offering (rice, barley, ghee, etc.) have been collected with the purest intentions of giving the best that we are capable to God. On every level we are nurturing, enhancing, empowering, inspiring the highest communion with the highest deity.

Auspicious days for Homa

3. What are the most auspicious days to do havan during the month. Are some days more auspicious than others?

   Any day is auspicious. There is never a time when the Gods do not like to receive worship. However some days are more auspicious than others. Take a look at our calendar which mentions several auspicious days.

Homa Vidhi

4. Are there any resources where we can learn different fire sacrifices with transliterated texts?

   The homa viddhi in Hanuman puja is a great place to start. When you learn the Shiva Advanced Yajna well, we will talk further on this subject. You are studying for matriculation, and asking for the Post Doc syllabus before you have completed your Ph.D.

5. While using a copper pyramid shaped kunda with cow dung, ghee and wood, is it ok for a lay person to offer grains such as rice while chanting, chanting swaha after each verse or mantra? What guidelines should be followed?

   Do the beginner Homa Viddhi from the Hanuman puja, start with a mala of Ganesh, then follow up with the text/mantras of your choice, end with Om Namah Shivaya Swaha, and closing mantras from Hanuman puja.

6. Does Agni Dev (fire) have to be installed the traditional way, or can matches or lighter be used?

   Agni may be installed with matches.

7. What ingredients are used for colors to draw the Yantra?

   We generally use red, white, and black. Black is tamas and we grind charcoal from the fire. White is sattva, and we grind basmati rice. Red is rajas and we use sindhur.

8. In the Shiva Puja and Advanced Yajna different sets of mudras are given for establishment in the body and establishment in the fire. Are they unique to these two applications, or are they used in other situations?
   

   They are also used for establishment upon a yantra.

9. When doing a Hanuman homa (or any beginner's homa) should one do a puja before the pit before beginning the actual homa?

   You might want to make the puja in front of the altar, and then begin the fire ceremony.

10. On page 241 in my copy of Shiva Puja and Advanced Yajna, there is a mantra which says, "ityaadyagne shadangebhyo namahah." You translated it, "In this way establish the Divine Fire in the six centers of the body." What is the practice associated with this mantra? How is the establishment conducted?

    Anga nyasa with Ram bija.

11. Some texts state that when you give ahuti of ghee or samagre in homa one should say, “idam namah svaha.” For example they say, “Om Ambaji Devi swaha, Idam Ambaji Devi idam namah swaha.” What does (idam namah) mean?

    With this or in this way, I bow or show you my respect.

Fire Pits

12. What are the traditionally acceptable fire pits for homa? Commercially, there are cast aluminum and copper pyramids, and I guess one might be able to make a small box or large pyramid with regular concrete. Are there specific dimensions (Length, Width, Height) that are preferred over others? Is standard concrete acceptable, or should one procure a different mix for constructing one's own vedi?

    There is an entire section of Vasta Shastra dedicated to howan kunds. Traditionally there are two types: bedi and kunda. A bedi or vedi, depending on region, is a raised platform. A kunda is a lowered depression. Bedis get really hot. Kundas are hard to reach all the points on the yantra. Light woods spit a lot of sparks and coal chips. People who sit by a bedi always have burn holes in their clothes.

    Traditionally dimensions for bedis and kundas are spoken of in arm-lengths. Primarily they are triangular or square. Sorry, I could go on and on.

13. Can Homa be done just as equally in a free standing metal fire ring/ pit as in a Dhuni built in the ground? Are the benefits the same?

    It can be done. The benefits are not the same as when we have all the prescribed ingredients obtained for the express purpose of performing the religious action as enjoined by scripture. But the benefits are pretty good!

14. Do the "prescribed ingredients" include how to make the Dhuni? If so, where do I find this or what is the description?

    Yes, the prescribed ingredients include not only the items to be offered, but also the utensils by which they are offered, as well as the temples in which they are offered. This includes everything from the asana that we sit on and in, the clothing that the devotee wears, the types of sruva, srak, chempta, the list is endless. That is why traditionally this process was learned in the Guru Kul, living with the family of the guru. There is no one place where all this is written down, and it will be an excellent subject for a series of books. But it will differ from family to family.

15. What are sruva and srak?

    Sruva is the special spoon with which the ghee is offered by the right hand, and srak is a larger spoon held in the left hand by which we catch the drips on the way to the fire.

Fire Sacrifice in open or shade

16. I have read that a fire sacrifice should not be done out in the open, but under a shaded pavillion at least. Is this true, or may one do it in the open, or under a shaded tree?

    Both.

Homa in the day or the night

17. Can one do the homa at a set time during the day or can one do it at night?

    Chandi Patham diva ratrau kurya devya nah sanshaya

    Day or night is fine.

Homa Purnahuti

18. When it comes to the end of the fire sacrifice do we just let the flames go out by themselves or can we extinguish them ourselves?

    We extinguish the fire during the Purnahuti. Pour milk over the burning coals.

19. What is the correct way to perform homa purnahuti?

    Perform one mala of Shiva's mantra, then purnahuti mantras, then Visarjana mantras, with Visarjana mudra in order to remove life from the fire. Then you can put out the fire.

20. What is the significance of pouring milk to put out the fire, and how much of it should we pour over the fire?

    We use one glass of milk. Milk stands for the ocean of consciousness - pure, white, the absence of all colors, attitudes. After the fire has purified all impurities, it is extinguished with pure consciousness.

21. Please advise if the pouring of milk after purnahuti is done before or after the arati or immediately after the purnahuti mantra.

    We pour the milk first, then perform arati.

    Donations and Yagna

22. Some sources advocate not doing yagnas unless dhana or donations can be made to the proper sources.

    A donation/dhana/dakshina is to be given at the end of the puja to the deity, which may then be put in any temple.

Wood and Masala for Homa

23. Where I am at it is difficult to get different types of wood as recommended by shastra is it ok to use other wood?

    Use whatever is available.

24. Is there any resource on the internet where I can get the ingredients for the fire sacrifice sent to me?

    I don't know about the internet, but you can make your own masala from equal parts of rice and barley, seasoned with black sesame seeds, sugar, honey, ghee, and a dash of milk.

25. How can I find out which ingredients are for which purpose?

    In Vaikritik Rahasya it says payasam til - milk or milk mixture and sesame. The milk mixture described above conveys all of your negativities as food for the Gods. In return you get positivity as the prasad from your offering.

26. Since olive oil remains liquid, I have been using it instead of ghee for homa. Is this acceptable or should I use only ghee?

    Olive oil is probably not appropriate.

27. What wood should we use for homa? Is the same type of wood good for all homas?

    Vansh, Sal, Polash, Demur, Alm, Boddh, Peepel, Chir.

    We use mostly oak and pine.

28. Can you please give the name of the trees in English or Latin.

    Vansh - oak; Pipal - Banyan; Polash - Maple; Damar - Fig; Aam - Mango

29. Here in Kolkata, we get mostly Vilva (Bel) and Mango wood. Are these O.K?

    Yes. Excellent!

30. How about dried TULSI? We use dried tulsi stems for homa. Is it ok?

    It is ok, but too thin. It will burn in an instant! You can use as an incense, but not as a yajna wood.

31. I have sometimes read that in a homa it is necessary to use cow dung and other times I read that it is necessary to use wood. When is it necessity to use each of these things? What differences are there between agnihotra and homa?

    Agnihotra is an abbreviated homa, usually performed in a small vessel for a short period of time. Homa is a larger homa, performed for a longer period of time.

    The agnihotra uses dried cow dung as a fuel, trying to produce a smoky incense. Often we use it to chase mosquitos as well. The homa uses wood, is not movable once invoked, and often a text of mantras is recited with offerings for each mantra.

Using Modern Appliances for Homa

32. We know during yagna/homa rituals the energy from fire can burn our karma. But if we do our rituals in front of other modern heat sources like electric heater, bulb do we absorb energy from them during yagna/homa. Can we replace the fire pot with electric heater etc.

    The electric heater doesn't transmit quite the same energy as a homa fire. The homa fire is consecrated for the sole purpose of transforming our karma, so we have an entirely different relationship with it than we do with a modern appliance which serves other functions.

Blowing into fire

33. For homa procedures, although you are seen blowing on the flower/ fire for Prana Pratishta on the VCD, I had read that generally blowing on the coals to stoke to fire is forbidden/discouraged because you're introducing your own impurities. Currently I use a hand fan if the fire seems to be having trouble, chanting a Vayu or Agni mantra while fanning.

    Prana Pratishta is used for a specific purpose - to establish life or breath into the object and infuse it with divinity or "breath of life". This is different from using one's breath to stoke the fire in normal situations. Using one's breath in normal times is considered "juta" or impure. There is a difference between the ceremonial infusion of life and breath within the fire, and blowing on the coals to ignite the flames. If your fire dies down (from inattentiveness), then crush some camphor and offer it with new kindling on the coals.

Fire Hazards

34. I live in the Southwest (NM) where there is always a fear of forest and grassland fires. I believe even recently, I heard in the news that there were fires near Napa valley because of the dry conditions. Given this situation in our outer environment, how may we perform a fire ceremony safely so as not to endanger our environment?

    Take all reasonable precautions - this includes checking your local weather conditions for fire alerts and dry conditions. Start the fire only in a contained environment and always have fire extinguishers and plenty of water (or a water outlet) nearby. Burn only as much wood as needed for the offered masala. And before attempting a homa outdoors, try to do one at a fireplace indoors to get comfortable with handling the fire.