Agnihotra
What is Agnihotra?
Agnihotra is a healing fire from the ancient science of Ayurveda. It is a process of purifying the atmosphere through a specially prepared fire which is performed daily at sunrise and sunset. This simple yet powerful tool is used across the planet by people from all walks of life with amazing results that help to transform their lives and heal the planet.
I began the practice of Agnihotra nearly 40 years ago when working at a spiritual center in Maryland and I continue to practice it daily at Ancient Oaks Homa Farm in Westminster, Maryland.
The benefits received from this practice are many. Agnihotra is a beautiful process that sets up a healing environment which is conducive to meditation. In time one notices a reduction in stress, more balanced emotions, improved health, and increased energy.
Origin of Agnihotra
Agnihotra is derived from the Vedas, an ancient body of knowledge recorded in Sanskrit. Sanskrit is a highly evolved and complex language and the mother of all Indo-European languages. The information in the Vedas is said to be revealed knowledge, which was passed down orally for thousands of years before it was recorded into the written version of Sanskrit in a later era, around 1500 B.C.
Thousands of years ago the intricate physics of our universe was described in the Vedas, even down to an exact description of the Atom. Methods for attaining higher states of consciousness, living in harmony with the earth and techniques for purifying the atmosphere were given. It is from this body of knowledge that the ancient science of fire purification originates.
In those ancient times special fire ceremonies were performed by ancient cultures across the planet, including the Hopi Native Americans, Mayans, Shamans of Siberia. Agnihotra is the resuscitated fire science which can be performed by anyone from any walk of life.
How Does Agnihotra Work?
The fire is prepared in a small copper pyramid of specific size and shape. Brown rice, dried cow dung cakes and ghee (clarified unsalted butter) are the substances burned. Exactly at the time of sunrise and sunset the mantras are spoken and a small offering of rice and ghee is given to the fire.
During Sunrise/Sunset the many electricities, ethers and more subtle energies emanating from the sun extend to the earth and produce a flood effect at the coordinates where the sun is said to rise. Tremendous amounts of energy are gathered around the copper pyramid at the time of Agnihotra.
A magnetic field is created, one which harnesses this life-giving power of the sun, creating a healing bio-resonance which purifies the atmosphere of pollutants and neutralizes harmful radiation. The resultant atmosphere gives nourishment and sustenance to all life forms. A positive pattern is created by one who does Agnihotra merely by his/her performance.