Definition of Homa

Question:

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

Swamiji Says:

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

Question:

What are the healing powers of homas and their purifying effect on the atmosphere?

Swamiji Says:

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

Question:

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

Swamiji Says:

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 Viddhi

Question:

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

Swamiji Says:

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.

Question:

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 “swaha” after each verse or mantra? What guidelines should be followed?

Swamiji Says:

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.

Question:

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

Swamiji Says:

Agni may be installed with matches.

Question:

What ingredients are used for colors to draw the Yantra?

Swamiji Says:

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.

Question:

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?

Swamiji Says:

They are also used for establishment upon a yantra.

Question:

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

Swamiji Says:

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

Question:

On page 241 of the Shiva Puja and Advanced Yajna, there is a mantra which says, “ityaadyagne shadangebhyo namahah.” The translation says: “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?

Swamiji Says:

Anga nyasa with Ram bija.

Question:

Some texts state that when you give ahuti of ghee or samagre in homa one should say, “idam namah svaha”. What does “idam namah” mean?

Swamiji Says:

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

Fire Pits

Question:

What are the traditionally acceptable fire pits for homa? 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?

Swamiji Says:

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.

Question:

Can a 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?

Swamiji Says:

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!

Question:

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

Swamiji Says:

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 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.

Question:

What are sruva and srak?

Swamiji Says:

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 out  open or in shade

Question:

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?

Swamiji Says:

The homa can be done out in the open or in the shade. Both are acceptable.

Homa in the day or the night

Question:

Can one do the homa during the day or the night?

Swamiji Says:

“Chandi Patham diva ratrau kurya devya nah sanshaya”. Day or night is fine.

Homa Purnahuti

Question:

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?

Swamiji Says:

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

Question:

What is the correct way to perform homa purnahuti?

Swamiji Says:

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.

Question:

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

Swamiji Says:

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.

Question:

Is the pouring of milk after purnahuti done before or after the arati or immediately after the purnahuti mantra.

Swamiji Says:

We pour the milk first, then perform arati.

Donations and Yagna

Question:

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

Swamiji Says:

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

Question:

It is difficult to get different types of wood as recommended by shastra. Is it ok to use other wood?

Swamiji Says:

Use whatever is available.

Question:

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

Swamiji Says:

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.

Question:

Which homa ingredients are for used for what purpose?

Swamiji Says:

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.

Question:

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

Swamiji Says:

Olive oil is probably not appropriate.

Question:

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

Swamiji Says:

Vansh (Oak), Sal, Polash (Maple), Demur (Fig), Alm (Mango), Boddh, Peepel (Banyan), Chir. The Devi Mandir uses mostly oak and pine.

Question:

In Kolkata, we get mostly Vilva (Bel) and Mango wood. Are these acceptable?

Swamiji Says:

Yes. Excellent!

Question:

Is it ok to use dried Tulsi stems in the homa?

Swamiji Says:

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

Question:

When should cow dung be used in the homa instead of wood? What is the difference between agnihotra and homa?

Swamiji Says:

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

Question:

During a yagna the energy from the fire can burn our karma. If we do our rituals in front of other modern heat sources, such as an electric heater, will the energy burn the karma? Meaning, can we replace the fire pot with an electric heater?

Swamiji Says:

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

Question:

For homa procedures, is blowing on the coals to stoke the fire forbidden because you’re introducing your own impurities? In Prana Pratishta we blow on the object.

Swamiji Says:

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

Question:

While doing a homa outdoors, there is always a fear of forest and grassland fires. How may we perform a fire ceremony safely so as not to endanger our environment?

Swamiji Says:

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.