Hi Anouradha: Although I've not commented much on Intentblog recently (until tonight!), I've much enjoyed reading your posts.

What I like about this one is your simple candor about a nearly effortless way of connecting to nature--such needed "medicine" in our out-of-touch race with time, and our seeming disrespect for nature, especially regarding the breadth and depth to which we are "consuming and destroying "Her" intricate balance--of course, to our own detriment and demise.

You've presented this topic in a manner that reflects how much easier meditation can be when we employ any kind of simple ritual to distract our ego-minds from from countering many of the aims for which meditation is precious and indispendable to our growth and well-being.

It is not even the specific ritual that is, of itself, important--only that rituals are meant to focus our intent regarding the reason we are even attempting to shift our awareness inward, instead of outward--a goal for which the Western world is only recently beginning to acknowlege as even valid as a "result producing" pursuit.

On a bit of a sidetrack, and at the risk of further reducing respect for the typical Westerner's spiritual ignorance of things held sacred and holy, it was the custom of even early 20th-century "farm girls and women" to use cow dung for yet another purpose besides a smokeless fire that can produce an excellent heat source.

Up until the early 20th century, it was considered distinctly unfashionable for women to have a "farmer's tan"; it was most fashionable to have fair skin, a sign of wealth and class, much like extra weight was a sign of wealth since one could afford to abstain from physical labor, and exposure to the elements, as well as afford to consume much food--especially "rich" delicacies.

Soooo.....farm women used to use cow dung as a cosmetic that would bleach their skin back to it's fairest complexion!

Before the local dances, it was common to find the farm girls feverishily applying cow dung for this purpose--and....cosmetic industry take note!--the dung apparently works "healing magic" to the skin, as well as the bleaching of same! Dave

Of course Anouradha. I love vedic rituals. Only the super-idiotic Delhi society turns up its nose at such things. This includes my brother and sister and is not meant to be a personal dig at you.

Please don't call it vedism though. An "ism" is a belief system. Ritual is a practice. Huge difference. It's an insult to Indian traditions to refer to them as isms. It's entirely about the practice and people who go about looking for meaning and significance are missing the point.

I discovered agnihotra in the early 90's. We had been experiencing years of severe drought. I was intriqued by the idea of being able to use intention and ritual to seed the clouds and atmosphere with nutrients. I went to learn the technique and chants from some wonderful people in Madison, VA, who got me started. When I ran out of sheets of dried manure they provided along with Ghee and the copper pyramid, I made my own easily, though I was aghast at the worm population in the dung I had collected, I spread it on sheets of screen to dry.

The combination of the burning Ghee, rice & dried dung with the chanting at dawn and sunset was healing in itself. The intesity of the symphony of insects and birds at these times of day is very healing. I never really knew for sure, but it seemed to me the intensity of the singing was greater when I practiced agnihotra.

I asked a channel I have consulted with for 20 years what effect agnihotra had on the atmosphere.

The response from my guides was that any ritual that assisted me in focusing my intent would create the needed affect.

This was such an appropriate response for me because I was and still do keep up with articles associated with a group in poland who is instrumental in promoting and using the agnihotra and vedic wisdom around the world. http://oriontransmissions.pasjestudio.dt.pl/2.asp?Art=1
This group is lead by someone called Shree Vassant. So I was as usual, curious, yet skeptical of groups that follow a religious leader of any kind. I must say, if I skim over the parts of the transmissions that give me 'cult' shivers, the transmissions from Pavrati are very accurate politically.

http://www.agnihotra.org/ This is the official, as far as I know, Agnihotra site. I applaud their efforts in thinking and acting 'out of the box' agriculturaly and globally and would love to have others join in researching whether or not agnihotra and it's healing effects can be documented.

I have not practiced agnihotra for some time, and admit I miss it's magical effect on my being. Thank you for writing about it.

i have a great article on Agnihotra..
Agnihotra (Healing Fire)

THE ANCIENT SCIENCE OF PURIFICATION AND HEALING
By Mohan S Jadhav

We all want to be happy. We want to be happy now and always. This happiness could be expanding always. This statement could describe our everyday quest for all of us. This is a reasonable or realistic expectation or goal.

How could this happiness be attained? This search for happiness through the science of Agnihotra is the subject of our discussion today. The answer to the search for happiness lies in Ayurved in the science of ‘Agnihotra’. A very simple procedure of ‘Agnihotra’ is the answer to almost all the present perils of mankind. When one starts to practice Agnihotra, the knowledge and experience will be unfolded from within. Agnihotra will help one to become a better member of the family or society. One becomes a more righteous Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Zoroastrian, Sikh, Jain etc. whatever may be one’s faith. Because Agnihotra is a science, one should believe one’s experience. This is the approach of the true scientist.

‘Agni’ or fire is an expression of universal power or energy on an understandable human level. Fire and its Shakti (power) are inseparable. Hence, this fire is the expression of the Almighty that any human being can relate to or understand. It is meant for all mankind. Any being that has the ability of speech can perform Agnihotra. Every human being has a birthright to seek salvation & Agnihotra is the first step.

Happiness is an activity or projection of each one’s mind. Hence, this self-perception of happiness becomes one’s own reality; however, ‘The Truth’ may be far different. Thus, the perceived happiness is merely a play of the mind.

To understand the total well being of any person, the mind has to be addressed. The mind and prana (breath) are inseparable just as two sides of a coin. Agnihotra impacts both mind and breath. Agnihotra gives the mind a sense of genuine contentment and ability to react with Love. Agnihotra helps replace self-serving love with love that is unconditional without judgment or qualifications. The first step of this journey towards Joy is Agnihotra.

 Agnihotra is meant for all humanity regardless of religion, race, or language.
 Agnihotra is rooted in the Vedas, the most ancient science about the sciences of bio-energy, medicine, agriculture, and climate engineering.
 Agnihotra is a science of doing and experiencing immediately.
 Agnihotra helps us attain happiness, love, and total wellbeing.

PROCESS OF AGNIHOTRA

Agnihotra is the process of purification of the atmosphere & the self. The fire prepared in a copper pyramid & the offerings made at sunrise/sunset tuned to the biorhythms of nature is the key. Phenomenal explosion of divine energies occur. This energy release happens because of the following combination:
1. Pyramid: The shape and makeup of the copper Agnihotra pot is scientific.
2. Rice: Whole grains of rice may be used for offering.
3. Ghee: (Also known as clarified butter); Made from unsalted cow’s butter.
4. Cow dung: Dried chunks or pieces of cow dung (available in USA); Cow dung is treated or used for medicinal values in all ancient cultures such as Native American Indians of North and South America, Scandinavians, East or West Europeans, Africans or Asians.
5. Mantra: Mantra is a very powerful voice/thought combination that is projected and interacts in the entire Agnihotra process. This explosion reverberates in the entire universe immediately.

By practice of Agnihotra one begins to experience peace and harmony within & around oneself.

EFFECTS OF AGNIHOTRA

The entire universe pulsates with a coordinated rhythm. This rhythm synchronizes the orbits of the moon, planets, earth and sun. The earth, nature and human body responds to this natural rhythm called the Circadian Rhythm. We human beings align and realign to this rhythm precisely at the sunset/sunrise transition point. This accord with the rhythm brings peace and wellbeing. A discord naturally produces stress, anxiety and an infinite cycle of strife & sufferings. Agnihotra is the only effective tool that we have, to produce this harmony between the mind, body, and the universe. Agnihotra is a material aid to a happy life.

 An intense energy is projected from the Agnihotra pot. This energy envelops the solar system, the stratosphere and beyond.
 Harmful radiation & pollutants are neutralized and transformed into nourishment on a subtle level

PERFORMANCE OF AGNIHOTRA – Sunset and Sunrise

 Smear few cow dung chips with ghee and arrange them in the Agnihotra pot.
 Mix about a teaspoon full of rice with a small amount of ghee and keep them aside.
 Start the fire few minutes before sunrise/sunset time. (Precise sunset/sunrise sheets for your dwelling will be available free of cost. Email: agnihotrausa@yahoo.com
 While chanting the mantra offer the rice smeared with ghee (just enough that one can hold in the tip of five fingers) at the utterance of ‘Swaaha’ in the fire. There are only two offerings at Sunset or Sunrise each in the Agnihotra fire.

At Sunset:
Chant 1st mantra:
“Agnaye Swaáhá - Agnaye Idam Na Mama”
(Offer 1st offering when saying ‘Swaaha’)
Chant 2nd mantra:
“Prajápataye Swaáhá - Prajápataye Idam Na Mama”
(Offer 2nd offering when saying ‘Swaaha’)

At Sunrise:
Chant 1st mantra:
Sooryáya Swáahá - Sooryáya Idam Na Mama
(Offer 1st offering when saying ‘Swaaha’)
Chant 2nd mantra:
“Prajápataye Swáahá - Prajápataye Idam Na Mama”
(Offer 2nd offering when saying ‘Swaaha’)

Now repeat this process daily morning with Sunrise Mantra and evening with Sunset Mantra.

AGNIHOTRA MANTRAS IN SUMMARY

At Sunset:
Agnaye Swáahá - Agnaye Idam Na Mama
Prajápataye Swáahá - Prajápataye Idam Na Mama

At Sunrise:
Sooryáya Swáahá - Sooryáya Idam Na Mama
Prajápataye Swáahá - Prajápataye Idam Na Mama

THE NATURE OF AGNIHOTRA IN SUMMARY

 Agnihotra not only renews the brain cells, but purifies the whole psychosomatic man in a holistic way.
 Harmful radiations of all sorts are neutralized when one is in Agnihotra environment.
 Agnihotra realigns the nature and all pulmonary and circulatory systems and has a nourishing effect on the nature along with the nervous system.
 When plants are in Agnihotra environment extraordinary growth of the whole ecology along with flowers and fruits is of common happening.
 It is by virtue of 1) the pyramid 2) cow dung 3) ghee (clarified butter) 4) the offering 5) the mantra (just two) done precisely at the sunrise/sunset is Agnihotra.
 So much more could be said, yet best when experienced first hand and believe your own experience.
 Anyone can do Agnihotra, young and old irrespective of one’s faith, only to further bolster one’s faith.
 We all seek love, wellbeing and fulfillment in our life; Agnihotra is a great material aid.
 If you are a Christian, Hindu, Muslim etc., you could be a better Christian, Hindu, Muslim, hence a happier human being.
 Upon practice believe your experience.

Presentation of Agnihotra is planned at various locations, taught by Mohan S. Jadhav from New Jersey who says he is merely a bearer of good tidings for all mankind; at best a mail man to deliver His mail. He says The MESSAGE is far more important than the messenger. For further info or for a presentation in your area please contact Email: agnihotrausa@yahoo.com
For information about Agnihotra please check following web sites: www.agnihotra.org or www.terapiahoma.com/english/