ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ
“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”
Homa is a sacred fire ritual done in the Vedic Hindu tradition.
Homa is a technique given by the Rishis and other Enlightened Masters to create a specific desired effect in our lives.
The way in which the desired effect is made and the strength of the effect makes Homa a unique component of Vedic tradition.
The Vedas explain the process of creation.
It says…
तस्माद्वा एतस्मादात्मन आकाशस्संभूतः।
आकाशाद्वायुः। वायोरग्निः । अग्नेरापः। अद्भयः पृथिवी ।
tasmādvā etasmādātmana ākāśassambhūtaḥ|
ākāśādvāyuḥvāyoragniḥ| agnerapaḥ| adbhyaḥ prthivi |
The pure consciousness manifested in the form of space.
Then out of space, wind was created.
Out of wind, fire was created and out of fire, water was created and out of water, earth was created.
Fire is the subtest element yet perceivable by eyes.
So in the Vedic Hindu tradition, fire is used as a medium to invoke the presence of God.
In a homa the priest first meditates on the Lord and energizes the space.
This energy is transferred to the air element by the chanting of mantras, which in turn energizes the fire in the homa kunda – the sacred fire receptacle.
The energy built up in the fire is then transferred to the water in the Kalasas – the water pots kept there.
The water when sprinkled or poured on us on a Deity transfers the whole energy on to the Earth element.
Also the fire is the medium through which the formless energy assumes the form and the matter with the form gets back to its original state of energy.
Devi Meenakshi is said to have emerged out of Homa fire.
The great saint Tirujnanasambandhar and the great incarnation Vallalar have dissolved their bodies in the yogic fire.
Whatever our prayers can be, they can be manifested into reality through the sacred fire of Homas.
In a typical Homa, a priest invokes the presence of the Deity in the fire through specialized mantras. Since mantras are revealed by Enlightened sages, all mantras carry immense power within them.
Once energized, till the end of the homa, the fire itself becomes a deity.
Then the Deity is worshipped and several oblations (ahutis) are offered into the fire to create the desired effect.
The smoke that emanates from the fire receptacle – homa kunda – energizes the whole space where the homa is done and creates a positive effect in that place.
Homas create a positive effect not only in the people who are around but also in the people whose names have been chanted in the Sankalpa mantra – the mantra for conscious resolution, irrespective of how far they are.
Another very interesting speciality of the way of worship in the Hindu tradition is like how money is credited in an account which is far away from the place where the money is deposited, homas and pujas done as per the scriptural injunctions create the desired effect in you irrespective of how far you are from the place where the homa /puja is performed.
The energy built up in the homa fire automatically reaches the participant and fulfils the participant’s true desires leaving a glimpse of completion in the participant.
The Science of Homa
Marriage, Naamkaran (naming ceremony), Upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony), Griha Pravesam, Poojas, etc.,
are important occasions in the lives of Hindus.
On such occasions, it is the custom among many Hindus to perform Homa or Havan. Most Scriptures consider Homa mandatory for auspicious occasions and purification rituals.
What is Homa?
Homa is essentially a Vedic fire ritual performed as part of a formal ceremony.
The technique came to us through eminent sages or Rishis as well as other enlightened Masters.
Homa can supposedly manifest what we desire.
It could be wealth, good health, success in business, protection from enemies, etc.
It is also performed to eliminate negative energies and attract positive energies.
Atharva Veda claims that all living beings were created from a grand eternal Yajna.
he Fire ceremony is the center of manifestation of all living beings.
The Use of Fire in Homa
Agni or Fire is the subtlest element that we can perceive with our eyes.
It is the medium or agent in the Homa that helps invoke the presence of God.
The offerings (Ahuti) made to it are material and symbolic.
The priest offers several items like ghee, milk, sugar, herbs, spices, saffron, coconut, grains, seeds, and petals as sacrifices to the sacred fire.
The word ‘Homa’ comes from the Sanskrit root ‘Hu,’ which means “to offer” or “to present”.
During the Homa, the priest first meditates on the deity and energizes the space where the Homa is going to take place.
The energy gets transferred to the Air element as the priest chants Mantras.
This energizes the fire in the Homa Kunda.
The energy that builds up in the fire gets transferred to the water in the Kalash (pot).
When the priest sprinkles this water on the deity or the devotee, the energy gets transferred to the Earth element.
Fire is one of the five natural elements (Panchabhootas), which also include Air, Water, and Ether or space. Sacred fire has the power to destroy all negative energies in the environment and purify it.
Fire is also the medium through which formless energy acquires form.
It is also through fire that the matter which has form returns to its original state of energy.
Mythology says that Goddess Meenakshi supposedly emerged from the Homa fire. Thirugnanasambandhar and Vallalar (Shaivite saint-poets) supposedly dissolved their bodies in the yogic fire.
The sacred fire of Homas can help manifest our desires into reality, as it is the messenger that carries our prayers to the deities.
The Science of Homa
Fire is the key link between the consciousness of the cosmos and that of human beings. During the Homa, the priest invokes the deity’s presence in the fire through certain Mantras.
Mantras came to us from enlightened Rishis or sages, so they are very powerful.
Once it is energized, the fire becomes a deity and remains so until the Homa ends.
The deity is worshipped, and many oblations (Ahuti) are offered to the fire to manifest whatever is desired.
The smoke from the Homa Kunda energizes the entire area where the Homa takes place, and it creates positive vibrations in that place.
The Homa will have a positive effect not only on the people who are taking part in it, but also on those whose names were chanted in the Sankalpa Mantra, even if they are far away.
The Purpose of Homa
The main purpose of a Homa is to commune with the energies of the universe.
The devotee makes their Sankalpa (resolve) with different natural elements bearing witness to it.
Homa can purify our internal energy and environment.
During the Homa, we have to sacrifice our selfishness, ego, and material attachments and become more compassionate.
For the Homa, an elevated platform is built using bricks, and mango wood is used for the fire.
Butter or ghee is poured along with milk, food grains, incense, and seeds, as well as other ingredients.
All the while, the priest chants Mantras to invoke God and seek divine blessings.
Once the ritual is over, the brick platform is demolished.
The Homa takes place in the center of a space.
There will be a place for the chief celebrant, who is the priest, and for the main worshippers (sponsors of the Homa) with the offerings so that they can sit around the fire when the ceremony takes place.
Other devotees sit in an outer circle around the fire.
The sacred Mantras that the priest chants during the Homa create certain vibrations that repel negative energies and attract positive energies.
In the old days, Homa was the only way to connect to a deity, and hence, Homas took place daily.
Ideally, one should perform a Homa during the morning as it is more favorable for all religious activities, and the air will be full of Prana (life force) at that time.
There are different types of Homas according to the occasion, reason, and deity.
Some Popular Homas
Ganapati Homa – for removing obstacles
Sudarshana Homa – for victory over enemies, destroying negativity, protection from the evil eye, vitality, and good health.
Navagraha Homa – for removing planetary Doshas.
Rudra Homa – for dispelling negativity.
Dattamala Mantra Homa – to ward off evil spirits, remove effects of black magic, relief from mental disorders, and mental peace.
Kartaveeryarjuna Homam – for relief from debts and recovery of lost wealth and property.
Sree Swayamvaraambha Parvati Homa – for getting a good marriage alliance, removal of obstacles and delays in marriage.
Maha Mrtiyunjaya Homa – for longevity, good health, wealth, and removal of obstacles caused by planetary Doshas.
Bagalamukhi Homa – for success in the resolution of disputes and legal matters.
Sree Rajamaatangeshwari Homa – for success in political matters, charisma, and popularity.
Benefits of Homa
Homa can purify the body, mind, soul and the environment. During a Homa, when fire comes into contact with air, it becomes pure and lighter in nature.
When this light air diffuses into the atmosphere, it replaces the impure air.
The fragrance of burning ghee also purifies the physical environment, and its fragrance will mix with the atmosphere.
The scents from the aromatic herbs and spices used during the Homa remove bad odors from the atmosphere.
The offerings one makes and the specific Mantra that the priest chants can boost the chakras and strengthen the body and mind.
The main purpose of all Homas is to bring about universal happiness and peace.
Every Homa has an effect that depends on the energy invoked.
But, its essential aim is to promote internal realization and universal harmony.
Different Types of Homas
Different types of homasthere are 13 well known homas.they are :
- GANAPATHI HOMA
- AGHORA HOMA
- MRUTYUNJAYA HOMA
- LAKSHMI HOMA
- NAVAGRAHA HOMA / SHANTI HOMA
- SARASWATHI HOMA
- DHANVANTRI HOMA
- DEVI CHANDI HOMA
- ASTU POOJA
- MAHA SUDARSHANA HOMA
- RAKSHOGNA HOMA
- VISHNU SAHASRANAMA POOJA
- SARPA DOSHA, SARPA SAMKARA.
Different Types of Homas (Fire Labs) And Their Purpose
Types of Homas
Homas are fire rituals and are regarded as the most evolved spiritual technology on earth.
Fire is an agent of purification and transformation that acts as a bridge to connect with the divine.
These fire labs can be dedicated to various deities and are considered as the best way to access them.
Here let us learn about some of the important homas and their purpose.
Lakshmi Homa
Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth. Being the consort of
Lord Vishnu, the supreme God of protection, she can bestow her devotees with prosperity and wellness.
Lakshmi Homa invokes this benevolent Goddess and seeks her divine grace.
This worship with fire can cleanse you thoroughly, provide you finances, abundance, beauty, and peace, and fill your life with joy.
Lakshmi Kubera Homa
This homa invokes the combined blessings of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and
Kubera, the custodian of celestial riches.
Lakshmi Kubera Homa can clear debts, remove impediments to material prosperity and growth, enhance income and profits, and help wealth accumulation.
Lakshmi Narayana Homa
The supreme protector
Lord Narayana and his consort Lakshmi are invoked in this homa.
This Lakshmi Narayana Homa is capable of solving all financial problems, provide riches and success, resolve strains in relationships, and bestow various skills.
Ganapathi Homa
Lord Ganapathi or Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, and people seek his blessings at the time of starting any new endeavor, for its success.
The Ganapathi Homa which invokes this God can clear impediments and hardships in all spheres, provide academic excellence and opportunities, bestow hope and joy, and even change your destiny for the better.
Hanuman Homa
This ardent Rama Bhakta, is also believed to be the incarnation of
Lord Shiva.
He remains the embodiment of strength and loyalty.
Invoking him in this
Hanuman homa can bestow immense courage, will power to overcome odds and accomplish goals, tremendous potential, and high positions.
Muruga Homa
Muruga is the son of the divine couple Shiva-Parvati.
This warrior God is incredibly powerful and represents wisdom and faith.
Worshipping him through this
Muruga fire lab can give protection against enemies, help to overcome litigations, diseases, and debts, bestow positivity and faith, and unlock the power of the divine sound ‘OM.’
Sudarshana Homa
This Sudarshana Homa invokes Sudarshana, the divine discus of the supreme protector Vishnu. This worship that seeks the grace of this mighty weapon can offer protection against enemies, relief from sufferings, evil eye and negative energies, fulfill desires, give success, and instill interest towards selfless and philanthropic activities.
Prathyangira Devi Homa
This homa, which invokes the unique and mighty
Goddess Prathyangira Devi can destroy evil forces and bestow the shield of positivity. It can also help avert accidents, overcome mental trauma and effects of the evil eye, provide relief from ailments, and give peace and prosperity.
Sharaba Homa
Sharaba is a fierce incarnation of Lord Shiva, who can protect his devotees from all their problems, and this
Sharaba homa is dedicated to this amazing deity. It can destroy negative energies, give protection against the evil eye, help business people, politicians, and administrators, in particular, provide peace, harmony, success, and happiness, and ensure a problem-free life.
Chandi Homa
Goddess Chandi is the personification of the fundamental universal energy of creation, protection, and destruction.
This Chandi homa is performed to seek her divine grace. This can help the devotees overcome obstacles, curses, and effects of the evil eye, and bless them with health, prosperity, success, and fulfillment of desires.
Uma Maheshwara Homa
This Uma Maheswara homa is dedicated to the divine couple Maheshwara Shiva and Uma Parvati, who remains the embodiment of pure love. This is believed to be a highly effective remedy for all sorts of marital problems. This can resolve friction between spouses, straighten relationships, and ensure a loving bond with the life-partner, contentment and longevity of the couple, and marital bliss.
Swayamvara Parvati Homa
It is said that Lord Shiva himself gave out this Swayamvara Parvati Mantra to his consort, and that enabled her to reunite with the Lord.
Performing the Swayamvara Parvati Homa can help the eligible to find a suitable life-partner, and the married to have a harmonious, meaningful, and happy life of togetherness.
Durga Homa
The powerful Goddess Durga can bless you to tide over not only marital problems but also all relationship issues.
This Durga fire lab performed to invoke her can protect people from negativity, depression, and black magic, provide security against life threats, strengthen bonds, and get her blessings for hope and joy.
This can also act as a remedy for planet Rahu afflictions.
Garbarakshambiga Homa
Garba Rakshambiga is the divinity who protects the fetus in the womb or gives progeny blessing.
This Garbarakshambiga Homa seeks the blessings of Devi Parvati in the form of Goddess Garbarakshambiga.
This can resolve infertility and bestow eligible couples with healthy children, protect expectant mothers, solve pregnancy problems, and smoothen the delivery process.
This can also help to get a suitable life partner and overcome marital problems.
Saraswathi Homa
This Saraswathi homa invokes Saraswati, the Goddess of learning. Apart from bestowing intelligence and academic success, this can also sharpen memory and skills, instill confidence, improve communication skills, and provide positive energy to accomplish goals.
Kala Bhairava Homa
Kala Bhairava is an Avatar of Shiva and remains the God of time.
This Kala Bhairava homa is regarded most effective for proper time management and achievement of high productivity.
This can also destroy negative karma, help clear debts, protect against accidents and unexpected events, enhance skills, finances, and positive energy, and lead towards success.
Types of Homam or Yajna & Benefits
S.No Name of the Homam / Yajna Benefit
1 Ganapathy Homam / Yajna To get good benefits, to remove the obstacle and welfare of the family.
2 Lakshmi Narayan Homam / Yajna
Mahalakshmi Homam / Yajna
Lakshmi Kubera Homam / Yajna
Sudarshana Homa/Yagna
Dhanakarshana Homam / Yajna
Sri Suktha Homam / Yajna To get profit from the business/profession and career
To lead a successful life.
To lead a luxurious life
To come out of evil things and to lead a luxurious life
3 Saraswati Homam / Yajna For Education, and Courage
4 Swayamvara Parvathi Homam / Yajna For marriage
5 Putra Kamashti Homam / Yajna
Santhana Gopala Krishna Homam / Yajna For childless couples only Birth of Children
6 Dhanvantari Homa/Yagam Hanuman Puja Cure from diseases Health problems
7 Mirthuyunjaya Homam / Yajna
Ayush Homam / Yajna
Saptha Thiraviya Homam / Yajna To lead a long life, To extend life span – To avoid risk and danger during long distance Travel For long life
8 Maha Rudra Homam / Yajna To get happy life
9 Navagraha Homam / Yajna:-
Surya (Sun) Puja Homam / Yajna
Chandra (Moon) Puja Homam / Yajna
Mangal (Mars) Puja Homam / Yajna
Budha (Mercury) Puja Homam / Yajna
Guru (Jupiter) Puja Homam / Yajna
Shukra (Venus) Puja Homam / Yajna
Shani (Saturn) Puja Homam / Yajna
Rahu (Dragon’s Head) Puja Homam / Yajna
Ketu (Dragon’s Tail) Puja Homam / Yajna To come out of the problems caused by the planets
10 Pushkara Homam / Yajna To lead a happy life in this world
11 Nigumbala Prithiyangara Devi Homam / Yajna To rid from evil effects & to get progress in your political career
12 Bhairava Homam / Yajna
Sarabeshwarar Homam / Yajna
Goddess Kali Homam / Yajna
Chandi Homam / Yajna To overcome enemies
To avoid enemies court vengeance and conspiracies against to you
To avoid problems through enemies
To neutralize evil effects & to nullify jealousy of others on your field
To get all success
The Significance of Vedic Homas / Havan
Havans or Homas- The foremost among our ancient vedic rituals, the ‘RITUAL OF FIRE SACRIFICE’ was revealed to our ancient sages after several years of penance and austerities.
A Homa or Havan is a sacred fire ceremony in which various forms of the Divine gods and Demi-gods are invoked in a sacred fire that has been kindled according to the guidelines in the Vedic scriptures.
Certain special offerings are made into the fire while Sanskrit Mantras are chanted.
The combination of the powerful energy of the fire and the Sanskrit mantras create extremely auspicious and purifying vibrations that are beneficial to all who attend the Homa.
The smoke that rises from a Homa contains a powerful healing energy, and as it rises to the heavens it purifies the atmosphere, both physically and subtly, encouraging a peaceful environment and gentle weather.
Every kind of negative karma can be purified by the sacred Homa fire, due to divine grace.
Sage kshayapa has beautifully described the origin of fumigation therapy or Dhoopa chikitsa .
When the Rishis were troubled by negative elements in the form of Rakshasas, they tried to find solutions by performing japa , tapa and homa to please Agni deva.
Agni Deva revealed the secret of using Fumes/gas generated by the material offered to Agni/fire to remove the troubles as well as trouble creaters in the form of Rakshasas, bhootas, pisachas and the grahas .
He blessed them to perform yagnas to remove all fear and cure diseases.
Since ancient times, this traditional fumigation therapy was used for the welfare of Humans.
Ayurveda deals with ‘Dhoopa vidhi’ containing dhoopa,, Anudhoopa and Pratidhoopa.
The Vedas , brahmanas, Puranas, Itihasa and tantric Texts give us details of the procedures and results of Homacharam.
To perform Traditional homacahara you should have an undestanding of Dravya Gunas- the qualities of the items used in the sacrificial fire- What should be put and when they should be offered into the homa fire.
Different parinamas/results are obtained by the different fumes that are generated by offering different materials into homa fire according to the Rituals.
Homas have the power to remove all grahadoshas and give bhaada mukti (releif from troubles).
A lot depends on the materials and herbs that are offered to the homa fire.
Dravya guna of material put in fire will be in sookshma roopa or subtle forms.
The fumes thus produced will enter our body as we breathe, gets into our blood stream and cure the dosha or impurities.
Although a consecrated fire is the central element of every homa ritual, the procedure and items offered to the fire vary by what occasions the ceremony, or by the benefit expected from the ritual. Procedures invariably involve –
✿ the kindling and consecration of the sacrificial fire;
✿ the invocation of one or more divinities; and,
✿ the making of offerings (whether real or visualized) to them with the fire as via media, amid the recitation of prescribed prayers and mantras.
The consecrated fire forms the focus of devotion.
It is often maintained on specific types of dung, wood, dried coconut (copra) and/or other combustibles.
The fire-altar (vedi or homa/havan kunda) is generally made of brick or stone or a copper vessel, and is almost always built specifically for the occasion, being dismantled immediately afterwards.
This fire-altar is invaribly built in square shape. While very large vedis are occasionally built for major public homas, the usual altar may be as small as 1 x 1 foot square and rarely exceeds 3 x 3 feet square.
Again, whereas major altars at public events may include a hollowing of the earth to create a relatively deep pit, the usual altars involve no such excavation and indeed rise only inches above the ground.
In all events, the arrangement is centered in the middle of a space, which may be either outdoors or indoors.
The principal people performing the ceremony and the priests who instruct them through the rituals seat themselves around the altar, while family, friends and other devotees form a larger ring around that center.
The length and procedure of a homa depends on the purpose to which it is performed; many different types of homas exist, and the following list is only illustrative.
Havans can be better appreciated through the understanding of scientific principles.
All rituals in the Hindu religion aim at journeying in one’s life enroute the process of Artha, Kama, Dharma, Mukti and Moksha.
Havans are essentially sacrificial medium wherein various aspects of the ‘self’ are sacrificed at the altar of the SUPREME CONSCIOUSNESS thereby enabling a direct communion with the SUPREME POWER.
The energies aroused in a Havan effect the body and the mind and are tangible in our everyday life.
Purpose of Havans:
The sacred fire ritual ‘Havans’, serve as a link between man’s consciousness and the cosmic consciousness.
According to science, matter can neither be created nor destroyed.
It can only be transformed from one form to another.
In the same manner, whatever we offer in the Sacred Fire reaches the respective deities along with our prayers invoking the special blessings from those divine beings for the fulfillment of the purpose of the respective ‘Havan’, aimed at achieving success at a material and spiritual level of an individual.
Faith reinforces the discovery of the Divine or Higher Source and our ultimate surrender to the ‘higher source,’ is the solution to all our existing endeavors.
It is then that we enable the Divine or the higher sources to take control or streamline our life for our own sake.
The Havan Fire converts the physical components, all offerings made into the fire, into their ‘psychic’ components serving as offerings to the concerned deities presiding over the Havans.
All religions worship the higher source/energy in the form of fire, seen as lighting candles or lamps during prayers.
It is an ancient method of submitting the pleas and prayers to the higher source beseeching their Divine blessings.
This practice is an art and the knowledge imparted has been well preserved for our observance in all the scriptures from various religions.
When we use it for a right cause, the purpose is well served and the benefit is attained for all of us to share with the world.
It is through the fire element that all the other five elements in the body get balanced.
With this balance of energy all things begin to fall into place and we start getting connected with the Divine.
The sacrifices made into the fire get transformed as offerings to the respective divine deities /higher energies through the medium of fire.
Through Havans, auspicious energies are awakened.
One undergoes the cleansing of the physical and psychic bodies.
In the Havan kund the various energies are invoked by chanting the sacred mantras and through various postures for receiving the right vibrations.
Participation in Havans:
The Havan requires the active involvement of the participants with deep faith and bonding to the concerned deity invoked for instant and spontaneous results.
The grace flowing from the Havan which is contained within the Havan Kund till the end of the performance of the ritual gets transferred into the ‘Kalasam’ containing the holy water and is later offered to the participants for sprinkling on themselves and also partaking of the holy sacred water.
Benefits of Havans:
Havans not only enable the dispelling of negative energies from the homes but also annihilate negativity in our life patterns rescuing us from the curses of people countering the ill effects of black magic too.
They bring in high energy fields, revitalize and balance the three types of energies/humors/gunas in our body.
Therefore, the performance of a ‘Havan’ demands the active role of the participants.
This is vital in deciding the fruits of the ritual for the participants.
The level of one’s intense participation accompanied with feeling, faith and devotion, determines the proportion of grace received, which magnifies in multiples.
This also heals the body filling it with positive and divine energy.
✿ Exaltation in spiritual practices is also attained by the performance of certain esoteric Havans
✿ The Divine energy flowing from the deities unto the body of the participant cleanses them of all negative energies and ‘sanskars’.
✿ The deities invoked provide a protective shield around the participant keeping the negative energy at bay.
✿ The deities invoked receive the offerings and bestow their blessings onto the participants in the form of prosperity, longevity, relief from karma and its bondage, as per the quest of the ‘Havan’.
✿ The participant is either handed over the clothes adorning the sacred ‘Kalash’ (metal vessel), or then they are asked to partake of the sacred water filled inside this Kalash.
In certain Havans, like the ‘Sudarshan Havan’ or the ‘Kubera Havan’, a ‘yantra’ (divine symbol) is given or sent to the participant to be placed in their cupboards / drawers in offices / homes to reap prosperity and also for individual spiritual growth.
In case of the ‘Gayathri Havan’ the yantra is handed over to the participants if personally present else the sacred water alone will be handed over to the participant.
✿ The spiritual vibrations emanating from such the Havans are very powerful as they are conducted by the highly advanced and spiritually elevated.
Also as the Havans are conducted in the sacred Oneness temple site located between the highly energised magnetic grid fields & in the fire energy of the site its effects are very powerful.
In certain cases they are also performed at the residences of participants on special request.
Accordingly, the Guides determine the appropriate date and time for the type of Havan to invoke the precise results.
✿ Many times after conclusion of these Havans in certain cases, where the effect of individual / family karma needs further cleansing / offsetting its effect, one might necessitate attending further advanced processes as ordained by the Scriptures to effect the desired changes in their inputs to their lives.
Havan rituals enable one to attain fulfillment of various wishes / boons both in the materialistic and spiritual planes.
These havans restore and revive a direct connection with the Higher Source which today we have off late lost track of.
Introspection:
It is strongly encouraged to seriously consider one’s individual and family needs, and organise the appropriate Havan (after duly consulting the Oneness Guides), at either one’s residence or participate in such Havans conducted by Organisations to reap the right benefits not just for one’s immediate family / self in this birth, but also for the liberation and salvation of one’s ancestors to whom we owe our body today and liberate ourselves also to attain Jeevan Mukthi while in this physical frame.
There are many different types of Havans which can be conducted, depending on the intentions and motivations of the participants.
Each Havan is performed according to very strict and specific protocols, derived as a result of hundreds– or even thousands– of years of experiential research.
They are conducted by highly advanced, learned and trained Vedic scholars, based on ancient knowledge passed down verbally over generations.
The Various Havans performed are: General Havans:
✿ Maha Ganapathi Havan – For Auspicious Beginning & For Removal of Obstacles
✿ Maha Lakshmi Havan – For Acquiring Wealth & Prosperity
✿ Maha Devi Havan – For a Suitable Life Partner
✿ Gayathri Havan – To Set Right Relationships and for Liberation from Negative Karma ✿ Vidya Havan – For Academic Excellence & Career Growth
✿ Dhanvantri Havan – For Good Health
✿ Ayushya Havan – For Longevity of Life
✿ Mangala Samskarana Havan – For Awakening Auspicious Qualities
✿ Vastu Havan – To Set right Problems Arising From Wrong Vastu Special Havans:
✿ Durga Havan – For Removing & Destroying Negative Energies and Entities
✿ Bhagavath Katatksha Havan – For Receiving Direct Blessings of God to fulfill any particular purpose
✿ Sudarshana Havan – For Success and Prosperity
✿ Lakshmi Kubera Havan – For Higher Wealth & Prosperity
✿ Navagraha Havan – For Receiving the blessings of Navagraha Devatas and to remove doshas due to Grahas
General Havans
Maha Ganapathi Havan
✿ To receive the blessings of Lord Ganapathi, the remover of obstacles
✿ For grahapravesham (House warming ceremony) before living in a new house
✿ Usually performed to have an auspicious beginning for commencing a business etc.
✿ For fulfilling objectives without hindrances
✿ For success in works and projects without any obstacles
✿ For general well being
✿ To attain prosperity in various aspects of life
✿ Usually done before the beginning other homas
Atharva Sheersha Shodasha Ganapathi Homam/Maha Pooja. Ganesha is one of the most revered and loved gods in the Hindu Mythology.
Born of Lord Shiva and Parvati, every story associated with this Lord is interesting and some are even amusing.
Yet the astrological relevance and mythical references are accurate.
Why Lord Ganesha has an elephant’s head, everyone has heard of, but why does he rides a Mooshak(mouse) or why is it that seeing the Moon on Ganesh Chaturthi is avoided and also several other questions wrt Ganesha have significant answers.
One story is recounted here, about the Lord Vignaharta, Lambodara, Ekadanta and His 16 Powerful forms -that are a panacea for Shani-related evils and misfortunes.
Ganesha was created by Shakti when, ‘she anointed herself with turmeric and oil.
When the mixture had soaked her sweat and dried on her skin, she scraped it off and from the scrapings, she created a child, her son.’
While this story might be well known to Ganesha’s followers, what may not be so well-known is that Vinayaka comes from the words, Vina (without) and Nayaka (the help of a man).
What may also not be common knowledge is that ‘Durga- Ganesha’s mother, took a banana plant, wrapped a sari around it and gave it in marriage to Ganesha, because no woman in the world would marry him because of his elephant head!’ It is these interesting facts, detailed in an easy manner, with a contemporary slant that make you want to read on.
Performing Ganesha Japa and Havan once every year will give prosperity, health and wealth.
Ganesha Japa and Havan should be performed on all auspicious occasions.
If any one is running Ketu dasa or bhukti or there is some dosha of Ketu in the horoscope, he can perform Ganapati Homa and get-relief.
Performing Ganesha Japa and Havan once every year will give prosperity, health and wealth.
Ganesha Japa and Havan should be done on Shukla Chathurthi day of Bhadrapad i.e. the birth day of Lord Ganesha.
For Ganesha Japa and havan, chant the mantra 11001 times.
Deities to be appeased and purpose of Special Homas:
Maha Lakshmi Havan
✿ To receive the blessings of Sri Maha Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and fortune
✿ To overcome financial crisis
✿ Creates opportunities to acquire wealth and prosperity
✿ For speedy recovery of loans
✿ For early repayment of loans
✿ For Financial growth & stability
✿ For growth in career hierarchy
✿ Sustaining unity in the family
Maha Devi Havan
✿ To receive the blessings of Goddess Maha Devi
✿ For successful marriage
✿ To remove obstacles that delay marriage
✿ To get married soon
✿ To have a happy married life filled with auspiciousness
Gayathri Havan
✿ To receive the blessings of Goddess Gayathri, the Being who liberates us from Negative Karma
✿ For Liberation from negative karma and to acquire Sath karma (positive karma)
✿ For liberation from negative vasanas (qualities acquired from birth) and negative samskaras (qualities acquired during one’s lifetime)
✿ For Liberation of all karmic bondages/suffering acquired for many generations
✿ Focuses on setting right relationships within one’s family and other important people in one’s life
✿ Useful for spiritual awakening
✿ To break the negative patterns which are causing miseries in one’s life
✿ Useful for liberating ancestors and to receive their blessings
✿ For begetting Children
✿ For general growth in personal, professional and spiritual progress in one’s life
Vidya Havan
✿ To receive the blessings of Goddess Saraswathi, the Goddess of Wisdom and Learning
✿ For enhanced academic excellence
✿ Useful for students and professionals
✿ For increasing memory power for higher concentration levels
✿ For a successful career
✿ For creativity and innovation in academics, business and profession
✿ For Flowering of Intelligence. It is very different from intellect acquired from knowledge through books
Dhanvantri Havan
✿ To receive the blessings of Sri Dhanvantri, the giver of health according to Ayurveda and ancient scriptures
✿ For Roha nivarana (heals chronic illnesses)
✿ To maintain a healthy balance physically, psychologically and spiritually
✿ Has a healing effect of the body, mind and spirit
✿ Acts as prevention for future diseases
✿ Increases the resistance in the body from viruses, bacteria etc.
✿ This Havan cures ailments that cannot be treated through mainstream medicines
Ayushya Havan
✿ To receive the blessings of Ayur Devata, giver of long and healthy life
✿ Also performed during the 1st birth anniversary of a child
✿ For good healthy life for a child or a person
✿ To remove negative effects caused by inauspicious day of birth
✿ Can be performed on yearly basis on birthdays and important occasions
✿ For a complete life filled with health, happiness and prosperity
✿ To witness happy relationships in the family in one’s life time
Mangala Samskarana Havan
✿ This havan glorifies the Divine to fill one’s life with auspicious qualities such as love, gratitude, kindness, etc.
✿ For receiving grace and wellbeing for the family
✿ For begetting children
✿ For tuning in to Higher auspicious energies
✿ For Success in endeavors
✿ Also helps for Jeevan Mukthi and Moksha (For liberation from the cycle of births and deaths)
✿ To help in spheres of health, wealth, success and prosperity of an individual
Vastu Havan
✿ To receive the blessings of vastu purusha to maintain an energy balance in a house or a building
✿ To heal vastu doshas (problems) in houses, commercial establishments,institutions, industries and localities etc
✿ To set right loss in business and problems in a family caused by negative effects of improper vastu construction
✿ For appease vastu purusha for not following the principles and techniques prescribed by vastu Shastra for constructing houses, temples and business centers
✿ This havan is also performed along with Maha Ganapathi havan during house warming ceremony for happiness and well being of the family members who would live in that house
Special Havans
Durga Havan
✿ To receive the blessings of Goddess Durga Devi
✿ For removing or destroying negative energies troubling an individual, family or an organization
✿ For success over negative energies and enemies
✿ For removal and protection from black magic effects
✿ For protection from irrational fears and dangers
✿ For getting rid of troublesome tenants leading to easy vacation of the house, favoring the house owner
✿ To achieve success over competition in profession or business
Bhagavath Katatksha Havan
✿ For seeking Sri Amma Bhagavan’s grace to fulfill our needs in life
✿ To receive the blessings from all Gods & Goddesses
✿ This havan praises the God both as Mother and Father and the whole creation as an extension of the body of God
✿ To fill up the void within (for example, If a person lacks love, will be blessed with love to set right his relationship with family and others)
✿ For awakening auspicious qualities in abundance, within oneself
✿ For auspiciousness and general well-being
✿ For spiritual growth and awakening (Jeevan Mukthi)
✿ For higher levels of consciousness
✿ For acquiring 16 different kinds of wealth and prosperity such as good health and education, healthy relationships, for powerful communion with Sri Amma Bhagavan, kindness, gratitude, surrender etc.
Sudarshana Havan
✿ To receive the blessings of Lord Sudharshana, the deity of the Sudharshana Chakra
✿ Helps in setting right astrological flaws
✿ To remove and destroy negative forces affecting one’s life
✿ To have a golden shield of protection from negative energies like black magic and enemies
✿ For prevention from fatal accidents, unsolved miseries and accidents which may possibly occur in the near future
✿ For success, courage and prosperity
✿ For early solution to unsolved chronic problems
✿ For prevention and success in legal issues
Lakshmi Kubera Havan
✿ To receive the blessings of two Beings Goddess Maha Lakshmi , the Goddess of wealth & fortune; and Lord Kubera, who maintains this wealth and prosperity leading to further financial growth
o A very powerful homa for wealth and prosperity
✿ For faster recovery of dues
✿ For clearing the debts
✿ To tide over financial crises relating to large sum of money
✿ To please the Lord of wealth and prosperity, Sri Kubera
✿ To create the newer ways and means for acquiring wealth and prosperity through the blessings of Goddess Maha Lakshmi
✿ Helps in maintenance and growth of wealth, acquired in the form of land, property and other assets as a family for generations
✿ Activates the creative part of the brain leading to financial success in business and profession
✿ To enjoy the luxuries earned through one’s hard work and to ensure that it will not be wasted by the future generations
Navagraha Havan
✿ To receive the blessings of the Divine Beings who control the 9 planets the Navagrahas which include our Sun, Moon and the non physical planets Raghu and Kethu
✿ It helps in removing astrological flaws
✿ To remove the negative effects (Graha doshas) of one or more planets like Saturn, Ragu or Kethu grahas
✿ To receive the positive effects of 9 planets which may be unfavorable at a given a point of time
✿ Each of these beings who control the planets relate to one aspect of the body for example, when you have the blessings of Surya Graha (Sun God), the leader of the planets, you are protected from all blood related problems
✿ This is a follow up homa after house warming ceremony
The Science behind Homam / Yagnam
I am a hindu by birth. But I am not attached to the religious aspect of hinduism. However there are certain cultural practices which makes my life better.
I do follow those practices and I never give them a miss.
Examples are Ganesh Chaturdhi, Deepavali, visit temples to recharge or re-align by own energy, etc.
Recently I have been studying about the Homam that is performed in almost all important hindu rituals.
Found some myths and facts about it and also the scientific analysis of its benefits, which I shall share in this article.
Homam/Homa/Yagnam is a sacred fire ceremony performed by Hindu pundits in temples, homes and working places by involving a sacred fire.
Various forms of the Divine gods and Demi-gods are invoked in a sacred fire according to the guidelines in the Vedic scriptures.
A Homa has a purifying effect not only on the performer but also on the environment. Offering environmental-friendly goods to fire and chanting of mantras re-energizes one’s chakras, producing a re-vitalized and invigorating effect for one’s the body as well as mind that leads to further success by swapping negative energies such as anger, rashness & irrational thinking with positive ones like calmness, tranquility and controlled attitudes.
Human Energy
There are two basic energy systems in the physical world: heat and sound.
In performing yagna, these two energies, namely, the heat from yagna’s fire and the sound of the chanting of the Gayatri and other Vedic Mantras, are blended together to achieve the desired physical, psychological and spiritual benefits.
Agriculture
Agnihotra farming methods of growing plants in pure and healthy atmosphere and balancing the ecological cycles by performing agnihotra (yagna) in the middle of the farm and using the yagna-ash as a fertilizer.
Several experiments have been conducted in the East European countries on the use of yagna ash in soil treatment.
These, too, have shown positive effects and potential applications in Agriculture.
Proven Medicinal Benefits
1. Yagna renews the brain cells, revitalizes the skin, purifies the blood and prevents growth of pathogenic bacteria. Agnihotra is basically a healing process.
2. Homa/Yagna destroys harmful bacteria in the environment. Experiments have also shown that a patient suffering from typhoid disease can get rid of this bane by exposing his/her self to the smoke of Homa/Yagna for just half-an-hour.
3. According to Dr. Hafkine, the smoke produced by burning the mixture of ghee and sugar kills the germs of certain diseases; inhaling it from some distance induces secretion from certain glands related to the windpipe that fill our heart and mind with relaxation.
Does Homa produce oxygen?
There are articles going around in the internet that Homa produces huge quantity of oxygen, which is totally wrong.
As any other fire, Homa also produces carbon dioxide.
Currently carbon dioxide is very much in the focus because of its contribution to the greenhouse effect.
But we should be aware that the increase of greenhouse gases is only one aspect of atmospheric pollution.
Alas, nowadays not much attention is paid to all the other aspects mentioned above. Also, carbon dioxide itself is not at all poisonous.
On the contrary, it is necessary for plant metabolism. Plants breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen; humans breathe out carbon dioxide and breathe in oxygen.
So carbon dioxide plays an essential role in the cycle of life on this planet.
When we perform Agnihotra immediately an aura energy field is created around all plants in the vicinity.
This speeds up the rate of photosynthesis; thus more carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants and oxygen released.
The net result will be that Agnihotra actually reduces carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.
In farming projects around the world, it has been shown that Agnihotra and Homa Therapy rejuvenated the plant life on farms and plantations, thereby increasing oxygen and helping to purify the atmosphere.
Some plants have the ability to remove, degrade, or render harmless various hazardous materials present in the soil or groundwater.
(This process is known as phytoremediation.) By supporting the plant kingdom, Agnihotra and Homa Therapy can help purify land and water contaminated by heavy metals and other pollutants.
Qualitatively this has been shown by increased growth of plants.
Please see the many reports on the effects of Homa Therapy in agriculture (where in addition to Agnihotra the resonance technique is used and also Om Tryambakam fires are performed every day).
Quantitatively it would be interesting to measure exactly how much the plant metabolism and especially the photosynthesis are sped up in Agnihotra atmosphere so that we could exactly tell how much more carbon dioxide we remove from the atmosphere than the fires actually produce.
But this quantitative analysis has not been done yet.
Does Homa cause rain?
The answer to this question always involves debate in it.
The artificial rain caused by the modern science is done by pouring the silver iodide or dry ice through the aeroplane.
As a result of this only the rain fall occurs.
The scientific research of homa effect on rain is still in progress.
However, I believe the rain due to the homam is because of the similar effect of the modern day artificial rain.
Homa or Tantric Fire Worship
Homa or tantric fire worship is a very old vedic ritual.
Homa, or havan, is fire worship.
In Tantra Yoga, homa is used to enhance the effects of japa.
When the japa is done without any desire, it needs no fire worship.
Fire is visible divine energy that can be seen and felt.
It is said to be the mediator between humans and gods.
Homa is performed in a receptacle (kund) in which a fireplace (vedi) is made with bricks.
The Homa fireplace should be decorated with colorful flowers, leaves, grains, and beans.
Wood to be used as fuel for Homa should burn easily without creating much smoke.
In India the wood from a mango tree is most often used for Homa.
The Homa wood should be completely dry and cut or broken to suit the size of the kund.
Samigri is a combination of thirty-six herbs used to purify the atmosphere and smells very good, like incense.
Some ghee and raw sugar should be added to the herbs.
When the Homa is performed, the chemicals in the samigri are burnt and get converted into gaseous form which mix in the atmosphere, entering the breath and the body chemistry of the one doing the Homa and those who are in the vicinity.
These chemicals go to the gods that are present as different energies or abilities inside the human organism.
Tantra believes in one God with many forms.
Because God performs many kinds of functions, he has many names.
For performing each job, He has to shape himself into a different form.
That is why there appear so many gods. But all the names are His name and all the forms are His form.
When he creates he is called Brahma.
When he preserves, he is called Vishnu.
When he destroys, he is called Shiva.
When he brings forth the energy of heat and light, he is called Sun.
When he beholds the creation he is called Earth.
He is neither male nor female.
His static aspect is male.
His dynamic aspect is female.