Scientific aspects of Yagnam

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All activities in the limitless expansion of the universe are said to have generated from a grand eternal Yajna(Yagya). Atharva Veda (9.15.14) describes Yagya as: “Ayam Yajna Vishvasya Bhuvanasya Nabheehi†– implying Yagya as the fundamental process of manifestation of nature.

In physical terms, Yagya (homam, havan or agnihotra) is a process of herbal sacrifices in holy fire aimed at the finest utilization of the subtle properties of sacrificed matter with the help of the thermal energy of fire and the sound energy of the mantras. Modern scientific research has also shown significant therapeutic applications of Yagya and also affirmed its potential in purification of environment.

Literally speaking, Yagya means – selfless sacrifice for noble purposes. Sacrificing ego, selfishness and material attachments and adopting rational thinking, humane compassion and dedicated creativity for the welfare of all – is indeed the best Yagya which should be performed by all human beings. The philosophy of Yagya teaches a way of living in the society in harmony, a living style to promote and protect higher humane values in the society – which is indeed the basis of the ideal human culture.

1) Origin of Yagya

The four Vedas signify the philosophy of the eternity and absolute complementary role of Gayatri and Yagya in the divine creation. Atharvaveda also deals with sound therapy aspects of Mantras for the treatment of the ailing human system at the physical, psycological and spiritual levels. The Samaveda focuses on the musical chanting patterns of the Mantras and the subtle form of Yagya by defining the latter as the process of mental oblation on the surface of internal emotions through the cosmic radiation of the omnipresent subtle energy of sound. The Yajurveda contains the knowledge of principles and methods of performing Yagyas as Spiritual and Scientific experiments for global welfare.

2) The teachings of yagya

Why do we regard the sacrificial fire of Yagya as purohit (priest)? It inspires us to imbibe its five idealistic qualities in our life.

Fire has the characteristic of always being hot and bright. We are inspired to lead bright, radiant, active lives like fire, full of wisdom and brilliance.

The flame of fire always goes upwards. One may apply any amount of pressure but its flame never goes downwards. It teaches us that despite immense pressures of fear and temptations our flame of wisdom, and foresight should ever be kept-alight and up-turned.

Anything coming in contact with fire becomes fire itself. We should also have such a quality of excellence in our character, so that any one coming in our contact may become refined.

Fire accumulates nothing. Whatever is offered in the fire is vaporized. It is scattered throughout in the atmosphere and becomes universal. We should also not accumulate possessions for our selfish ends but utilize all our resources and qualities for advancing the good of the people. We should be generous and lovingly kind.

The residue of fire are ashes. Ultimately physical forms of all human beings are going to be reduced to a handful of ashes. The idea behind applying (ashes of Yagya) on the forehead is that man should always remember the inevitability of death and utilize each and every moment of his life in the best possible manner.

These five teachings are known as panchagnividya which the priest (purohit) in the form of fire teaches to every human being. A man is truly blessed if he imbibes these teachings in his daily life by performing symbolic worship in the form of Yagya.

The real purpose of Yagya is to imbibe virtues like self-sacrifice, self-restraint (sanyam), charity, beneficence, generosity, compassion etc. in our daily life. It inspires us to surrender everything, body, mind, ego and soul to God. A Sadhak on surrendering himself to God, who has been described as Yagya-purush in the scriptures, becomes one with Yagya, just as samidhas on being consumed in the sacrificial fire of Yagya become fire itself. In fact the real Yagya is to follow the directions and inspirations of our indwelling divinity and imbibe righteous tendencies. Constant remembrance of the Divine, keeping an attitude of detachment and remaining engrossed in regular sacred studies and devotion amounts to leading a Yagyiya life. Such a person sees the presence of God in everyone, everywhere and becomes free of evil deeds and sins.

3) Scientific Aspects of Yagya

There are two basic energy systems in the physical world: Heat and Sound. In performing Yagya, these two energies, namely, the heat from Yagya’s fire and the sound of the Gayatri and other Mantras, are combined to achieve the desired physical, psychological and spiritual benefits.

The fumigation of specific substances in the Yagya — fire is a scientific method of subtulisation of matter into energy and expanding its potential and positive effects in the surrounding atmosphere. The electromagnetic waves generated thereby help in transmitting, at cosmic level, the desired sonic signals ‘stored’ in the Mantras, which are chanted during the process of sacrificing the special materials in the fire.There are two basic energy systems in the physical world: Heat and Sound. In performing Yagya, these two energies, namely, the heat from Yagya’s fire and the sound of the Gayatri and other Mantras, are combined to achieve the desired physical, psychological and spiritual benefits.

4)Types of Yagya

Apart from fire-based scientific experiment (or fire-ritual, as popularly known), other principal types of yagyas signified in the vedic culture are :

The Seva Yagna — altruist service of the society is a noble example of Yagya.Apart from fire-based scientific experiment (or fire-ritual, as popularly known), other principal types of yagyas signified in the vedic culture are :

The Gyan Yagya, similarly implies the service of people by enlightening their lives in the glow of knowledge and education.

The Prana Yagya implies — the service of saving the lives of people from suffering and agonies and inspiring liveliness and respect for life in them. A variety of such Yagyas are described in the Shastras.

5) Benefits of Yagya

Yagya is also glorified as “Yajóoaya Sarvakaamdhuk” meaning, “Yagya is the source of fulfilling all desires”. This appears to be true in view of the positive effects, at physical, mental and spiritual levels, of performing Yagya and ideal elevation of life by adopting the universal philosophy of Yagya in action.

“Agni Mºde Purohitam” The first revelation of Rig Veda of is said to have given knowledge of kindling fire toYagya is also glorified as “Yajóoaya Sarvakaamdhuk” meaning, “Yagya is the source of fulfilling all desires”. This appears to be true in view of the positive effects, at physical, mental and spiritual levels, of performing Yagya and ideal elevation of life by adopting the universal philosophy of Yagya in action.

the first man on the earth. The knowledge of other powers of Nature is said to have descended afterwards. Fire and thermal energy are also the key sources of materialistic development. “Fire worship” is prevalent in one form or the other in almost every religion or cult. In Hindu religion and Indian culture, the sacrificial fire of Yagya is of auspicious importance.

6) Purification of Environment by Yagya

The industrial wastes, rapid urbanization, deforestation, air and water pollution, disturbances in the ozone layer -formation, radioactive waves etc., have destabilized the human, animal and plant life cycles. The ecological imbalance caused by these acts of ‘civilized men’ has resulted into disastrous threat not only to human survival but to the life as a whole on our planet.

Till recently it was accepted that research into science can furnish answer to all of man’s problems. Today we find increasing number of diseases including malfunctioning of body organs due to increasing severity of pollution in the atmosphere. Ozone layer depletion has been causing ailments like sunburn, skin cancer, cataracts and weakening of the immune system. Viruses are becoming drug-resistant and showing consistent growth trends. Experimental studies show that the incidence of physical ailments, sickness and disease are reduced in the houses, where the Yagya (Agnihotra) is regularly performed because it creates a pure, nutritional and medicinal atmosphere. It renews the brain cells, revitalizes the skin, purifies blood and prevents growth of pathogenic organisms. Agnihotra is basically a healing process. ‘Heal the atmosphere and the healed atmosphere will heal you’- is the Modus Operandi. Purification of environment through the constituent electrons of the substances fumigated in the Yagya is an obvious effect of this process. The observation of some distinguished scientists is note worthy in this regard.

Dr. Hafkine has mentioned that – “mixing ghee and sugar and burning them creates smoke which kills the germs of certain diseases and secretion takes place from some glands relate to the wind-pipe, which fill our heart and mind with pleasure. Sugars present in Havishya have great power to purify the atmosphere. It kills the germs of T.B., measles, smallpox and cow-pox, remarks Prof. Tilward. According to Dr. Shirowich, a Russian scientist has remarked that (i) Cow’s milk contains great power of protection from atomic radiation; (ii) Houses having cow-dung covered floors enjoy complete protection from atomic radiation; (iii) If cow’s ghee is put into Yagya fire, its fumes lessen the effect of atomic radiation to a great extent.

The medicinal fumes emanating from Agnihotra have been observed by researchers in the field of microbiology to be clearly bacteriolethal in nature. These eradicate bacteria and other micro-organisms, which are the root cause of illness and diseases. This must be the reason why the incidence of physical ailments, sickness and diseases becomes less in the households, where Agnihotra is regularly performed. Even without going into detailed chemical bacteriology, it can be stated that performance of Yagya leads to purification of air.

7)Therapeutic Benefits of Yagya

Amidst the fascinating achievements of the modern era of science and technology in improving our comfort levels, stress and pollution have posed the major challenge for man. The world is beginning to realize that the comforts provided to us by modern science and technology do not necessarily always make life easier. In fact, apart from greater stress and tension, more unknown diseases, untold anxiety and fear is caused by the highly polluted environment and ecological imbalance. This has raised alarming call for rethinking and guiding the common life style. Yagya appears to be a boon of the ancient Indian sciences for achieving this purpose.

In a physical laboratory, it might not be possible to demonstrate the spiritualAmidst the fascinating achievements of the modern era of science and technology in improving our comfort levels, stress and pollution have posed the major challenge for man. The world is beginning to realize that the comforts provided to us by modern science and technology do not necessarily always make life easier. In fact, apart from greater stress and tension, more unknown diseases, untold anxiety and fear is caused by the highly polluted environment and ecological imbalance. This has raised alarming call for rethinking and guiding the common life style. Yagya appears to be a boon of the ancient Indian sciences for achieving this purpose.

Effects of Yagya

Physical and mental effects of Yagyas can be certainly tested, and the claims to cure physical and mental diseases through Yagya can be verified. The Brahmavarchas Shodha Sansthan (a scientific research centre in Hardwar, India) has taken up research on this aspect of Yagya. It is to be noted here that the traditional systems of treatment of physical diseases employ medicines which are mostly administered orally. They, therefore, produce effects only after they have been digested and absorbed into the system. Most part of the medicine taken orally neither is nor utilized by the digestive system. Such medicines may also upset digestion seriously. The same is more or less true medicines directly injected into the blood. They produce results quicker, but their adverse side effects are often more pronounced. White corpuscles of the blood resent intrusion of any foreign bodies into the blood, and sometimes the reaction of the system to the sudden, massive and direct intrusion of foreign matter into the blood through injection proves most serious, and even fatal. In a Yagya, medicines and herbs are vaporized by offering them into the sacrificial fire, and they enter the human body in a gaseous form through the nose, lungs and the pores of the skin. This might be proved to be easiest, least taxing, least risky and most effective method of administering a medicine so as to reach every single cell of the body. The possibilities of curing mental diseases by Yagya are even more alluring. Diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders is still in its infancy in the modern systems of treatment. There are neither well established diagnostic aids, nor any recognized system of treatment of diseases like Neurosis, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Depression, Tension, Melancholia, Mania, Hysteria etc. On the other hand, psychosomatic diseases are even more rampant than physical diseases and they wreck the man more than the latter. Manifestation of psychosomatic diseases except in extreme and advanced cases is not so apparent, and that may explain why enough attention has not been paid to them. The stress and strain of modern life, degradation of social behavior and fall in moral values all around are contributing to an alarming increase in psychosomatic diseases. Yagya might offer a solution to this serious problem as well. The technique of Yagya for the treatment of physical and mental diseases does not comprise mere vaporization of the constituents or herbs to be employed, but various Samidhas are offered into the sacrificial fire of Yagya to create the desired effects. Research on all these aspects of Yagya is being conducted in the laboratory of Brahmvarchas. It might well lead to the development of a scientifically established in yagnopathy, which may find not only an honored but a leading place in other therapies of the world like Allopathy, Homeopathy, Chromopathy, Naturopathy, etc. Looking to the high intellectual caliber and attainments of those who are engaged in research, Yagnopathy may come into being sooner than expected, and it may rank a unique achievement of the modern age.

8) Results of Research in Scientific laboratories

In his study, Dr. Selvamurthy has observed neurophysiological effects of the Mantras of a special kind of Agnihotra (described in the next section) which is performed at the time of sunset. In this experimental study, 8 healthy men were chosen as subjects. They use to report at 4 p.m. on two consecutive days. First day for control recording when rituals of Agnihotra were performed but instead of the prescribed Mantras, some irrelevant syllables were uttered at specific time periods. Next day evening the Agnihotra used to be performed with proper Mantras. Recording of physiological parameters viz. Heart rate, ECG, EEG, GSR,

blood pressure were made on both days.

The results showed that while the mind (brain waves) remained unaltered beforeIn his study, Dr. Selvamurthy has observed neurophysiological effects of the Mantras of a special kind of Agnihotra (described in the next section) which is performed at the time of sunset. In this experimental study, 8 healthy men were chosen as subjects. They use to report at 4 p.m. on two consecutive days. First day for control recording when rituals of Agnihotra were performed but instead of the prescribed Mantras, some irrelevant syllables were uttered at specific time periods. Next day evening the Agnihotra used to be performed with proper Mantras. Recording of physiological parameters viz. Heart rate, ECG, EEG, GSR, blood pressure were made on both days.

Agnihotra, significant changes occurred after the proper Agnihotra. These included — (a) G.S.R. remained significantly higher due to proper Agnihotra; (b) ECG showed DC shift in the base line; (c) EEG showed alpha enhancement and delta suppression for more than 15 minutes.

In recent years, the science of medicine has begun to recognize the role of psychology in prevention and cure of malady. ‘As the atmosphere, prana and mind’ are inter linked, the individuals automatically experience relaxation, peace, unburdening of the mind, loss of worries and stress in the Yagya atmosphere. The increase in the level of Prana (vital energy) in the atmosphere when a Yagya is performed — was also recorded with the help of Kirlian photographs of human hands before and after Yagya in the experiments conducted by Dr. Matthias Ferbinger of Germany.

The atmosphere surrounding the place where a Yagya is being performed and the ash produced in the Kunda has been found useful in healing nervous system disorders, asthma, heart diseases, lung infections, a wide variety of skin diseases and the diseases of the eyes and ears. Analysis of ash has indicated that it contains

certain ingredients which soothe, pacify and tranquillize the mind.

9)Chanting of Mantra

The power of sound vibrations is long since acknowledged in the field of science. These vibrations can penetrate the energy spheres at the subtle and cosmic levels. All the alphabets of the Sanskrit language are endowed with special vibrational powers, which set out harmonious wave patterns when pronounced.

It is interesting to note that Dr. Howard Steingull, an American Scientist has established that recitation of Gayatri Mantra produces 110,000 sound waves per second. In fact recitation of the Gayatri Mantra during the fire-worship (Yagya) acts supplementary. The patterns of chanting of Mantras are so designed that they latently contain the essence of the music or the quite essential sound of the torrent of life sustaining energies emanating from the cosmic energy centre of the corresponding Mantras. (The cosmic energy centre a deity associated with the Gayatri Mantra is Sun). Uttering of these Mantras produces vibrations which are soothing to human mind, all plant and animal life. These vibrations also help in spreading specific energy waves in the surrounding atmosphere as the oblations are offered.The power of sound vibrations is long since acknowledged in the field of science. These vibrations can penetrate the energy spheres at the subtle and cosmic levels. All the alphabets of the Sanskrit language are endowed with special vibrational powers, which set out harmonious wave patterns when pronounced.

10)References from Scriptures

a) The Yajurveda contains the knowledge of the principles and methods of performing Yagyas as part of spiritual and scientific experiments for global welfare. The SamaVeda focuses on the musical chanting patterns of the mantras and deals with the subtle form of Yagya by defining the latter as the process of mental oblation on the surface of emotions….

Ancient scriptures of Hindu philosophy affirm Yagya as one of the twenty-four divine incarnations. Performing Yagya on small scale as homam, agnihotra or havan is an integral part of every religious ritual and social rite of auspicious nature.a) The Yajurveda contains the knowledge of the principles and methods of performing Yagyas as part of spiritual and scientific experiments for global welfare. The SamaVeda focuses on the musical chanting patterns of the mantras and deals with the subtle form of Yagya by defining the latter as the process of mental oblation on the surface of emotions….

b) Bhagwat Purana

The importance of yagya has been described in detail in Srimad Bhagwat Purana. Several such events have been described in this scripture, which acquaint us fully with the enormous power of yagya. According to this Purana, the universe was created with the help of yagya. This phenomenon has been described as follows.

In an answer to a query, Brahmaji describes the form of yagya as follows —

“Yadsya nabhyam …………… caturhortram ca sattam”

- Bhagwat, Skandha 2, Addhyaya 6, slokas 22,23,24.

Meaning — “When I was born from the navel of the all-pervading Brahm, I did not see any articles for oblation except the body of the Purush (the male God). Therefore, I created the animals, vegetables, Kusa (a sacred grass), the sacred land where gods can perform yagya and the time, which is full of virtues (meaning the time in which the virtues are worshipped). Then I created all the ingredients of yagya, herbs, milk fats, sweetmeats, metals like gold, clay (earth), water, four Vedas (Rig, Yaju, Sama and Atharva), four Brahmans, and such procedures too by which the yagya may be performed.”

c) Brahma Purana The importance of yagya has been described in detail in Srimad Bhagwat Purana. Several such events have been described in this scripture, which acquaint us fully with the enormous power of yagya. According to this Purana, the universe was created with the help of yagya. This phenomenon has been described as follows.

In an answer to a query, Brahmaji describes the form of yagya as follows —

“Yadsya nabhyam …………… caturhortram ca sattam”

– Bhagwat, Skandha 2, Addhyaya 6, slokas 22,23,24.

Meaning — “When I was born from the navel of the all-pervading Brahm, I did not see any articles for oblation except the body of the Purush (the male God). Therefore, I created the animals, vegetables, Kusa (a sacred grass), the sacred land where gods can perform yagya and the time, which is full of virtues (meaning the time in which the virtues are worshipped). Then I created all the ingredients of yagya, herbs, milk fats, sweetmeats, metals like gold, clay (earth), water, four Vedas (Rig, Yaju, Sama and Atharva), four Brahmans, and such procedures too by which the yagya may be performed.”

There is description in the Brahma Purana (Purva Bhag,Addhyaya 1, shloka 5,6,7) that in the beginning of the Kalpa, a very sacred mahayagya was performed for one thousand years. The organizer of this mahayagya was Brahmaji himself accompanied by His wife Ila. The role of Shamitraka was performed by intelligent and radiant Mrityudev himself.

d)Skanda Purana 

Rishabhdev is considered the incarnation of God. This country has been named as Bharatvarsha in the memory of his son Bharat. The latter made this country a sacred land through the performance of mahayagyas.

Wherever the mahayagyas were performed, Tirthas (holy places) were established. After removing the suffix ‘pra’ from ‘Prayag’ , what remains is the word ‘yag’, (which means yagya). This place has become Tirtharaj (the king of Tirthas) because a large number of yagyas have been performed there. The Dasasvamedha Ghat (a bathing place on the bank of the river Ganga) in Kashi (Varanasi) is a proof of the fact that ten major yagyas had been performed there. This is why so much holiness has been attributed to this place. It is mentioned in part 4 of Skand Purana that the king of Kashi, Divodas performed yajan of the Lord Mahayagyeshwar in Kashi city by ten Ashvamedha yagyas. From that day, that place became famous as Dasasvamedha Tirtha. Previously, it was known as Rudrasarovar.

e) Vayu Purana

The sages asked reverend Sootaji about the place, time, type etc of the first mahayagya. Whatever Sootaji said, in an answer to this question, is described in the second chapter in the first part of “Vayu Purana”, as follows

“The creator in the primordial state (i.e. before the actual creation of this universe), performed the sacred yagya for thousands of years with an aim to create this world. In this mahayagya, indeed Tapa (penance) wasYajman and Brahmaji Himself was Brahma of the yagya. In this long and grand yagy of great souls, the ‘Nemi’ (wheel) of Dharma revolved so much that it shattered and hence that area which was worshipped by the sages and saints, was named as Naimisaranya.

The fourth sloka in the first chapter in first skandha of Bhagwat says —

Naimise ninisiksetre —sayah saunkadayah|

Satra swargaya lokaya sahastra samamasat||

Meaning — Once upon a time, 88000 sages including Shaunak performed a 10,000 years long mahayagya in the sacred area ofNaimisaranya, with a desire to achieve Heaven. It is the sacred effect of these yagyas that this area is supposed to be sacred even today.

11)Fumigating Substances Used in Yagya

In order to get an idea of the various chemical changes which take place, it is essential to know the various substances offered in Yagya.

(A) Wood: Wood has to be dry and free from dust, insects and worms. The wood is cut into small sticks of varying lengths called Samidhas according to the size of the altar or Agnikunda.

The principal types of wood used are the following:

I. Sandal-wood (Santalum Album)

II. Agar and Tagar wood (Aquilana Malaccensis and Valeriana Wallchii)

III. Deodar (Cedrys Libani)

IV. Mango (Mangifera Indica)

V. Dhak or Palash (Butea Frondosa)

VI. Bilva (Aegle Marmelos)

VII. Pipal (Ficus Religiosa)

VIII. Bargad (Ficus Bengalensis)

IX. Shami (Proposis Spicigera)

X. Gular (Ficus Glomerata)

In addition to wood, various Havishya or Havan samagri are offered in Yagya

can be divided into the following four groups:

(B) Odoriferous Substances:

These are — saffron, musk, agar, tagar, chandan, illaychi, jayphal, javitri and camphor.

(C) Substances with Healthy Constituents:

These are clarified butter (ghee), milk, fruits and cereals like wheat, rice, barley, til, kangu, munga, chana, arhar, masur or peas.

(D) Sweet Substances:

These usually are — sugar, dried grapes, honey or chhuhara.

(E) Medicinal Herbs:

These are used as per specific requirement. Some common herbs are

Somalata or Giloya, Brahmi, Shankhpushpi, Nagkesar, Mulhati,Red Chandan, Baheda, Sonth and Harad.

Now-a-days Havan samagri is readily available in the market consisting of the following substances in a crude powder form: Saw dust of sandal-wood and pine wood, the agar and tagar wood chips, kapurkachari, gugal, nagarmotha, balchhaar or jatamansi,narkachura, sugandhbala, illayachi, jayphal, cloves and dalchini.

12) Products of Combustion

At the outset, it can be said that the interpretation of process of combustion in a Yagya in a physical scientific terms is rather difficult due to the following reasons:

(i) The properties of substances which are used are vastly varying;

(ii) The conditions under which combustion takes place remain unspecified. The products of combustion depend on the following factors like -

(a) The nature of substances used and their proportions;

(b) Temperature attained;

(c) Controlled supply of air and

(d) Interaction amongst the various products

formed.

Vapourization of wood:

Besides complete combustion of cellulose material of wood, it is also subjected to vaporization. This happens due to the way Samidhas are arranged in the Agnikunda, the conditions of temperature and air supply which prevail in it.

Steam Volatilization of Odorous Substances:

The temperature attained in the Kunda varies between 250°C and 600°C, while in actual flames it can go as high as 1200°C to 1300°C. The boiling points of volatile constituents get diffused over in the surrounding atmosphere. Also when cellulose and other carbohydrates undergo combustion, steam is formed in copious quantities by the combination of hydrogen of organic substances with the oxygen. This is how the substances like thymol, eugenol, pinene, terpinol etc., are carried over in the surroundings and the aroma of a Yagya can be smelt even at a considerable distance.

In addition to steam, smoke is also given out in copious quantities and solid particles existing in a highly divided state offer sufficient surface for mechanical diffusion. Thus smoke also functions as colloidal particles for diffusion of volatile aromatic substances depending on temperature and direction of the wind.

Combustion of Fatty Substances:

The fatty substances used in Yagya are mainly ghee and other fatty substances of vegetable origin. Ghee helps in rapid combustion of cellulose of wood and keeps the fire alight. All fatty substances used are combinations of fatty acids, which volatilize easily. The combustion of glycerol portion gives acetone bodies, pyruvic aldehyde and glyoxal etc. The hydrocarbons produced in the reactions again undergo slow combustion and as a result methyl and ethyl alcohols, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, formic acid and acetic acids are formed.

Photo-Chemical process :

When all the volatile substances are diffused in the surrounding atmosphere, these are further subjected to photochemical reactions in the sunlight. This may be the reason why it has been recommended that Yagya should be performed in the presence of strong sunlight. These changes occur in the ultra-violet and other short wavelength regions. The products of fumigation thus go photochemical decomposition, oxidation and reduction. To some extent even CO2 is also reduced to formaldehyde as follows:

CO2 + H2O + 112,000 cal. = HCHO = O2

From environmental angle, reduction of CO2 produced in Yagya as above and liberation of oxygen cannot be overemphasized.

13) Inverted Pyramid Shaped Agni Kunda

The word ‘pyramid’ means the fire in the middle’. This ancient-word meaning for pyramid is closely connected with the inexplicable energies emanating from its central shape. The pyramid shape is widely experienced to generate and store a special energy field, which possess bacteriostatic properties. The inverted pyramid shape of the Agni kunda (also called Havan Kunda) allows controlled generation and multidirectional dissipation of energy. It acts as a generator of

unusual energy fields and spreads them in its surrounding atmosphere.

For a daily Agnihotra (Balivaishva) a small copper pot is used. The inverted pyramid shaped Agnihotra pot receives, generates and decentralizes electrosphere. It acts as an effective bacteriostatic and antimicrobial reactor.

Copper is universally acknowledged for its excellent conduction of electricity and heat. The Agnihotra has an obvious link with fire, heat, electro-magnetic force and because of its inverted pyramid shaped Kunda, it does have connection with the cosmic energy fields.

The dimensions of the copper pot used for the daily Agnihotras are: 14.5 cm ×14.5cm at the top. 5.25cm × 5.25 cm at the bottom and 6.5 cm in height with three steps. For large scale Yagyas, the dimensions are increased proportionately and the Kundas are also made up of specific combinations of clays. A part from the pyramid shape, some other special symmetric geometrical designs are also used according to the kind of energy fields and the cosmic currents required to be generated by the Yagya. Specific types of Kundas are recommended for different kinds of Yagyas.

14)Chanting of Mantra

The power of sound vibrations is long since acknowledged in the field of science. These vibrations can penetrate the energy spheres at the subtle and cosmic levels. All the alphabets of the Sanskrit language are endowed with special vibrational powers, which set out harmonious wave patterns when pronounced.

It is interesting to note that Dr. Howard Steingull, an American Scientist has established that recitation of Gayatri Mantra produces 110,000 sound waves per second. In fact recitation of the Gayatri Mantra during the fire-worship (Yagya) acts supplementary. The patterns of chanting of Mantras are so designed that they latently contain the essence of the music or the quite essential sound of the torrent of life sustaining energies emanating from the cosmic energy centre of the corresponding Mantras. (The cosmic energy centre a deity associated with the Gayatri Mantra is Sun). Uttering of these Mantras produces vibrations which are soothing to human mind, all plant and animal life. These vibrations also help in spreading specific energy waves in the surrounding atmosphere as the oblations are offered.