Significance of Homam Rituals
Sankalpa (intent)
Sankalpa is a chosen resolution made during the practice of Homam. It could be said that the main purpose of Homam is to realize one's sankalpa. Sankalpa has the potential to release tremendous power by clearly defining and focusing on a chosen goal. Its effect is to awaken the willpower within by uniting the conscious awareness with the unconscious forces lying dormant. It takes the form of a short phrase or sentence, clearly and concisely expressed, using the same wording each time, to bring about a positive change in one's life. The Homam is initiated with the recitation of One's Sankalpa.
Homam Kund (sacred fire pit)
This sacred pit is created by bricks and clay (or metal) and is symbolic of the Universe. Consciousness resides in the Akasha (the space of the Homam Kund) while Agni (Fire) symbolizes the primordial energy of the Universe. Fire purifies the fire element in our body and also purifies one's consciousness by amplifying the mantras. The fire of Homam purifies negativity and becomes the fulcrum of the entire Homam ritual.
Yantra (archetype)
Yantras are geometric forms that were visualized by Yogis while in a deep state of meditation when they tried to experience and understand the subtle vibrations within their own bodies and the Cosmos. At this level of consciousness, these archetype are trans-sensorial and transcendental perceptions and thereby the map of Consciousness. Yantra is traditionally consecrated with the chanting of mantras before the ceremony.
Samidha (firewood)
The literal meaning of Samidha is "fuel"; For the Homam, specific firewood as prescribed is used to burn the fire. The burning of the firewood symbolizes the transcending of our limitations.
Achaman (purification)
Water is known for its intrinsic property of being able to hold the spiritual vibrations of energy. Due to this property, the touch of water not only purifies physically but also purifies the psychic dimensions of any object. During Achaman, a fistful of water is held with reverence and sprinkled around the body to purify the spaces around.
Samagri (fire offerings)
The sacrificial food, the samagri (mixture of seeds, plants, resins, grains, etc.) is offered into the fire. The mixture represents our worldly samskaras (traits) such as attachment, greed, violence, etc. that bind us and trap us in egocentric thoughts and desires. We offer the seeds of all future actions into this fire of self-knowledge to be completely consumed. Symbolically we are offering our very lives into the fire of purification and sacrifice. The offerings are substances that sustain life. Many of the items are natural antiseptics and aromatics. As they burn, the subsequent vapours pervade the atmosphere, destroying pollutants and purifying the environment for many kilometres around. The vibrations of the mantras enhance the beneficial effect of these vapours. This ritual not only benefits the external environment, the participants of yajna also benefit as purification takes place in each individual's internal environment as the vapours and mantras permeate the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual entity.
Nyasa (consecrate)
The term nyasa is derived from the root nyas, which means 'to place'. It refers to the placing of the fingers on various parts of the body while chanting specific mantras called Beej mantras (root sounds). The purpose is to prepare the physical body for reception or awakening, of the divine presence.
Ahuti (offering)
The Samagri is offered to the sacred fire with a Mantra – SWAHA. The word 'Swa' means 'self' and 'Ha' means 'offer'. The offering is done to connect awareness of the self with cosmic consciousness.
Purna Ahuti (final offering)
A final offering is made to Agni (Fire) along with your resolution taken. This act is said to sow the Sankalpa at the heart of the Universe fructifying in a fulfilled life.
Kshama Prarthna (absolution)
Homam incorporates various rituals that need to be done in a prescribed manner with single-minded focus and pure intention. However some manual errors may happen during the rituals and hence, as a practice, the Practitioners ask for forgiveness from the Cosmos for such mistakes that happen inadvertently.
Dakshina (gratitude)
At the end of the ritual, the host accepts blessings of the priest conducting the Homam and shows gratitude for acting as a catalyst in this spiritual journey. As a mark of this gratitude, generally a small offering should be made to the priest. The offering could be a small memento or a small sum of money.
Sankalpa (intent)
Sankalpa is a chosen resolution made during the practice of Homam. It could be said that the main purpose of Homam is to realize one's sankalpa. Sankalpa has the potential to release tremendous power by clearly defining and focusing on a chosen goal. Its effect is to awaken the willpower within by uniting the conscious awareness with the unconscious forces lying dormant. It takes the form of a short phrase or sentence, clearly and concisely expressed, using the same wording each time, to bring about a positive change in one's life. The Homam is initiated with the recitation of One's Sankalpa.
Homam Kund (sacred fire pit)
This sacred pit is created by bricks and clay (or metal) and is symbolic of the Universe. Consciousness resides in the Akasha (the space of the Homam Kund) while Agni (Fire) symbolizes the primordial energy of the Universe. Fire purifies the fire element in our body and also purifies one's consciousness by amplifying the mantras. The fire of Homam purifies negativity and becomes the fulcrum of the entire Homam ritual.
Yantra (archetype)
Yantras are geometric forms that were visualized by Yogis while in a deep state of meditation when they tried to experience and understand the subtle vibrations within their own bodies and the Cosmos. At this level of consciousness, these archetype are trans-sensorial and transcendental perceptions and thereby the map of Consciousness. Yantra is traditionally consecrated with the chanting of mantras before the ceremony.
Samidha (firewood)
The literal meaning of Samidha is "fuel"; For the Homam, specific firewood as prescribed is used to burn the fire. The burning of the firewood symbolizes the transcending of our limitations.
Achaman (purification)
Water is known for its intrinsic property of being able to hold the spiritual vibrations of energy. Due to this property, the touch of water not only purifies physically but also purifies the psychic dimensions of any object. During Achaman, a fistful of water is held with reverence and sprinkled around the body to purify the spaces around.
Samagri (fire offerings)
The sacrificial food, the samagri (mixture of seeds, plants, resins, grains, etc.) is offered into the fire. The mixture represents our worldly samskaras (traits) such as attachment, greed, violence, etc. that bind us and trap us in egocentric thoughts and desires. We offer the seeds of all future actions into this fire of self-knowledge to be completely consumed. Symbolically we are offering our very lives into the fire of purification and sacrifice. The offerings are substances that sustain life. Many of the items are natural antiseptics and aromatics. As they burn, the subsequent vapours pervade the atmosphere, destroying pollutants and purifying the environment for many kilometres around. The vibrations of the mantras enhance the beneficial effect of these vapours. This ritual not only benefits the external environment, the participants of yajna also benefit as purification takes place in each individual's internal environment as the vapours and mantras permeate the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual entity.
Nyasa (consecrate)
The term nyasa is derived from the root nyas, which means 'to place'. It refers to the placing of the fingers on various parts of the body while chanting specific mantras called Beej mantras (root sounds). The purpose is to prepare the physical body for reception or awakening, of the divine presence.
Ahuti (offering)
The Samagri is offered to the sacred fire with a Mantra – SWAHA. The word 'Swa' means 'self' and 'Ha' means 'offer'. The offering is done to connect awareness of the self with cosmic consciousness.
Purna Ahuti (final offering)
A final offering is made to Agni (Fire) along with your resolution taken. This act is said to sow the Sankalpa at the heart of the Universe fructifying in a fulfilled life.
Kshama Prarthna (absolution)
Homam incorporates various rituals that need to be done in a prescribed manner with single-minded focus and pure intention. However some manual errors may happen during the rituals and hence, as a practice, the Practitioners ask for forgiveness from the Cosmos for such mistakes that happen inadvertently.
Dakshina (gratitude)
At the end of the ritual, the host accepts blessings of the priest conducting the Homam and shows gratitude for acting as a catalyst in this spiritual journey. As a mark of this gratitude, generally a small offering should be made to the priest. The offering could be a small memento or a small sum of money.