Human nature is such that anything that comes as a gift of nature is considered to be free of cost, and hence people do not take care in using these resources caringly and sparingly. Actually, any natural resource is not free of cost. It is our misunderstanding. Just as we have to pay for the things that we buy from market, we have to pay for the invaluable gifts of nature. We all are aware of "Global Warming", due to which various natural calamities are occuring now-a-days. If such a trend continues, the existence of human race can be in danger. It would not be long to bring ourselves to unnatural end. If we want to stop it, we need to protect the nature. The impurities that we have spread in the atomosphere, have to be purified at the earliest. The only simple way to achieve this is Agnihotra, which not only purifies the atomosphere, but also brings about welfare of each and every living being on the earth. Therefore,it is the need of the hour that we start performing Agnihotra in our home in order to protect ourselves and our families from the horrible results of pollution, and to achieve purified atomsphere, peace of mind, better health, better food grain production and powerful medicines.

Performing Agnihotra is a very simple task. It consists of making two offerings of a pinchful of whole (Akshat) Rice smeared with a few drops of cow's ghee (purified butter) in the fire prepared by dried cow-dung cakes in copper or earthernware invert pyramid shaped pot, alongwith chant of two Mantras at the exact time of local sunrise and sunset. The Mantras are quite simple to pronounce and they are as under :

Agnihotra Mantras

At the time of Sunrise Facing the East	1. Sooryay Swaha, Sooryay, Idam Na Mam. 2. Prajapataye Swaha, Prajapataye Idam Na Mam.
At the time of Sunset Facing the West	1. Agnaye Swaha, Agnaye, Idam Na Mam. 2. Prajapataye Swaha, Prajapataye Idam Na Mam.

These Mantras have been depicted in the Vedas. Agnihotra can be performed by anyone, and there are no restrictions about caste, creed, religion or food etc. This is not any new sect or religion nor does it propogate any new theory. It is a matter to be felt and realized. Today, alongwith the knowledge of science, the knowledge of Vedas is also need of the hour. In all the cultures of the world, Fire is considered to be pious and is worshipped in one form or the other. It is believed that Fire purifies every thing. Hence, Agnihotra purifies and keeps the soul pure. There is a close relation between the mind and soul. So, on purifying of one, the other also gets purified. The Divine Joy can be experienced only on purification of mind, and the person who achieves this, remains in perpetual divine happiness for ever, away from all worldly tensions.

Agnihotra not only purifies the atmosphere and human mind, but it also works wonder in many fields such as medicine, agriculture etc. Many researches are being conducted in India as well as foreign countries to find out beneficial effects of Agnihotra. 12^th of March is observed worldwide as "World Agnihotra Day."

Main benefits emerging from Agnihotra are :

1. It keeps the atmosphere free from bacteria and virus.
2. It pacifies the persons suffering from mental disorders.
3. The ashes of Agnihotra fire is used as a fertilizer in agriculture and as an antibiotic in medicine.

In present age, the message of Agnihotra was reinformed by Param Sadguru Shree Gajanan Maharaj (Shreeji - photo on side) of Akkalkot, Solapur, as per supreme command of God Parashuram on 12-03-1942. It consists of five fold path meant for the benefit, health and prosperity of the entire mankind, namely Yagna, Daana, Tapa, Karma and Swadhyaya. Yagna is supposed to be performed for purifying the atmosphere, Daana (Donation) is supposed to be performed for development of selfless spirit, Tapa (Penance) is supposed to be performed for achievement of goals, Karma is supposed to be performed for purifying the inner soul, and finally Swadhyaya is supposed to be performed for obtaining the salvation. However, performing Agnihotra alone can bring about all these things.

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