Guided Havan

Havan, or Homa, is the process of offering in the sacred fire pouring into it oblations reciting Mantras from the Vedas.

The Sanskrit word homa (होम) is from the root hu, which refers to “pouring into the fire, offer, sacrifice” and the word yajna (Sanskrit: यज्ञ; yajña) means to worship and appears in Vedic text.

According to Hinduism, every matter is made up of five elements which are Earth(bhumi), Water (jala), Fire (agni), Air (Vayu) and Space (aakash). In Havan, we use the thermal energy of fire and the sound energy of the mantras for therapeutic application which purifies the air and brings harmony in the environment.

The fire destroys the offering and has a purifying effect on the devotee and the environment. The chanting of mantras and offering to fire create a revitalizing and rejuvenating effect for both the body and mind. (https://www.ritiriwaz.com/benefits-of-doing-havan/)

Benefits of Havan

Havan Purifies the environment, creating a wholistic atmosphere.
Fire acts as a pesticide for the home remvoing bacteria.
Earth attracts minerals due to heat.
Mantras create positive sound energy.
Sunrise and sunset are the prescribed times for havan provide maximum healing to atmosphere and humans.
Carbon dioxide in small quantities gets mixed with aromatic vapors and act as a cerebral stimulant.
Yagna’s ash as an effective fertilizer.

Preparation

Items Needed:

Agni Kund
Havan Samagri, ghoogol, washed rice
Ghee
Lota
Water
Mango leaf or spoon
A flower

Set up:

Fill lota with water
Dip three pieces of wood in ghee
Combine havan samghri, rice, ghoogol and ghee (total should be not more than a handful)

Step 1: Pavitrataa (Purification)

While standing with a clean mango leaf or spoon in the right hand holding a lota of water in the left hand, dip into and sprinkle water as far as possible from where standing five time while reciting the mantra. This is meant to purify the area before prayer.

Aum Apavitrah Pavitro Vaa,
Sarva Avasthaam Gato Api Vaa,
Yah Smaret Pundareek-Aksham,
Sa Baa-Hyaa-Bhyah Antaram Shuchih.
Aum Shri Vishnu, Aum Shri Vishnu, Aum Shri Vishnuh.

Pavitrataa

Step 2: Namaskaar (Prostration to Mother Earth)

Stand before the altar and bow to the earth, touch the ground with your hands and bend your head to touch the ground three times while reciting the mantra. This is to pay homage to Mother Earth that sustains us.

Aum Kshamas Va Me Pada Sparsham,

Kshamaa Shile Paraat Pare,

Raam Krishna Aadi Kaa Naam Tvam,

Maataa Prithivi Namastute.

Namaskaar

Step 3: Aasan Shuddhi (Prayer Seat Blessing)

Stand before the altar and hold a clean mango leaf in hand and invoke the blessings of God by chanting the mantra. Place the leaf under the toes and take a seat creating a sanctified seat to conduct puja.

Aum Aasan Mantrasya Meru Prishta,

Rishi Sutalam Chhandah Kurmo Devataa,

Aasanam Upaveshane Viniyogah,

Prithivi Tvayaa Dhritaa Lokaa,

Devi Tvam Vishnu Naa Dhritaa,

Tvam Cha Dhaaraya Maam Nityam,

Pavitram Kuru Cha Aasanam.

Aasan Shuddhi

Step 4: Aumkaar Dhyaan (Meditation)

Take another flower and clasp in in your hands and again focus on god as the source of all things in the universe, aligning yourself with the universe.

Aum Kaaram Nigam Aika Vedyaman Isham Vedanta Tattva Vaas Padam. Chowt Patti Sthiti Naasha Hetum Amalam, Vishva Aatmakam. Vishva Traana Paraayanam Sruti Shatais, Sam Prochya Maanam Vibhum. Satya Gyaanam Ananta Moortim Amalam, Shuddha Aatmakam Tam Bhaje.

Aum Kaar Dhyaan

Step 5: Praarthanaa (Prayer)

Take a flower in hand and clasping your hands together recite the mantra and offer at the end. ….. Oh god protect and nourish us together and grace us to get the capacity of knowledge. Please let love and peace be with us.

Aum Saha Naav Avatu, Saha Nau Bhunaktu, Saha Veerya Kara-Vaa-Va-Hai, Tejasvi Naav Adheetam Astu, Maa Vid-Vish-Aava_Hai, Aum Shaantih, Shaantih, Shaantih, Hari Aum. Aum Namo Param-Aa Tmane Namah.

Praarthanaa

Step 6: Aachman (Cleansing)

Take the mango leaf from the lota of water with your left hand and pour a few drops of water into your right palm. Recite mantra three times and sip when “Swaha” is recited. Throw the remainder of water in your palm aside.

Aum Amrit Opas Taranma Asi Swaahaa. Aum Amrit Api Daanam Asi Swaahaa. Aum Satyam Yasha Shri, Mayi Shrih, Srayataam Swaahaa.

Aachman

Step 7: Indriya Sparsha (Purification of Organs)

Take the mango leaf with your right hand  from the lota of water and place a few drops of water in the palm of your left hand. Place the mango leaf back into the lota and take the ring figer of your right hand and dip it into the water touching the various parts of your body purifying it with the recitation of each mantra…… Oh almighty God, purify and strengthen my words, nose and eyes, my ears, arms and knees, and even my entire body with health and strength.

 Aum Vaangme Asye Astu (Mouth), Aum Nasorme Praano Astu  (Nose), Aum Kshanorme Chaksur Astu (Eyes), Aum Karanyorme Shrotam Astu (Ears), Aum Baahavorme Balam Astu (Arms), Aum Urvome Ojo Astu (Knees), Aum Arishtaani Me Angaanee, Tanus Tanvaa Me Saha Santu (Entire Body)

 

Indriya Sparsha

Step 8: Agnya Daan (Fire Offering)

Stack wood/sticks in the Agni/Havan Kund. Take a clean spoon in your right hand and place a camphor in it. Ignite the camphor while chanting the mantra and place it in the Kund on the stacked wood. This step offers Agni Dev a seat and welcomes him …….. Oh Universal Lord, the ruler of the physical, astral and celestial plane. In the name of Havan Yagna I ignite this fire upon this altar of sacrifice, so that we may be blessedwith food in abundance.

Aum Bhur Bhuvah Svah.

Om bhoor bhuwah swar dyau-riva bhoomnaa

prithi-veeva varimaa.

Tasyaas-te prithivi deva-yajani!

Prish-the’gni mannaa da-mannaa dyaayaa dadhe.

Agnya Daan

Step 9: Fanning the Flames

Fan the flames in the four directions, North, South, East and West to let it raise.

Om ud-budhyas-waagne prati-jaagrihi

twam ishtaa poorte sam-srije-thaam ayan cha.

Asmiint sa-dhasthe adhyut-tarasmin

vishwe devaa yaja-maanash cha seedata.

Fanning the Flames

Step 10: Prajvalit (Nourishing the Flame)

Samid Aadhaana (1)

Dip three pieces of wood/sticks in the ghee. Recite the mantra and offer one.

It is said that the three pieces of wood is us offering our thoughts, words and deeds into the Agni.

Om ayanta idhama aatamaa

jaata-vedas tene-dhyaswa ched-dha

vardhaya chaas-maan praja-yaa

pashu-bhir brahma-varchase naan-naa-dyena

samedhaya swaaha.

Idam agnaye, jaate vedase, idanna mama.

Samid Aadhaana (1)

Step 10 ... Continued: Prajvalit (Nourishing the Flame)

Samid Aadhaana (2)

Recite the mantra and offer the second piece of wood into the fire.

It is said that the three pieces of wood is us offering our thoughts, words and deeds into the Agni.

Om samidhaagnim duwasyata

ghritair bodhaya taa-ti-thim.

Aasmin havyaa juho-tana swaaha.

Idam agnaye, idanna mama.

Om su-samid-dhaaya sho-chi-she

ghritam teevram juhotana

Agnaye jaata-vedase swaahaa.

Idam agnaye, jaata-vedase, idanna mama.

Samid Aadhaana (2)

Step 10 ... Continued: Prajvalit (Nourishing the Flame)

Samid Aadhaana (3)

Recite the mantra and offer the third piece of wood into the fire.

It is said that the three pieces of wood is us offering our thoughts, words and deeds into the Agni.

Om tan-twaa samid-bhir-angiro

gritena vadha-yaamasi

Brihach chho-chaa ya-vish-thya swaahaa.

Idam agnaye angirase, idanna mama.

Samid Aadhaana (3)

Step 11: Pancha Ghrit Aahuti (5 Ghee Offerings)

Offer five ghee oblations while chanting the mantra (mantra recited once).

Each time ghee is offered let the final drips of ghee drain into bowl or container with a little water in it of water. The mixture of ghee and water will be used at the end of the havan.

Om ayanta idhama aatamaa jaata-vedas tene-dhyaswa ched-dha vardhaya chaas-maan praja-yaa pashu-bhir brahma-varchase naan-naa-dyena samedhaya swaaha. Idam agnaye, jaate vedase, idanna mama.

Pancha Ghrit

Step 12: Jala Sinchana (Sanctifying the Four Directions)

Pour water in the eastern direction and pray that O God, whenever we venture in the eastern direction, may we be guided by you. We pray the same as we pour in the other directions and when we encircle the kunda with the water we pray that O God, in which ever direction in this universe we go, bless us, guide us and lead us onto that path of righteousness so that we can attain Moksha from our difficulties and eternally.

Om adite ‘nu-man-yaswa.

Pour water to the East

Om anumate ‘nu-man-yaswa.

Pour water to the West.

Om Saraswat-yanu-man-yaswa.

Pour water to the North

Om deva savitah! prasuva yajyam prasuva yajya-patim bhagaaya. Divyo gandharwah keta-pooh ketan-nah punaatu vaachas-patir vaachan-nah swa-da-tu.

Encircle the kunda 3 times in clockwise direction ending in the southern direction

Jala Sinchana

Step 13: Four Ghee Oblations

Offer ghee into the fire as directed after each mantra.

Each time ghee is offered let the final drips of ghee drain into bowl or container with a little water in it of water. The mixture of ghee and water will be used at the end of the havan.

Om agnaaye swaahaa. Idam agnaye, idanna mama.

To the north edge of the fire

Om somaaya swaahaa. Idam somaaya, idanna mama.

To the south edge of the fire.

Om prajaa-pataye swaahaa Idam prajaa-pataye, idanna mama.

In the Center

Om indraaya swaahaa. Idam indraaya, idanna mama.

In the Center

Four Ghee Oblations

Step 14: Morning Ghee & Saamagree Oblations

Use these mantras only if doing havan more than once for the day and this one is being done in the morning period. Offer oblation after “swaahaa”.

If doing only Havan once for the day, use “combined” mantras which is in the following section.

Om sooryo jyotir jyotih sooryah swaahaa.

Om sooryo varcho jyotir varchah swaahaa.

Om jyothih sooryah sooryo jyothih swaahaa.

Om sajoor devena savitraa sajoo-rusha-sendra-vatyaa. Jushaanah sooryo vetu swaahaa.

Morning Mantras

Step 14: Evening Ghee & Saamagree Oblations

Use these mantras only if doing havan more than once for the day and this one is being done in the evening period. Offer oblation after “swaahaa”.

If doing only Havan once for the day, use “combined” mantras which is in the next section.

Om agnir jyotir jyotir agnih swaahaa.

Om agnir varcho jyotir varchaah swaahaa.

Om agnir jyotir jyotir agnih swaahaa. (Offer silently, recite mantra in your mind)

Om sajoor devena savitraa sajoo-raatryen-dra-vatyaa. Jushaanah agnir vetu swaahaa

Evening Mantras

Step 14: Combined Mantras Ghee & Saamagree Oblations

Use these mantras only if doing havan once for the day. Offer oblation after “swaahaa”.

Om bhoo-rag-naye praanaaya swaahaa. Idam agnaye praanaaya, idanna mama.

Om bhuwar-waaya-ve ‘paanaa-ya swaahaa. Idam vaaya-ve ‘paanaa-ya, idanna mama.

Om swar-aadit-yaaya vyaanaa-ya swaahaa. Idam aadit-yaaya vyaanaa-ya, idanna mama.

Om bhoor bhuwah swaragni vaay-va-ditye-bhyah praana-paana vyaane-bhyah swaahaa. Idam agni vaay-vaa-ditye-bhyah praanaa-paana vyaane-bhyah, idanna mama.

Om aapo jyotee raso ‘mritam brahma bhoor bhuwah swar-om swaahaa.

Om yaam medhaam deva-ganaah pitarash cho-paa-sate. Tayaa maa-madya medhayaag-ne medhaa-vinam kuru swaahaa.

Om vishwaani deva savitar duritaani paraa-suva. Yad bhadram tan-na aasuva swaaha.

Om agne naya su-pathaa raaye asmaan vishwaani deva vayu-nani vidwaan. Yuyo-dyas-maj juhuraanam eno bhooyish-thaan te nama uktim vidhema swaahaa.

Morning & Evening

Step 15: Vyaahriti Aahuti

Offer ghee into the fire as directed after each mantra.

Each time ghee is offered let the final drips of ghee drain into bowl or container with a little water in it of water. The mixture of ghee and water will be used at the end of the havan.

Om bhoor agnaye swaahaa. Idam agnaye, idanna mama.

Om bhuwar vaayave swaahaa. Idam vaaayave, idanna mama.

Om swar aadityaaya swaahaa. Idam aadityaaya, idanna mama.

Om bhoor bhuwah swaragni vaayvaa-dityebhyah swaahaa. Idam agni vaayvaa-dityebhyah, idanna mama.

Vyaahriti Aahuti