Preparing the Agnihotra fire:

 

. This is our table for Agnihotra. Height is 17 inches. We chose this height because when we sit in front, the Pyramid is at our heart level. So our offerings are from our "Anahat" Chakra - the Heart Centre. We choose not to put any cloth etc. to over the table.

. Now we have placed a pure marble tile over the table. This white tile indicates 'symbolically' purity at heart. We have white marble tiles in our Agnihotra Supplies section,click here for more info.

. We have placed a pure copper "Sri Yantra" size 7 inches x 6.5 inches, approximately the size of the pyramid. This Yantra is infused and purified with the relevant "Pranprathista" Mantras. This Yantra is available from our Agnihotra Supplies section, click here for more info.

. On top of the Sri Yantra we have place the stand of the Pyramid.

. Now we have placed the Pyramid on the stand.

. Other utensils on the table are, left side of the table copper bowl & copper spoon with ghee (clarified butter). Center small copper plate that rests the copper spoon. Right hand side we have a copper bowl with water and copper spoon.

. Two copper plates are added with rice and one Diya and one Incense holder. The copper spatula (right side of the picture) is also seen here.

. We have placed four pieces of cow dung in the four corners of the Pyramid and one large on top. The candle on the lower part of the picture will be used to lit and burn the cow dung pieces. We do not need any camphor to start the fire.

. Apply ghee to both sides of the piece of dung which will be placed in the center.

. Light the fire several minutes before the time on the timesheet, so the dung will be fully ablaze at the exact time.

. A large fire will need to be started earlier than a small one. Thicker dung needs more time to fully ignite.

. The rice offering consists of two pinches of raw brown rice (a pinch is the amount you can hold in your fingertips). Place in a dish and remove the broken pieces. This completes Agnihotra. It is preferable to sit quietly or meditate until the fire goes out.

. More insightful guidelines Place one piece of cow dung on the bottom of the pyramid, and place more pieces with ghee on them around the inside of the pyramid, leaving an opening in the middle. For fires done in apartments and other indoor locations a small fire will suffice, but for agricultural purposes where a lot of ash is desired, it is preferable to build a larger fire. For the maximum effect of the interplay of subtle energies of Agnihotra, one should not disturb the pyramid. If circumstances permit, it is best not to disturb the pyramid until it is time to set up for the next performance of Agnihotra.

 

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