19. Homam –

Homam is the fire ritual that is offered to the deity to help us achieve our cherished desires, keep away negative forces and to crush adversaries in competitions.

First of all, We start with worshipping Lord Gaṇapati to help us succeed in our endeavor, to perform this homam.

1. Gaṇapati stuti (गणपति स्तुति)

śuklāṃbaradaraṃ viṣṇuṃ śaśivarṇaṃ caturbhujaṃ ।

prasannavadanaṃ dhyāyet sarvavighnopa śāntaye ॥

शुक्लांबरदरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजं ।

प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोप शान्तये ॥

Let us meditate on Lord Viṣṇu clad in white with four arms, dispelling all obstacles with a smiling demeanor. He is Lord Gaṇapati, the remover of all obstacles.

Now, we proceed to the next step with sipping the water through the ācamana process.

2. Ācamanam (आचमनम्) –

3. Homa saṅkalpam (होम सङ्कल्पम्) -

Saṅkalpam is the pledge that we undertake before proceeding with the rituals. We are to state our location details and our names in this prayer. Wherever ‘amuka’ is specified, substitute context specific names, such as continent, year, country etc. If the specifics are unknown, one can substitute with ‘pratyaṅgira’ and proceed.

asyaśrī mahāviṣṇorājñāyā pravartamānasya ādya brahmaṇaḥ dvitīyaparārthe śvetavarāhakalpe vaivasvata manvantare kaliyuge pradhamapāde amukadvīpe amukavarṣe amukakhaṇḍe meroḥ amukadikbhāge amukadeśe bhagavatsannidhau asmin vartamāna vyāvahārika cāndramānena amukasamvatsare āyane amukaṛtau amukamāse pakṣe amukatithau amukavāsare nakṣatre śubhayoge śubhakaraṇe evam guṇa viśeṣaṇa viśiṣṭāyāṃ amukagotradbhavasya amukanāmadhyeyasya ahaṃ śrī pratyaṅgirā devatā prītyartham, śrī pratyaṅgirā devatā mūlamantra homam kariṣye ।

अस्यश्री महाविष्णोराज्ञाया प्रवर्तमानस्य आद्य ब्रह्मणः द्वितीयपरार्थे श्वेतवराहकल्पे वैवस्वत मन्वन्तरे कलियुगे प्रधमपादे अमुकद्वीपे अमुकवर्षे अमुकखण्डे मेरोः अमुकदिक्भागे अमुकदेशे भगवत्सन्निधौ अस्मिन् वर्तमान व्यावहारिक चान्द्रमानेन अमुकसम्वत्सरे आयने अमुकऋतौ अमुकमासे पक्षे अमुकतिथौ अमुकवासरे नक्षत्रे शुभयोगे शुभकरणे एवम् गुण विशेषण विशिष्टायां अमुकगोत्रद्भवस्य अमुकनामध्येयस्य अहं श्री प्रत्यङ्गिरा देवता प्रीत्यर्थम्, श्री प्रत्यङ्गिरा देवता मूलमन्त्र होमम् करिष्ये ।

Now, we proceed with establishing a Kalaśa for the homam.

4. Kalaśa pūja (कलश पूज)

Kalaśa is a vessel that represents the entire universe, the triads and is used to signify and acknowledge the presence of the entire universe and it’s powers. The following śloka verses are recited to establish the vessel.

kalaśasyamukhe viṣṇuḥ kaṇṭhe rudrassamāśritaḥ ।

mūle tatrasthito brahmā madhye mātṛgaṇāḥ smṛtāḥ ॥

kukṣautu sāgarā ssarve saptadvīpā vasundharā ।

ṛgvedo tha yajurvedaḥ sāmavedo hyatharvaṇaḥ ॥

aṅgaśca sahitā sarve kalaśāṃbu samāśritāḥ ।

āyantu devapūjārtham duritakṣaya kārakāḥ ॥

gaṅge ca yamune caiva godāvarī sarasvatī ।

narmadā sindhu kāverī jale'smin sannidhim kuru ॥

कलशस्यमुखे विष्णुः कण्ठे रुद्रस्समाश्रितः ।

मूले तत्रस्थितो ब्रह्मा मध्ये मातृगणाः स्मृताः ॥

कुक्षौतु सागरा स्सर्वे सप्तद्वीपा वसुन्धरा ।

ऋग्वेदो थ यजुर्वेदः सामवेदो ह्यथर्वणः ॥

अङ्गश्च सहिता सर्वे कलशांबु समाश्रिताः ।

आयन्तु देवपूजार्थम् दुरितक्षय कारकाः ॥

गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरी सरस्वती ।

नर्मदा सिन्धु कावेरी जले'स्मिन् सन्निधिम् कुरु ॥

Recite the full Gāyatrī mantra –

om̐ bhūḥ om̐  bhuvaḥ om̐ suvaḥ om̐ mahaḥ om̐ janaḥ om̐ tapaḥ om̐ satyaṃ om̐ tatsavitur vareṇyaṃ bhargo devasya dhīmahi dhiyo yonaḥ pracodayāt ।

om̐ apojyotīrasomṛtaṃ brahmabhūrbhuvassuvarom ।

ॐ भूः ॐ  भुवः ॐ सुवः ॐ महः ॐ जनः ॐ तपः ॐ सत्यं ॐ तत्सवितुर् वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो योनः प्रचोदयात् ।

ॐ अपोज्योतीरसोमृतं ब्रह्मभूर्भुवस्सुवरोम् ।

5. Dīpa prajvalanaṃ (दीप प्रज्वलनं) :-

Light a lamp (dīpā). Add clarified butter or sesame oil or both, if available. Add enough to keep the lights aflame for a long time. If needed, keep adding the oil or butter or both as needed, to keep the flames till the end of the homam. Recite the following śloka.

śloka॥   bho dīpa! brahmarūpena sarveṣāṃ hṛdi saṃsthitaḥ ।

atastyāṃ sthāpayāmyadhya madajñāna mapākuru ॥

श्लोक॥ भो दीप! ब्रह्मरूपेन सर्वेषां हृदि संस्थितः ।

अतस्त्यां स्थापयाम्यध्य मदज्ञान मपाकुरु ॥

6. Guru stuti (गुरु स्तुति) –

Worship the guru before proceeding further –

gurubrahma gururviṣṇuḥ gururdevo maheśvaraḥ ।

gurusākṣātparaṃ brahma tasmai śrī gurave namaḥ ॥

गुरुब्रह्म गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः ।

गुरुसाक्षात्परं ब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः ॥

Nyāsas of the mūla mantra are to be recited. The below nyāsas are Mahāpratyaṅgira devi. One can follow the nyāsas for the mantra initiated instead of the below –

7. kara nyāsaḥ ( कर न्यासः ) :-

8. hṛdaya nyāsaḥ ( हृदय न्यासः ) :-

bhūr-bhuva-ssuvarom-iti digbandhaḥ ॥

भूर्भुवस्सुवरोमिति दिग्बन्धः॥

1. Dhyānam (ध्यानम्)

siṃhārūḍhātikṛṣṇam tribhuvana bhayakṛdrūpa mugram vahantī ।

jvālā vaktrā vasānā nava vasana yugam nīlamaṇyābhakāntiḥ ।

śūlam khaḍgam vahantī nijakarayugaḻe bhakta rakṣaika dakṣā ।

seyam pratyaṅgirā saṃkṣapayatu ripubhirnirmitam śo'bhicāram ॥

सिंहारूढातिकृष्णम् त्रिभुवन भयकृद्रूप मुग्रम् वहन्ती ।

ज्वाला वक्त्रा वसाना नव वसन युगम् नीलमण्याभकान्तिः ।

शूलम् खड्गम् वहन्ती निजकरयुगळे भक्त रक्षैक दक्षा ।

सेयम् प्रत्यङ्गिरा संक्षपयतु रिपुभिर्निर्मितम् शोऽभिचारम् ॥

Meaning – Let us meditate upon the lion faced Divine Mother who rules all the three realms and is the most terrifying in form and action. She is emitting fire from Her wide gaping mouth and is dark in complexion. She is holding a trident and sword and is ready to protect Her devotees at all times and vanquish all enemies, internal and external.

10. Homakuṇḍa pūja (होमकुण्ड पूज) –

Now, we need to worship the fire ablutions vessel (homa kuṇḍa) before the homam process can start.

1. 1. vīkṣaṇa (वीक्षण) –

The mūla mantra should be recited, while glancing at the homa kuṇḍa. The same mantra that was used earlier for the nyāsa-s should be recited.

om̐ hrīm̐ kṣam̐ bhakṣa jvālā jihve karāladaṃṣtre pratyaṅgire kṣam̐ hrīm̐ hum̐ phaṭ ।

ॐ ह्रीँ क्षँ भक्ष ज्वाला जिह्वे करालदंष्त्रे प्रत्यङ्गिरे क्षँ ह्रीँ हुं फट् ।

1. 2. prokṣaṇa (प्रोक्षण) – Recite the ‘phaṭ’ (फट्) mantra and sprinkle water around the homa vessel with the darba (long grass stalks) grass stalks.
2. 3. tāḍaṇa (ताडण) –

Recite the ‘phaṭ’ (फट्) mantra thrice and sprinkle water inside the homa vessel with the darba grass stalks.

1. 4. abhyukṣaṇa (अभ्युक्षण) –

Recite the ‘hum̐’ (हुं) mantra and take water in the palm and sprinkle at all places on the homa vessel.

                      We need to recite the mūla mantra once again –

om̐ hrīm̐ kṣam̐ bhakṣa jvālā jihve karāladaṃṣtre pratyaṅgire kṣam̐ hrīm̐ hum̐ phaṭ ।

ॐ ह्रीँ क्षँ भक्ष ज्वाला जिह्वे करालदंष्त्रे प्रत्यङ्गिरे क्षँ ह्रीँ हुं फट् ।

Following which, we need to display the namaskār mudra to the homa vessel and recite the following mantra –

śrī pratyaṅgirā devatā homakuṇḍāya namaḥ ।

श्री प्रत्यङ्गिरा देवता होमकुण्डाय नमः ।

1. In the place where homa is to be performed, draw a square, preferably using rice flour.

2. Now place the homa kuṇḍa on this.

3. It would be ideal to spread some sand on the surface of homa kuṇḍa.

4. Take two dharba grasses (kuśa grass) and draw three parallel lines beginning from west and ending in the east and again another three parallel lines starting from south and ending in north. This is shown in the image below. Touch right fingers in water (ātma pañchapātra), touch the dharba grasses used above and then put away these grasses in the direction of south west and again touch the water.

1.  
2. i. Starting from left to right, on the East side, assign the three lines to the following deities by reciting their mantras –

mukundāya namaḥ ।

īśānāya namaḥ ।

purandarāya namaḥ ।

मुकुन्दाय नमः ।

ईशानाय नमः ।

पुरन्दराय नमः ।

ii. Starting from Bottom to Top, on the Northern side, assign the three lines to the following deities by reciting their mantras –

brahmaṇe namaḥ ।

vaivasvatāya namaḥ ।

indrave namaḥ ।

ब्रह्मणे नमः ।

वैवस्वताय नमः ।

इन्द्रवे नमः ।

           Write the below mantra in the middle of the homa kuṇḍa vessel –

           om̐ hrīm̐ om̐

ॐ ह्रीँ ॐ

Follwing which, recite the mūla mantra and offer flowers to the vessel –

om̐ hrīm̐ kṣam̐ bhakṣa jvālā jihve karāladaṃṣtre pratyaṅgire kṣam̐ hrīm̐ hum̐ phaṭ ।

ॐ ह्रीँ क्षँ भक्ष ज्वाला जिह्वे करालदंष्त्रे प्रत्यङ्गिरे क्षँ ह्रीँ हुं फट् ।

1. v. Agni pratiṣṭhapana (अग्नि प्रतिष्ठपन) -

Before establishing fire in the homa vessel, we need to take a pledge, utter the purpose and perform some nyāsas as described below –

1. saṅkalpa mantra (सङ्कल्प मन्त्र) – Utter the following mantra for the pledge –

homāṅgatvena agni pratiṣṭhāpana kariṣye ।

होमाङ्गत्वेन अग्नि प्रतिष्ठापन करिष्ये ।

2. viniyogaḥ (विनियोगः) –

asya śrī vaiśvānara mahāmantrasya ।

bhṛgu ṛṣiḥ ।

devī gāyatrī chandaḥ ।

śrī vaiśvānaro devatā ।

ram̐ bījaṃ ।

svāhā śaktiḥ ।

jātaveda kīlakaṃ ।

svecchā prayoga siddhyarthe home viniyogaḥ ॥

अस्य श्री वैश्वानर महामन्त्रस्य ।

भृगु ऋषिः ।

देवी गायत्री छन्दः ।

श्री वैश्वानरो देवता ।

रँ बीजं ।

स्वाहा शक्तिः ।

जातवेद कीलकं ।

स्वेच्छा प्रयोग सिद्ध्यर्थे होमे विनियोगः ॥

Meaning:- This prayer/mantra japa is to invoke the Divine Mother Śrī Vaiśvānara Devatā and invoke Him in the homa mantra japa to obtain His complete blessings in all aspects, and especially for the conduct of the homam. The sage (ṛṣiḥ) is bhṛgu, the meter (chandas) for the mantra is Gāyatrī and the deity is Śrī Vaiśvānarā (agni), the seed (bījaṃ) is ram̐, the power or śakti is svāhā. The key to unlock is jātaveda.

c. Ṛṣyādi nyāsa ( ऋष्यादि न्यास ) :-

d. Kara nyāsaḥ ( कर न्यासः ) :-

e. hṛdaya nyāsaḥ ( हृदय न्यासः ) :-

bhūr-bhuva-ssuvarom-iti digbandhaḥ ॥

भूर्भुवस्सुवरोमिति दिग्बन्धः॥

f. Agni pīṭha pūja (अग्नि पीठ पूज) -

The pedestal of agni is worshipped with the following mantras on all the ten sides of the homa vessel. Eight corners and two to represent top and bottom between NE and E and SW and W. Rice grains (akṣata-s) are placed in these locations. –

g. Āsana pūja (आसन पूज) –

1. The pūja is performed by first uttering the below mantra and offering a seat (āsana) to Lord Agni –

ram̐ vahnyāsanāya namaḥ ।

रँ वह्न्यासनाय नमः ।

2. Lord Agni is welcomed with the mantra –

saparivāram agnim āvāhayāmi ।

सपरिवारम् अग्निम् आवाहयामि ।

3. Fire lit in a closed container (make sure there is air flow to ensure the fire remains lit), is brought near the homa vessel, uttering the below mantra –

phaṭ phaṭ ।

फट् फट् ।

The top of the fire container must be removed uttering the following mantra –

hum̐ hum̐ ।

हुँ हुँ ।

Now uttering the following mantra, bring the fire closer to the homa vessel –

ram̐ ram̐ ।

रँ रँ ।

4. Now contemplating on the Divine Superconsciousness Paramātma (Brahman), Lord Agni, the greater jaṭhārāgni and the inner antarāgni and equating with the Agni in the fire container and treating them all as same, utter the Agni bīja  “ram̐” (रँ), to energize the fire within the fire container and activate it to it’s full potential.
5. Now uttering the praṇava mantra “om̐” (ॐ), the fire in the container is elevated to it’s conscious state.
6. Uttering the amṛta bīja  “vam̐” (वँ), the divine nectar is infused into the fire.
7. Now contemplate this fire to be flowing down from the forehead ājñā cakra to the base root mūlādhāra cakra and likewise into the homa vessel.
8. Recite the praṇava mantra “om̐” (ॐ) eight times and form a protective layer (rakṣā kavaca) with the mantra “hum̐ phaṭ” (हुँ फट्).
9. Reciting the below mantra and contemplate within offering salutations to Lord Agni.

ram̐ vahnimūrtaye namaḥ ।

रँ वह्निमूर्तये नमः ।

10. Recite the praṇava mantra “om̐” (ॐ) three times and hover the fire sparks from burning cinders obtained off the fire container, clockwise over the homa vessel. This should be done thrice.
11. Utter the following mantra and put some burning cinders on the South Western direction.

hūm̐ phaṭ kravyādebhyaḥ svāhā ।

हूँ फट् क्रव्यादेभ्यः स्वाहा ।

12. Uttering the below mantras, the fire from the fire container should be placed inside the homa vessel.

bhūr bhuvaḥ suvarom ।

भूर् भुवः सुवरोम् ।

hrūm̐ vahni caitanyāya namaḥ ।

ह्रूँ वह्नि चैतन्याय नमः ।

13. On the burning cinders inside the smaller fire container, leave some rice grains (akṣata-s) and sprinkle water.
14. Now utter the following mantras offering prayers to Lord Agni.

citpiṅgala hanahana dahadaha pacapaca ।

sarvajña  ajñāpaya svāhā ॥

चित्पिङ्गल हनहन दहदह पचपच ।

सर्वज्ञ  अज्ञापय स्वाहा ॥

hrīṃ hrīm̐ jvala jvala prajvala prajvala hum̐ phaṭ svāhā ।

ह्रीं ह्रीँ ज्वल ज्वल प्रज्वल प्रज्वल हुँ फट् स्वाहा ।

15. Now getting up, one must display the jvālinī mudra and offer salutations with the namaskār mudra. The following śloka must be uttered –

agnim prajvalitam vande jātavedam hutāśanam ।

suvarṇa varṇa mamalam samiddham viśvatomukham ॥

अग्निम् प्रज्वलितम् वन्दे जातवेदम् हुताशनम् ।

सुवर्ण वर्ण ममलम् समिद्धम् विश्वतोमुखम् ॥

16. The following mantra is also chanted –

om̐ vaiśvānara jātaveda ihā vaha lohitākṣa sarvakarmāṇi sādhaya svāhā ।

ॐ वैश्वानर जातवेद इहा वह लोहिताक्ष सर्वकर्माणि साधय स्वाहा ।

17. Now taking water in an uddharaṇi (deep wedge spoon) from a pañcapātra bowl, recite the following mantras offering water in a separate plate, thereby performing the arghya and pādya procedures –

om̐ āgnaye namaḥ pādyam samarpayāmi ।

ॐ आग्नये नमः पाद्यम् समर्पयामि ।

om̐ āgnaye namaḥ arghyam samarpayāmi ।

ॐ आग्नये नमः अर्घ्यम् समर्पयामि ।

om̐ āgnaye namaḥ ācamanīyam samarpayāmi ।

ॐ आग्नये नमः आचमनीयम् समर्पयामि ।

18. The pañcapūjā procedures are performed on the homa vessel, offering sandalwood powder, flowers, incense and waving a lamp in a clockwise direction three times. –

lam̐ pṛthivī tattvātmikāyai namaḥ gandham dhārayāmi ।

लँ पृथिवी तत्त्वात्मिकायै नमः गन्धम् धारयामि ।

ham̐ ākāśa tattvātmikāyai namaḥ puṣpaiḥ pūjayāmi ।

हँ आकाश तत्त्वात्मिकायै नमः पुष्पैः पूजयामि ।

yam̐ vāyu tattvātmikāyai namaḥ dhūpam āghrāpayāmi ।

यँ वायु तत्त्वात्मिकायै नमः धूपम् आघ्रापयामि ।

ram̐ tejasa tattvātmikāyai namaḥ dīpam darśayāmi ।

रँ तेजस तत्त्वात्मिकायै नमः दीपम् दर्शयामि ।

19. Now once again offer water in the designated plate uttering the following mantra –

dīpānantaram ācamanam samarpayāmi ।

दीपानन्तरम् आचमनम् समर्पयामि ।

20. Now submit a little portion of the naivedya offerings (non-watery and easily flammable) to the homa vessel with the following mantras.

vam̐ amṛta tattvātmikāyai namaḥ amṛta naivedyam samarpayāmi ।

वँ अमृत तत्त्वात्मिकायै नमः अमृत नैवेद्यम् समर्पयामि ।

21. Taking one darbha grass stalk, dip it in clarified butter (ghee) and put it in the homa vessel.
22. Take two more small pieces of darbha grass and place them in the ghee vessel, splitting the contents into three sections. The three sections now represent the iḍa, suṣumna and piṅgala nāḍi-s.
23. Using the sruva spoon, dip in the right portion representing the left iḍa nāḍi reciting the ‘namaḥ’ mantra and taking some butter recting the below mantra, pour in the homa kuṇḍa vessel. This signifies the opening of the left eye of Lord Agni in the Homa kuṇḍa vessel.

om̐ āgnaye svāhā ।

ॐ आग्नये स्वाहा ।

24. Likewise, using the same sruva spoon, dipping in the middle portion representing the suṣumna nāḍi reciting the ‘namaḥ’ mantra and taking some butter recting the below mantra, pour in the homa kuṇḍa vessel. This signifies the opening of the middle eye of Lord Agni in the Homa kuṇḍa vessel.

om̐ agniṣomābhyām̐ svāhā ।

ॐ अग्निषोमाभ्याँ स्वाहा ।

25. Finally, using the same sruva spoon, dipping in the right portion representing the piṅgala nāḍi reciting the ‘namaḥ’ mantra and taking some butter recting the below mantra, pour in the homa kuṇḍa vessel. This signifies the opening of the right eye of Lord Agni in the Homa kuṇḍa vessel.

om̐ āgnaye sviṣṭakṛte svāhā ।

ॐ आग्नये स्विष्टकृते स्वाहा ।

26. Now taking some ghee using the same sruva spoon from the middle suṣumna portion, offer in the homa kuṇḍa, uttering the following four mantras –

om̐ bhūḥ svāhā ।

ॐ भूः स्वाहा ।

om̐ bhuvaḥ svāhā ।

ॐ भुवः स्वाहा ।

om̐ suvaḥ svāhā ।

ॐ सुवः स्वाहा ।

om̐ bhūrbhuvassuvaḥ svāhā ।

ॐ भूर्भुवस्सुवः स्वाहा ।

27. Then once again offer three more āhuti-s (offerings) of ghee, using the same spoon with the following mantra –

om̐ vaiśvānara jātaveda ihā vaha lohitākṣa sarva karmāṇi sādhaya svāhā ।

ॐ वैश्वानर जातवेद इहा वह लोहिताक्ष सर्व कर्माणि साधय स्वाहा ।

8. Jihvāhomam (जिह्वाहोमम्) –

The homam must first be conducted for all the tongues (Jihvā) of Lord Agni, which are seven in total. The three guṇa-s (qualities) of Sattva (calm and spiritual), Rajas (emotional, passionate, caring) and Tamas (pride, aggression, lustful etc.) are also represented for the tongues and oblations offered to all the qualities of the tongues. The same shorter sruva ladle should be used for pouring the ghee. The longer sruci ladle will be consecrated later.

i. Sātvika jihvāḥ (सात्विक जिह्वाः) -

ii. Rajasa jihvāḥ (रजस जिह्वाः) –

iii. Tamasa jihvāḥ (तमस जिह्वाः) –

iv. Jihvādi devatā homam (जिह्वादि देवता होमम्) –

v. Ṣaḍaṅga devatā homam (षडङ्ग देवता होमम्) –

vi. Aṣṭamūrti homam (अष्टमूर्ति होमम्) –

vii. Aṣṭamātṛkā homam (अष्टमातृका होमम्) –

viii. Aṣṭabhairava homam (अष्टभैरव होमम्) –

iX. Dikpālaka homam (दिक्पालक होमम्) –

x. dikpālaka homam (दिक्पालकायुध होमम्) –

1. Consecration of Sruci ladle –

1. Take four spoonfuls of ghee in the shorter Sruva ladle and pour on to the longer Sruci ladle.
2. Turn the Sruva ladle upside down while placed on the Sruci ladle.
3. Place a flower on the Sruci ladle with the Sruva still in the upside down position and lift both the ladles up to the left breast.
4. Get up and place the right foot forward and recite the following mantra –

om̐ vaiśvānara jātaveda ihā vaha lohitākṣa sarvakarmāṇi sādhaya vauṣaṭ ।

ॐ वैश्वानर जातवेद इहा वह लोहिताक्ष सर्वकर्माणि साधय वौषट् ।

5. Pour the ghee that’s in the ladles, into the homa kuṇḍa.
6. Take some rice grains (akṣata-s) in the palm along with some water. Pray to the homa kuṇḍa and leave the water on the East side and the akṣata-s on the West side.
7. As a respect to Lord Agni, recite the following śloka and sprinkle water all around the homa kuṇḍa.

prājmukhāgne mama abhimukho bhava sumukho bhava ।

suprasanno bhava varado bhava yadhokta jihvāyā havirgṛhāṇa ॥

om̐ bhūr bhuvassuvaḥ ।

प्राज्मुखाग्ने मम अभिमुखो भव सुमुखो भव ।

सुप्रसन्नो भव वरदो भव यधोक्त जिह्वाया हविर्गृहाण ॥

ॐ भूर् भुवस्सुवः ।

10. kuṇḍamekhalā pūja (कुण्डमेखला पूज) –

Pūja to the homa kuṇḍa is once again performed and akṣata-s are dropped on all the eight corners of the vessel and four darbha grass stalks are placed in the four main directions starting from East. The following mantras are recited for the eight directions.

11. mahā gaṇapati homam (महा गणपति होमम्) –

Lord Mahāgaṇapati is to be worshipped in the Homa Kuṇḍa in the following manner. The Sruva spoon can be used for this purpose.

After completion of the above, four more Āhuti-s (oblations) must be performed for the entire Mahāgaṇapati mantra.

50. Pradhāna devatā homam (प्रधान देवता होमम्) –

Before the Homam for the main deity is started, we need to follow the below procedures –

1. Offer our obeisances to the guru with the following mantra and offer one oblation in the fire –

śrī gurubhyo namaḥ ।

श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः ।

2. Next offer an Āsana to the deity’s yantra, with the following mantra and offer one oblation in the fire –

om̐ śrī pratyaṅgirā devatā yogapīṭhāya namaḥ ।

ॐ श्री प्रत्यङ्गिरा देवता योगपीठाय नमः ।

3. Now the mūla mantra should be recited ten times with svāhā appended at the end. One must assume that Śrī Pratyaṅgirā devi is now invoked into the fire and Her yantra is formed inside the Homa Kuṇḍa.

om̐ hrīm̐ kṣam̐ bhakṣa jvālā jihve karāladaṃṣtre pratyaṅgire kṣam̐ hrīm̐ hum̐ phaṭ svāhā ।

ॐ ह्रीँ क्षँ भक्ष ज्वाला जिह्वे करालदंष्त्रे प्रत्यङ्गिरे क्षँ ह्रीँ हुं फट् स्वाहा ।

4. Prāṇapratiṣṭhā (प्राणप्रतिष्ठा) –

The below mantra is recited to infuse life into the yantra that is deemed to be established in the homa kuṇḍa. Place the right hand above the homa kuṇḍa at the shoulder level and recite the below mantra thrice.

om̐ ām̐ hrīm̐ krom̐ yam̐ ram̐ lam̐ vam̐ śam̐ ṣam̐ sam̐ ham̐

om̐ kṣam̐ sam̐ ham̐ saḥ hrīm̐ om̐ ham̐ saḥ śrī pratyaṅgirā devatāprāṇā iha prāṇāḥ

om̐ ām̐ hrīm̐ krom̐ yam̐ ram̐ lam̐ vam̐ śam̐ ṣam̐ sam̐ ham̐

om̐ kṣam̐ sam̐ ham̐ saḥ hrīm̐ om̐ ham̐ saḥ śrī pratyaṅgirā jīva iha sthitāḥ

om̐ ām̐ hrīm̐ krom̐ yam̐ ram̐ lam̐ vam̐ śam̐ ṣam̐ sam̐ ham̐

om̐ kṣam̐ sam̐ ham̐ saḥ hrīm̐ om̐ ham̐ saḥ śrī pratyaṅgirā devatā sarvendriyāṇi vāṅmanaḥ cakṣuśrotra ghrāṇa prāṇā ihaiva āgatya sukhaṃ cirantiṣṭhantu svāhā

om̐ kṣam̐ sam̐ ham̐ saḥ hrīm̐ om̐ ।

ॐ आँ ह्रीँ क्रोँ यँ रँ लँ वँ शँ षँ सँ हँ

ॐ क्षँ सँ हँ सः ह्रीँ ॐ हँ सः श्री प्रत्यङ्गिरा देवताप्राणा इह प्राणाः

ॐ आँ ह्रीँ क्रोँ यँ रँ लँ वँ शँ षँ सँ हँ

ॐ क्षँ सँ हँ सः ह्रीँ ॐ हँ सः श्री प्रत्यङ्गिरा जीव इह स्थिताः

ॐ आँ ह्रीँ क्रोँ यँ रँ लँ वँ शँ षँ सँ हँ

ॐ क्षँ सँ हँ सः ह्रीँ ॐ हँ सः श्री प्रत्यङ्गिरा देवता सर्वेन्द्रियाणि वाङ्मनः चक्षुश्रोत्र घ्राण प्राणा इहैव आगत्य सुखं चिरन्तिष्ठन्तु स्वाहा

ॐ क्षँ सँ हँ सः ह्रीँ ॐ ।

5. The pañcapūjā procedures are performed offering pādyam, arghyam and ācamanam to Śrī Pratyaṅgirā Devi first and then the five procedures are invoked. –

om̐ śrī pratyaṅgirāyai namaḥ pādyam samarpayāmi ।

ॐ श्री प्रत्यङ्गिरायै नमः पाद्यम् समर्पयामि ।

om̐ śrī pratyaṅgirāyai namaḥ arghyam samarpayāmi ।

ॐ श्री प्रत्यङ्गिरायै नमः अर्घ्यम् समर्पयामि ।

om̐ śrī pratyaṅgirāyai namaḥ ācamanam samarpayāmi ।

ॐ श्री प्रत्यङ्गिरायै नमः आचमनम् समर्पयामि ।

lam̐ pṛthivī tattvātmikāyai namaḥ gandham dhārayāmi ।

लँ पृथिवी तत्त्वात्मिकायै नमः गन्धम् धारयामि ।

ham̐ ākāśa tattvātmikāyai namaḥ puṣpaiḥ pūjayāmi ।

हँ आकाश तत्त्वात्मिकायै नमः पुष्पैः पूजयामि ।

yam̐ vāyu tattvātmikāyai namaḥ dhūpam āghrāpayāmi ।

यँ वायु तत्त्वात्मिकायै नमः धूपम् आघ्रापयामि ।

ram̐ tejasa tattvātmikāyai namaḥ dīpam darśayāmi ।

रँ तेजस तत्त्वात्मिकायै नमः दीपम् दर्शयामि ।

Now once again offer water in the designated plate uttering the following mantra –

dīpānantaram ācamanam samarpayāmi ।

दीपानन्तरम् आचमनम् समर्पयामि ।

vam̐ amṛta tattvātmikāyai namaḥ amṛta naivedyam samarpayāmi ।

वँ अमृत तत्त्वात्मिकायै नमः अमृत नैवेद्यम् समर्पयामि ।

The pañcapūjā procedures are deemed to be performed on the homa vessel, by offering sandalwood powder, flowers, incense and waving a lamp in a clockwise direction three times. Now submit a little portion of the naivedya offerings (non-watery and easily flammable) to the homa vessel with the following mantras.

6. Now uttering the below mantra, contemplate the oneness of the mouths of Lord Agni and Devi Pratyaṅgirā.

agni śrī pratyaṅgirā devatā ekīkaraṇārdham pañcaviṃśati āhutim hoṣyāmi ।

अग्नि श्री प्रत्यङ्गिरा देवता एकीकरणार्धम् पञ्चविंशति आहुतिम् होष्यामि ।

Complete 25 recitations of the mūla mantra with svāhā appended.

om̐ hrīm̐ kṣam̐ bhakṣa jvālā jihve karāladaṃṣtre pratyaṅgire kṣam̐ hrīm̐ hum̐ phaṭ svāhā ।

ॐ ह्रीँ क्षँ भक्ष ज्वाला जिह्वे करालदंष्त्रे प्रत्यङ्गिरे क्षँ ह्रीँ हुं फट् स्वाहा ।

7. Next, contemplate the oneness of the spiritual channels (nāḍī-s) of Lord Agni and Devi Pratyaṅgirā, with the following mantra –

agni śrī pratyaṅgirā devatā nāḍī sandhānārdham ekādaśa āhutim hoṣyāmi ।

अग्नि श्री प्रत्यङ्गिरा देवता नाडी सन्धानार्धम् एकादश आहुतिम् होष्यामि ।

11 invocations of the mūla mantra are to be completed with svāhā appended.

om̐ hrīm̐ kṣam̐ bhakṣa jvālā jihve karāladaṃṣtre pratyaṅgire kṣam̐ hrīm̐ hum̐ phaṭ svāhā ।

ॐ ह्रीँ क्षँ भक्ष ज्वाला जिह्वे करालदंष्त्रे प्रत्यङ्गिरे क्षँ ह्रीँ हुं फट् स्वाहा

8. Make offerings to the pīṭha devata-s, āvaraṇa devatas with the following mantras, contemplating their presence in the homa kuṇḍa.

om̐ manḍūkādi paratattvānta pīṭhadevatābhyaḥ svāhā ।

ॐ मन्डूकादि परतत्त्वान्त पीठदेवताभ्यः स्वाहा ।

om̐ samasta āvaraṇa devatāyai svāhā ।

ॐ समस्त आवरण देवतायै स्वाहा ।

om̐ samasta pīṭha devatāyai svāhā ।

ॐ समस्त पीठ देवतायै स्वाहा ।

Now make ājyāhuti (selfless) homa offerings with 10 recitations of the mūla mantra, with svāhā appended.

om̐ hrīm̐ kṣam̐ bhakṣa jvālā jihve karāladaṃṣtre pratyaṅgire kṣam̐ hrīm̐ hum̐ phaṭ svāhā ।

ॐ ह्रीँ क्षँ भक्ष ज्वाला जिह्वे करालदंष्त्रे प्रत्यङ्गिरे क्षँ ह्रीँ हुं फट् स्वाहा ।

1000. Homa prārambham (होम प्रारम्भम्) –

The homa of śrī pratyaṅgirā begins now. The mūla mantra, with svāhā appended must be recited as many times as desired. At least 108 or 1008 or more, if time permits. All the iṣṭa kāmya dravya-s (wish fulfilling fire ritual supplies) can be mixed with clarified butter (ghee) and put in the fire with each invocation of the mūla mantra, at the time of reciting ‘svāhā’. Care should be taken NOT to put too much to make the fire humungous or to fill up the homa kuṇḍa to the brim. Use best judgment based on the size of the homa kuṇḍa.

In general, yellow sesame seeds, lots of red chillis, havan samāgri (powder) packets and if available sticks associated with various planets, cow dung cakes etc. may also be used, based on the size of the homa kuṇḍa.

om̐ hrīm̐ kṣam̐ bhakṣa jvālā jihve karāladaṃṣtre pratyaṅgire kṣam̐ hrīm̐ hum̐ phaṭ svāhā ।

ॐ ह्रीँ क्षँ भक्ष ज्वाला जिह्वे करालदंष्त्रे प्रत्यङ्गिरे क्षँ ह्रीँ हुं फट् स्वाहा ।

14. Homanta vidhi (होमन्त विधि) –

After the mūla mantra homa is complete, we need to perform the homa for mahāvyāhṛti and brahmārpaṇa, to appease the realms and the Creator.

1. Mahāvyāhṛti homam (महाव्याहृति होमम्) –

Oblations should be offered to the mahāvyāhṛti-s in the following manner –

2. Brahmārpaṇa mantrahomam (ब्रह्मार्पण मन्त्रहोमम्) –

Oblations should be offered to Lord Brahma the Creator, with the following mantra. Make 8 offerings in the homa kuṇḍa.

om̐ tat sat itaḥ pūrvam prāṇa buddhi deha dharmādhikāra jāgrat svapna suṣuptyavasthāsu manasā vācā karmaṇā yat smṛtam yaduktam yacca kṛtam tat sarvam brahmārpaṇam bhavet bhūḥ svāhā svāhā ।

ॐ तत् सत् इतः पूर्वम् प्राण बुद्धि देह धर्माधिकार जाग्रत् स्वप्न सुषुप्त्यवस्थासु मनसा वाचा कर्मणा यत् स्मृतम् यदुक्तम् यच्च कृतम् तत् सर्वम् ब्रह्मार्पणम् भवेत् भूः स्वाहा स्वाहा ।

Devatā bali (देवता बलि) –

Make sacrificial offerings (bali) to please the deities at the end of the homa. The bali is usually a pumpkin or a dry coconut. The bali offering is placed in the homa kuṇḍa with the following mantra –

śrī pratyaṅgirā devatāyai balim samarpayāmi ।

श्री प्रत्यङ्गिरा देवतायै बलिम् समर्पयामि ।

16. Pūrṇāhuti (पूर्णाहुति) –

The final offering that is made in the fire is called pūrṇāhuti, signifying the completion of the homam fire ritual. The following procedures need to be followed –

1. Recite the below mantra to begin the pūrṇāhuti process –

pūrṇāhutim juhomi ।

पूर्णाहुतिम् जुहोमि ।

2. Take a cloth, wrap up some fruits, flowers, a dry coconut, some fragrance, sandalwood and any other desired materials. The tied up bundle should be considered a devata and salutations must be offered to it. Offer dhūpa, deepam etc. to it, by displaying the pañca pūja mudras.

3. Pour ghee with offering 12 counts of the mūla mantra with svāhā appended, on to the pūrṇāhuti bundle. This is done with the sruci and sruva ladles placed on each other like previously done.

om̐ hrīm̐ kṣam̐ bhakṣa jvālā jihve karāladaṃṣtre pratyaṅgire kṣam̐ hrīm̐ hum̐ phaṭ svāhā ।

ॐ ह्रीँ क्षँ भक्ष ज्वाला जिह्वे करालदंष्त्रे प्रत्यङ्गिरे क्षँ ह्रीँ हुं फट् स्वाहा ।

4. Now, place the pūrṇāhuti bundle into the homa kuṇḍa, culminating the ritual.

Generally, the fire should become huge at this time. Sometimes, it may not due to the residual and unburnt material inside the homa kuṇḍa. We once again offer 25 counts of ājyāhuti (selfless) homa offerings of the mūla mantra, with svāhā appended.

om̐ hrīm̐ kṣam̐ bhakṣa jvālā jihve karāladaṃṣtre pratyaṅgire kṣam̐ hrīm̐ hum̐ phaṭ svāhā ।

ॐ ह्रीँ क्षँ भक्ष ज्वाला जिह्वे करालदंष्त्रे प्रत्यङ्गिरे क्षँ ह्रीँ हुं फट् स्वाहा ।

Another 25 counts of the of ājyāhuti (selfless) homa offerings of the mūla mantra, with svāhā appended, should be offered to the āvaraṇa deities also.

om̐ hrīm̐ kṣam̐ bhakṣa jvālā jihve karāladaṃṣtre pratyaṅgire kṣam̐ hrīm̐ hum̐ phaṭ svāhā ।

ॐ ह्रीँ क्षँ भक्ष ज्वाला जिह्वे करालदंष्त्रे प्रत्यङ्गिरे क्षँ ह्रीँ हुं फट् स्वाहा ।

17. Dikpālaka bali ()-

Offerings of red rice or a lemon with kuṅkum (red powder) adorned and other cooked food must be placed in the 10 directions starting from East on a betel leaf (tāṃbulam) around the homa kuṇḍa.

18. Bhūta bali (भूत बलि) –

Sacrificial offerings are also offered to the various bhūta-s. These are the five basic elements of life such as air, ether, water, fire and earth. Also, to all extra-dimensional beings that interfere in our karmas.

A betel leaf with a large red rice mound or a lemon laced with kuṅkum is placed in the North-Eastern side around the homa kuṇḍa. The following śloka is recited for the same and water and akṣata-s are offered.

ye raudrā raudrakarmāṇo raudra sthāna nivāsinaḥ ।

yoginohyugrarūpāśca gaṇānām adhipāścaye ।

bhūcarāḥ khecarāścaiva ye tiṣṭhantyantarikṣagāḥ ।

te sarve prītamanaso bhūtvā gṛhṇam tvimam balim ।

sarva vighnakṛdbhyaḥ sarvabhūtebhyo hum̐ phaṭ svāhā ॥

ये रौद्रा रौद्रकर्माणो रौद्र स्थान निवासिनः ।

योगिनोह्युग्ररूपाश्च गणानाम् अधिपाश्चये ।

भूचराः खेचराश्चैव ये तिष्ठन्त्यन्तरिक्षगाः ।

ते सर्वे प्रीतमनसो भूत्वा गृह्णम् त्विमम् बलिम् ।

सर्व विघ्नकृद्भ्यः सर्वभूतेभ्यो हुँ फट् स्वाहा ॥

Now get up and offer salutations to the homa kuṇḍa and make 11 rounds around it clock-wise. Some ash around the peripheries can be taken and put on the forehead and some of the food offerings (prasādam) can be partaken.

19. Devatā udvāsanam (देवता उद्वासनम्) –

Now, we bid farewell to the deity Śrī Pratyaṅgirā Devi and thank for all the blessings received. The following śloka is recited.

gaccha gaccha bhavat sthānam kāryam kṛtvā pratyaṅgirā ।

yatra brahmādayodevāḥ naviduḥ paramam padam ॥

गच्छ गच्छ भवत् स्थानम् कार्यम् कृत्वा प्रत्यङ्गिरा ।

यत्र ब्रह्मादयोदेवाः नविदुः परमम् पदम् ॥

20. Agni udvāsanam (अग्नि उद्वासनम्) –

Now, we bid farewell to Lord Agni and thank Him for all the blessings received. The following śloka is recited.

gaccha tvam bhagavan vahne svasthānam kuṇḍamadhyataḥ ।

yatra brahmādayo devāḥ tatra gaccha hutāśana ॥

गच्छ त्वम् भगवन् वह्ने स्वस्थानम् कुण्डमध्यतः ।

यत्र ब्रह्मादयो देवाः तत्र गच्छ हुताशन ॥

anena mayā kṛtena homena śrī pratyaṅgirā devatā suprasanno varado bhavatu ।

अनेन मया कृतेन होमेन श्री प्रत्यङ्गिरा देवता सुप्रसन्नो वरदो भवतु ।

After reciting the above śloka, we put water and akṣata-s into the homa kuṇḍa.

suvar bhuvar bhūromiti digvimokaḥ ।

सुवर् भुवर् भूरोमिति दिग्विमोकः ।

Finally, we release the bind on all directions and end the pūja.

This article is written by Krishna Vallapareddy and can be contacted at Krishna@manblunder.com