Etymology of Yagna
The word 'Yagna' is derived from the Sanskrit root 'Yaj':
यज देवपूजासङ्गतिकरणदानेषु
This dictates that Yagna encompasses three distinct elements:
1. Devapuja: Worship of the divine.
2. Sangatikarana: The unification and harmonization of sages, individuals, and society.
3. Dana: Charity and the sharing of knowledge.
Yagnas are divided into two main categories:
1. Smarta Yagna: Based on Smritis, utilizing Vedic, Pauranic, and Tantric mantras (e.g., Ganesh Yaga, Surya Yaga, Rudra Yaga, etc., which are highly popular today).
2. Shrauta Yagna: Based strictly on Shrutis (Vedas), utilizing only Vedic mantras (currently very rare).
Smarta Agnihotra Involves a single fire named Avasathya, established via friction in a square pit (Chaturasra Kunda), typically initiated during marriage or family separation. It consists of seven Paka Yagnas:
1. Aupasana Homa: Daily hand-offerings of curd, barley, and rice.
2. Vaishvadevam: The five daily great sacrifices (Pancha Mahayagna).
3. Parvanam: Ancestral rituals on Amavasya.
4. Ashtaka Shraddha: Winter ancestral rituals.
5. Masik Shraddham: Monthly ancestral rites.
6. Shravana: Daily offerings from Shravan Purnima to Margashirsha Purnima.
7. Shulagava: (Currently prohibited as it involves bovine elements).
Shrauta Agnihotra
Consists of 14 distinct Vedic karmas:
• Seven Havir Yagnas:
1. Agnihotram
2. Darshapurnamasau
3. Agrayanam
4. Chaturmasyani
5. Nirudhapashubandhah
6. Sautramani
7. Pindapitruyagna
• Seven Soma Yagas
1. Agnishtomah
2. Atyagnishtomah
3. Ukthyah
4. Shodashi
5. Vajapeya
6. Atiratrah
7. Aptoryamah