By Swami Harshananda
Agnaukaraṇa literally means ‘making one with fire’.
Agnaukaraṇa is an an important Pārvaṇaśrāddha rite performed during ‘parvans’ (i.e., aināvāsyās or new moon days) with a view to propitiate departed forefathers, up to the third generation. On such days, worthy brāhmaṇas are invited for dinner. A portion of the food prepared for the same is taken out in a vessel and seven āhutis or libations are cast into the homa fire with seven appropriate mantras. Two offerings each are made for the father, the grand-father and the great-grandfather and one for all the other pitṛs (forefathers) combined.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore