Homa

By Swami Harshananda

Homa literally means ‘pouring oblation’.

Growth[edit]

Vedic sacrifices, which were very simple in the beginning, gradually grew into a labyrinth of rites and rituals. Eventually, simpler fire-rituals conducted in the domestic fire evolved. Homa was initiated in such way.

Meaning[edit]

Literally, homa (or havana) means the act of pouring an oblation (usually of ghee or clarified butter) into a duly consecrated fire. It is an essential feature of domestic rites. It is often considered as an integral part of special pujā or worship of a deity.

Procedure[edit]

The major steps involved in the performance of a homa are:

Preparing the sthaṇḍila^[1]
Purification of the ājya^[2]
Warming the ladle
Putting the faggots and lighting the fire
Pouring of the oblations with mantras appropriate to the deity
Purṇāhuti^[3]
Ceremonially putting out the fire, generally with curds
Preparing the rakṣā^[4]

References[edit]

↑ Sthaṇḍila is an altar for the fire, a raised surface of sand or loose earth.
↑ Ājya means ghee used for oblation.
↑ Purṇāhuti means final offering.
↑ Rakṣā means ashes from the remnants pasted with ghee, to be applied on the forehead as a religious mark.

The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

Contributors to this article

Krishna Maheshwari, Deval Sancheti

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[1] Sthaṇḍila is an altar for the fire, a raised surface of sand or loose earth.

[2] Ājya means ghee used for oblation.

[3] Purṇāhuti means final offering.

[4] Rakṣā means ashes from the remnants pasted with ghee, to be applied on the forehead as a religious mark.

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