Hindu Havan - An Ancient Fire Ritual
Hinduism has extremely precious rituals and vidhis associated with its existence. Every ritual framed has highly advanced beneficiary methodologies associated. Havan is seen to be the prime part of any major Puja. The sacredness and purity which a Havan can create are much more than any other process. A Homa or Havan is a sacred Hindu ritual in which offerings are made to the fire. Fire is considered to be the main element of a Havan or Homa as well as belongs to the major five elements of existence. The offerings made to the sacred fire, during a Havan, are said to purify the environment as well as the people around. It is also believed to drive away all negative energies around. This fire is supposedly the main link between cosmic consciousness and human consciousness.
Hinduism has extremely precious rituals and vidhis associated with its existence. Every ritual framed has highly advanced beneficiary methodologies associated. Havan is seen to be the prime part of any major Puja. The sacredness and purity which a Havan can create are much more than any other process. A Homa or Havan is a sacred Hindu ritual in which offerings are made to the fire. Fire is considered to be the main element of a Havan or Homa as well as belongs to the major five elements of existence. The offerings made to the sacred fire, during a Havan, are said to purify the environment as well as the people around. It is also believed to drive away all negative energies around. This fire is supposedly the main link between cosmic consciousness and human consciousness.
The key to spiritual and material success
Havan is seen as one of the ten niyams/rules or positive virtues that are prescribed for a devotee, who wishes to come closer to the divine, one who wants to acquire Oneness with Him. Havan is also one way of performing the Deva Yagnya, i.e. one of man’s five daily duties, as per the tenets of the Sanatan Dharma. A Havan is, generally, performed with an aim to achieve spiritual as well as material success.
It is performed in a Havan Kund or fire pit which is made of bricks. This fireplace is generally decorated with colorful flowers, leaves, beans, and grains. The items used in performing Havan are a special mixture of medicinal herbs, roots, dry fruits, wood and ghee and are offered as an oblation into the Havan Kund fire. This is accompanied by Sanskrit Mantras which are yet another powerful medium.
Types Of Havan Kunds
The most interesting fact about Havan Kunds is its different properties in different situations. As per the Scriptures, the unique shape of the Havan Kunda looks into the controlled generation and multi-directional dissipation of energy. It acts as a generator of essential and highly powerful energy fields and spreads them in its surrounding atmosphere. Below mentioned are the shapes in which a Havan Kund can be made and their properties:-
- Rectangular or Square - It is also called Chaturastra Kund for the accomplishment of all work & gaining Siddhis.
- Triangular - It is also called Trikon Kund which look like bow & arrow and perfectly designed to win over enemies.
- Circular - It is also called Vrut Yajna Kund and is designed for public welfare and peace.
- Semi-Circle - It is also called Ardha Chandra Kund which is made to gain harmony, happiness, peace and resolve conflicts. It is also for conferring peace in the family, both wife and husband have to offer oblation together.
- Hexagonal Yoni Kunda - designed for desire manifestation like getting a child and attracting love.
- Octagonal Lotus-shaped - It is also known as the Padma Kund which denotes Lotus and the Yajna Kund is made in Flower shape which is primarily made to gain wealth. Some old scriptures also mention its construction for safety against evil energies.
- Star-shaped Yajna Kund - It is also called Pushtrkon Kund which is made for a win over the unseen and seen enemies. The Yajna Kund with 6 angles is constructed for stopping death.
Types Of Havan performed
There are different types of Havan performed depending on the requirements. Some depend on the region, some on the purpose and some on the situation.
- Lakshmi ganapathi havan
- Rudra havan pooja
- Navagraha havan
- Nakshatra havan
- Maha mrityunjaya havan
- Sudarshan havan
- Saraswati havan
- Lakshmi Narasimha havan
- Lakshmi Narayana Havan
- Subrahmanya havan
- Chandi havan
- Mahalakshmi havan
- Dhanvantari havan
- Dakshinamurthy havan
- Lalitha devi havan
- Gayatri havan
- Santana gopala havan
Samagri/ Materials Needed For A Havan
Hawan Samagri ingredients are approximately of 70 types. We have mentioned major of the samagris below. Agar Wood Anwala Bach Baheda Bawachi Bay Leaves Cardamom Green Chharil Cloves Daru Haldi Deodar Dhawai Phool Dry Coconut or Sookha? Nariyal Dry Eucalyptus leaves Guggal or Guggul Guruch Harr or Harad Howber Indra Jau Jara Kush Jata Masi? or Balchhad Kamal Gatta Kapoor Kachari Nag Keshar Nagarmotha Nutmeg Red Sandal Wood Sandal Wood Sugandh Bala Sugandh Kokila Sugandh Mantri Tagar Wood Talish Patra Tej Bal Wood Tomad Bee Dry the leaves and roots in a shadowed open space till the entire moisture is removed. Mix these together and grind the mixture.
Why should Havan be performed? (Benefits)
In Saam Veda, about 114 Mantras speak about the importance of Havana. Yajur Veda says that the Havana is the most important, necessary and useful deed. The Vedas say that Yajna or Yagnya and Gayatri Mantra are the only ways of attaining Moksha or Salvation or Self-realization. All four Vedas have innumerable mantras related to Yajna. The word Yajna is derived from the root “Yaj”. The word “Yaj” has three connotations as mentioned in the Yajur Veda mantra as “Yajudevapujasangatikaranadaaneyshu”.
Hindu Havan Benefits
Havan has many benefits; starting from our body, mind, soul to the environment. It’s us who have left these traditions and super awesome solutions by ancestors, somewhere behind. The benefits of Havan are mentioned below:-
Acts as a cleanser :- We not only purify the air but also remove the impurities from our mind and body.
A source of bonding :- This process also helps in maintaining the unity and harmony in the family and the community.
The evil destructor :- By constantly looking at the Havan fire, and by chanting this divine mantra, all disturbing and wavering thoughts will be destroyed in the fire which will result in concentration and equanimity.
Acts as a disinfectant :- Various gasses produced during Havana decompose the poisonous gasses liberating free oxygen and other useful products acting as disinfectants. A scientist named Trelle of France did experiments on Havan. He found that Havan is mainly performed by using mango tree. When the wood is burnt then a gas, "formic aldehyde" comes out which destroys the harmful bacteria and makes the atmosphere purified. Then only, the scientists made "formalin" from "formic aldehyde" gas. He also did experiment on jaggery Gur and found that on burning the jaggery, jaggery also generates "formic aldehyde" gas. A scientist named Tautilk came to know that if we stay in a Havan and its smoke for half an hour then the germs of typhoid are destroyed and all these matters are used in Havan. Yajurveda says that four types of things mainly used to prepare offerings for a Havan- 1. Sweet Like honey, jaggery, raw sugar etc., 2. Antibiotic herbs like gyol, etc., 3. Nutrition like pure ghee, dry fruits etc., 4. Fragrant materials like cardamom, dried petals flowers etc.
An energy booster :- With the offerings into the fire and chanting of mantras, one’s chakras are re-energized, creating a rejuvenating and revitalizing effect for both the mind and body.
Ladder to success :- One attains positive thoughts, actions, and words which pave way for one’s success.
Acts as a shield :- Havan is said to dispel all negative energies and a protective shield is said to be built around the house where the ritual is performed, warding off any negative or evil energies.
It strengthens the mental abilities :- Havan also induces peace, good health, prosperity and clarity of thought, with the increased power of discrimination and an improved usage of mental abilities. The result, therefore, is the success in all one does.
When should havan be performed?
Ideally, Havan should be performed daily. In every household, havan should be carried out the once per week at least in the presence of all members of the family. Early hours of the morning are considered to be the most conducive for all religious activities as the air is charged with energy or praan at that time. However, this practice may also be done at a time that is best suited for everyone. No Havan is considered complete until some Donation/Daan is given. Daan refers to acts of charity and benevolence, liberality, and gifts, financial and otherwise.
Conclusion
Today’s polluted environment is the biggest challenge being faced by the world. It is threatening the very survival not only of the human race but the entire living world. The western world has in recent times become truly concerned about our environment which has become increasingly polluted over the years. Our Rishis and Maharishis have since the early Vedic Age advised us of the purification process involved in a Havan. It follows that if more people perform Havan two times a day, it can arguably have a greater influence in purifying the environment. But, we have ignored it tillages. If we pledge to follow the rules of Sanatana Dharma and perform our acts accordingly, I’m sure within no time, the world would be a much better place to reside in.