MUNDAKA UPANISHAD - 11. Swami Advayananda.

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6 Chapters (64 Mantras)
Chapter-1.
Section-2.
2. A CLOSE LOOK AT RITUALS : (Mantras 10-22, 13 no.

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Sunday, September 11, 2022. 07:15 
Mantram- 2 : Description of Agnihotra sacrifice
Post - 11.

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Mantram 2 : 

"Yadaa lelaayate hi archih, samiddhe havyavaahane; 

tadaa aajyabhaagau antarena, aahuteeh pratipaadayet."

(shraddhayaa hutam).  

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Translation :

1 yadaa lelaayate hi archih,         =  When the fire is kindled,

2 samiddhe havyavaahane;         =  and the flames begin to move in the sacred fire,

3 tadaa aajyabhaagau antarena,   =  then in the space between two tongues of fire,

4a aahuteeh pratipaadayet.          =  the oblations of ghee should be poured.

4b (shraddhayaa hutam)              =  (i.e. offered with faith.

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Commentary :

An example is now given to illustrate the truth of the promise made in the previous 

verse. The ritual taken in the example is Agnihotra, a very commonly performed ritual 

performed daily in many households. Firstly, the general procedure is described.

1 Archih: 

The Agni or “fire”. The kindling of the fire is itself quite an art. Before the 

advent of the matchstick, friction of wooden blocks or stones was used to create the spark 

to start the flames. The first implication here is that the person who is doing the Havan has 

to be very patient and exercise a lot of care from the very outset of the ritual.

2 The offerings are to be made when the flames are well established, 

i.e. when they -

“shoot up”. A generous supply of ghee and other combustible materials is needed to obtain 

such a fire. This is the second implication; there is a cost factor that is built in. The person 

has to be prepared to spend money to obtain a good quantity of ghee.

3 Aajyabhaagau: 

The offering is to be made at “a point in between two tongues of 

flames”, known as the Aavaapa Sthaana. This is the third implication. The performer of the 

havan has to be alert at all times to note this. He has to watch the fire very attentively and 

make the offering carefully at the right time and at the right spot. 

4a First the oblations are offered to the Pitrus with the Mantra 

“Om Prajapataye Swaha”. 

Next, two oblations are offered to Lord Indra, the Lord of Heaven (Indraloka). 

Thirdly, two oblations are offered for Agnidevata, two for Soma, separately on the north 

side and the south side respectively. 

The oblations are called Aahuteeh. The oblations are referred to in the plural form, 

because this ritual has to continue for many days, as prescribed.

4b This is the procedure at a glance. 

The whole procedure has to be done with great

faith. If all these conditions are fulfilled, the result is guaranteed!

However, as they say in modern business, “terms and conditions” apply . . .

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Next-Post-12 

Mantram -3 : The “Terms & Conditions 9Harmful results of rituals performed wrongly

To be continued ....

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