Havan — the fire ceremony

HAVAN, HOMA — the fire ceremony. This is a ritual of powerful purifying and transformative force, known for ages, since the dawn of civilization and humanity's taming of fire. The word comes from the Sanskrit root hu, meaning "to offer" or "to present," in which offerings (real or symbolic) are placed into a consecrated fire.

As part of the Professional Holistic Therapist Course, we had the opportunity to take part in the Havan ritual just before the diploma ceremony.

The Havan ceremony always takes place with an officiant present, in a clean space centered on a fire pit (Havan Kund), using an appropriate blend of herbs (Havan Samagri), ghee, Mauli (a red thread), Kanku (red puja powder), Agarbati (incense), coconut, fresh fruit, and sweets.

Still to be added to the Havan Samagri: sesame seeds (til), mustard seeds, oats (jaun)

Jaggery (Desi Khand) and rice

Havan/agni kund:

This can refer to a kind of energetic force or structure, usually shaped like an inverted pyramid, representing the dynamics of fire. From Sanskrit, agni means "fire," and all these definitions center around fire, or the inner heat within the human soul. Kund can mean "shape of energy" or "field of energy," sometimes taking the physical form of a pyramid or altar, which can be made from a variety of materials.

The havan kund helps the energy of the fire spread out into the cosmic currents. The symbols of the agni kund, once given physical form, are used for meditation, prayer, and connecting with universal energies.

The Havan Kund is where the fire is placed and all offerings/oblations are made.

It can be regarded as the sanctum sanctorum of the self. It is traditionally made of pure copper, since copper is well known for its capacity to capture — it captures the divine spirit and destroys evil spirits. Spiritual vibrations are easily absorbed by copper, and it has the ability to carry them onward.

Havan Samagri:

Havan Samagri is a blend of various herbal roots, leaves, grains, ghee, milk, incense, and seeds.

When offered into the burning fire, Havan Samagri disperses in micro-form through the air to purify the environment, while also activating the air as a disinfecting, bactericidal agent. It is antibacterial and made from high-quality raw materials.

The main ingredients of Havan Samagri are Agar Wood, Anwala, Bach, Baheda, Bawachi, bay leaves, green cardamom, Chharil, cloves, Daru, Haldi, Deodar, Dhawai Phool, dried coconut or Sookha Nariyal, dried eucalyptus leaves, Guggal, Guruch, Harr or Harad, Howber, Indra Jau, Jara Kush, Jata Masi or Balchhad, Kamal Gatta, Kapoor Kachari, Nag Keshar, Nagarmotha, nutmeg, red sandalwood, sandalwood, Sugandh Bala, Sugandh Kokila, Sugandh Mantri, and 5 kinds of wood.

Havan should be performed in sunlight, ideally between 7 and 9 in the morning; clean and wipe down the place where you intend to perform the havan (ideally the center of your home).

The ceremony is accompanied by the chanting of appropriate mantras: the Achman Mantra, the Anga Sparsha Mantra, the Gayatri Mantra, the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, and other mantras suited to different occasions.

Regular havan practice is believed to bring purification and transformation to both the individual and the environment. Havan clears away the negative vibrations around a person or family, in the home or workplace, that bring business losses and stress and block prosperity and well-being. In this way, havans are also part of the ecology of yoga, since they uphold the yogic principles of purity and care for the natural world.

The fire ceremony dates back to the Vedic period, when havans were very much a part of everyday life. Havans are still quite commonly performed at yoga centers in India, especially during spiritual events.

Havan has a purifying effect on both the participant — the person making the offering — and on the surroundings. Through the chanting of mantras and the offering made to the fire, the chakras are energized, giving a revitalizing and rejuvenating effect for body and mind. Around the home, it acts like a protective shield, and thanks to the appropriate herbs (Havan Samagri) added to the fire pit, it even kills harmful bacteria in the surrounding environment.

There are many different types of havans for different occasions. There is a naming-ceremony havan for a child, a havan for wealth and material prosperity, and one that serves as a purification rite performed as part of formal ceremonies in which a person takes vows of renunciation.

During the ceremony, the Maula, also known as Kalawa, is tied on. This is a red thread meant to symbolize a new resolve, or resolves, called a Sankalpa — the wish to become better and to improve oneself. The thread, tied around the wrist with 5 knots, serves as a daily reminder of the Sankalpa one has made. Over time, the thread loosens or breaks on its own, or it can be cut and replaced at the next ceremony. A Sankalpa thread should never be thrown in the trash — it can be buried in the earth or hung on a tree, returned to nature. This thread should be made of 100% natural material and dye.

Here are some of the Mantras:

ACHMAN MANTRA:

You need to prepare as many bowls of water and spoons as there are HAVAN participants. Each participant should have their own container of water and a spoon.

Take water into your right palm with the spoon, concentrate on the water, and recite:

"OM AMRTIO PASTRANMASI SWAHA" and drink the water.

(O Lord God, this water is the protector of my body. May it protect every part of my body and heal them)

Again, take water into your right palm with the spoon, concentrate on the water, and recite:

"OM AMRITA APIDHANMASI SWAHA" and drink it.

(O Lord God, this water nourishes my body. May it give strength to my body)

Again, take water into your right palm with the spoon, concentrate on the water, and recite:

"OM SATYAM YASHAH SHRI MAYI SHRI SHRAYTAAM SWAHA" and drink the water.

(O Lord God, we ask that we may attain truth (true knowledge) and high esteem in society. Grant that everyone may live in material and intellectual prosperity, and that everyone may grow spiritually)

ANGA SPARSHA MANTRA:

Take a little water in your left palm and touch the water with the middle and ring fingers of your right hand. Using these fingers, touch the various parts of your body in turn, first on the right side and then on the left side of your body, while reciting the mantra.

"OM VAANGMA AASYE STU" — touch the mouth

(O Lord God, may the power of speech always be in my mouth)

"OM NASOR ME PRAANO STU" — touch the right and left nostrils

(O Lord God, may the power of breath always be in my nose)

"OM AAKSHNOR ME CHAK SHUR ASTU" — touch the right and left eye

(O Lord God, may the power of sight always be in my eyes)

"OM KARNAYOR ME SHROTRAM ASTU" — touch the right and left ear

(O Lord God, may the power of hearing always be in my ears)

"OM BAHU VOR ME BALAM ASTU" — touch the right and left arm

(O Lord God, may my arms always be full of strength)

"OM UUR VORMA OJO STU" — touch the right and left thigh

(O Lord God, may my thighs always be full of strength)

"OM ARISHTAANI MEGAANI TANOO STANVA ME SAHA SANTU" — sprinkle the remaining water from your palm over your body with both hands

(O Lord God, may my body and all its parts be healthy and strong)

Lighting the agni:

Light the fire in the havan kund using camphor. Chant the Gayatri Mantra, add the word Swaha at the end, and offer ghee with a spoon into the havan kund, avoiding the use of your index finger.

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः

तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं ।

भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि

धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥

Om Bhuur-Bhuvah Svah

Tat-Savitur-Varennyam |

Bhargo Devasya Dhiimahi

Dhiyo YoNah Pracodayaat ||

You can do this 11, 21, 51, or 108 times, as you prefer.

You may choose mantras as you prefer. After chanting the mantra, recite "Swaha" and add a little ghee and Havan Samagri.

Now you can chant the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, add the word Swaha at the end, and offer ghee with a spoon into the havan kund, avoiding the use of your index finger.

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् |

उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ||

Aum Tryambakam yajaamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam |

Urvaarukamiva bandhanaan-mrityormuksheeya maamritaat ||

At the end, a coconut filled with ghee is offered, and the Havan concludes with Arati. Distribute prasad to all the members.

Piyush Mittal

Nirmala Institute of Yoga and Ayurveda