Homam Questions

[Guest guest]

Namaste Smt Sudha,

 

If you leave it as is, after 5-15 minutes it would automatically die off. You

don't have to explicitly try to extinguish it.

 

Doing homam in US or other cold countries, can be tricky. Firstly I suggest

using copra as it doesn't produce much smoke. Secondly, after you're comfortable

with the homam content and fire management, you will be able to optimize on the

copra usage and reduce the smoke further. Using camphor can also produce much

smoke, so use it sparingly. Ensure, you raise the window's a bit, so that

there's circulation in the house. However, please ensure that wind is not

blowing in the direction of smoke alarm, as this would cause it to raise the

alarm. For example, once I performed Ganesha Homam with windows close as it was

very cold outside, by the end of it the room got stuffier, and when I opened the

windows a bit in both the rooms, the wind caused all the smoke in one direction,

passing the smoke alarm causing it to go off!

 

Once the homam is over, you can go ahead and place the kundam in the balcony,

provided there's no fire in it. So, please wait the fire to die and then move it

outside, as we don't want to attract any attention. People in western continent

are not aware of fire rituals, and can freak out on seeing fire. So. when you

perform homam in the night, please ensure some light is on, otherwise if the

lights are off, then one can see the flames from outside the apartment, causing

some people to call the fire department. We certainly dont want to get into such

a situation!

 

Too much of clarified butter (ghee) can also cause too much smoke. The ghee has

to be poured the right amount. It would also help, if you could clean up the

homa kundam so that you start empty. This also reduces smoke. Also proficiency

in estimating the amount of ghee for a size of copra to keep the fire going

(including turning at the right moment) all helps reducing the residual smoke

effect.

 

So, with more practice you will get a better idea on all the above parameters.

Others may add their experience. If you have any more questions, please feel

free to ask.

 

Finally, I would like to mention, that the smoke from the homa kundam is very

therapeutic in nature and offers a lot of benefits. See my other mail on it.

 

Hope this helps.

Regards

Narayan

[Guest guest]

Namaste Smt Sudha/Naaraayana - 

 

Gayatri Parivar does many samuhik homa and agnihotra in US. We also give away Homa kundas. There is mango wooden sticks typically available in indian stores that are smoke free. We also would have inverted pyramid shape small copper agnohotra kunda. I also learnt in NJ a source , who sells organic pure cow dung tablets for homa.

 

If you need more info contact a GP member closeby your location . www.awgp.us. Let me know if I can be of any help in getting you started oing homas.

 

Thanks,

 

Subbu

 

 

On Thu, Sep 3, 2009 at 12:00 PM, naaraayana_iyer <narayan.iyer wrote:

 

 

 

 

Namaste Smt Sudha,If you leave it as is, after 5-15 minutes it would automatically die off. You don't have to explicitly try to extinguish it. Doing homam in US or other cold countries, can be tricky. Firstly I suggest using copra as it doesn't produce much smoke. Secondly, after you're comfortable with the homam content and fire management, you will be able to optimize on the copra usage and reduce the smoke further. Using camphor can also produce much smoke, so use it sparingly. Ensure, you raise the window's a bit, so that there's circulation in the house. However, please ensure that wind is not blowing in the direction of smoke alarm, as this would cause it to raise the alarm. For example, once I performed Ganesha Homam with windows close as it was very cold outside, by the end of it the room got stuffier, and when I opened the windows a bit in both the rooms, the wind caused all the smoke in one direction, passing the smoke alarm causing it to go off!

Once the homam is over, you can go ahead and place the kundam in the balcony, provided there's no fire in it. So, please wait the fire to die and then move it outside, as we don't want to attract any attention. People in western continent are not aware of fire rituals, and can freak out on seeing fire. So. when you perform homam in the night, please ensure some light is on, otherwise if the lights are off, then one can see the flames from outside the apartment, causing some people to call the fire department. We certainly dont want to get into such a situation!

Too much of clarified butter (ghee) can also cause too much smoke. The ghee has to be poured the right amount. It would also help, if you could clean up the homa kundam so that you start empty. This also reduces smoke. Also proficiency in estimating the amount of ghee for a size of copra to keep the fire going (including turning at the right moment) all helps reducing the residual smoke effect.

So, with more practice you will get a better idea on all the above parameters. Others may add their experience. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.Finally, I would like to mention, that the smoke from the homa kundam is very therapeutic in nature and offers a lot of benefits. See my other mail on it.

Hope this helps.RegardsNarayan