few questions on performing homam/ agnihotra

[Guest guest]

Namaste Friends,

 

I am all set to start doing homam/ agnihotra on 22nd May 2009, Friday morning

hours 6.15 am. I have got almost everything ready.

 

I have few queries:

(1) Have I to perform prathas sandhyavandanam(morning) before starting the

homam? Or can I do sandhyavandanam after homam?

 

(2) How can I combine Maha Ganapathi Homam and Maha Lakshmi Homam in the same

go?

 

(3) For starting fire, apart from camphor can I use 'duraflame' fire log. It

appears that this wood is made of natural wood and also wax, specifically made

for fire. It is reported that it is better than normal wood.

 

I would be thankful if any one can please advise me.

 

Thank you,

Shankar

Detroit, USA

[Guest guest]

Namaste Shankarji,

 

Good Luck! I hope you are able to perform it regularly.

 

1. I would suggest you to perform the homam first and then perform the Gayatri.

However, I do not have any scriptures to back it. Please talk to your local

priest, he may be able to provide vaidiki reasons for it.

 

2. You can do it just like the procedure given for Chandi Homam, just replace

the procedure for Chandi to that of Lakshmi. The details are given in the Chandi

Homam manual.

 

3. In my opinion any kind of material other than wood or copra would not be

suitable for homam. Moreover, wood tends to produce more smoke, and especially

if you live in an apartment, this may not really be feasible. Copra, in my

personal experience is an excellent material.

 

Hope this helps.

Narayan

 

, " shankar789 " <shankar789 wrote:

>

> Namaste Friends,

>

> I am all set to start doing homam/ agnihotra on 22nd May 2009, Friday morning

hours 6.15 am. I have got almost everything ready.

>

> I have few queries:

> (1) Have I to perform prathas sandhyavandanam(morning) before starting the

homam? Or can I do sandhyavandanam after homam?

>

> (2) How can I combine Maha Ganapathi Homam and Maha Lakshmi Homam in the same

go?

>

> (3) For starting fire, apart from camphor can I use 'duraflame' fire log. It

appears that this wood is made of natural wood and also wax, specifically made

for fire. It is reported that it is better than normal wood.

>

> I would be thankful if any one can please advise me.

>

> Thank you,

> Shankar

> Detroit, USA

>