In these Yagna's four types of materials are used for putting in fire (Yagna).

• 1. Scented materials such as Kasturi, Saffron etcetera.
• 2. Sweet materials such as jaggery, Honey etcetera.
• 3. Strength producing materials such as Ghee, Milk, Rice etcetera.
• 4. Health preserving materials such as Herbs.

We should acquire all these materials and purify them before using them in the Yagna. We should mix them in proper proportions. Because of this surrounding environment, air and rain water is purified. The above said materials when put in the fire (Yagna) become minute and mix with the air. Then this mixture purifies poisonous and dirty gases in the air and the rain water.

Importance of Yadnya :-

Yadnya is described as the source of fulfilling all desires. This appears to be true in view of the positive effects, at physical, mental and spiritual levels, of performing Yadnya and ideal elevation of life by adopting the universal philosophy of Yadnya in action. Let us now understand the key benefits of Yadnya.

Purification of Environment by Yadnya:

Experimental studies show that the incidence of physical ailments, sickness and disease are reduced in the houses, where the Yadnya (Agnihotra) is regularly performed because it creates a pure, nutritional and medicinal atmosphere. It renews the brain cells, revitalizes the skin, purifies blood and prevents growth of pathogenic organisms. Yadnya is a healing process. Heal the atmosphere and the healed atmosphere will heal you- is the Modus Operandi. Purification of environment through the constituent electrons of the substances fumigated in the Yadnya is an obvious effect of this process. Mixing ghee and sugar and burning them creates smoke which kills the germs of certain diseases and secretion takes place from some glands relate to the wind-pipe, which fill our heart and mind with pleasure. Sugars present in Havishya have great power to purify the atmosphere.

Therapeutic Benefits of Yadnya :-

Yadnya purifies the surrounding environment. The materials offered to Yadnya are converted into small particles and released in the air. It kills the germs of T.B., measles, smallpox and cow-pox. The medicinal fumes emanating from Yadnya have been observed by researchers in the field of microbiology to be clearly bacteriolethal in nature. These eradicate bacteria and other micro-organisms, which are the root cause of illness and diseases. Other diseases like swine-flu are also eradicated through Yadnya

Effects of Yadnya

Physical and mental effects of Yadnyas can be certainly tested, and the claims to cure physical and mental diseases through Yadnya can be verified.

Results of Research in Scientific laboratories

After certain research, Dr. Selvamurthy has observed neurophysiological effects of the Mantras of a special kind of Agnihotra (described in the next section) which is performed at the time of sunset. In this experimental study, 8 healthy men were chosen as subjects. They use to report at 4 p.m. on two consecutive days. First day for control recording when rituals of Agnihotra were performed but instead of the prescribed Mantras, some irrelevant syllables were uttered at specific time periods. Next day evening the Agnihotra used to be performed with proper Mantras. Recording of physiological parameters viz. Heart rate, ECG, EEG, GSR, blood pressure were made on both days.The results showed that while the mind (brain waves) remained unaltered beforeIn his study, Dr. Selvamurthy has observed neurophysiological effects of the Mantras of a special kind of Agnihotra (described in the next section) which is performed at the time of sunset. In this experimental study, 8 healthy men were chosen as subjects. They use to report at 4 p.m. on two consecutive days. First day for control recording when rituals of Agnihotra were performed but instead of the prescribed Mantras, some irrelevant syllables were uttered at specific time periods. Next day evening the Agnihotra used to be performed with proper Mantras. Recording of physiological parameters viz. Heart rate, ECG, EEG, GSR, blood pressure were made on both days. Agnihotra, significant changes occurred after the proper Agnihotra. These included-(a) G.S.R. remained significantly higher due to proper Agnihotra; (b) ECG showed DC shift in the base line; (c) EEG showed alpha enhancement and delta suppression for more than 15 minutes.

Chanting of Mantra :-

The patterns of chanting of Mantras during Yadnya are so designed that they latently contain the essence of the music or the quite essential sound of the torrent of life sustaining energies emanating from the cosmic energy centre of the corresponding Mantras. (The cosmic energy centre a deity associated with the Gayatri Mantra is Sun). Uttering of these Mantras produces vibrations which are soothing to human mind, all plant and animal life. These vibrations also help in spreading specific energy waves in the surrounding atmosphere as the oblations are offered.The power of sound vibrations is long since acknowledged in the field of science. These vibrations can penetrate the energy spheres at the subtle and cosmic levels. All the alphabets of the Sanskrit language are endowed with special vibrational powers, which set out harmonious wave patterns when pronounced.

The real purpose of Yadnya is to imbibe virtues like self-sacrifice, self-restraint (sanyam), charity, beneficence, generosity, compassion etc. in our daily life. It inspires us to surrender everything, body, mind, ego and soul to God. A Sadhak on surrendering himself to God, who has been described as Yadnya-purush in the scriptures, becomes one with Yadnya, just as samidhas on being consumed in the sacrificial fire of Yadnya become fire itself. In fact the real Yadnya is to follow the directions and inspirations of our indwelling divinity and imbibe righteous tendencies. Constant remembrance of the Divine, keeping an attitude of detachment and remaining engrossed in regular sacred studies and devotion amounts to leading a Yagyiya life. Such a person sees the presence of God in everyone, everywhere and becomes free of evil deeds and sins.