Dear all , let me outline the shrauta and smartha versions of one of most commonly known and the simplest of Yajna , the Agnihotra.
Agnihotra is the second among the Sapta havi samsta series. Its to be performed daily. Its a daily ritual , two times a day to be performed by a grihasta from the very day of agnyadhana ( the first ritual in the havi samsta , its the establishment of the fire ceremony).
Agnihotra is essentially a havan performed with milk , gritha as oblations. On contrary to the popular belief , Agnihotra can be performed even by unmarried people (usually shrauta rites can only be performed by married people) . The major references are Shatapatha Brahmana (12.4.1, 12.4.1-7) and also the Aitareya Brahmana (32.8).
The devatas for the Agnihotra are Surya and Agni. Agni is the devata for the night and Surya for the day. The second oblation is given to prajapathi in both the evening and morning rituals
The mantras used in for Shrauta and Smartha Agnihothra are different. The mantras and procedure references used for each system are as follows
Shrauta
Surya : Suryo jyothi jyothih suryah swaha (morning)
Agni : Agni jyothi Jyothih agnih swaha (evening)
procedure
The morning ritual should start soon after sunrise and the evening ritual should be close with sunset. The shrauta set of procedures is 20 step process , but in this havan , there is no poornahuthi (refer to katyayanas commentary). i would be discussing on the procedure on translation thread of Aitareya brahmana. Even though with this steps , it will take less than half an hour to complete. The havi dravya used varies based on the desired result. for eg: for general welfare its cow milk.
Smarta
Surya : Suryaya swaha suryaya idam na mama
Agni : Agnaye swaha agnaye idam na mama
Procedure
The timings are similar with the shrauta version. but the process is more simple and will take only a few minutes to complete. the detailed process will be explained in the translation section.
