What is Homam?
Homams are pujas performed for a particular deity by invoking Agni – the God of fire. It is said that when Lord Brahma (the creator among the Trinity) created man, he also created “Homam” for man’s livelihood and his attainment of spiritual desires. The goal of all Homams is the prosperity of the people at large by energizing and protecting the environment.
The Sun is considered as the main source of energy supply, and fire is considered as a representation of the Sun’s energy. According to the ancient texts on Homam, any offer to Fire as a god, is actually an offer to Sun. Any such offer is either to enrich energy in the environment or to destroy the undesirable elements in the environment, and thus, in both ways, environment is protected. Attaching divine nature to such rituals (like Homam) induced people to practice them. Thus, the ancient texts proclaim that “Such Vaidika Karmams are result-oriented, and meant to lead to Sreyass or spiritual attainments”.
Types of Homams
Homams are classified into two types namely Kaamya Homam and Naimithika Homam
“Kaamya Homam” is the short form of “Ishta Kaamya” Homam and this homam is performed on the basis of a person for his wealth, health etc. Kaamya homams are performed for a particular reason and performing a specific homam, the problem is solved and the things attain what we expect. This Kaamya homams can be done at home, by inviting Archakars (Pundits) who are skilled in performing various homams.
“Naimithika Homam” is another kind of homam, which is done for the enrichment of the world, peaceful life etc. Naimithika homam, which is said to be the other kind of homam, generally should be performed at home. This homam should be done at the temples (or) in the midst of the city and this homam is done for the betterment of the whole human life.
How Homam is performed?
Each Homam is performed strictly according to scriptures. These are conducted by fully learned and experienced Vedic scholars. The ingredients required for these homams are different for each homams. Each homam is performed after praying (Shankalpa) for the specific relief / benefit desired for each individual. After each homam, pundits are fed with Vedic prayers.
Hindu religion is said to be one of the oldest religion that is found to be spread over various countries in the world. And, lots of good issues, which help the people, and for their enrichments in lives are well explained in Hindu Vedas. These Vedas explain how a human should be and how he should be helpful to others and what are the good actions that he should perform.
Dhaanams, Poojas etc are some of the Hindu rituals we follow to get the blessings of the Perumal but it is also done for our self – satisfaction, and it all represents our beliefs. Like Dhaanams, poojas, etc Homams are also said to be one of the greatest ritual in Hindu religion, whereby doing this, we can get rid of anything and also attain the Perumal.
Homams and its relation to the scientific world
Lots of Vedic actions, which are performed by our ancestors, are not only based on the rituals but also it has a close connection with the scientific explanation.
- For instance, some of the things that are placed in the Agni (fire) during performing Homam are said to transmit some kind of medicinal smoke and this smoke collages with the air thereby curing lots of human diseases.
- Ghee, Small pieces of Banyan tree, aromatic products etc are some of things that are placed while performing Homams. The smoke, which comes out of the homams, has the tendency to purify the air and this smoke will not cause any air pollution. And this smoke is said to have medical values also.