Agni or fire is the first word of the Rig Veda. Did you know that according to ayurveda the various agnis in the body are at constant work burning body fuel and along with it body’s resources? For example, in the process of converting food into energy the internal chemical processes affect organs of the body.

The heavier the food more the resources required to burn it and convert it into energy, the more the body ages. In a similar manner, fast breathing, sexual act, anger, attachment, greed, violence, sorrow and various kinds of indulgences lead you to engage in intense processing of thoughts, which utilise the body’s resources and engage the various agnis resulting in ageing. So, is there a way to make these agnis ‘shaant’(calm), resulting in anti-ageing, balance and tuning oneself to the subtler frequencies? The answer lies in performing Vedic havans, which are done on a large scale at Dhyan Ashram.

Fire is an element that can never be polluted and whatever goes into fire also gets cleansed. The same property of fire is harnessed in a havan (religious pyre). In earlier times, havans were performed to cleanse the atmosphere, the samagri and samedha were used to release positive vibrations into the atmosphere and remove toxicity and negativity (both, of the being and environment). For the sceptic I would like to add that even today in caves where sadhus live, a fire is constantly burned (dhuni), but do we ever hear of a sadhu contracting lung cancer or lung ailments?

Sadly, however, today havans have become synonymous to a patient hearing in a smoke-filled atmosphere. That’s not what a havan is. Havans conducted at Dhyan Ashram are such that the atmosphere becomes serene and peaceful, there is no coughing or restlessness amongst attendees, even birds in the vicinity come and perch upon the nearby trees. The fumes are soothing and aromatic and heal people of their problems.

For the above results ensure that the samagri (mixture), samedha (wood) and ghrit (cow ghee) used are unadulterated. The thought (bhaav) of those participating in the havan should be pure. Lastly, the pronunciation (uchharan) of the mantras must be flawless with sensitivity to the crests and troughs. All these when combined with the surrender to the Guru, ensure that the offerings hence made to the Agni are sent in their purest form to the right dimensions thereby affecting the desired transformation.

(Yogi Ashwini is an authority on the Vedic sciences and is the guiding light of Dhyan Foundation. He is also the author of Sanatan Kriya - The Ageless Dimension. dhyan@dhyanfoundation.com. For Vedic havan at your premises call 8805459849. Sanatan kriya classes every Monday at Ravindra Bhavan Margao, Every Wednesday at Sapna Habitat Porvorim, and every Sunday at Ganekar House Ponda. To register call 8805459849)