Some Common Homas
Homa rituals have been performed by Vedic priests for several millennia. The following is an illustrative list of a few such homa rituals:
| Ceremony | Purpose | |
| Aayushya homa | to ward off evil influences present in a child's life immediately following its birth, thereby ensuring longevity | |
| Mrutyunjaya homa | for ward off life threatening situations like accidents | |
| Dhanavantri homa | for good health | |
| Durga homa | to cancel negative energies; for self-confidence | |
| Chandi homa | For Victory in all endeavors | |
| Gayatri homa | to facilitate positive thinking and subsequently performing good karma | |
| Kritya Pariharana | to counter the effects of black magic | |
| Ganapati homa | to overcome obstacles | |
| Lakshmi Kubera homa | for wealth and material prosperity | |
| Mangala Samskarana homa | to celebrate auspicious events; to attain Moksha | |
| Mahadevi homa | for the stimulation of a marriage and for marital felicity among those already married | |
| Navagraha homa | to appease the Nine planets and limit the evil influences in one's horoscope | |
| Punyahavachana homa | for the naming of a child | |
| Sudarshana homa | for success in an undertaking | |
| Santhana Gopala homa | for blessings for a Child | |
| Rudra homa | Getting rid of all negative influences | |
| Vastu homa | a house-warming; to encourage good Vastu (energy in buildings) | |
| Vidya homa | to benefit students; to facilitate learning | |
| Vishwa Shanthi homa | for universal peace and harmony, as also harmony between the self and the universe | |
| Viraja Homa | purification rites performed as part of the formal ceremonies by which a person takes the vows of renunciation (Sannyas), thereby becoming a Sanyasi (monk) |
The purification rites of the Viraja homa ritual also apply to the formal ceremonies by which a Hindu monk takes up the vows of renunciation (Sannyas), thereby becoming a Sanyasi. The procedure is a part of the full Sannyas Diksha monastic initiation ceremony. After the Homa, the monk receives the ochre robes the characteristic dress of Hindu monks, from his teacher (guru).
Read more about this topic: Homa (ritual)
Famous quotes containing the word common:
“If any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.”
—Book Of Common Prayer, The. Solemnization of Matrimony, “Exhortation,” (1662)