Agnihotra is a form a Yajna, which is a specially prepared fire with particular mantra, sometimes at certain times of the day, month, or year. Yajnas are described extensively in the Vedic texts and there are many different forms of Yajna. Depending on the type of Yajna, it will have a particular biorhythmic effect on the environment.
In a historical text explaining Yajna in the context of the Vedas, there is a statement that the food on which we subsist from comes rain, and rain comes from Yajna (Bhagavad Gita, chapter 3, verse 14).
On its face, this is a profound statement. It states that the food and rain cycle, from which we depend for survival, is driven ultimately by Yajna. Can this ancient statement be proven?
We came across an interesting study published in the International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology (Vol. 7 Issue 2, Feb. 2020) regarding Yajna and rainfall. This study did not focus on Agnihotra specifically, but did focus on a different type of Yajna.
In it they described the chemical process in which Yajna impacts cloud formation and rainfall.
The paper noted that the heat from Yajna fires is generally between 200 to 1000 degrees Celsius. At this temperature organic materials are vaporized into molecules, atoms, ions, or nanoparticles that rise high into the atmosphere. These vaporized materials have high kinetic energy and their density is less than surrounding air, so they rise high into the atmosphere (troposphere) and travel long distances.
Analyzing the chemical composition and mineral contents of organic materials used in Yajnas were, the paper noted that cow's milk and other diary products contain mineral components such as iron (Fe), copper (cu), manganese (Mn), and Zinc (Zn), and smaller levels of Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Cobalt (Co), and Tin (Sn).
When these minerals are vaporized during Yajna and launched into the high atmosphere, they perform two things.
One, they collide with particulate matter and pollutants existing in the troposphere, and can excite them and cause disassociation of the particulate matter and pollutants. Hence, Yajna can operate to purify pollutants in the high atmosphere.
Two, these vaporized minerals can act as cloud condensation nuclei to form liquid droplets, to facilitate condensation and therefore rain.
With this backdrop, the paper analyzed a 50 km radius close to Atlanta, GA for rainfall from 1996 to 2019, in which Yajna was performed consecutively for the last 7 year period.
Over this time period, the paper observed a reduction of particulate matter pollution in the atmosphere up to 96 hours after the Yajna and increased rain quantity during the 8 year period in which Yajna was performed.
The paper further noted that rain quality improved during the years in which Yajna was performed (this is referenced in a different paper).
This is certainly an interesting finding, but there are a couple limitations to be mindful of.
One, there is no control for outside variables so it is difficult to conclude from the study itself that Yajna was responsible for increased rainfall or reduction of particulate matter pollution. This study would need to be repeated many times in many different areas around the world to draw statistical correlations between Yajna and rainfall.
Two, the understood mechanisms of Yajna affecting rainfall and particulate pollution is limited to chemistry. But in an interview regarding Agnihotra in Secrets of the Soil, Shree Vasant stated to truly understand how Yajna impacts the environment, we have to expand our understanding beyond chemistry, and even beyond the electromagnetic spectrum. He indicated there is something more subtle, in the realm of a healing resonance that plays a vital role in nature.
Can we develop techniques to understand how nature operates in the realm of vibration and sound, and can we better understand Yajna from this perspective?
Conducting experiments to test statements made in Vedic and other ancient texts is a great start. This can help us better understand the Vedas from a scientific point of view. Studying the relationship between Yajna and rainfall is an example of testing such statements from the ancient texts.
But perhaps more fundamentally, we need to need expand our framework of understanding beyond chemistry, into more subtle realms of science, including quantum physics, to truly understand the impact of Yajna on the surrounding environment.
To see the publication, see the pdf bellow.