Lakṣa and Koṭi Homa in the Narasiṃha Purāṇa

A homa is a sacred fire rite in which offerings are placed into a consecrated fire while mantras are chanted. The Lakṣa-homa is a homa of one lakh (100,000) offerings, and the Koṭi-homa is a homa of one crore (ten million) offerings. The thirty-fifth chapter of the Narasiṃha Purāṇa explains how to perform them.

The teaching was first given by Śaunaka in answer to a question from Bṛhaspati, and Mārkaṇḍeya passes it on to King Sahasrānīka. The chapter covers preparing the site, purifying the kuṇḍa (fire-pit), keeping brahmacarya (celibacy), using sesame as the main offering with the Gāyatrī mantra, feeding the poor, and giving dakṣiṇā (the ritual gift) to the ṛtviks (the brāhmaṇas who conduct the rite). The result is peace across the whole rāṣṭra (land or kingdom).

How the Teaching Came to Be Told

King Sahasrānīka had heard from Mārkaṇḍeya the full teaching on the fruits of Viṣṇu-pūjā, and it filled him with devotion. He said: “Those who do not honour Bhagavān Viṣṇu are truly asleep in the sleep of ignorance. Now please tell me: what is the fruit of performing the Lakṣa and Koṭi homas?”

Mārkaṇḍeya replied: “Long ago Bṛhaspati asked Śaunaka this very question. I will tell you what Śaunaka said.”

Preparing the Kuṇḍa

The text describes how to prepare the homa kuṇḍa (fire-pit):

  • The site must be level ground that has already been purified. Raised or sunken patches are not acceptable.
  • The earth is dug out to the depth of a thigh and specially purified.
  • The outside of the kuṇḍa is plastered with clay and given four sides with proper walls.
  • The kuṇḍa must be one cubit long (the length of a forearm).
  • A raised mekhalā (rim), four aṅgulas (finger-widths) high, is made around the top.
  • The yajamāna (the person for whom the rite is done) must invite Vedic brāhmaṇas who carry out their brāhmaṇa duties according to the śāstra (scripture).

Observances Before the Homa

Before the homa begins:

  • The yajamāna and the invited brāhmaṇas keep brahmacarya for three nights.
  • They fast for one day and night.
  • During this time they recite the Gāyatrī mantra ten thousand times.
  • Everyone taking part wears white clothes and puts on gandha (sandal paste) and flower garlands.
  • They stay pure, without food and joyful, with their senses under control.
  • They give up tāmasic laziness (dullness) and sit on a seat of kuśa grass.
  • They draw lines on the ground, sprinkle water and set the fire in place.
  • The homa begins, following the method of the Gṛhyasūtras (the Vedic manuals for household rites).

Performing the Homa

The homa is performed as follows:

  1. The āghāra and ājya-bhāga offerings (the opening offerings of ghee) are made first.
  2. The first āhuti (offering) is a mixture of yava (barley), dhānya (grain) and tila (sesame), offered with the word svāhā and a focused mind.
  3. About the Gāyatrī mantra: its devatā (presiding deity) is Sūrya, and its ṛṣi (the seer who received it) is Viśvāmitra.
  4. After the Gāyatrī homa, the main Lakṣa-homa uses sesame (tila) alone, offered with the Gāyatrī together with the three vyāhṛtis, bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ.
  5. The sesame offerings go on until the count of one lakh is complete.

Duties After the Homa

When the homa is complete:

  • The yajamāna must feed the poor and the needy (dīna and daridra).
  • Proper dakṣiṇā must be given to each ṛtvik, with due respect.
  • The śānti-kalaśa-udaka, the blessed water from the pot of peace, is used to give ritual baths to the villagers and to the sick.

The Result

Mārkaṇḍeya sums it up: “When the homa described by Śaunaka is performed, whether outside the village or inside it, peace comes down upon the whole rāṣṭra.”

So the Lakṣa-homa and Koṭi-homa are not only personal sādhana (spiritual practice). They are also a means of bringing welfare and peace to everyone. The śānti-jala (water of peace) carries their blessing to the sick and to the whole community.

Sources

  • Narasiṃha Purāṇa, Chapter 35