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Q.1. What is the significance of Yagya in spirituality?                
Ans. Gayatri has been regarded as the mother and, Yagya as father of Indian spiritual tradition. Yagya finds place in all sacred and auspicious ceremonies in Indian culture. In Gayatri Upasana too, it is essential. The number of oblations in Havan may preferably be one-tenth of the number of  Japs in an Anusthan or Purascharan. However, if it is not found convenient, one-tenth of this number would also suffice. The spiritual birth of a human being who is otherwise born as any other animal, takes place on his initiation by a Guru, whereafter he becomes a Dwij with Yagya and Gayatri as his parents. It, therefore, becomes obligatory for him to serve his spiritual parents.
Scriptures prescribe daily ritual of Balivaishwa which means initially offering a small morsel of everyday food as an oblation to fire. (Saying a prayer at the dining table too is a variant of this ritual)  Poornahuti and Brahmabhoj are essential at the end of the Yagya. If one is not able to participate in a Yagya on account of some contingency, a coconut may be offered as oblation as Poornahuti somewhere else, where a large Yagya is being performed.
Q.2. Is it necessary to perform Yagya along with Jap of Gayatri Mantra?
Ans. Gayatri and Yagya form an inseparable pair. One is said to be the mother of Indian culture and the other, the father. They are inter-linked. Gayatri Anusthan cannot be said to be fully accomplished unless it is accompanied by Yagya. In old affluent times Agnihotra used to be performed with number of Ahutis equal to one-tenth of the quantum of Jap, but now, in view of the prevailing circumstances, Ahutis are given in one to hundredth ratio. Those lacking in requisite resources fulfil the requirement of Yagya by performing one-tenth additional Jap. 
There is a reference in the scriptures to a famous ancient dialogue between Janak and Yagyavalkya. Janak went on pointing out the difficulties in daily performance of Yagya because of non-availability of required materials whereas Yagyavalkya, while emphasising the essentiality of performing Yagya, said that even if charu and other materials are not available, food grains of daily consumption can be offered in Havan. If they are also not available, mental Yagya can be performed by offering meditation and divine sentiments in the fire of reverence and devotion. It has thus been emphasized that not only in Anusthan, but even in daily Sadhana, Yagya is essential along with Gayatri Jap.
In emergency, house-wives used to utter Gayatri Mantra and offer five morsels of first chapati in the hearth in the kitchen. The daily routine of food to God before taking meals was known as Balivaishwa (cf.. Saying Grace). 
Q.3. Is it necessary to perform Yagya daily?
Ans. Gayatri and Yagya constitute a pair. Gayatri hasbeen called righteous wisdom and Yagya as righteous act. Coordination of both gives wisdom to solve all problems. Yagya may be performed as and when it is convenient. It can suffice to utter Gayatri Mantra and offer ghee and sugar in fire. If it is sought to be more brief, the purpose of symbolic worship of Agnihotra can also be fulfilled if a Ghrit lamp is lighted, incense- stick is burnt and Gayatri Mantra is uttered. If even this brief ritual cannot be performed daily, it should be done once in a week or on any convenient day at least once in a month. Those who are not acquainted with the procedure, and facilitators and material resources are not available, can write to Shantikunj for performance of Yagya in requisite quantity. Yagya is performed daily in Shantikunj for two hours in three Yagyashala having nine Yagya Kunds each.    
Q.4. How many Kunds are required in a Yagya? 
Ans. On a small scale, the members of the family may offer 2400 (cumulative) Ahutis in a Single Kund Yagya. If neighbours, relatives and friends also wish to participate, a five Kundiya Yagya may be organised and five thousand oblations offered. Q.5. What type of Prasad is recommended during  Poornahuti?
Ans. In the existing circumstances, it is advised to replace Brahmbhoj with Brahmadan, wherein instead of sweets, literature pertaining to Gayatri Sadhana is distributed as Prasad to the deserving participants.
Q.6. What is the necessity of collective-Yagyas?
Ans. Yagyas at a larger scale are required to be performed to purify the subtle environment and destroy pollution permeating the atmosphere. It infuses religious sentiments and enthusiasm in persons who are present and those who participate in it get an opportunity to take a vow to abandon one vice by way of offering Dev-dakshina and adopt one virtue or righteous tendency. In this way big Yagyas help in uplifting the moral and ethical levels of the participants. The meaning of the word Yagya is to do sacrifice, to give money in charity and do worship. Its practical meaning is that one ought not to spend his entire earnings on himself and his family, but should also contribute a part of it  for the welfare of others. It also implies that divinity and gentlemanliness should be respected and people should live together in mutual cooperation.
Q.7. Is ‘Agnihotra’ during the nights justified for matrimonial functions?
Ans. In fact scriptures advise performance of marriages and associated Agnihotra (Yagya) during the day only. However, it has become customary in India to perform marriages during the night because of the convenience and leisure of participants. Agnihotra associated with matrimonial functions performed during the night are, therefore, exceptions. Although marriages during the night  have become a norm for this reason, the best period for the ceremony is considered as the dusk time.
Q.8. What type of clothes are recommended during performance of  Yagya?
Ans. During a Yagya, the purifying energy emanating from the Agnihotra stimulates the outer skin and permeates the body through the physical perforations, bringing out sweat and other impurities from within. It is therefore, advisable to wear loose clothes to permit an easy intake of ‘ Pran’- the life-force and excretion of impure elements (Kalmash). For this reason, in ancient times a two-piece wear of Dhoti and Dupatta was recommended which permitted a free circulation of air in and around the body. Course, heavy and tight clothing is not advisable for this very reason, Dhoti and Kurta are cheap and convenient wears, which, besides meeting the above objectives, also serve the purpose of religious and cultural integrity. Dhoti and Kurta are also easily washable. In those regions where Dhoti-Kurta are not traditional wears, clean-washed Pyjama may be used. Socks should never be worn during the Sadhana. These are considered as dirty as shoes. (However, to ward off extreme cold, one may wear clean socks reserved exclusively, for this purpose).
Though traditionally a yellow Dupatta (Angavastra) on shoulders is recommended, it is not mandatory. Ladies may wear yellow Saree  or a loose traditional wear. For Group performance, it is advisable to keep stock of spare clothes for the visiting participants. Continuance of a Yagya in the night is not justifiable.
Q.9. Is Akhand Yagya permissible?
Ans. Scriptures do not permit Akhand Yagya.  Yagya shouldbe completed in a fixed time during the day only. The reason being the possibility of insects, worms etc. getting killed in the sacred fire, which makes it a violent and profane act.
Q.10. How are ‘Tantrik Mukhs’ different from Vedic Yagyas?
Ans. As opposed to Vedic Yagya performed during the day, Tantrik Mukhs are executed at night. ‘Holika Dahan’, burning of ‘funeral pyre’ etc. fall in the category of Mukh.Mukhs are performed during night for various reasons. The oblations consist of non-eatable and untouchable objects. The sight too is not pleasant. The associated rituals are predominantly full of Tamogun. There is also no consideration for violence or non-violence during the performance. For all these considerations and to avoid interference from prying, Mukhs are organized at solitary, unknown places in utmost privacy.

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