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Bharatiya Bouddhik Sampada
A Quarterly Science Research Journal of Vijnana Bharati
43rd – 44th Issue, February - June 2014
18
Scientific study of Vedic Knowledge Agnihotra
G. R. Pathade, Pranay Abhang
Department of Biotechnology, Fergusson College, Pune
Objective:
To study effect of Agnihotra fumes on:
1. Expt No: 1: Microbial count in the surrounding air
2. Expt No: 2: plant growth
3. Expt No: 3: NO2 level
4. Expt No: 4: SO2 level
To study effect of Agnihotra ash on:
1. Expt No: 5: Skin disease of animal and humans.
2. Expt No: 6: Seed germination
3. Expt No: 7: Genotoxic chemicals (colchicine and methyl parathion)
4. Expt No: 8-11: Bacterial pathogenecity.
5. Expt No: 12: Water purification using Agnihotra ash
Study of different components in Agnihotra:
1. Expt No: 13: Time- sunrise time, sunset time and any time (between sunrise and sunset)
2. Expt No: 14: Mantra- with mantra (sunrise and sunset) and without mantra
3. Expt No: 15: Rice- brown rice (unpolished) and white rice (polished)
4. Expt No: 16: Ghee- cow ghee and buffalo ghee
5. Expt No: 17: Pot- copper pot and steel pot of same size and shape
TO STUDY EFFECT OF AGNIHOTRA FUMES
Expt No: 1: Microbial count in the surrounding air
- Medium (nutrient agar) plates were open in room before and after Agnihotra and incubated for 24 hr
at room temperature to grow bacterial colonies.
- Also plates were opened 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 feet apart from Agnihotra and colony count was taken after
24 hr incubation at room temperature.
Before After
Bharatiya Bouddhik Sampada
A Quarterly Science Research Journal of Vijnana Bharati
43rd – 44th Issue, February - June 2014
19
- Known amount of air sample is collected in sterile 35 ml nutrient medium, before and after
Agnihotra. Sample was diluted as undiluted, 1:1, 1:5 and 1:10. Diluted sample were spread on
nutrient agar plates and incubated for 30 hr. to grow bacterial colonies.
Before Agnihotra
After Agnihotra
Conclusion-
As per results obtained, Agnihotra fumes decreases microbial load in air.
Up to 30 feet microbial load in the air can be control by performing Agnihotra.
Expt No: 2: To study effect of Agnihotra fumes on plant growth
2 plants were maintained providing same amount of water, light and other environmental conditions. One is
kept in separate room where Agnihotra is performed and another is kept in normal room where Agnihotra is
not performed.
Near 10 ft 20 ft 30 ft 40 ft
Bharatiya Bouddhik Sampada
A Quarterly Science Research Journal of Vijnana Bharati
43rd – 44th Issue, February - June 2014
20
Conclusion-
It shows that due to Agnihotra fumes plant growth is more as compare to normal plant.
Expt No: 3: Effect of Agnihotra fumes on NO2 level
NO2 in air is collected by scrubbing a known volume of air through an alkaline solution of arsenite. The
nitrite ions thus formed is reacted with sulfanilamide and N-(1-naphthyl) ethylenediamine (NEDA) in
phosphoric acid to form the colored azo dye, which can be measured on spectrophotometer at 540 nm. The
method is standardized statistically by using NaNO2 standards. Standardization is based upon the empirical
observation that 0.74 mole of NaNO2 produces same color as 1 mole of NO2. SO2 can be removed using
H2O2.
Calculations for sample before Agnihotra-
1. O.D. at 540 nm = 0.104
2. µg of NO2/ml from graph = 0.1644 µg /ml
3. volume of air sampled
V = (F1+F2)/2 × T × 10-3
Flow rate = 1.5 ml/min
Time of sampling = 2 hr = 120 min
V= (1.5+1.5)/2 × 120 × 10-3
V= 0.18 m3
4. level of NO2
= (µg of NO2/ml × volume of absorbing reagent)/ 0.85 × V
= (0.1644 × 15) / 0.85 ×0.18
= 16.1152 µg /m3
5. NO2 in ppm = level of NO2 × 5.32 × 10-4
= 0.00857 ppm
Calculations for sample after Agnihotra-
1. O.D. at 540 nm = 0.122
2. µg of NO2/ml from graph = 0.1928 µg /ml
3. volume of air sampled
V = (F1+F2)/2 × T × 10-3
Flow rate = 1.5 ml/min
Time of sampling = 2 hr = 120 min
V= (1.5+1.5)/2 × 120 × 10-3
V= 0.18 m3
4. level of NO2
= (µg of NO2/ml × volume of absorbing reagent)/ 0.85 × V
= (0.1928 × 15) / 0.85 ×0.18
Bharatiya Bouddhik Sampada
A Quarterly Science Research Journal of Vijnana Bharati
43rd – 44th Issue, February - June 2014
21
= 17.6471 µg /m3
5. NO2 in ppm = level of NO2 × 5.32 × 10-4
= 0.00939 ppm
Expt No: 4: Effect of Agnihotra fumes on SO2 level
SO2 from the air stream is absorbed in a sodium tetra-chloromercurate solution, it forms a stable dichloro
sulpho mercurate complex, which then behaves effectively as fixed SO3-2 in solution. The amount of SO2 is
then estimated by the color produced when p-rosailine-hydrochloride and formaldehyde is added in solution,
which can be measured on spectrophotometer at 560 nm.
Calculations for sample before Agnihotra-
1. O.D. at 560 nm = 0.203
2. µg of SO2/ml from graph = 0.2589 µg /ml
3. volume of air sampled
V = (F1+F2)/2 × T × 10-3
Flow rate = 1.5 ml/min
Time of sampling = 2 hr = 120 min
V= (1.5+1.5)/2 × 120 × 10-3
V= 0.18 m3
4. SO2 in ppm = (µg of SO2 per ml from graph) / volume of air sampled
= 0.2589 / 0.18
= 1.4381 ppm
5. µg /m3 of SO2 = (ppm of SO2 × 64 ×106) / 24470
= 3761.34
6. SO2 (µg /m3) at 25 oC and 760 mm(Hg) = µg /m3 of SO2 × volume of absorbing reagent
= 3761.34 × 15
= 5.642 × 104 µg /m3
Calculations for sample after Agnihotra-
1. O.D. at 560 nm = 0.079
2. µg of SO2/ml from graph = 0.1007 µg /ml
3. volume of air sampled
V = (F1+F2)/2 × T × 10-3
Flow rate = 1.5 ml/min
Time of sampling = 4 hr = 120 min
V= (1.5+1.5)/2 × 120 × 10-3
V= 0.18 m3
4. SO2 in ppm = (µg of SO2 per ml from graph) / volume of air sampled
Before After Blank
Bharatiya Bouddhik Sampada
A Quarterly Science Research Journal of Vijnana Bharati
43rd – 44th Issue, February - June 2014
22
= 0.1007 / 0.18
= 0.5597 ppm
5. µg /m3 of SO2 = (ppm of SO2 × 64 ×106) / 24470
= 1463.77
6. SO2 (µg /m3) at 25 oC and 760 mm(Hg) = µg /m3 of SO2 × volume of absorbing reagent
= 1463.77 × 15
= 2.1957 × 104 µg /m3
Results-
NO2 level in the surrounding atmosphere is increased from 0.0086 ppm to 0.0094 ppm due to Agnihotra
fumes (performed at sunset).
SO2 level in atmosphere reduces from 1.44 ppm to 0.56 ppm due to Agnihotra fumes (performed at sunset).
To study effect of Agnihotra ash on
Expt No: 5: Effect of Agnihotra ash on skin disease of animal and humans.
Agnihotra ash was mixed with pure ghee to make an ointment which was applied to the infected ear
(showing red rashes ) of pet cat as well as to the infected thumb (showing peeled off skin with wound ) of a
lady ,whose hand comes in touch with detergent and water everyday because of washing and cleaning the
vessels and the clothes.
After one month of treatment (3times/day) with the above mixture cat’s ear became totally normal in
comparison with the control (only ghee), whereas the thumb infection did not disappear totally but appears
to be recovered compared to the control.
Conclusion: Agnihotra ash can be used to make ointment to treat skin diseases.
Expt No: 6: Effect of Agnihotra ash on seed germination-
To study effect of Agnihotra ash on germination of seeds, following water were used-
a. tap water,
b. control ash water (1 gm normal ash + 100 ml water) and
c. Agnihotra ash water (1 gm Agnihotra ash + 100 ml water)
Seeds of Vigna aconitifolia and Vigna unguiculata were taken as experimental material. Seeds were
allowed to germinate and germination was observed every after 24 hrs.
Bharatiya Bouddhik Sampada
A Quarterly Science Research Journal of Vijnana Bharati
43rd – 44th Issue, February - June 2014
23
Observations-
Tap water control ash Agnihotra ash
Conclusion-
From results obtained it can be concluded that Agnihotra ash promoted the process of germination probably
by increasing its nutrient content and hence can be used as fertilizer.
Expt No: 7: To study neutralization of genotoxic effect by Agnihotra ash-
To study neutralization of genotoxic effect by agnihotra ash onion root tips were used. The Onion roots were
allowed to grow separately in
tap water,
water containing Agnihotra ash,
water containing control ash,
water containing Colchicine
Water containing Colchicine and agnihotra ash.
water containing Methyl Parathion
Water containing Methyl Parathion and agnihotra ash.
- Growth of roots was measured in cm. after 7 days. Root tips from each sample were taken and
different stages of Mitosis were observed.
- Arresting of mitosis (no spindle formation) and small growth (rigorous) of root tips were taken as
toxic effect, while normal mitosis and elongated root tip taken as normal growth or non-toxic.
A. Containing genotoxic chemical (colchicine)
B. Containing genotoxic chemical (colchicine) + Agnihotra ash.
A. B.
A. B.
Bharatiya Bouddhik Sampada
A Quarterly Science Research Journal of Vijnana Bharati
43rd – 44th Issue, February - June 2014
24
Conclusion-
Agnihotra ash showed activating effect on cell division and also neutralises toxic effect of Colchicine and
Methyl Parathion.
Expt No: 8-11: Effect of Agnihotra ash on bacteria.
The Bacteria selected were Pathogenic as well as some commensal and non pathogenic, were exposed to
Agnihotra Ash and observed for changes in the properties like
Expt No: 8: Loss of Capsule formation in Klebsiella pneumonia
It is evident from Table that upon exposure to Agnihotra ash the capsule forming ability of Klebsiella
pneumoniae was reduced.
Expt No: 9: Loss of haemolytic activity in Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia
Haemolytic ability of K. pneumoniae and S. aureus was reduced upon exposure to Agnihotra ash.
Expt No: 10: Decreased resistance to phagocytosis,
Human blood 5ml + 0.5 ml bacterial suspension, incubate at 370C for 1 hr and blood stain it observe cell no
engulfed (use direct bacteria and also exposed to Agnihotra ash for 1 hr)
Decreased resistance to phagocytosis (more no of bacteria engulfed by phagocytes) was observed for all the
four Bacterial isolates used.
Expt No: 11: Loss of pigment formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Bharatiya Bouddhik Sampada
A Quarterly Science Research Journal of Vijnana Bharati
43rd – 44th Issue, February - June 2014
25
Pigment production ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was reduced upon exposure ( use direct bacteria
and also exposed to Agnihotra ash for 1 hr)to Agnihotra Ash.
Expt No: 12: Water Purification using Agnihotra ash:
1. 1 L tap water + 10ml sewage (for coliform contamination) (positive control) : sample A
2. 1 L tap water (negative control)
3. sample A water 100 ml + 5 gm Agnihotra ash, incubate at overnight at RT and then perform MPN
Results- Sample A showed MPN positive, while tap water and ash treated sewage mixed water showed
MPN negative
Conclusion- Agnihotra ash removes water pathogens and purifies it.
Study of different ingredients in Agnihotra-
To study the effect of time, mantra, rice, ghee and pot on Agnihotra ash we used following parameters-
1. Expt No: 13: Time- sunrise time, sunset time and any time (between sunrise and sunset)
2. Expt No: 14: Mantra- with mantra (sunrise and sunset) and without mantra
3. Expt No: 15: Rice- brown rice (unpolished) and white rice (polished)
4. Expt No: 16: Ghee- cow ghee and buffalo ghee
5. Expt No: 17: Pot- copper pot and steel pot of same size and shape
We prepare 48 ashes with combinations of different parameters such as time, mantra, rice, ghee and pot.
Moong (Vigna aconitifolia) seeds were allowed to grow in respective 48 ashes, providing same
environmental conditions and after 2 weeks plant growth was measured by considering shoot and root
length.
- Plant growth in all 48 ashes is more as compare to control.
- Graphs for different parameters are created using following A to H ashes-
A. Brown rice, cow ghee, copper pot
B. Brown rice, cow ghee, steel pot
C. Brown rice, buffalo ghee, copper pot
D. Brown rice, buffalo ghee, steel pot
E. white rice, cow ghee, copper pot
F. white rice, cow ghee, steel pot
G. white rice, buffalo ghee, copper pot
H. white rice, buffalo ghee, steel pot
Results-
1. Effect of time on Agnihotra
Bharatiya Bouddhik Sampada
A Quarterly Science Research Journal of Vijnana Bharati
43rd – 44th Issue, February - June 2014
26
Plant growth is more in sunrise (blue line) and sunset (red line) ashes as compare to any time (green line)
ashes. Also root growth is more in sunrise ashes than in sunset ashes.
2. Effect of mantra on Agnihotra-
As per graph, we can conclude that plant growth in ashes with mantra (blue lines)is more as compare to
plant growth in ashes without mantra ( red lines).
3. Effect of rice on Agnihotra-
As per graph, we can conclude that plant growth in ashes with brown or unpolished rice (red lines) is more
as compare to plant growth in ashes with white or polished rice ( green lines).
4. Effect of ghee on Agnihotra-
Plant growth in ashes with cow ghee (blue lines) is more as compare to plant growth in ashes with buffalo
ghee (green lines).
5. Effect of pot on Agnihotra-
Bharatiya Bouddhik Sampada
A Quarterly Science Research Journal of Vijnana Bharati
43rd – 44th Issue, February - June 2014
27
Plant growth in ashes prepared in copper pot (blue lines) is more as compare to plant growth in ashes
prepared in steel pot (green lines).
6. Combine effect of rice, ghee and pot on shoot length-
As per graph combine effect of brown rice, cow ghee and copper pot (points A) shows more shoot growth as
compare to other (i.e. B to H). It shows peak at ‘A’ point.
7. Combine effect of rice, ghee and pot on root length-
As per graph combine effect of brown rice, cow ghee and copper pot (points A) shows more root growth as
compare to other (i.e. B to H). It shows peak at ‘A’ point.
Conclusion-
Plant growth is better observed in ashes prepared with brown rice, cow ghee, copper pot, with mantra and at
sunrise, sunset timings.
The combination of brown rice, cow ghee and copper pot shows good plant growth.
Higher plant growth is observed in ashes prepared in copper pot, with brown rice and cow ghee, with mantra
and performed at sunrise and sunset timings (Ash no. - 1 and 33).
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