Agnihotra - a useful adjunct in recovery of a resistant demotivated smack addict

Abstract

AGNIHOTRA is a simple vedic ritual of lightening a pyramid of fire in a small copper pot and giving offering of Ghee & Rice on this fire at the time of sunset and sunrise with enchanting of two mantras. It is reported to enhance the state of tranquility of mind and is reported to be of benefit to those addicted to various types of intoxicants. We used Agnihotra in a young smack addict who was poorly motivated and resisted all efforts to help him even when he got over the physical withdrawal features. The results were encouraging. Over a period of 4 weeks, we found him to be a totally changed man who could go back to his work without any drugs. Follow up for more than a year, revealed no recurrence and positive achievements in his work performance. The paper presents practice of Agnihotra, also known as homa therapy, and discusses its role in drug addiction.

Full text

Indian
Journal of
Psychiatry,
July 1987, 29 (3), pp. 247-252
AGNIHOTRA - A USEFUL ADJUNCT IN RECOVERY OF
A RESISTANT DEMOTIVATED SMACK ADDICT*
(A Case Report)
G.R. GOLECHHA"
M. DESHPANDE2
I.C.SETHI3
R.A. SINGH4
ABSTRACT
AGNIHOTRA is a simple vedic ritual of lightening a pyramid of fire in a small copper pot and giving
offering of Ghee & Rice on this fire at the time of sunset and sunrise with enchanting of two mantras. It is reported
to enhance the state of tranquility of mind and is reported to be of benefit to those addicted to various types of
intoxicants. We used Agnihotra in a young smack addict who was poorly motivated and resisted all efforts to help
him even when he got over the physical withdrawal features. The results were encouraging. Over a period of 4 .
weeks, we found him to be a totally changed man who could go back to his work without any drugs. Follow up for
more than a year, revealed no recurrence and positive achievements in his work performance. The paper
presents practice of Agnihotra, also known as homa therapy, and discusses its role in drug addiction.
Introduction
Agnihotra is a ritual of litting fire in a
small rectangular copper pyramid pot, us-
ing dried cakes of cowdung and offering
Ghee and Rice to the fire at the time of sun-
rise and sunset with whisper of two man-
tras.
Its origin is traced to Rigveda where
positive gains ofphysical and mental health
and energy are preached, with regular prac-
tice of this ritual (Parakhe 1982). It has no
religious or cultural bias. To counteract the
environmental pollution, and enhance the
tranquility of one's mind, it is practiced by
increasing number of people belonging to
various religions and culture both in east
and west. Other than India its popularity
has achieved a new height during last dec-
ade in USA, West Germany, Switzerland,
France, Spain, Holland, Austria, Italy, Chile
and many other countries. Amongst thera-
pist it is popularly known as Homa
therapy (Wagner et al 1986). Homa thera-
pist Mulay (1986) has described the effect
of Agnihotra in curing drug addicts of their
drugs viz., Heroin and Alcohol. Inspired
with this we tried Agnihotra in drug addicts
at Army Hospital, Delhi Cantt. The paper
presents our observations, specifically
found, in a resistant demotivated young
male officer who was dependent on hero-
in for two years.
Case Report
An officer of 25 years age who had been
a poly drug abuser in the past, was addicted
to Heroin (smack) for about two years.
His other drugs of abuse included tobacco
smoking - 6 years, Alcohol - 4 years, Can-
nabis - 2 years, cocaine - twice only. He
was first introduced to Heroin in the form
of smack in June 1984. In the beginning he
took 0.25 gram a day. Within 10 months
1.
Classified Psychiatrist, Army Hospital, Delhi Cantt - 10.
2.
Classified Opthalmologist, Army Hospital, Delhi, Cantt - 10.
3.
Head, Dept. of Psychiatry, Army Hospital, Delhi Cantt - 10.
4.
Graded Psychiatrist, Army Hospital, Delhi Cantt - 10.
Paper was presented at 39th Annual Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society on
10th January 1987 at Calcutta.

248 AGNIHOTRA - A USEFUL ADJUNCT IN RECOVERY
reached upto 3 gram a day spending Rs. 150
to 300 per day on his drug habit. He took
smack always by inhaling the burning
fumes. His deteriorating general health and
extra spending alarmed the parents who
took him to a Psychiatrist in Delhi for dead-
diction for the first time in August 1985.
After about 2 weeks of forced abstinence in
a controlled environment and period of tur-
bulance managed symptomatically he came
out successfully of the physical depen-
dence. But psychological dependence per-
sisted. Although he denied any desire for
his drug i.e., smack, he had a carried strong
urge for it. And soon he went back on his
smack but in protracted manner.
During October 1985, when he could
not get his drug at the place of his duty, he
developed severe withdrawal symptoms
which compelled him to seek medical help.
He was hospitalised and was brought under
psychiatric management. For the second
time he was placed on total abstinence in
closely guarded condition with supportive
neuroleptics and symptomatic treatment to
counteract withdrawal symptoms. He got
over his physical dependence successfully,
but crav^ for drug persisted, and became
stronger day after day. He also developed
few faithful loyalist around him who kno-
wingly or unknowingly helped him to get
his drug. Since his parents were in Delhi for
better compliance of abstinence under fam-
ily pressure and on patients own request, he
was brought under our care at Army Hospi-
tal,
Delhi Cantt. on 1st December 1985.
By then, he had already underwent dead-
diction twice in the past, except getting ov-
er physical dependence, it did not improve
him any more. Detailed psychiatric work
up revealed significant psychopathology in
the family. He had developed rebellious
and punitive approach towards his
parents, both of whom were high working
executives, but with poor family ties and
cohesion. He was unmarried, economically
well off with promise to inherit parental
properties. But felt emotionally insecure
and uncared for. It was observed that pat-
ient, who was physically fit and asympto-
matic, had significantly high psychological
dependence on his drug and had very poor
motivation to leave his drug. The various
psychotherapeutic approaches to rehabilit-
ate him had transient effect. The urge for
drug was found to develop in wave like
phase at the peak of which he used to be ir-
resistable and acted in a planned manner to
get his drug, breaking up all restrains and
prohibitive orders. Inspite of extra guards
and close environment with extra precau-
tions he could manage to get his drug on six
occasions which could be detected only by
his pupillary responses.
Nearly five months had already passed in
close hospital environment but all efforts to
change his motivation failed and he kept on
giving challenge that no sooner he is out of
psychiatric ward he would go back to his
drug. When totally exhausted of all our ef-
forts to break his resistance and improve
his motivation, we took up to put him on
Homa therapy i.e. practice of Agnihotra
which is claimed to have curing effect
(Mulay 1986)
Although he was unwilling in the be-
ginning for Agnihotra and to leave smack,
in the moment of sobreity he accepted to
watch the Agnihotra being done. On 5,
March 1986 for the first time he was ex-
posed to Agnihotra practice morning and
evening. After 3 days he developed inclina-
tion for it and voluntarily joined the group
Agnihotra and by seventh day he took up to
perform it
himself.
Agnihotra was per-
formed as per the method described in

G. R. GOLECHHA ET AL. 249
Bhartiya Satsang (1986) reproduced in ap-
pendix 'A'. According to this
agnihotra
can
be performed by any one irrespective of
age,
sex and marital status either single or in
a group. But the performer should follow
meticulously, the timings, details of ritual
and its various steps described; twice a day
i.e. at sunrise and sunset and be regular, to
have beneficial effect on the mind and en-
vironment.
Results
A simple rating scale as given in Table 1
was developed based on our past experi-
ence to roughly quantify and compare the
improvement. It had subjective as well ob-
jective scoring.
The urge scoring for the day was taken
as total of highest subjective and objective
rating found in 24 hours. And was rated
mild for 1 to 2 score, moderate for 3 to 4
and severe if total score was above 5. Simi-
larly motivation to abstain from the drug
was scored as poor, fair and good if the mo-
tivation score was 0 to 2, 3 to 4 and above 5
respectively. While working out motiva-
tion score best objective rating thought was
the inverse scoring of urge factor hence
score was worked out six minus total urge
score. It was added with subjective rating
given by the patient as under in Table 2.
Average intake of heroin (Smack) in
gram per day is charted in figure
1.
This was
based mainly on the account given by pat-
ient in the state of sobriety while under
treatment when adequate rapport was es-
tablished and subsequent confirmation on
recovery, the account from parents and
other informants. While on smack he did
not take any other drug of intoxication ex-
cept tobacco, ciggarretes smoking.
It was possible to observe the urge and
., motivation of the patient since December
Table 1
Drug urge rating score
A. Subjective rating score Urge
(Verbal Expressions) Score
I have no desire 0
I can do without it 1
I want it 2
1 cannot do without it 3
1 will get it at any cost 4
B.
Objective ratine score (Behaviour
Table 2
Subjective motivation rating score
Subjective Expression Score
I do not want to leave smack 0
I want to leave and want help and
guidance 1
I have no desire for it at all 2
I have left it. I will never take it 3
1985 onward only. The scoring of urge and
motivation is charted in figure 2. The
average of highest score recorded by two
different observers independently during a
day was taken.
Practice of Agnihotra resulted in im-
proving his motivation to abstain from
smack and decreased his urge for it. Im-
proved motivation further suppressed this
urge.
It broke his resistance in an insidious
but progressive manner in 4 weeks ot Agni-
hotra practice. It reinforced his voluntary
efforts to abstain from the drug and thus en-
hanced the motivation and reduced the
Observed)
Busy in divetsional activity. No urge
expressed by deeds and words. Maintained
high motivation for abstaining. 0
Preoccupied, not taking adequate interest
in divetsional and recreational activity. 1
Restlessness, Sleeplessness. 2
Developing new contacts, asking for
money, wanting to go out of ward under
various pretext. 3
Asking for drug and expressing frank
irresistible desire. 4
Getting violent, aggressive and
making attempt to escape. 5
Escaped, procured smack and consumed 6

250 AGNIHOTRA - A USEFUL ADJUNCT IN RECOVERY
Fig. 1 (Daily intake of smack in gm per day)
Urge Score Motivation Score
Fig. 2 (Severity of urge for smack and motivation
for abstaining from it)
psychological dependence. He was fol-
lowed up for nearly fifteen months during
which twice he came for his medical reca-
tegorisation and was observed for about a
fortnight each time in closely guarded envi-
ronment. But, no evidence of recurrence of
his drug habit could be found. Enquiries
from his colleagues, friends and family
members confirmed his keeping away from
the drug. His Commanding Officer con-
firmed the positive gains in his health, effi-
ciency at work and social interaction. His
savings also improved considerably. The
patient had continued the practice of Agni-
hotra for another 2 months after his recov-
ery but discontinued it thereafter as he
could not maintain the regularity. Howev-
er, he confirmed that discontinuance of
Ag-
nihotra did not result in his going back to
drugs.
Discussion
The problem of drug addiction is a glo-
bal one. In recent past dependence on hard
drugs have increased and in India also, spe-
cially in metropolitan
cities,
it has become a
great challenge to the professional, police
and social services. It may be easy to dead-
diet a well motivated person, but not a fully
demotivated one. All the psychotherapeut-
ic advances fall short at this point. The ina-
dequacy of resources, both trained professi-
onal and material one, also fall short in deal-
ing with the menace of drug addiction. The
result of our preliminary experience with
Agnihotra in this case is a new hope in the
field. It can be used for a group of persons
and is easy to perform and practice. Our ex-
perience affirms the claim made by Mulay
(1986).
We feel that the performance of
Agnihotra had significant effect on our pat-
ient in changing his motivation and curbing
the psychological dependence on smack At
this stage it is difficult to comment on the
cause and effect relationship between Agni-
hotra, mental tranquility and deaddiction;
but, it appears that Agnihotra might have
acted by producing a state of mind with en-
hanced tranquility which countered the
urge for drug and curbed the imagery of
pleasant experience on its consumption.
The biophysical effect of Agnihotra and its
effect on psyche of
a
person needs to be stu-
died further in all its aspects. The propogo-

G. R. GULECHHA ET AL. 251
nist of Agnihotra quoting the vedic writings
say that it is not the fume fragrance or the
chemical effect of burning ghee, rice and
cowdung, but the vibrations generated dur-
ing the ritual of Agnihotra performed at
sunrise and sunset time which are impor-
tant in producing its beneficial effect. The
term vibration can be translated to mean to
a physicist the various electro magnetic
waves and radiation which might be pro-
duced in the copper-pot during Agnihotra.
If that be so, then, we may find the secret of
this enhanced tranquility of mind in some
of these electro magnetic waves which may
be in synchronisation with, so to say, cosm-
ic radiation present at the time of sunrise
and sunset. It is also field for further re-
search; so far unbelievable to the present
scientific community.
Conclusion
Our experience with Agnihotra and the
case reported in particular, indicate that
Agnihotra can serve as an useful ad-
junct in treating psychological dependence
in drug addiction and may have lasting ef-
fect in preventing recurrence if practised
regularly.
Acknowledgement
We are highly thankful to Major Gen-
eral Suraj Prakash, Commandant Army Ho-
spital, Delhi Cantt for his encouragement
and guidance in pursuing the study.
Bibliography
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252 G.R. GOLECHHA ETAL.
APPENDIX 'A'
Performing
Agnihotra
I. Requirement
A. Material
1.
Copper pot 6" x 6" x 3" with pyramid shape, (Bottom 2" x 2")
2.
Unbroken pieces of rice, 3. Cow's Ghee (melted clarified butter from
Cow's milk),
4.
Dried cow dung cakes,
5.
Match box.
B.
Local timings of sunrise and sunset.
II.
Mantra
a. At Sunrise
Sooryaya Sayaha, Sooryaya I dam Na Mama.
Prajapataye Savaha, Prajapataye I dam Na Mama.
b.
At Sunset
Agnaye Svaha, Agnaya Idam Na Mama.
Prajapataye Svaha, Prajapataye Idam Na Mama.
III.
Method
1.
SIT Down on the ground/floor facing the sun in a quiet place.
2.
Lit a few pieces of cowdung smeared with Cow Ghee in the Copper pot a few mi-
nutes before sunrise or sunset. The fire should be fully ablaze by the local timings of
sunrise and sunset.
3.
Take a few grains of rice in your left palm smear with a drop of Ghee.
4.
Exactly at local time of sunrise/sunset utter the appropriate mantra and offer a por-
tion of rice twice onto the fire in pot with utterance of each line of the Mantra.
5.
Sit quietly in squatting posture for
a
few minutes
as
the fire cools down/extinguishes
in the pot.
Perform this ritual regularly twice a day morning and evening synchronising with
sunrise and sunset timings.
For farther information please write to:
Agnihotra University International Homa Therapy Research Institute,
P.O.
Box 43288 SHIVPURI, (AKKALKOT)
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20010 (USA) DIST - SHOLAPUR
MAHARASTRA (INDIA)