Agnihotra
and Microbes, A Laboratory Experience
Dr. Arvind D. Mondkar M.Sc; Ph.D (Micro)
Agnihotra Effect on Bacterial Population
A preliminary experiment was carried out to study the effect of Agnihotra
on the bacterial population in a room where Agnihotra was performed.
For this study, two rooms of equal dimensions (13¼’ x 8’
x 11’) were selected. In both rooms fire was prepared from dried
cowdung cakes in copper pyramids and the basal reading of number of
microorganisms in both the rooms was taken by exposing blood agar plates
at four corners of the room for 10 minutes. This was done exactly half
an hour before Agnihotra time. Agnihotra was performed exactly at sunset
in one of the rooms. Bacterial counts were taken again in both the rooms
in a similar manner at half hour intervals. Thus readings were taken
in both the rooms up to two hours after performance of Agnihotra. It
was quite interesting to note that microbial counts in the room where
Agnihotra was performed were reduced by 91.4% whereas the room where
only fire was generated did not show appreciable changes in the microbial
counts. This leads one to think that it was the process of Agnihotra
which was responsible for the reduction of bacterial counts and not
the mere presence of fire.
Two other similar experiments revealed similar findings. The phenomenon
could be explained by giving two reasons :
1. |
Agnihotra
fumes are rich in formaldehyde and other substances which have
inhibitory effect on microorganisms. |
|
|
2. |
A
phenomenon like smog formation and its diffusion in the upper
strata might be a likely postulation. |
In the regions of North and South poles, many times, carbon particles
accumulate to form a layer called “smog”. When fire is lit
the hot currents push the smog into the upper strata and it is diffused
in such a way that the carbon particles are no longer harmful in the
residual concentration. In the present study perhaps Agnihotra fumes
might have dissociated the microorganisms in such a way that the residual
population was no more harmful and was well within tolerable limit to
human beings.
Agnihotra Effects on Bioenergetic Systems of Individual Microorganisms
:
This kindled our interest and it was decided to study the effect of
Agnihotra on the bioenergetic systems of individual microorganisms.
A strain of Staphylococci pyogenes isolated from a pus sample was selected
for the study. The strain showed all the characteristics of a pathogen.
It was isolated from a lesion, produced beta haemolyses on blood agar,
showed a positive coagulase test and fermented mannitol with the production
of acid. The strain was innoculated on a pair of blood agar plates,
one of which was kept away from the Agnihotra atmosphere (control plate).
The other one was exposed to Agnihotra fumes for five minutes and was
allowed to remain in that atmosphere till next Agnihotra was performed
(approximately 12 hours).
Agnihotra is to be performed on the biorhythm of sunrise/sunset. Surprisingly,
it was observed that the plate exposed to Agnihotra (test plate) showed
a tremendous reduction in the zone of haemolysis as against a wide zone
of haemolysis in the control plate.
Organisms from both the plates were then subjected to coagulase test.
The organisms from the test plate showed a negative coagulase test demonstrating
their inability to produce coagulase. Finally, the organisms from both
the plates were emulsified in one ml. of normal saline separately to
give suspensions of equal strength. This was achieved by use of Brown’s
opacity tube no. 3. The suspensions were then injected intradermally
into the thighs of an albino mouse. The mouse was kept under observation
for five days.
It was very interesting to note that the suspension from the test plate
failed to produce any lesion in the mouse wheras the suspension from
the control plate produced typical abscess. These results suggest that
Agnihotra played a pivotal role in controlling the metabolic activities
of this microorganism. In this case, a pathogenic strain of Staphylococcus
pyogenes showed characteristics of a nonpathogenic strain ofter exposure
to Agnihotra atmosphere.
This was just an observation and triggered quite a number of
questions in the mind :
1. |
Is
this effect phenotypic or genotypic? |
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|
2. |
Is
it necessary to expose the strain for a prolonged time interval
or will a short exposure cause a similar effect? |
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|
3. |
Will
the progeny of these microorganisms behave in a similar manner?
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|
4. |
Does
the small or microdose of substances released from Agnihotra process
Boost the immunity mechanism of the patient to get rid of the
infection or does the infecting agent lose its virulence? Perhaps
both the effects go hand in hand. |
Answers to these questions are still beyond sight and show a need for
further experimentation in this field.
Therapeutic Effect of Agnihotra Ash :
An attempt was then made to study the therapeutic use of Agnihotra ash
against scabies in rabbits. Rabbits are quite often infected with scabies
marked by snow white crust formations on their nose, ear margins and
skin. The infection then becomes systemic and the animal dies. Normally
this sort of scabies is cured by daily application of benzyl benzoate
and salicylic acid for about 6 to 8 days, depending upon the severity
of the infection.
In one study, Agnihotra ash was homogenized with an equal volume of
cow’s ghee (clarified unsalted butter) and applied over the infected
area above the nostrils of a rabbit. Agnihotra ash worked extremely
well and the crust was detached on the third day of application and
that too with a single application.
With benzyl benzoate and salicylic acid, it took five days for the crust
to detach itself from the control rabbit. Another notable advantage
of this was that the preparation was not irritating like benzyl bezoate
or salicylic acid. The rabbits always lick that application because
of irritation and the young ones die of poisoning. This risk could be
avoided with Agnihotra ash. These results promise a solution to microbial
pollution by the performance of Agnihotra and ingestion of Agnihotra
ash medicines.
Agnihotra and Grapes
Dr. B. G. Bhujbal, Research Officer Maharashtra State Grape
Growers' Association, Pune, India (Satsang Vol. 8, No. 17, 1981)
Another experiment was performed in a grower's field. Mr. Pundlik Khode,
a small farmer from the village of Pimpalgaon-Baswant, Nasik District
had been much worried about his crop and was doubtful regarding repayment
of his bank loan obtained for the vineyard. Agnihotra was done regularly
and Agnihotra ash was applied to his vines. The observations which were
recorded at harvest time proved very good. The grower, Mr. Khode, had
never believed in such a possibility until he saw the actual results.
The individual berry as well as the cluster was superior in colour,
taste, sweetness and weight. About 150 observers said that the crop
was the best in that locality.
Effects of regular fertilizing practice, only Agnihotra regular
practice and Agnihotra :
Effects |
Regular
Fertilizing Practice |
Only
Agnihotra |
Regular
Practice and Agnihotra |
Seed |
More
than 6 months required |
21
to 28 days |
*** |
|
|
|
|
Germination |
for
germination |
required |
|
|
|
|
|
Rooting
of cutting |
80
% rooting |
100
% rooting |
100
% rooting |
|
|
|
|
Bunch
development |
Av.
bunch wt. 0.45 Kg. |
Av.
bunch wt. 0.45 Kg. |
Av.
bunch wt. 0.525 Kg. |
|
|
|
|
Disease |
More
disease |
No
disease |
Less
disease |
|
|
|
|
Colour |
Green
yellow |
Golden
yellow |
Pale
yellow |
|
|
|
|
Quality |
TSS
22 % |
TSS
24 % |
TSS
23 % |
|
|
|
|
Loss
of harvest |
About
30 % loss |
No
loss |
10
% loss |