How important is it to do the Agnihotra exactly at the sunrise and sunset times or a few minutes delay is fine?
In the Vedas a specific description and definition is given. There are about four or five different versions of Sunrise & Sunset that are prevalent in the modern world. We follow the definition as given in the Vedas. Hence we have a program and can find co-ordinates to any specific location and produce a SR & SS time table. There is a short band of time called ‘Sandhi Kaal’ when Agnihotra must be done. The nature too responds to this time. This modern science calls it as ‘Circadian Rhythm’. By virtue of deep conformity with the nature people in olden days were adept in identifying this rhythm. They stayed on this despite any atomic clock. I too when travelling follow this. At the outset it is difficult to know this precise time without a mastery over one’s breath. There is no latitude of several minutes for agnihotra. Then it is not agnihotra. This is the ‘Sandhya’ that was always done in the Vedic times as per the Vedas.
