Chapter 3(b) - Vedi (Alter) and the Three Fires

Vedi is the most important part of an yaga. Vedi means the main place of yaga, where the sacrificial fire is established. Before placing fire some darvas or kushas are placed there which is called Prastara. At the time of yaga, Agni is told to bring the guardian Deities to the place of yaga and sit over the darvas^[1] . In the Shatapatha Brahmana. it is mentioned that Vedi is derived from the root √vid (means to gain) and with the help of this, the Gods gained the whole world again which was captured by the Asuras in ancient time^[2]. For Somayaga big and open place is necessary where the vedi and the three kundas of fires should be placed. The three fires are the garhapatya, ahavaniya and the dakshina fire. The ahavaniya and dakshina fire are kindled from the garhapatya fire.

The yajnyashala has to be large and spacious for performance of the Somayaga which involves many different fireplaces, altars for the performance of yaga.