Part 1: Concept of Brahmacarini
Part II: Comparative Study of the effect of Akkalkot Tradition of Agnihotra Mantra and Agnikarya Mantra on Germination of Rice Seeds with Chanting by Males and Females
By
Shruti Anand Kulkarni

Abstract
Part 1: Concept of Brahmacarini
The concept of brahmacharya is mainly to be understood as maintaining a positive state where the higher energy is not allowed to fall and to be ejected. It is not merely a concept of sexual abstention; it is a concept of higher energy. The physical benefits of brahmacharya give the practitioner strength and power and create heat in the system, vitality, resistance, splendor and endurance.
The study done here is on the basis of the ‘Yamas’ i.e. ‘Observances’ talked of patanjali in his yoga sutras. The fourth of the yamas is Brahmacharya.
The study deals mainly with the concept of Brahmacharya in women, which is illustrated briefly by giving examples of the lives led by some great brahmacharinis. The examples include two ancient outstanding personalities- Maitreyi and Gargi and ten from 18-19th century women Holy Mother Sarada Devi, Sister Nivedita and Sister Christine. The lives of Sister Nivedita and Sister Christine are to show how non-Hindu women were also influenced by this concept of Brahmacharya and with the urge to serve people followed this path of chastity and purity.
The study is to introduce modern women to this concept so that they also understand the importance of Brahmacharya and follow it.

Summary and conclusion
The concept of Brahmacharini and its relevance to the modern woman is of great significance. Women should observe the vow of celibacy. Practice of brahmacharya gives good health, inner strength, peace of mind and long life. It invigorates memory, will force and brainpower. It bestows tremendous strength, vigor and vitality, strength and fortitude are obtained.
Women should change their angle of vision towards men. They should be seen as father or brother, which by itself will not give raise to the thought that can become obstacles in the path of celibacy. Women have to follow it while leading a daily routine life without being diverted from the path with detachment towards all kind of desires.
For attaining peace, brightness, memory, Knowledge, health and self-realization, one should observe brahmacharya, which is the highest dharma. Brahmacharya is the highest knowledge. Brahmacharay is the greatest strength.
However, there is still a long way to go before this application of brahmacharya can be made use of in our daily life to reach a perfect state of harmony and progress with our true self.

Part II: Comparative Study of the effect of Akkalkot Tradition of Agnihotra Mantra and Agnikarya Mantra on Germination of Rice Seeds with Chanting by Males and Females
Agnihotra or Agnikarya are the forms of Homa or sacrifice. Agnihora is the process of purifying the atmosphere through specially prepared fire. Agnikarya is the Yajna performed in Loukika Agni by Brahmacharis. Agnikarya is also known as samidhdanam. Both these rituals are very much similar except the Mantras chanted at he time of ritual. The Mantra sung at sunrise and sunset resonates with the biorhythm. Both the rituals have to be performed daily twice once at sunrise and next at sunset.
The experiment was done was done for three sets, 15 days each by taking two pairs each of one male and one female volunteers fo rboth Agnihotra and Agnikarya Mantra chanting in four different rooms and the effect was seen on the germination of rice seeds which were germinated in petri dishes in distilled water. The data was measured for four different variables- Fresh Weight, Dry Weight, Root Length and shoot length. The data was analysed statistically with the help of SPSS package, which showed the significant result for the variables fresh weight and root length in both the cases males and females. The conclusions were that both the Mantras chanted separately either by male or female have the same effect.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

As seen from the above, there were four reciters engaged in the experiment- two males and two females. Two Mantras had been chosen i.e. Agnihotra Mantra of Akkalkot and Agnikärya Mantra of Vedäs. For each of the Mantras there was one male reciter and one female.
Four parameters were measured- Root Length, Shoot Length, Fresh Weight and Dry Weight. For each Mantra there were of 225 pieces of data for each reciter and for each Mantra. The conclusions are based upon the analysis of these sets of data. The experiment was done three times so that the data available for each parameter and each Mantra were 675.
Based upon Statistical Analysis and the observations made on the figure the following conclusions have been drawn-
There is no difference in the performance, whether the voice is male or female. This answers the question whether the women should or should not recite Vedic Mantras. In recent times, women are taking more and more to performing Agnihotra and Agnikärya. Our results show that the influence of a female reciting the Mantras is the same as in the case of a male reciting.
It is seen very clearly the Agnikärya Mantra of Vedäs is some what more effective than the Agnihotra Mantra of Akkalkot. The Mantra according to Akkalkot tradition is a short form of the full Agnihotra practice. It also does not find any specific mention in any Vedäs. The Agnikärya Mantra, on the other hand is a Vedic revolution and hance appears to be more effective.

Keywords:Brahmacarini,Akkalkot Tradition,Agnihotra Mantra,Agnikarya Mantra,Germination of Rice Seeds.