Yajna
The Inner part decorated is Yajna kund
Yajna’s are
described as the pillars of Indian philosophy and culture.
The
eternal source of universal knowledge, comprised in the vedic Mantra is deciphered and the cosmic
energy of sound contained in Mantra is activated and expanded with the help of Yajna.
Yajna
‘Yajna’ is a sacred tradition started by ‘Rishis’ and sages of
ancient India
‘यज्ञो वै विष्णु:’ (शतपथ ब्राह्मण 1|1|2|13)
The
Sanskrit word for worship is “Upasana” – ‘Up’ (Near) ‘Aasana’ (Sitting) -
Upasana means sitting near the Lord. One who is initiated either by Guru or by
the command of the Lord Himself to worship the sacred Fire by offering pious
things into it, is known as ‘Hota’, and his ‘Upasana’ is known as ‘Yajna’.
Purification of Environment by Yagna
The
industrial wastes, rapid urbanization, deforestation, air and water pollution,
disturbances in the ozone layer -formation, radioactive waves etc., have
destabilized the human, animal and plant life cycles. The ecological imbalance
caused by these acts of ‘civilized men’ has resulted into disastrous threat not
only to human survival but to the life as a whole on our planet.
Till
recently it was accepted that research into science can furnish answer to all
of man’s problems. Today we find increasing number of diseases including
malfunctioning of body organs due to increasing severity of pollution in the
atmosphere. Ozone layer depletion has been causing ailments like sunburn, skin
cancer, cataracts and weakening of the immune system. Viruses are becoming
drug-resistant and showing consistent growth trends.
Experimental
studies show that the incidence of physical ailments, sickness and disease are
reduced in the houses, where the Yagna (Agnihotra) is
regularly performed because it creates a pure, nutritional and medicinal
atmosphere. It renews the brain cells, revitalizes the skin, purifies blood and
prevents growth of pathogenic organisms.
The
four Vedas signify the philosophy of the eternity and absolute complementary
role of Gayatri and Yagna in the divine creation.
Atharvaveda also deals with sound therapy aspects of Mantras for the treatment of the
ailing human system at the physical, psycological and spiritual levels. The
Samaveda focuses on the musical chanting patterns of the Mantras and the subtle form of Yagna by defining the latter as
the process of mental oblation on the surface of internal emotions through the
cosmic radiation of the omnipresent subtle energy of sound. The Yajurveda
contains the knowledge of principles and methods of performing Yagnas as Spiritual and Scientific
experiments for global welfare.
Literally
speaking, Yajna means --- selfless sacrifice
for noble purposes.
Sacrificing
of the ego, selfishness and material attachments and adopting rational
thinking, humane compassion and dedicated creativity for the welfare of all
---- is indeed the best Yajna which should be performed
by all human beings. The philosophy of Yajna teaches a way of living
in the society in harmony, a living style to promote and protect higher humane
values in the society --- which is indeed the basis of the ideal human culture.
In
fact, ‘Yajna’ is the aggregation of - meditation, remembering the name
of the Lord, act of devotion, surrender and Yoga. It is performed in the Vedic
manner. Needless to say, only a worthy person is selected as ‘Yadnik’ by the
Lord.
In
Agnihotra, the evening ‘Yajna’ performed by the ‘Agnihotri’ is offered to the
Lord Agni Naarayan and the morning ‘Yajna’ is offered to the Lord Surya
Naarayan (Sun).
Types
of Yajna
There
are two kinds of ‘Yajna’ – the ‘Shraut Yajna’ and the ‘Smart
Yajna’.
Yajna Purusha
The
vessel or place which contains the sacred fire is known as ‘Kund’. There
may be one ‘Kund’, three ‘Kunds or five ‘Kunds for ‘Yajna’. ‘Yadnik’ has
to prepare ‘Yajnashala’ according to proper measurements on the basis of the
calculations given in Vedas. The ‘Yajna - Kund’ and
the ‘Vedi’ (altar) must be in the centre of the ‘Yajnashala’, representing the
form of ‘Yajna Purusha’. Thus, ‘Yajnakunda’ is the very mouth of
the Lord into which sacrificial things are offered in the morning and in the
evening everyday, according to the Vedic methods. The inner part of
‘Yajnashala’ represents the Universe. ‘Yajna Kund’ is considered the centre of
the Universe.
अयं
यज्ञो भुवनस्य नाभि:| (ऋग्वेद 1|164|35)
Qualities
of Agnihotri
‘Agnihotri’
should be a Brahmin, selected by God/Guru. He may be a celibate or a
householder. If a householder becomes a widow or a widower, she/he cannot
perform as ‘Agnihotri’. The ‘Agnihotri’ has to worship the Lord as an ideal
householder. He can not beg even for his own livelihood. When his right hand remains
occupied with offerings to the Lord Yajna Naarayan every morning and evening,
how can he extend it for begging? In fact, the last ‘Aahuti’ of the ‘Agnihotri’
is the sacrifice of his own body to the Lord.
यस्यै देवतायै हविर्गृहीतं स्यात्, तां
मनसा ध्यायेत्|
(निरुक्त 8|22|11)
Then
waving of lights (‘Aarti’), offering flowers – ‘Mantra Pushpaanjali’ by
reciting excellent ‘Ved Mantras’, circum ambulation–‘Pradakshina’, prayers are
lovingly offered to the Lord. Then this performed Pooja is dedicated (Arpan) to
the Lord ‘Maha Vishnu’. Finally, with motherly love, the ‘Yadnik’ makes the
Lord sleep by covering the Agni with ‘Bhasma’ (Ashes).
A
person must visit ‘Yajnashala’ with good thoughts and noble desires because the
desire of a person gets fulfilled in this sacred place. Nobel thoughts and
meditation on the Lord are highly desirable for a person who visits the
‘Yajnashala’. After the worship of the Lord Yajna Naarayan, the Lord Shiva
(Mahadev) is worshipped.
On
every first day of Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha the ‘yadnik’ gets his head
completely shaved – ‘Mundan’. Every one likes hair on the head. Such dear hair
is to be offered to the dearest Lord as a mark of intense love for the Lord.
Removing hair is considered as an act of repentance that makes a person free
from sins.
Nourishing
the World by Agnihotra
अन्नाद्भवन्ति
भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भव:|
यज्ञाद्भवति
पर्जन्यो यज्ञ: कर्मसमुद्भव:|| ( गीता 3|14)
अग्नौ
प्रास्ताहुति: सम्यगादित्यमुपतिष्ठते|
आदित्याज्जायते
वृष्टिर्वृष्टेरन्नं तत: प्रजा:||
(मनु
समृति 3|76)
The scarified offering is known as ‘Aahuti’. These ‘Aahutis’, going to
the province of the Lord Sun, which in turn form clouds, give rain and make the
earth wet for giving food-grains and the creatures of the world are nourished
by food. Thus, ‘Agnihotra’ is a great religion meant for nourishing the world.
It is unique because we do not find such religion in the past or in the future.
अग्निहोत्र
समो धर्मो न भूतो न भविष्यति|
यज्ञैराप्यायिता देवा......यज्ञा: कल्याणहेतव:| (विष्णुपुराण 1|6|8)
All Devas nourished by Yajnas….Yajnas are for good.
In Shukla Yajurveda, there is a talk between the Yajmaan and the Deva
(Indra) indicating the relation between Humans and Devas.
Yajmaan
to Indra -
‘वस्नेव
विक्रीणावहा इषमूर्ज& शतक्रतो|’
(शुक्ल यजुर्वेद 3|49)
O Indra! Let we exchange the Havi (Objects offered to lord) and Fal (the
fruit in reward of the Have). I am giving you Havi, you give me Fal.
Indra to Yajmaan –
‘देहि
मे ददामि ते नि मे धेहि नि ते दधे|’
(शुक्ल यजुर्वेद 3|49)
“You first give Havi then I will give you Fal.”
Another Mantra in Veda clarifies that when Devas are satisfied (Trupt)
then they satisfies the Yajmaan.
तृप्त
एव एनमिन्द्र: प्रजया पशुभिश्च तर्पयति|
Thus, By giving Devas humans can get. As said by the Lord Krishna
Himself in Geeta,
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु व:|
परस्परं भावयन्त: श्रेय: परमवाप्स्यथ||
(गीता 3|11)
Having pleased the Devas by sacrifices, the
Devas will please you and thus mutually pleasing one another you will achieve
the Supreme.
सर्वं यज्ञमयं जगत्| (कालिकाउपपुराण
31|40)
Pious things offered in Agnihotra - Yajna:
‘Agnihotra’
rituals require the objects of offering like Barley, Sesame, Ghee, Dry fruits,
‘Kamal Kakdi’, the powder of Dung of Bull/Cow, ‘Samidh’ (pieces of small
branches of wood with specific measurement) from Mango tree, Pipal tree, Palash
tree or from any tree having flowers/fruit in place of Palash (Khakhar) tree.
‘Samidh’ may not be taken from thorny or dry trees.
Dev
Yaag, Pitru Yaag
The
Yajna starting from the evening of the first day of the Lunar month - the first
evening of the white period – Shukla Paksha - to the morning of the first day
of Krishna Paksha is known as ‘Dev Yaag’ (Paurnamase Isht) and the Yajna from
the first evening of the black period – Krishna Paksha – to the morning of
Shukla Paksha is known as ‘Pitru Yaag’ (Darsh Isht).
Ishti
Yaag:
The
morning Yajna of the first day of the white period – Shukla Paksha and the morning
Yajna of the first day of the black period – Krishna Paksha are special Yaags
known as ‘Ishti Yaag’. For the Ishti Yaag, rice is cooked in milk, which is
known as ‘Paayas’. ‘Aahutis’ of ‘Payas’ are offered to the Lord and some
portion of the ‘Paayas’ is to be fed to a cow. The offering prepared from the
flour of Barley is known as ‘Purodash’. ‘Aahutis’ of ‘Purodash’ are to be
offered to the Lord Agni according to the Vedic rituals. As a mother lovingly
feeds her child with small mouthfuls, the ‘Agnihotri’ also is supposed to feed
the Lord with such ‘Aahutis’ with intense motherly love, care and
concentration. After the act of offering ‘Aahutis’ the routine Pooja is
performed.
‘अग्निर्हि देवानां मुखम्’ (शतपथ ब्राह्मण 3|7|4|10)
After the act of offering ‘Aahutis’ the routine Pooja is performed.
Yagna tradition in times of Kings
In
ancient times, every Brahmin was ‘Yadnik’. To be without ‘Yajna’ was
considered a curse (‘Shraap’). The ‘Yadnik’ may require a house, land for
‘Yajnashala’ and for implanting trees and plants for taking care of cows and
for such other things. Kings used to appreciate and respect ‘Yadniks’ for their
divine worship. They used to look after them by maintaining their families. ‘Yadniks’
had not to worry about their livelihood or money so they used to dedicate their
lives to the service of the Lord and to the different research projects. Thus,
in fact, ancient Rishis were also scientists.
One who maintains the ‘Yadnik’ family for the whole year will earn 16 %
(6th part) of the total merit (‘Punya’) of ‘Yajna’. Such was
the tradition in the times of the Kings.
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