Yajna a comprehensive survey

by Sannyasi Gyanshruti & Sannyasi Srividyananda

Preface

There are certain classical systems, the revival of whose pure form can bring about a spiritual revolution. Yajna is one such system. Yajna is a science as well as an act of faith. As a science, it is a precision-based series of rituals that have been part of the Indian psyche or over 4000 years through the medium of the Vedas. The classical literature, assiduously preserved, contains the methodology as well as the philosophy of yajnas. It also forms the basis of this book.

It is, however, faith that makes the experience of yajna spontaneous and elevating, and this is achieved only when we attempt to invoke and surrender to the divinity inherent in the practice of yajna, or when the experience descends to us from realized masters.

One such master is Swami Satyananda Saraswati, who inspired the yogic renaissance in the twentieth century. Since the early 1960s, Sri Swamiji has unveiled to the world many sciences from the ancient Indian scriptures, previously considered secret and esoteric.

As an exponent of yoga, Sri Swamiji integrated the different systems of yoga and showed how they could be adapted and applied to meet the needs of all. He also introduce recitation of Saundarya Lahari and chanting of the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishadic verses. In 1990, a landmark year, Sri Swamiji began Panchagni Sadhana. From an ardent proponent of yoga and a (supposedly) strict guru, he transformed into a soft, compassionate and serene person who now talked only of bhakti, the importance of surrender and the ecstasy of seva.

Since 1995, Sri Swamiji has taken us through yet another important aspect of Vedic lifestyle - yajna. He has presented the Rajasooya Yajna in a rediscovered from, with Sat Chandi Yajna as its base. As he says, "Yajna is a very powerful tool or inspiring and enlightening human consciousness. It includes the body, mind, faith, mantra, ritual as well as your entire life. This combination makes yajna a very potent tool or metamorphosis and transformation. The body, mind and mantras all unite to produce a special effect which changes your thinking and your life. When this total participation takes place, you can know yourself and converse with your inner being."

Every satsang by Sri Swamiji is a special experience of learning and bliss. But the happiest moment of my life came when he mentioned, in a satsang, that I should undertake a study of the yajna process contained in the Vedic literature.

As a physics student working on matters relating to atomic radiation protection, I had always been fascinated by the two approaches to understanding the structure of the universe: the matter-centric approach of scientists and the spirit-centric belie of philosophers - and the two approaches always seemed to run parallel!

Both approaches us the smallest entity to understand the largest. The scientific approach uses matter, particles. Atoms and the structure of matter to understand the universe. The other follows the subtle path, using the mind, intellect, senses, etc. to reach extrasensory perception. One employs research tools, systematic experiments, deductive logic, and the other prefers contemplation and meditation. The first school of thought postulates the 'Big Bang' theory or the creation of the universe, and the second believes that creation issued forth from Supreme's desire to become many from one.

In yajna, both approaches find congruence. As Sri Swamiji says, "Yajna is a scientific process which includes a most important thing-faith.

Furthermore, Sri Swamiji has also given a significant definition of yajna. Speaking about the importance of yajna in the life of a householder, he said, "Yajna does not just mean a ritual where pooja items are consigned to the flames and dedicated to God. The word yajna consists of three syllables - ya, ja and na, which refer to the three processes uparjana, i.e. production (ya), distribution (ja) and assimilation (na). There has to be a balance between these three components. Sharing one's wealth with other members of society is of topmost value."

With this understanding of combining the material with the spiritual, science with faith, the microcosmos with the macrocosmos, I have made an attempt to discover their meeting points through the medium of the most ancient ritual connecting human beings with the divine essence - yajna.

Back of the Book

Yajna is the most ancient ritual connecting human beings with the divine essence. It is not merely a ire sacrifice, but a combination of esoteric and exoteric elements to propitiate the cosmic energies. The spirit inherent in yajna is service and sacrifice as a way of life. In ancient Vedic society, yajna was an integral part of daily life, and played a vital role in providing communal prosperity, social peace and harmony with nature.

This book offers a comprehensive survey of yajna as embodied in the Vedic tradition, looking at the structure, source and significance of the rituals and their relevance in this century. Rediscovery of the classical methodology and purpose of yajna can be a powerful tool for the transformation of human consciousness.

CONTENTS

Preface	xiii
1. Yajna-A Celebration of Life	1
2. Introduction to the Yajna Tradition	4
Genesis of yajna	4
Rig Veda
Yajur Veda
Shatapatha Brahmana
Bhagavad Gita
Puranas
Vedas, Vedic dharma and yajna	8
Purushartha and kratvartha
Birth of Vedic Concept of yajna
Etymology of the term 'yajna'	11
Universal principle of give and take	12
Relevance of yajna today	15
Vastness of yajna	15
Yajna-foundation of life	16
3. Vedic Foundations of Yajna	18
Foundation of the concept of yajna
Culture	19
Culture and civilization	21
Culture and religion	23
Culture and literature	25
Plinth of the yajna structure	26
The Vedas collectively
Parts of the Vedas
Samhita
Brahmanas
Aranyakas
Upanishads
What are the Vedas?
Why study the Vedas?
Subjects of the Vedas
Original form of the Vedas
Origin of the Vedas
The Vedas individually	34
Rig Veda
Yajur Veda
Sama Veda
Arthava Veda
Usage of the work 'brahman'
Brahmana Granthas
Aranyaka
Upanishads
Vedangas
Puranas
Supportive articles of the yajna structure	41
Mantras	41
Devatas	41
Dravya	43
4. Devata -the Luminary in a Yajna	46
The concept of devata	46
Etymology of the term 'devata'	47
Characteristics of devatas	48
Importance of devata dhyanam	49
Yoga and devata dhyanam	51
Number of devatas	52
Devatas in Vedic verses	54
Forms of devatas	56
Functions of devatas from the three lokas	57
Description of devatas	57
1. Prithivi based devatas
2. Antariksha based devatas
3. Dyu loka-based devatas
4. Vishvedeva
5. Devatas in smarta yajna
6. Tantra and tantric devatas
7. Other devatas
5. Tripolar Interpretations of Yajna	72
Three debts	72
Three meanings of yajna	74
Worship
Congregation
Daan
Three parts of dravya yajna	79
Spiritual aspect of yajna	79
Process of spiritualization
Yogic understanding
Yajna as the first step in
Spirituality
Individual effort
Yajna in the universe	84
Principle of sacrifice in universal yajna
Metaphoric expression of rishis
6. Classifications of Yajna	89
Role of Agni in dravya yajna	89
Laukikagni
Yajnagni
Classification by type of sacrifice	91
Classification of dravya yajna	91
Classification by Vedic text	92
Classification by purpose	93
Classification by havi dravya	94
Classification by yajna samstha	94
Classification by procedure	96
7. Mechanics of Yajna	97
Shulba Sutras	98
Principal structures at a yajnashala	100
Significance of the areas of a yajnashala	103
Important entities of a yajnashala	104
Agni kundas	104
Utkara	105
Dhishnya	105
Vedi	105
8. Ingredients and Implements of Yajna	108
Yajna ingredients	108
Havi dravya	109
Classification of havi dravya
Preparing the havi
Arhaniya dravya	112
Dakshina dravya	112
Yajna implements	112
Yajna trees	113
Implements and utensils	115
Important yajna implements	116
9. External Yajna-Procedures and Performance	124
Yajnic terminology	125
Karma and Vedic karma
Yogic and Vedic samskara
Vedic karma and the journey of the soul	127
Understanding samskaras	129
Vedic karmas: an overview	130
Vedic karma:
samskara-oriented	131
Purifying samskaras	131
Cultivating samskaras	133
Augmenting samskaras	134
Vedic karma: yajna-oriented	135
Shrauta yajna:
general information	135
The main process	137
The host (yajamana)	137
The priests (ritvij)	139
Role and responsibility of priests	141
Hotri group
Adhvaryu group
Udgitha group
Brahma group
Honorarium-dakshina	148
Expiation (prayaschita)	150
Resolve (sankalpa) of host	150
Sacred fire	150
Sacred piece of land (yajna bhoomi)	153
Yajna venue (yajnashala)	153
Articles of oblation (havi dravya)	155
Yajna implements (yajnayudha)	156
Auspicious time (yajna muhurta)	156
Helpers for miscellaneous activities (parikarmi)	156
Shrauta yajna: description	157
Shrauta purifying yajnas	157
Shrauta cultivating yajnas	158
1. Agnyadheya
2. Agnihotra
3. & 4. Darshapoornamaseshti
5. Navasyeshti
6. Chaturmasya
7. Pashubandha
Shrauta augmenting yajnas	169
1. Agnishtoma
2. Ukthya
3. Shodashi
4. Atiratra
5. Atyagnishtoma
6. Aptoryama
7. Vajapeya
Smarta yajnas:
General information	173
General structure	174
Rituals (based on graha yajna)	176
Planning a smarta yajna	181
Selecting the venue
Raising the structure
Yajnyagni and agni kunda
Priests
Yajna samagri
Selecting an auspicious time
The daily program
Maha yajnas	192
Maha soma yajna	192
Pancha maha yajna	194
10. Internal Yajna	195
Purusha Sukta and yajna	196
Purusha at three levels
Sacrifice as the cause of creation of the universe
Re-sacrifice of the created elements
Cause of re-creation
Trisuparnam Sukta and yajna	199
Chandogya Upanishad and life as yajna	201
Bhagavad Gita and yajna	203
Yajna in nature revisited
11. The Environment and Yajna	210
Ecology according to modern science	210
Atmosphere
Environment
Vedic view of ecology	212
Dynamic equilibrium in the universe	213
GnT law
Mechanism of Nature
Imbalance among components-pollution	215
Causes of imbalance	216
Air pollution
Water pollution
Land pollution
Effects of imbalance	217
Hole in ozone layer
Diseases produced by polluted air
Unhealthy minds
Yajna as corrective action	219
Purifying the atmosphere
Science of oblation
Concept of good rain (suvrishti)
Vedic theory of cloud formation
Recorded impact of yajna	225
12. Yajna for the Enhancement of Life	228
Pancha maha yajnas	229
Brahma Yajna	231
Vedic interpretation
Modern adaption
Vaishvadeva yajna	234
Vedic interpretation
Modern adaption
Prerequisites for pancha maha yajna	237
Sandhya
Surya namaskara
Annexure 1-
Vedic Literature: Structure and Content	247
Rig Veda	247
What is the Rig Veda?
What is the Rig Veda Samhita?
Branches of Rig Veda Samhita
Form of Rig Veda
Structure of Rig Veda
Yajur Veda	254
Branches of Yajur Veda
Sama Veda	258
Atharva Veda	260
Brahmana Granthas	261
Particulars of extant Brahmanas
Aitareya Brahmana
Taittiriya Brahmana
Shatapatha Brahmana
Tandya Brahmana
Gopatha Brahmana
Aranyakas	275
Upanishads	275
Vedangas	277
Shiksha
Kalpa
Vyakarana
Nirukta
Chandas
Jyotish
Puranas	287
Annexure 2 -
Impressions of Vedic Society	297
Some misconceptions	298
The origins	300
The time frame	302
Appendix -
Popular Smarta Yajnas	303
Ganesha yaga	304
Nava graha yaga	307
Vishnu yaga	311
Rudra yaga	314
Chandi yaga	317
Glossary	321
Bibliography	360