Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal India encyclopedia

PERCEPTIONS

YAGNA (SACRIFICE)

damp wood is placed and only smoke issues forth. The perennial wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita details the importance of yagnas. The mellifluous poetry of Lord Krishna's Divine song stands testimony to its ageless wis- dom in today's world of imperfection The five yagnas have been explained by Lord Krishna in Chapter Four ( Shloka 25 and 26). Lord Krishna elaborates on the word Yagna by considering all actions that are performed without attachment and do not stem from ego-centric desires. Through Arjuna Lord Krishna teaches us to perform all actions in a spirit of dedicated activity. Such actions/ Yagnas do not taint his consciousness. These actions could be performed for any personal/community/na- tional cause which the individual is willing to perform. In this context the word Yagna has a more universal application. The four essential constituents of a Yagna are explained by Lord Krishna in an oft-quoted shloka of the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 4 Shloka 24) : "BRAHMAN is the oblation; BRAH- MAN is the clarified butter, etc., constitut- ing the offerings; by BRAHMAN is the ob- lation poured into the fire of BRAHMAN; BRAHMAN verily shall be reached by him who always sees BRAHMAN in all ac- tions." The man who has realised Brahman per- ceives the instruments by which the obla- tion is poured in the fire as Brahman. All Yagnas arise from Brahman i.e. the sacrifi- cial fire is also perceived as Brahman. The Yagna is being conducted by Brahman i.e. the performer of the Yagna. All Yagnas lead to the one and same goal: Brahman. Many sacrificial rites or Yagnas are of- ten specifically performed by people who are longing for a certain preconceived result. Such yagnas/ actions bind a person since they stem from egoism. However if a yagna/action is performed, by one who has realised Brahman, then he is free from the binding effects of such an action. Therefore it is obvious that right appli- cation of knowledge makes every action a glorious yagna. The result of this form of Yagna is a greater amount of self-control (over the senses) and a consequent inner integration which leads to the inner flower- ing of the individual personality. ( H M S )

The holy Vedas are immortal and eter- nal. They are the most ancient spiritual texts of Hinduism and claim to have no be- ginning or end. The devotional hymns and mantras to be chanted during a yagna are contained in the Vedas. The Yagna begins with a ceremonial lighting of the sacred fire amidst the chant- ing of the Vedas. Everything is prepared in accordance with the instructions contained in the Vedas. The kusha grass seats for the participants, the ingredients for the yagna eg. ghee, twigs.... By pouring three tins of sanctified ghee into the yagna fire, mankind gets in return the equivalent of three hundred tins of ghee. Its purifying effect is spread by the wind to the four corners of the world. It is specifically mentioned in the Vedas that when the Vedic chants fill the air, rays of Divine Grace shower upon all mankind. Thus the yagna promotes the welfare and prosperity of the world. The Devi Bhagavatha also contains many potent mantras and mystic formulas. The 18,000 verses of this sacred text are recited during the yagna. Yagnas are performed for diverse rea- sons. The chanting of select mantras have been specially formulated by the rishis to awaken our latent spirituality. However there is no need to have holy priests or costly material for the yagna or elaborate ceremonies. There are other simple yagnas which any one of us can perform and derive happi- ness and mental peace. Deva Yagna : Dev a means Divine. Think- ing of God ... contemplating upon His multi- farious activities....offering all actions to Him is called Deva Yagna. Pitru Yagna : This is a sacrifice offered to one's ancestors beginning with one's mother and father. It is an expression of gratitude since they have brought us into this world. Performing various sacrifices and ceremo- nies for one's deceased ancestors is also a form of Pitru Yagna. Brahma Yagna : This yagna portrays an acquisition of the ageless wisdom which is enshrined in our sacred scriptures. Atithi Yagna : This yagna is performed by providing hospitality to guests, to serve the sick and poor... provide food to the hungry and in being charitable.

"The heart of man is itself the sacrifi- cial fire altar. The pangs of desires are the tongues of flame; the evil that is in man is the offering that goes into the fire and the treasure of unruffled ananda is the ultimate gain. This is the real Yagna you have to perform every- day in your life. All these ceremonies are but a symbolic reminder and an in- ner prompting for you to act according to the dictates of Dharma, in everyday life. The Vedapurusha receiving these outer offerings is in you. Dedicate all your thoughts, words and deeds to Him. That is the real Yagna. Offer all bitterness in the sacred Fire and emerge grand, great and godly” - Baba Bhootha Yagna : Bhootha Yagna con- sists of rendering service to all living beings. This includes kindness to animals... feeding them...protecting them in their natural habi- tat. In today's world, most of us do not have the time, the knowledge of hymns and man- tras and the necessary inclination to perform these yagnas. However the efficacy of the purifying effect and spiritual potency of the yagnas is NOT LOST due to our non-observance of it. These ceremonies and religious rites can be viewed in another perspective....that of being entirely symbolic in nature. The offerings to be made in the fire of Brahman is the EGO ...(desire for) wealth, materialistic fame and power...Once any- thing is dropped into the fire it cannot be taken back because it is reduced to ashes. Our egoism..our desires..our hatred..our attachments..must be burnt out..turned to ashes..then only can it be called a Yagna or sacrifice. If we perform the ritualistic sacrificial rites without having the corresponding knowledge and spiritual wisdom, we can compare this form of yagna to one in which