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Home , Aupasana, Mattur, Stotra, Vritra

SHODASHI SOMAYAGA, 2020 MATTUR, ,

Jointly organized by: Dr Raja Vikram Aditya Charoen-Rajapark, Thailand Global Country of world Peace Foundation, Rajapark Maharishi Vedic University, Holland PV Ramana Reddy Foundation Sri Aurobindo International Foundation Shodashi Somayaga, 2020 – Mattur

CONTENTS 1. The legend of Shodasi, and Vritrasura (story from Rig Veda) ...... 3 2. Introduction ...... 5 3. Yajamana & Ritwiks : ...... 6 4. Protocols: ...... 8 ...... 8 5. Sankalpa...... 9 6. ...... 11 7. Ritual Process: ...... 11 8. Sodashi in pictures ...... 13 Day – 1 - Sankalpa ...... 13 Day – 2 - Pravargya ...... 14 Day –3 – Pravargya ...... 15 Day –4 – Pravargya ...... 17 Day –5 – Purnauhuti ...... 17 9. Effects of Somayaga on Environment - “ShodasiMahaSomayagam” in Mattur, 2020 ...... 18 10. Conclusion ...... 20 Let us explore our own Vedic traditional methods to ward off the Corona Virus ...... 20 11. Note on Yaga and Somayaga ...... 21 What is Somayaga: ...... 21 What is generally known about yagna: ...... 21 What is yagna? ...... 22 What our Sastras/Scriptures speak on yagna? ...... 22 Yagna or and its Importance : ...... 24 The Rituals of yagna: ...... 25

“Yagya is a process of bringing the individual into harmony with the stream of evolution, which enjoys the favor of all the forces of nature engaged in the advancement of life, individual and cosmic. ” —Maharishi Mahesh 1

Shodashi Somayaga, 2020 – Mattur

Shodashi Somayaga – 2020

Mattur, District, Karnataka

Sapta Mahasomayagas Prologue With the of Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Maha Swamy, Shodashi Shroutha Somayaga was facilitated by Global Country of world Peace Foundation, Rajapark Company Ltd, 4th Floor, Rajapark Building 163, Sukumvit 21, Asoke Rd., Bangkok 10110, Thailand, for the welfare and wellbeing of the entire living beings in the universe in general and humanity in particular. The Shodasi Yäga was jointly organized by Global Country of world Peace Foundation, Thailand and Maharishi Vedic University, Holland PV Ramana Reddy Foundation and Sri Aurobindo International Foundation to ward off the Corona virus and to grant health to all humanity. The Yaga was successfully conducted from 3rd to 7th May, 2020 at Muttur, Karnataka state, India. Traditionally, it is believed that Shodashi Somayaga bestows health to all, - 'aarogyadayini' and destroys all the enemies, - 'shatrusamharini'. Lord Indra performed Shodashi Somayaga before he killed the 'Vritrasura'. After a long discussion with shroutiya pandits and with the consensus of all the Ritwiks, it was decided to conduct Shodashi Mahasomayagam to overcome the present ordeal faced by humanity at large.

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1. THE LEGEND OF SHODASI, INDRA AND VRITRASURA (STORY FROM RIG VEDA) The mentions that the Soma flows like a 'flood' after being pressed. Soma bestows supreme energy. It was the most favourite drink of gods, especially Indra was very fond of soma. The main aim of Somayagas was to strengthen Indra in fight against Vritra. Indra is the great hero among the gods. He is the deity of the heavens, lightning, thunder, storms, rains, river flows, and war. He is celebrated for his powers, and the one who kills the great symbolic evil (malevolent type of ) named Vritra who obstructs human prosperity and happiness. The largest number of hymns in Rig-Veda are addressed to him. Indra is the most referred to deity in the Rig-Veda. The main application of Soma is its stimulating effect on Indra in his conflict with the hostile powers of the air. That Soma strengthens Indra for the fight with Vritra, is mentioned in innumerable passages of the Rigveda (8.81.17, & c). With the energy derived from Soma, Indra slays all foes (9.1.10, ) and no one can resist him in battle when he has drunk it (6.47.1). Soma is the soul of Indra (9.85.3, ), the auspicious friend of Indra (10.25.9, ), whose vigour he stimulates (9.76.2, ) and whom he aids In slaying Vritra (9.61.22). With Soma as a companion Indra made the waters to flow for man and slew the (4.28.1). When drunk by Indra, Soma caused the sun to rise in heaven (9.86.22,). Vritra is an Asura and Vedic dragon , and adversary of Indra. Vritra is a cloud and demon of drought. He appears as a dragon blocking the course of the rivers and is heroically slain by Indra. For this feat, Indra became known as "Vṛtrahan" (lit. "Slayer of Vritra" and also as "slayer of the first-born of "). Vritra was a demon created by artisan god Tvashta to avenge the killing of his son by Indra, known as Viśvarūpa. Indra killed Tvashta's son Viśvarūpa. After Visvarupa was killed, his father, Tvashta, wanted to create an enemy for Indra to destroy him and performed ritualistic ceremonies to kill Indra. Indra came in and forcefully drank the soma juice. Out of anger, Tvashta poured the remaining soma in , Vritrasura came out of the agni. Thereafter, from the southern side of the sacrificial fire known as Anvaharya came a fearful personality who looked like the destroyer of the entire creation at the end of the millennium. Vritra challenged Indra and defeated him.

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As Vritra could not be destroyed by ordinary means, Shodashi Somayaga was conducted and Indra had drunk a large volume of Soma juice and empowered himself before facing Vritra. And a weapon Vajrayudha (thunderbolt) was made from the bones of a sage . When Indra engaged Vritra again, he strikes off the head of the earth-shaking Vritra with his rain-causing, hundred- spiked Vajrayudha. Indra’s dragon fight refers to come powerful natural phenomenon. Heaven and earth tremble when Indra slays Vritra. He does not destroy the The image is from a in dragon once only, but repeatedly, and he is Cambodia. It depicts Indra Victorious over invited also in the future always to kill Vritra and Vritra, depicted in dragon form at the to save the mankind. bottom. Indra killed Vritrasura and gained a high position. Indra is always addressed as slayer of Vritra and liberator of the rivers of waters; second, his conspicuous position as chief consumer of soma Through Shodashi Somayaga we call on that Indra, who grows great by the Soma juice, and who, through his might, slays Vritra and all our foes, that he may come to our protection in our great wars, and preserve us in every lesser conflict.

King of deities Indra kills the vritrasura with a thunderbolt

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2. INTRODUCTION The concept of using Soma in Yagyas has lasted for centuries and continues even today. The Yagyas are done for the betterment of general public or for specific purposes. Soma is brought on the Earth from the heavens and thus it pleases the Gods the most. Soma is said to be like a smell that spreads everywhere and attracts the Gods towards it, thus inviting the Gods to bless the Yagya being performed. Being the best of all the herbs, Soma is also said to be the king of all herbs (Vanaspati). In the , the same word is used for both the drink and the plant. Drinking Soma produces immortality Amrita, Rigveda 8.48.3. Indra and Agni are portrayed as consuming Soma in copious quantities.Shodasi is considered to be harbinger of Harmony, in nature at micro & macro Level, in the atmosphere, in all living organism, in space and in cosmos at large. The most important literature namely Sruti has vast expanse of wisdom. Kalpasütras form an important section in the wisdom of Veda. are basically classified into three sub divisions Srauta, Smärta and Sulba. Kätyäyana Srauta Sütras have listed seven Soma yajïas. Among them Shodasi is simplest of the soma sacrifices. Shodasi usually lasts for 5 days. Kätyäyana Srauta Sütras describe the procedures according as Sukla and provide detailed description of the sacrifices. The Somayāga performed for appeasing the celestial entities in . It is primarily performed to promote the wellbeing of all humanity. The ritual is based on methods prescribed in the Vedas. Soma is used as the main oblation in this , hence the name Somayajña. The Soma plant, the king of medicinal herbs, is said to be relished by the celestials. In a Somayajña, there is a full complement of priests, with each of them being assisted by three others. In all sixteen priests participate in the Somayajña. There are a total of seven types of Somayajña: Agnistoma, Uktya, Shodashi, Atiratra, Atya Agnistoma, Vajapeya, Aptoryam.

Yagya is a timeless Vedic technology for the prevention of problems and the promotion of success and good fortune. Yagya involves the application of specific prescribed Vedic sounds recited from a fine level of awareness by trained Vedic experts in order to achieve a specific effect: for example, to defuse impending dangers, to promote health and financial success - or even, if there is group of Pandits large enough, to promote world peace.

- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

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The hymns of the Sāma Veda which eulogise Agni are called Agnishtoma. The Soma Yāga which is concluded with the recital of the Agnishtoma Hymns is called the Agnishtoam Soma Yāga. In the same manner, the other six Soma Yāgas are named respectively after the six different Sāma Veda Hymns which are sung at the end. The Agnishtoma is the first of the Soma Yāgas. The first four Soma Yāgas, namely, Agnishtoma, Ukhtya, Shodashi, and Atirātri are also called Jyothistoma Yāgas because in these four Yāgas, the hymns recited are called ‘Jyothi’ or ‘Light”. Vedic culture evolved keeping the concept of the yajnya at the core of all activities. The Human-Divine link provided by the medium of yajnya was designed to enable mankind to obtain the help of the Gods for various external as well as internal goals. The external goals sought through the Shodashi yajnya are good health, good weather, prosperity, etc. The internal goals are happiness, mental peace, internal harmony, internal purification, atonement and so on.

3. YAJAMANA & RITWIKS : The Pundits who have presided over the celebrations during this period have consisted of Vedic scholars. Shodashi was performed by Nitya Trethagnihotri (daily fire worshipper) Brahmasri Kirana Avadhani Sagnichit Atiratrayaji and Brahmasri Keshava Avadhani of Mattur, Karnataka and their learned and disciplined team consisting 16 + 14 for Shroutha-Maha Somayaga. The various duties connected with any yāga are divided between the priests according to an ancient system which remains unchanged even today. The main priests are divided into four categories, each representing one of the 4 Vedas as noted against each as follows:-  The Yajur Veda - The Adhvaryu.  The Rig Veda - The Hotr.  The Sāma Veda - The Udgātr.  The Atharva Veda - The Brahmā. The Advaryu Group consists of (a) Adhvaryu (b) Pratiprasthātā (c) Nestā (d) Unnetā. Adhvaryu –S/Sri Keshava Avadhani Prati prasthata - Narasimha Agnihotri Neshta - Kumaraswamy Shastri Unneta - Ramanarayana Avadhani The Brahmā Group comprises of (a) (c) Brāhmanācchamsi (d) Āgnidhra (d) Potā Brahma - Aruna Avadhani 6

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Brahmanacchamsi - Pramoda Avadhani Aagneedhra - Shrouthi Pota - Ramaprasad Shastri The Hotr Group consists of (a) Hotā (b) Sautrāvarun (c) Acchāvāka (d) Āvastut Hota - Saketarama Maitravaruna - Madhava Avadhani Acchavaka - Pradeepa Agnihotri Gravastut - Madhu Aaradhya The Udgātr Group consists of (a) Udgātā (b) Prastotā (c) Pratihartā (d) Subrahmanya Udgata - Raghavendra Agnihotri Prastota - Bhargava Rama Avadhani Pratiharta - Suketa Shrouthi Subrahmanya - Shrouthi Sadasya - Ashvatthanarayana Avadhani Upadrashta - Venkatesha Avadhani Chamasadhvaryus - sandhata Suteja, Saketa, Rohit, Rahul, Vidhu Srinivas, Harihara, Shashvata, Gopala, Maheedhara

Yajamana - Kirana Avadhani Sagnichit Atiratrayaji Yajamana Patni - Malini Avadhani

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4. PROTOCOLS: Vedic (Shrauta) yagnas are typically performed by four priests of the Vedic priesthood: the hota, the adhvaryu, the udgata and the Brahma. The functions associated with the priests were: The Hota recites invocations and litanies drawn from the Rigveda. He use three Rig verses, the introductory verse, the accompanying verse and benediction as the third. The Adhvaryu is the priest's assistant and is in charge of the physical details of the ritual like measuring the ground, building the explained in the Yajurveda. The adhvaryu offers oblations. The Udgata is the chanter of hymns set to melodies and music (sāman) drawn from the . The udgatar, like the hota, chants the introductory, accompanying and benediction hymns. The Brahma is the superintendent of the entire performance, and is responsible for correcting mistakes by means of supplementary verses taken from the Atharva Veda

Stotras In the Agnishtoma 12 stotras are recited. Stotras are hymns of the Sāma Veda which contain laudatory verses in praise of the Gods. In the Ukhtya Soma Yāga, in addition to the 12 verses of the Agnishtoma Soma Yāga, 3 more stotras are recited making a total of 15 verses. In the Shodashi Soma Yāga, in addition to the 15 stotras of the previous Yāga, an additional is recited making a total of 16 stotras. Agnistoma: It is the first of the Soma yagas and is the prakti (model) for others. Aajya to Agnimaruta is Agnistoma. 12 are chanted in it +12 samans. It is spread over 5 days and needs all the sixteen priests. The climax is reached during the madhyandinaasavana (extraction of the Soma juice, at midday) when the sacrificial fees are also distributed Uktya: Soma in Ukthya vessel divided into 3 parts. Includes Agnistoma (12 shastras)+Ukhtya (13th, 14th and 15thshastras). After 13th stuthi offered to Indra , 14th to Indra Brihaspathi 15th to Indra Shodasi: It has a combination of Agnistoma+Ukhtya+Shodashi totaling 16 stotra shastras. An offering to Indra Shodashi, Sun is half set, black horse is tied to the entrance of Havirdhana. Gold, blades of grass carried to Sadas from Havirdhana on horseback amidst hymns

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Mattur Hosts Shodasi - 2020 Yaga Shala (Yaga Place): Mattur is a village in near the city of Shivamogga in Karnataka state, India, known for the usage of for day-to-day communication. It is only village in the world, wherein, entire village speaks Sanskrit.

5. SANKALPA The Shodashi Somayaga’s Sankalpa to ward off the Corona virus and to grant health to all humanity, was taken on 3rd May 2020. The Sankalpa in Devenagaralipi is as follows:

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6. PRAVARGYA The temperature in the Sun’s chromosphere is 4,320° C. As a part of Pravargya (a special ball of fire), a sudden flash of temperature to the tune of 3870°c is created in order to cleanse the environment. Pravargya almost matches the Sun’s temperature to cleanse the atmosphere.

Pravargya generates a flash temperature of 38700C and according to Vedas it has the capacity to cleanse environment including eradication of Virus in an area of 100 km radius. Somayagas have great potential to wipe out Corona Virus from the World. It is proposed to conduct several Somayagas at different parts of the world and do scientific studies on the presence of Virus in the vicinity of Yaga Sthal and also in the radius of 100 km.

7. RITUAL PROCESS: The goal of Atiratra is the peace and prosperity of the people at large by energizing and protecting the environment. The Sun is considered as the main source of energy supply, and fire is considered as a representation of the Sun's energy. According to the ancient texts on Yagam, any offer to Fire as the Divine, is actually an offer to Sun. Any such offer is either to enrich energy in the environment or to destroy the undesirable elements in the environment, and thus, in both ways, environment is protected. Thus, the ancient texts proclaim that "Such Vaidika Karmams are result-oriented, and meant to lead to Sreyass(spiritual attainments) and Preyas (worldly riches)". The technical procedures for such Karmas(rituals) are detailed in ancient texts like the Braahmanas and Sroutha Soothras. More important than the learning and understanding of the concepts, is the actual performance of such Karmas. In other words, the “performer” spreads more Sreyass and Preyas to the world than the texts (Granthhams) themselves. During this ritual, the hymns from Four Veda were recited. Somayäga is a general name for those sacrifices in which libations of the soma juice are offered in the duly consecrated fire. Shodasi was originally performed as a feast for all gods, before whom food-offerings such as , butter and the soma (nectar obtained by the pressing of some plants) drink were set on the holy grass before the altar. During the yajïas, the triple pressing of the soma is performed at specific intervals during the day. On the first day, Somapraväkas or heralds of Soma sacrifice are sent out to invite priests. Rites to be performed are choosing the priests, Dékñä (initiatory rites) of the person performing sacrifice construction of bamboo sheds. On the second day apart from purchasing the soma creepers and ‘welcoming’ them ceremonially, two more rites called Pravargya and Upasat are

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performed. On the third day, Pravargya and Upasat rites are repeated followed by the construction of Mahävedi and Uttaravedi ( for performing the sacrifices). On the fourth day, after once again performing Pravargya and Upasat rites, fire is ceremonially transferred from the old and permanent sacrificial shed to the new. On the fifth and the last day called ‘Sutya,’ the soma juice is extracted ceremonially three times and offered. At the end of the sacrifice, all those directly involved in it have Avabrithsnan (ceremonial bath marking the conclusion of the sacrifice).

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8. SODASHI IN PICTURES

Day – 1 - Sankalpa

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Day – 2 - Pravargya

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Day –3 – Pravargya

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Day –4 – Pravargya

Day –5 – Purnauhuti

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9. EFFECTS OF SOMAYAGA ON ENVIRONMENT - “SHODASIMAHASOMAYAGAM” IN MATTUR, 2020

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Study of the rainfall data(source: IMD) has revealed that ShimogaDistrict has received 78% more rain for the week, which was one of the highest in the Karnataka State. Following is the District Rainfall statistics of Karnataka.

Scientific Study: The fascinating Vedic ritual is extensively documented, preserved, and its psycho-social aspects pertaining to Indology studied. The major offerings to the sacrificial fire are Somarasa, the juice of Somalatha, an herbal plant plus dozens of other herbs. Several scientific experiments are carried out to study the phenomena of this Yaga. Surprising results are seen in their findings. The absence of virus in Yaga vicinity, increase of germination of seeds from 300 times to 2000 times, a sudden flash of temperature during pravargya, a fire ritual, to the tune of 3870°c with laser like qualities, down pour of rain up to 100 Km range, an increase of output of milk in the cows in the surrounding areas are some of the results seen during the studies. Scientific research has proved the impact of Vedic chanting and Yaga on agriculture and its implications on micro and macro organisms. 19

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10. CONCLUSION

Let us explore our own Vedic traditional methods to ward off the Corona Virus Shodasi Mahasomayaga at Mattur, Shimoga, Karnataka, India, was successfully conducted from 3rd May to 7th May, 2020 with the Sankalpa to ward off the Corona virus and to grant health to all humanity. Till a solution is found for the Corona pandemic, one has to explore even traditional methods as well. The Atiratra-2005 held at Kerala has observed that there was a complete absence of virus in Yaga vicinity. Afterwards, specific scientific study on Virus was not conducted at Somayagas. A new study by Harvard University suggests that we have to live with Corona well into 2022, in the absence of vaccines. After looking at computer simulations of how the virus may spread over the next five years, based on data of two beta-coronaviruses in US, the researchers concluded that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes covid-19 in humans, is unlikely to behave like its closest cousin, SARS-CoV-1, and won’t be eradicated by intensive public health measures after causing a brief pandemic. Instead, it does seem likely that SARS-CoV2 will resemble that of pandemic influenza by circulating seasonally. There are clear seasonal patterns in the beta- coronaviruses, peaking in December-January period. Infections will resurge, once lockdown is lifted, which could overwhelm hospitals, for at least the next two years. When social distancing is relaxed and virus transmissibility is heightened in the fall, an intense winter outbreak may occur, overlapping with flu season and overwhelm hospitals. Yagna, thus, appears to be a promising scientific, cost-effective, eco-friendly method to counter to combat coronavirus and the ever-increasing deadly pollution the environment and purify and enrich the environment with healthy ingredients. The ecological balance has been disturbed by the human quest for Material value leading to Global warming with much heat and temperatures across the globe being increased. In Vedic culture, use of Soma herb and performance of Somayagas have shown to have an influence directly and indirectly on the people, space and environment positively helps in propagating universal peace and harmony. Studies have proved rains showered in the places where different types of Somayaga was conducted and this helps to reduce the heat in the atmosphere, cools down the earth and helps in sustenance of life in humans, plants and animal. Hence, there is a need for the survival of the Vedic culture; welfare of the creation and mankind Somayaga must be performed. Hence, it is suggested to conduct Somayagas especially the Shodasi Somayaga in different parts of the world.

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11. NOTE ON YAGA AND SOMAYAGA Yajurveda states that learned men say are the greatest of all. “Vedalikho Moolam” says experts, meaning “Veda” is the base of all Dharma. In Bhagavadgita, Lord Krishna says that god created humans and Yajnas together and said to humans to get what they need through the right use of Yajnas. Everyone are of the belief that due to Yajnas, there will be timely rain and other natural cycles to continue without any disruption.

What is Somayaga: Soma yagam is a highly spiritual and effective ritual performed as prescribed in the Vedas. This lasts for six days. This Yagam is called Soma Yagam because Soma rasam (juice) is used as the main oblation. The Soma plant, the king of medicinal herbs, is said to be ‘relished by the celestials’. In Soma Yagam there is the full complement of priests, with each of them being is assisted by three others. In all sixteen priests participate in the Soma Yagam. Agni stoma which is the first of the seven soma Yagams is the ‘Prakriti’ (archetype) and the other six are its ‘Vikriti’.

Soma Yagam has an unparalleled importance in the yagna culture. This special Yagam provides an extra powerful boost of healing energy for those who participate and also to the whole world. The atmosphere becomes medicinal, nutritious and disease-free. Soma Yagam yield a qualitative and quantitative improvement in the psyche. The benefits of Soma Yagam for the public are similar to those of the other Shrauta yagnas, viz., cleansing of the environment off toxins and harmful pollutants, primarily. The performance of the same needs some pre- requisites apart from the knowledge of Yajurveda in full together with the auxiliary sutras viz., - Srauta grihya-dharma-kalpa pertaining to the particular recension of the Veda.

What is generally known about yagna: Yagna, in ancient times was performed as an act of worship with offerings, reverence and gratitude to the gods and the pancha bhootas for our existence and sustenance. To the vedic priests, yagna was the means to invoke gods and seek their blessings and favors. They used to perform these yagnas for various purposes and at various times during the year, at the time of sowing, at the time of harvest, at the time of initiating some important social event or before going to wars. The yagna is the means of worshipping the highest God or one’s own inner self. Vedas say that Yagnas can bring about lasting solutions that the current humanity faces. The Indian ritualistic tradition advocates the application of the science of yagna to serve several purposes, the predominant objective being the fulfilment of specific desires. However, it is

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when a yagna is performed, not to serve individual need or desire, but for the greater good that it becomes a true vehicle of divinity.

In Modern society it is observed moral, ethical and spiritual values are deteriorating as a result there is an increase of crime, poverty, pestilence, war, famine, natural calamities. It is a fact that the incidence of performing the yagnas and other forms of sacrifices is slowly coming down in modern Hindu Society, primarily because of the influence of western education, the complexity involved in performing them and the decreasing number of priests who are well versed in the art of performing yagna according to the Vedic injunctions. But like many traditions in Hinduism, the tradition of yagnas still continues though with reduced vigor. As our tradition is slowly eroding into the waves of modernization, events like Yagnas give some hope that future generations may know that ancient were not barbaric lot as pictured in some History books, but were masters of various sciences.

What is yagna? The term ‘Yagna’, forming the backbone of the Vedic school of philosophy, is commonly interpreted as a religious rite and it literally meaning ‘to offer’. Traditionally, a ritualistic fire ceremony in which various herbs, clarified butter (), specific wood, etc. are offered to the fire to the accompaniment of chanted by the priests with a resolve or Sankalpa, a Yagna has far-reaching effects that encompass physical, psychological, social, spiritual and ecological spheres, causing purification at all these levels.

Yagna in the ancient past being the vital mode of devotion in the Vedic era, merely meant the ritual of fire worship by kindling the flames with the offerings therein by the people and no householder took food without appeasing Agni or other gods. More than being a custom, Yagna symbolizes the life and society of that era, the qualities of which ought to be practiced now.

What our Sastras/Scriptures speak on yagna? yagna and its implications have been dealt with in great detail in various Indian scriptures. The Vedas symbolizing an unending flow of knowledge maintain that yagna is the ultimate spiritual act and by performing yagna, the aspirant becomes the manifestation of absolute knowledge. The Yajur Veda (3:63) describes yagna as the greatest benefactor of the human race, bestowing life, wealth, food, energy, prosperity and happiness. The various deal with the significance of yagna in various contexts. In the Kathopanishad for instance, Lord , the god of death, reveals the secret of the fire ritual that enables an aspirant to experience

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heavenly bliss and attain the highest goal in life. He says that a devotee can establish a link with the Vedas through yagna alone.

In the , it is said that all actions, excluding Yagna, are the cause of bondage and it is only through performance of yagna that one attains liberation from the karmic bondage (3:9). yagna is also related to the act of creation by Brahma (3:10). The whole cosmos is created out of agni tattwa (the fire element), which is the greatest scientific application of yagna, establishing the fact that fire or light is the quintessence of creation.

In Vishnu Sahasranamam it is said

Yagno yagna-patir-yajva yagnango yagna-vahanah ||

Yagna-bhrut yagnakru t yagee yagnabhuk yagna-sadhanah | yagna-ntakrut yagna guhyam anna mannada eva-cha ||

"The One whose very nature is yagna, the lord of all yagnas and the Enjoyer, the one who performs Yagna according to the strict prescriptions laid down in Vedas- the One whose limbs are the 'things' employed in performing Yagna, the One who fulfils Yagna in complete and exact accord with the Vedic instructions."

“The ruler of the Yagnas, the One who performs Yagna, the One who is constant 'Enjoyer' of the perpetual Yagnas - the One receiver of all that is offered, the One who fulfills all Yagnas”

“The One who performs the last, concluding act in all Yagnas- the one who is most profound truth to be realized in all yagnas, the one who has himself become the 'food' and the One who eats the 'food”

In Purusha suktha it is said

“Yagnena yagnamayajanta devaastaani dharmaani prathamaanyaasan”

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The gods worshipped yagna through yagna. These processes, therefore, become the primary dharma of mankind.

In Sree Rudram, in the Chamaka portion there is mention about yagna:

Ayur yagnena kalpantham, prano yagnena kalpantham, vak yagnena kalpantham, Atma yagnena kalpantham, yagno yagnena kalpantham

- May my prana, vak, atma be strengthened enabling me to perform Yagna and Yagna itself be strengthened by Yagna

Yagna or Homa and its Importance : The ancient science of bioenergy given through the Vedas states that there are numberless billions of solar systems of which our planet is a tiny speck. The layer of useful atmosphere surrounding our planet Earth is very thin. Any change induced in this layer of atmosphere auto- matically leads to a corresponding change in PRANA, the life energy that pulsates through us all and connects man with the cosmos. Prana and mind may be taken to be like two sides of the same coin and hence, a change in the atmosphere is automatically transposed to the realm of the mind.

The Vedic science of Yajnya states that mind is affected by rhythms of nature corresponding to undulations of our planet. Yajnya is a process based on biorhythms of which man is a prisoner. Various rhythms of nature corresponding to the rotation of the Earth and other cosmic objects affect the human body and mind. Burning specific organic substances into fire and uttering certain Mantras under the conditions of certain rhythms of nature produce a specific effect in the atmosphere. This is modus operandi of YAJNYA. The resultant effect is carried to the realm of the mind and mind becomes tranquil. Our happiness depends on the reactions of the mind and hence, Yajnya is a material aid to happy life is the smallest form of Yajnya based on one circadian rhythm corresponding to sunrise and sunset. Thus, burning of specific substances and uttering of Mantra are to be sychronized with the timing of sunrise and sunset. This, in short is Agnihotra, the smallest Yajnya which anyone in any walk of life can practise with a little effort.

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Shodashi Somayaga, 2020 – Mattur

The fire is to be prepared in a copper vessel which has a pyramid shape. The metal itself, as well as the shape, have an effect on the subtle energies which induce a change in the atmosphere leading to a beneficial change on the mind. Agni-hotra is a great material air to unburden the mind and you begin to feel free. Practice of Agni-hotra automatically insures that the change in rhythm will be in tune with nature. This avoids a disharmony in equilibrium and thus proneness to disease is lessened.

The Rituals of yagna: The entire process of a Yagna, consisting of mantra chanting, lighting the sacrificial fire and offering havis (food) to the gods in the form of ghee, Vanaspati (materials from plants and trees) and other objects, purifies the environment significantly. The Vedas prescribe a variety of Vedic rituals having different standards and goals.

These rituals are classified as - Sroutha Karmas & Smartha Karmas. Rituals like Marriage, , Grihapravesam, Ganapathi Homam and such others are Smartha Karmas. Agnihotra, Ishti, Somayaga etc are Sroutha Karmas.

These Sroutha Karmas are of 21 types classified as Pakayagnas, Haviryagnas & Somayagnas each consisting of seven varieties of yagnas. Out of these 21 nityakarmas, only the Agnihotra and the are to be performed twice daily, at dawn and dusk. The remaining ones have certain allotted frequencies over the course of the year. The more complicated the yagya, the less frequently it is performed. The most complex ones need to be performed only once in a lifetime. The yagna that involves the extraction, utility and consumption of Soma (in the general sense nectar, but extract of a particular tree) is called a Soma Yagna. Others are usually referred to as haviryagnas.

Paakayagnas are stated in Grihya sutras. So they are known as Grihya karmas. The seven Paakayagnas are ataka, sthālipāka, parvana, srāvaṇi, āgrahayani, caitri and āsvīyuji

The seven Haviryagnas are agniyādhāna, agnihotra, darśa-pūrṇamāsa, āgrayana, cāturmāsya, niruddha paśu bandha, sautrāmaṇi

The seven Somayagnas are agnistoma (for the atmosphere), atyagnistoma (for water), uktya (for food), shodasi (for health), vājapeya (for peace of mind), atirātra (longevity of life) and aptoryama (for well-being, prosperity of the whole society)

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