Contents - at a glance Preface xm • What are the Vedas? 1. Yajna - A Celebration • Why study the Vedas? • Subjects of the Vedas of life 1 • Original form of the Vedas 2. Introduction to the Yajna • Origin of the Vedas Tradition 4 The Vedas individually 34 Genesis of yajna 4 Rig Veda • Rig Veda Yajur Veda • Yajur Veda Sama Veda • Shatapatha Brahmana Arthava Veda • Bhagavad Gita • Usage of the word 'brahman' • Puranas • Brahmana Granthas Vedas, Vedic dharma and yajna 8 • Aranyaka • Purushartha and kratvartha • Upanishads • Birth of the Vedic concept of yajna • Vedangas Etymology of the term 'yajna 11 • Puranas Universal principle of give Supportive articles of the and take 12 yajna structure 41 Relevance of yajna today 15 Mantras 41 Vastness of yajna 15 Devatas 41 Yajna - foundation of life 16 Dravya 43 3. Vedic Foundations 4. Devata - the Luminary of Yajna 18 in a Yajna 46 Foundation of the concept The concept of devata 46 of yajna 19 Etymology of the term'devata' 47 Culture 19 Characteristics of devatas 48 Culture and civilization 21 Importance of devata dhyanam 49 Culture and religion 23 Yoga and devata dhyanam 51 Culture and literature 25 Number of devatas 5 2 Plinth of the yajna structure 2 6 Devatas in Vedic verses 54 • The Vedas collectively Forms of devatas 56 • Parts of the Vedas Functions of devatas from the Samhita three lokas 57 Brahmanas Description of devatas 5 7 Aranyakas 1. Prithivi based devatas Upanishads 2. Antariksha based devatas Vll 3. Dyu loka-based devatas 7, Mechanics of Yajna 4. Vishvedeva 97 5. Devatas in smarta yajna Shulba Sutras 98 6. Tantra and tan trie devatas Principal structures at a 7. Other devatas yajnashala 100 5. Tripolar Interpretations Significance of the areas of a of Yajna 72 yajnashala 103 Important entities of a Three debts 72 yajnashala 104 Three meanings of yaj na 74 Agni kundas 104 • Worship Utkara 105 • Congregation Dhishnya 105 • Daan Vedi 105 Three parts of dravya yajna 79 Spiritual aspect of yajna 7 9 8. Ingredients and Implements • Process of spiritualization of Yajna 108 • Yogic understanding Yajna ingredients 108 • Yajna as the first step in Havi dravya 109 spirituality • Classification of havi dravya • Individual effort • Preparing the havi Yajna in the universe 84 Arhaniya dravya 112 • Principle of sacrifice in universal Dakshina dravya 112 yajna Yajna implements 112 • Metaphoric expression of rishis Yajna trees 113 6. Classifications of Yajna Implements and utensils 115 89 Important yajna implements 116 Role of Agni in dravya yajna 89 9. External Yajna - Procedures • Laukikagni and Performance 124 • Yajnagni Yajnic terminology 125 Classification by type of sacrifice • Karma and Vedic karma 91 • Yogic and Vedic samskara Classification of dravya yajna 91 Vedic karma and the journey Classification by Vedic text 92 of the soul 127 Classification by purpose 93 Understanding samskaras 129 Classification by havi dravya 94 Vedic karmas: an overview ISO Classification by yajna samstha 94 Vedic karma: Classification by procedure 96 samskara-oriented 131 Vlll Purifying samskaras 131 1. Agnishtoma Cultivating samskaras 133 2. Ukthya Augmenting samskaras 134 3. Shodashi Vedic karma: yajna-oriented 135 4. Atiratra Shrauta yajna: 5. Atyagnishtoma general information 135 6. Aptoryama The main process 137 7. Vajapeya The host (yajamana) 137 Smarta yajnas: The priests (ritvij) 139 General information 173 Role and responsibility of General structure 174 priests 141 Rituals (based on graha yajna) 176 • Hotri group Planning a smarta yajna 181 • Adhvaryu group • Selecting the venue • Udgitha group • Raising the structure • Brahma group • Yajnyagni and agni kunda Honorarium - dakshina 148 • Priests Expiation (prayaschitta) 150 • Yajna samagri Resolve (sankalpa) of host 150 • Selecting an auspicious time Sacred fire 150 • The daily program Sacred piece of land Maha yajnas 192 (yajna bhoomi) 153 Maha soma yajna 192 Yajna venue (yajnashala) 153 Pancha maha yajna 194 Articles of oblation (havi dravya)155 10. Internal Yajna Yajna implements (yajnayudha) 156 195 Auspicious time (yajna muhurta) 156 Helpers for miscellaneous activities Purusha Sukta and yajna 196 (parikarmi) 156 • Purusha at three levels Shrauta yajna: description 157 • Sacrifice as the cause of creation Shrauta purifying yajnas 157 of the universe Shrauta cultivating yajnas 158 • Re-sacrifice of the created elements 1. Agnyadheya • Cause of re-creation 2. Agnihotra Trisuparnam Sukta and yajna 199 3 & 4. Darshapoornamaseshti Chandogya Upanishad and life 5. Navasyeshti as yajna 201 6. Chaturmasya Bhagavad Gita and yajna 203 7. Pashubandha • Yajna in nature revisited Shrauta augmenting yajnas 169 IX 11. The Environment 12. Yajna for the and Yajna 210 Enhancement of life 228 Ecology according to modern Pancha maha yajnas 229 science 210 Brahma Yajna 231 • Atmosphere • Vedic interpretation • Environment • Modern adaption Vedic view of ecology 212 Vaishvadeva yajna 234 Dynamic equilibrium in the • Vedic interpretation universe 213 • Modern adaption • GnTlaw Prerequisites for pancha • Mechanism of nature maha yajna 237 Imbalance among components - • Upanayana samskara pollution 215 • Sandhya Causes of imbalance 216 • Surya namaskara • 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 X.