SHODASHI SOMAYAGA, 2020 MATTUR, KARNATAKA, INDIA 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, Indra and Vritrasura (story from Rig Veda) ...................................................................3 2. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................5 3. Yajamana & Ritwiks : ..........................................................................................................................................6 4. Protocols: ............................................................................................................................................................8 Stotras ....................................................................................................................................................................8 5. Sankalpa..............................................................................................................................................................9 6. Pravargya ......................................................................................................................................................... 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 Homa 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 Yogi 1 Shodashi Somayaga, 2020 – Mattur Shodashi Somayaga – 2020 Mattur, Shimoga District, Karnataka Sapta Mahasomayagas Prologue With the blessings 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 Soma 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. 2 Shodashi Somayaga, 2020 – Mattur 1. THE LEGEND OF SHODASI, INDRA AND VRITRASURA (STORY FROM RIG VEDA) The Rigveda 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 Asura) 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 dragon (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 demon 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 dragons"). 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 agni, 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. 3 Shodashi Somayaga, 2020 – Mattur 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 Dadhichi. 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 Hindu temple 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 4 Shodashi Somayaga, 2020 – Mattur 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