Shodashi Somayaga, 2020 Mattur, KarnatAka, India - Pragati ...

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, KARNATAKA, INDIA

Shodashi Somayaga, 2020 – Mattur

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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


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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.


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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.


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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 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

dragon once only, but repeatedly, and he is

invited also in the future always to kill Vritra and

to save the mankind.

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

The image is from a Hindu temple in

Cambodia. It depicts Indra Victorious over

Vritra, depicted in dragon form at the

bottom.


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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 Vedas, 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. Kalpa Sutras 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 Yajurveda and provide

detailed description of the sacrifices.

The Somayāga performed for appeasing the celestial entities in Hinduism. 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 yajna, 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 Deva 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) Brahma (c) Brāhmanācchamsi (d) Āgnidhra (d) Potā

Brahma - Aruna Avadhani


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Brahmanacchamsi - Pramoda Avadhani

Aagneedhra - Rama 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 - Krishna 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 altar explained in the Yajurveda. The adhvaryu offers

oblations.

The Udgata is the chanter of hymns set to melodies and music (sāman) drawn from the

Samaveda. 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 Yoga 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 stotra

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 shastras 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 Varuna, 14th to Indra

Brihaspathi 15th to Indra Vishnu

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

Shimoga district near

the city of Shivamogga

in Karnataka state, India,

known for the usage of

Sanskrit 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 mantra in Devenagaralipi is as follows:


10


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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

milk, 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 (altars 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.


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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 Yajnas are the greatest of all. “Vedalikho Dharma

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 Hindus 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 (ghee), specific wood, etc. are offered to the

fire to the accompaniment of mantras 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 Upanishads deal with the

significance of yagna in various contexts. In the Kathopanishad for instance, Lord Yama, 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 Bhagavad Gita, 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 AGNIHOTRA 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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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,

Upanayana, 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 Aupasana 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)

Shodashi Somayaga, 2020 Mattur, KarnatAka, India - Pragati ...

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