THE SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF YAJNAS ALONG WITH ITS WISDOM ASPECT-4

THE SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF YAJNAS ALONG WITH ITS WISDOM ASPECT

in Hindi

By LATE YUGA RISHI SHRIRAM SHARMA ACHARYA

TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY

MS. HEENA A. KAPADIA

CHAPTER 11

YAJNA IN THE EYES OF GREAT WORLD THINKERS

The founder of Theosophical Society Ms Annie Besant while describing the true nature of Yajnas

says that it is in fact the core principle of Hindu Philosophy. According to the Bhagwad Geeta this

world was created from a Yajna basis and Yajna propagates it. Its 3rd chapter/8th verse opines

that “Karma or action is that primeval Yajna which created all beings”. Similarly in the 14th

chapter/3rd verse it is said “the womb of all that is created in this world is given by our father

Almighty Lord”. The Lord creates this world via a Yajna only. In the Purusha Sookta it is written

that “Yajna meaning selflessness is the medium via which the Lord manifested as this world and

the world propagates too via a Yajna. Yajnas help world humanity reach the state of supreme

greatness/perfection”. Thus it is the righteous duty of every world individual, to cogitate deeply on

the importance of Yajnas and imbibe the same in ones day to day social, professional and other

transactions.

Ordinarily there is a general consensus that Yajna or selflessness is painful and full of hardships.

But know for sure this is a myth and a misconception. The gist of Yajna is joyfully and voluntarily

sacrificing ones all so that others can share our bliss and comforts. The divine aspect of man’s

psyche and its high stature nature literally oozes with joy while renouncing/sacrificing ones very

being too for others joy and uplifting. Bang opposite to this man’s lower demonic nature loves

horading things to the extent of snatching what rightfully is others’ share. Yajna can give you

agony only when the Yajna doer’s higher and lower character is at loggerheads. It is only such

opposites which out of imbalance that result in discontent while executing a Yajna.

In order to create the world Almighty Lord as per his holy wish renounced his unlimited life span.

In the process this life was bound in a disciplined manner. This sort of manifestation of his world

is a Yajna on his part. The Lord proclaimed: “Ekohum bahusyaama prajaayaiya” which means let

me become many from one. This aphorism shows the true nature/form of a Yajna. The Lord’s

epicenter in this infinite divinely radiant cosmos is everywhere but has no

circumference/periphery. He is like a divine globe full of the divine light of life. The Lord in order to

become an ‘individual’ desires to limit his existence and this desire is the limit of this divine light.

This limit is God’s Maya (divine power of illusion) which he ‘dons’ like a cloak to create this world

of name and form. In this manner by sacrificing the total absolute state of divinity along with its

untold bliss the lord takes up a limiting form. This is definitely Yajna (selfless sacrifice) on the

Lord’s part. Over here the Almighty Lord is binding himself. Why? The answer is that as long as

this world continues to exist this Divine Yajna will persist and that also because God is the

substratum of this world. All names and forms in this world are imbued with God’s divine aspect

and thus god binds himself with name and form of various objects both animate and inanimate.

Almighty Lord ‘enters’ every name and its form and endures its bondage until this living being

aspires to merge into God’s cosmic form devoid of material bondage. Thus the Primeval Yajna of

Almighty God mentioned above is nothing but the Lord imbuing all names and forms with his

divinity as their substratum.

Bang opposite to the above Yajna material nature insists on accumulating things. The soul too

influences nature and hence the forms of nature manifest. It is the soul that helps nature function.

Ere the soul disappeared, these names and forms would become naught. Hence nature tries to

accumulate things as much as possible and feels lost when asked to sacrifice even a small

portion of its existence. For material nature or Prakriti accumulation/latching on to things gives it

joy never mind if it is only fleeting.

Yajna or self sacrifice is full of sorrow, how this thinking manifested can be understood from the

above mentioned information. The soul attains eternal divine bliss only if it self sacrifices (self

also means limited ego ‘I’). In the embodied state too a creature is not bothered that with self

sacrifice its body may die because it knows that the material body is not important and that it is

merely a visible means of soul advancement. Creatures know well that the gross body is transient

and bound to perish one day. During times of self sacrifice the body on seeing the vital force

leave feels anguished and tries everything in the book to stop this from happening. That vital

force diminishes while carrying out Yajna activities which the body identifies as ‘mine’ and hence

body feels pained when this vital force bids adieu. The lower worlds of name and form exude this

secret of Yajna and when the vital force leaves the body feels agonizing pain. Hence it is least

surprising that people full of spiritual ignorance not knowing the true mystery of self sacrifice look

upon Yajna too as painful. They hence fail to understand that in fact Yajna means eternal bliss

while self renunciation takes place. The soul during such Yajnas prays: O Almighty God! We work

as per your commands and that gives us true contentment/satisfaction.

Thus the Law of Yajna in this world is a Law of Soul Progress. Every brick of the foundation of

advancement is laid down via yajnas. The soul while renouncing itself takes birth in a higher

species and the lower body perishes. Those whose eyes are set merely on the destruction of

name and form feel that all of material nature is like an abattoir or slaughter house. But those who

underneath this ‘slaughter’ actually visualize the soul renouncing a lower identity for a higher

stature one via self sacrifice do not feel the pain at all. In fact they are blissful with the realization

that they will be reborn in a higher species which also connotes soul progress.

It is beyond any doubt that man whose intellect is advancing as days pass by researches with the

experience of innumerable eras and unearths the truth that the Law of Life is Yajnas/self-sacrifice.

But in such endeavors and other types too man has been given external aid. In the infant stage of

human civilization great Rishis appeared and educated them so that they could walk on the right

path. It was these great Rishis who handed down this law of Yajnas/self-sacrifice. In order to aid

the dawning intellect of human beings certain righteous duties were brought into being and most

definitely this law too was included. And yet they could not expect from these primordial beings

the principle of renouncing something without asking for anything for them selves. In fact those

materials they desired were meant for bodily sustenance (food, shelter etc). Hence it was most

required that mankind slowly walk in that direction wherein ultimately he/she learns the art and joy

of self-sacrifice/renunciation. Hence man was taught that he was related to beings, both higher

and lower than him self and that he was very much a part of the whole so to speak. He was told

that his gross body was nourished by food grains and other lower species (meat, chicken, eggs

etc). Thus man is indebted to them and must repay in kind. Thus man attained that wisdom

wherein he is always indebted to Mother Nature and hence it follows suit that he continuously

repay this debt. With the result Yajnas now meant renouncing things dear to us and people

started thus repaying their debt to nature in the process manifesting both their material and

spiritual well being. Later, when a more in depth education was imparted to evolving mankind,

Yajna results were extended to subtle worlds from the previously gross ones. Thus Yajnas

became a stepping stone to self-sacrifice and hence well being. According to Mahatma Gandhi

Yajnas connote actions executed without either asking for anything in return in this world or the

next or not even mentally desiring any thing (total selflessness). These actions can have their

basis in body, speech or psyche. Over here the word Karma should be given a wide berth. We

should work not only for human well being but that of every animate/inanimate being of the world.

From the non-violence standpoint it does not be hove mankind to kill other beings so that

mankind is uplifted. This sort of animal sacrifice is certainly not Yajna at all. In Vedas and other

texts no doubt descriptions of sacrificing horses, cows etc can be found. We strictly oppose them.

In the weighing scale of truth and non violence animal sacrifice during Yajnas is just not the done

thing. I am very satisfied with this standpoint. I cannot say anything regarding the historical

meanings of religious precepts and I accept my shortcomings as far as researching into their true

meanings is concerned. I am not even persevering to attain such capability. Suppose the

historical meaning agrees with sacrificing other creatures for Yajnas yet I cannot stand by it

because after looking upon truth and non-violence as my supreme righteous duty violence (like

sacrificing animals in Yajnas) in any form is absolutely taboo for me. A Supreme Yajna is that

which bestows well being of all creatures in an all pervasive cosmic manner. Such actions are

also called selfless service or Sevaa Bhaava. If via hurting one being you try to bestow well being

on another person know for sure this is certainly not Yajna or Sevaa. Both the Bhagwad Geeta

and our own experience tell us Yajnas help us overcome bondage of actions. Without Yajnas and

non violent selfless activities this world cannot exist even for a miniscule of a second. Hence the

Geeta author after giving us devotees a glimpse of Divine Wisdom in the 2nd chapter talks of the

method of attaining it in the 3rd chapter. With great clarity it has been said that along with our

birth Yajnas too accompanied us all which means that the human body is given to us all for

selfless service. Hence who so ever par takes food without first performing selfless deeds/Yajnas

is indeed a ‘criminal’. This is a very harsh conclusion made by the Geeta author. Those who

yearn to lead a pious life must perform every action with a Yajna attitude. We were born along

with a Yajna and hence for our entire life we are indebted to the world and its beings. We are

destined to serve the world for our entire sojourn in this world. Just as an employer gives his/her

employee food, clothing and shelter in return for service rendered so too the Divine Employer of

this world/Almighty God gives us food, shelter etc which we must accept with thanks and

gratitude. Never should we complain if for some reason best known to Almighty Lord he does not

give us these materials. This body belongs to God and if he so wishes he can either nurture or

destroy it. This state is neither agonizing nor is it demeaned. If we understand our true status in

the world it is natural blissful and most desirable. To attain this eternal pause less bliss intense

faith is a must. In all great world religions I have come across this ideal wherein we must give up

all worries and apprehensions and instead have deep faith in God’s justice. Have faith that what

ever God does is best for us in an unquestioning manner.

But none should fear these words. Those who commence tasks of service with a pure mind will

realize its importance as days go by. Those who refuse to renounce selfishness for them the path

of service will be quite difficult to walk on. In fact their actions will continue to reek with

selfishness. And yet such utter selfishness is not all that much in vogue in the world. Knowingly or

otherwise we all tend to execute either major or minor selfless actions. If only we start doing the

same along with due thinking our yearning for service along with spiritual bliss augment by leaps

and bounds. In this lies our true happiness and welfare of the world too. We have entered this

world with something at the time of our birth and it will not be a waste of time if we delve deeper

into it. Knowing fully well that Yajna is our daily duty, must be imbibed all 24 hours and realizing

that Yajna means selfless service the verse “Paropkaaraaya sattaam, vibhootayaha” tends to

agitate us. Selfless service is not as though you are benefiting someone else because the one

who is ultimately benefiting is your self only. It is like repaying a debt you owe to someone. There

a burden from your shoulders is coming off. When you shed burden while repaying a debt you are

performing your righteous duty. It is not as though only saints are meant to work for world well

being because it is the prime duty of all human beings. Thus mankind will realize that life is not

just meant for sense pleasures and when he renounces attachment to them mentally it becomes

a source of divine bliss. Man’s very renunciation is his enjoyment. This is the stark difference

between an animal and man’s meritorious deeds called Punya. Majority of people feel that such a

meaning of life would render it ‘dry’ and lack of artistic flair. Hence for them such thinking is

‘erroneous’. But according to my humble viewpoint the word renunciation does not mean giving

up hearth and home and running away into a dense forest. In fact it means while remaining in the

thick of things (job, business, home etc) one develops mental renunciation that means

renouncing the mental attachments towards objects. A householder’s life may be full of

renunciation or full of fleeting sense pleasures. While a cobbler is making shoes, while a farmer is

tilling his field, while a businessman is making a lucrative deal etc their attitude can be mental

renunciation or yearning for fleeting sense based joy. A true ethical industrialist while earning

millions of dollars could be harboring just thoughts of manifesting well being of society with his

hard earned money in a selfless good willed manner. Such a man of vision and integrity will not

hurt another’s profession, he/she will not speculate in a gambling manner, he/she will not take

undue risks and despite being wealthy owners of property etc will live akin to the philosophy of

‘simple living high thinking’. Despite earning millions of dollars he will see to it that others do not

incur a loss and if the need arises he/she might renounce a very lucrative contract if it means

obstructing another’s downfall. None should mockingly jeer at this statement of mine saying that

‘it is a figment of my imagination’. It is the world’s good fortune that such visionary

businessman/industrialists have been born both in the orient and occident. Of course their

number may be small but all the same, the foundation stones of professional ethics and integrity

have certainly been laid down by them. Hence it is my contention that even if a handful few such

examples exist today we cannot say it is a figment of my wild imagination. I have seen a tailor of

such ethics in Badhwaan (Saurashtra, India). I know of such a barber and who does not know

about that cloth weaver? On researching deeply into this I found either people conducting

business in a selfless service manner or those who did so just for petty and narrow minded selfish

gains. It is true that even selfless professionals earn money for their household upkeep too. And

yet their sole aim is not this but that their main sight is on working selflessly for world uplifting via

their professional pursuits that are ethical in nature. Motilal was a dedicated tailor both before and

after attaining enlightenment/self-realization. But his attitude transformed and now post

enlightenment/self-realization his tailoring business became a Yajna. Sacredness now enters it.

This business all the time delves deep into other peoples’ prosperity and thus art manifests in

his/her life. A life of Yajna is the pinnacle of artistic skills. It is full of nectar because the ceaseless

stream of divinity is all the time blessing such a person. Man never tires drinking it and the stream

of nectar never dries up. That Yajna is definitely not a Yajna which seems burdensome. Anything

that agitates one is certainly not renunciation/sacrifice. Sense pleasures are fleeting and

destructive. True renunciation results in immortality. Nectar is not something independent in

nature and in fact is a part of our wholesome thought process. Someone enjoys cinema on a

screen whereas someone else enjoys changes taking place in the vast expanse of the sky. What

we mean is that interest is not a matter of education or practice. In childhood certain interests are

nurtured and practiced but they are superficial in nature. A particular country and its citizens

maybe interested in a particular subject that might totally disinterest another nation and its

residents. We come across many such examples of this.

Majority of Yajna doers believe that they work selflessly. Hence they think that they can ask

anything i.e. even that which is not required from others. As soon as such a thought arises, that

person is not a true Yajna performer. In selfless service there is no room for thoughts of ones own

comforts and needs. In fact it is Almighty God who looks after the requirements of his beloved

selfless worker (Sevak). God will give him/her anything which in his eyes is required at that time.

And hence when a true devotee of Yajna is given something he/she should not think it to belong

to himself herself. Instead accept only the bare minimum for bodily sustenance and rest should

be shared with others as grace of God. Even if a true devotee of Yajna is not given the bare

minimum of comforts he/she will endure it calmly without anger or stress. The mind will be

perfectly poised and balanced even under the direst situation. The fruit of Yajna is not comfort but

it is attaining more opportunities to serve the world that much more selflessly.

One more important point to note is that the approach to selfless service must not be

lackadaisical and hence given a last spot. Just because you are working for others without getting

anything in return does not mean ‘I will do it as and when it pleases me to do so’. A person who

thinks or behaves thus alas does not know the true principle underlying a Yajna. Selfless service

means humbly working to ones full potential and it is given a prime slot in ones day to day living.

Anything else is given cursory attention. The gist of all this is that a pure Yajna doer says ‘nothing

is mine’ and that he/she sacrifices his/her very being for world welfare in a humble self effacing

manner.

CHAPTER 12

SUPREME PATH OF WELL BEING-YAJNAS

Both the wisdom and scientific aspects of Yajnas must be given due respect on an equal footing.

In the scientific aspect is included rites and ritual in a methodical manner. When along with Vedic

Mantra chanting Aahutis are offered to the Yajna fire the atmosphere is purified, our psyches

exude great thoughts and human sentiments become sacred. The wisdom aspect of Yajnas is

even more potent. In this scientific era people will accept Yajna Sciences only after due research

proves it credible. And yet Yajna’s wisdom aspect is accepted by all without any doubt arising in

the mind. Yajna Philosophy is imperatively required in world humanity’s life.

In the Bhagwad Geeta it is said that Prajapati with the help of Yajnas created this world. Thus it is

clear that this world is Yajna manifest and that Mother Nature on its own is a Yajna. Yajna means

sacrifice, renunciation, cooperation etc. As long as such thinking exists in an awakened manner in

society no obstructions can come in the way of its all round advancement. By radiating these

qualities via Yajna activities the wheel of selfishness can be shattered to naught and thus this

world can see the advent of a bright future in this very century. Whatever we think is useful owned

by us must be offered for world well being in a selfless manner. Its usage must be for everyone’s

welfare. With the help of Yajna rituals this very sentiment is nurtured and nourished. The

sentiment of ‘I’ and ‘mine’ breeds nothing but mental distortions. The scriptures proclaim that

anyone uses objects he/she own selfishly is definitely committing a sin. The punishment of such

sins is incurred by all of society.

This life is Yajna incarnate. It is said that Lord Rama, Ashwatthaamaa, Draupadi etc were born via

Yajnas. From a sentimental standpoint we too were born from a Yajna. Lest our mother had

harbored selfish emotions our existence in this world was well nigh impossible. For 9 months a

mother nurtures the embryo in her womb with the help of her flesh, blood etc. The embryo grows

for 9 months in this manner and only then all of us were born in this world. Later for the newborn,

milk is provided to it that is made from the mother’s bodily blood. If the father had not cut down on

his needs so as to nurture us we would not have advanced to youth. Sacrificing their comforts

parents undergo many hardships to bring up their beloved children. If this is not

sacrifice/renunciation then what is?

Our bodily creation too has Yajnas as its foundation. Every unit of our body along with its own

security is nourishing and protecting all bodily organs. Although our hands work hard to earn

money it does not use it only for itself. Food taken by the hand is transported to the mouth by it

and not kept for itself. The mouth chews it and sends it to the food pipe. From there it enters the

stomach where it is digested. The stomach does not keep any of the food items for its selfish use.

The food juice is transported into the blood and the latter without keeping anything for itself

transports this digested food to all organs of the body. Loads of blood resides in the heart yet the

heart does not use any of it for its selfish usage. Even the muscles, nerves, brain etc work Yajna

style. If the wheel of utilizing useful things for the welfare of other bodily organs stops rolling,

know for sure the body will become ill and diseased and that death will stare hard at us.

Nature remains optimally balanced because of Yajnas. Nature at every step converts various

objects into other forms of greater utility value. Ice is converted into river water. Rivers in turn

quench the thirst of many people while moving forward ever moment. Water becomes steam and

clouds under the hot sun rays. Clouds in turn shower entire earth with rain water and thus fulfill its

requirements. This same cycle can be visualized in plant kingdom too.

This Yajna based sentimental cooperation must be established between human beings, animals

and plants too. Wherever such activities exist there joy and peace will rule the roost. Wherever

there is lack of such Yajna activities there material wealth too will give you hell like hardships.

In this world there are quite a few nations that ooze with material wealth and comforts. At the

government level laws have been made wherein after using various materials for a short while

they must then be destroyed. This is done so that the balance of optimum production of materials

is maintained. And yet at the emotional level their citizens lack a sense of oneness of soul. Thus

their lives are full of stress. The statistics of the number of insane people there is on an alarming

rise. One third of their citizens do not get sleep at night without taking sedatives and other

sleeping pills. The relationship between husband-wife, parent-child etc is full of distrust and hence

is very superficial in nature. Every individual is full of suspicion about another person. Thus they

are entering into a stage of dreadful tension and stress. There is tension amongst individuals,

families, society and nations. Hence the question arises as to how this dire problem can be

solved? How can one be liberated from it?

This task cannot be executed merely by augmenting material comforts. There was a time in

history when people were not materially advanced and yet were at peace. This was despite

lacking proper food, clothing and shelter. One cap, one shawl and other such frugal attire was

used by the entire family in turns. Their bodies were strong like steel. Bang opposite to this today

despite ‘swimming’ in material comforts we fight with each other. Many medicines are now not

curing certain diseases which they previously did help overcome.

The above problem can definitely be solved by Spiritual Science. Gayatri and Yajna fully

represent Spiritual Science. Yajna is a great teacher of living a spiritual life. Hence Agni (fire) is

called Purohit or pries cum preceptor in Rig-Veda.

Rig-Veda manifested much before other Vedas did. Its first Mantra is: Agni meeday purohitam

yajnasya deva ritwijum. In it fire is said to be Purohita and that the true Yajna doer becomes

divine. Such a person’s psyche becomes an unlimited vault of jewels represented by sacred

qualities.

Vedas and other scriptures eulogize Yajnas in every possible way. It is said to be a chief

instrument of world welfare and God Realization too. It is not an overstatement if we call Vedic

Religion as Yajna Religion because according to Vedas the detailed meaning of a Yajna as given

in Rig-Veda (90/90/16) and Yajur-Veda (31/16) is (it includes all supreme actions that bestow soul

welfare and that of the entire world at large):

“On the basis of Braahmana texts (Shatpath….3/7/3/10, Kausheetakee….2/8 etc.), Deva means

those who via Yajnas worship Yajna i.e. Almighty God i.e. Yajnovaivishnoohu”. Within Yajna they

reign supreme as far as worship of God, sacred congregationalism and charity is concerned.

While performing worship rites of them honest scholarly people become super great men and

reach that state of Moksha/divine liberation which Realized Saints attain.

In these Mantras the divine emotions of worship of the God of Yajnas is crystal clear. The reason

why Yajnas are called ones supreme righteous duty is that it encompasses man respecting

people greater than him self and dutiful nurturing of those younger than him self. Yajnas are also

called Adhwara in many Vedic Mantras. According to Niruktakaar Yaaskaachaarya Adhwara

means an action devoid of violence. A Vedic prayer which includes such actions says (Rig-Veda

6/19/19; Yajurveda 15/38; Saama Veda 111):

“We pray that this fire to which we have offered fragrant, disease destroying and nourishing

materials bestow us welfare and eternal joy. We pray that our charity will give us well being and

bliss eternal. We pray that our Yajna exuding non violence and good will to all bestow us welfare

and eternal joy. We pray that our Yajna offerings bestow us welfare.” In this manner at many

places in the Vedas the fact that Yajnas bestow well being is depicted. Further a prayer also says

that may we never be separated from sacred Yajna activities, renunciation of selfishness and

selfless service to the world.

In the Rig-Veda (10/57) and Atharva Veda (113/1/51) it is said:

“O Lord of Supreme Grandeur! We pray that we never stray away from that supreme path of

righteousness. We pray that we never stray away from Yajna while imbibing the nectar of wisdom

based devotion. We pray that we never let selfishness, desires, anger, avarice etc enter our

psyche. With reference to never renouncing Yajna activities, is it not a great prayer? It is not only

an indirect prayer but that prayer directly invoking blessings too can be found in many Mantras

(Yajurveda 11/7). We pray that that Lord who creates and blesses us with supreme joy, peace

and prosperity nourish our Yajna sentiments and divine love for the same. We pray that The Lord

inspires the Yajmaan or Yajna host to walk in the direction of righteousness, wisdom,

renunciation, grandeur, true fame and divine beauty. In The Yajurveda it is prayed that wherever

Yajnas are executed may they bring joy to us along with supreme well being. According to the

Vedas Yajnas not only overcome air/water pollution but that our wisdom, strength and intellect

augment manifold.

In the Rig-Veda (commentary of the Mantra 1/13/2) it is said:

“When fragrant materials are offered to the Havan fire the Yajna purifies air and other objects

along with protection of our body, plants etc. In this manner many nectarine juices too manifest

and when the purified materials via Yajna are partaken by all living beings their wisdom, intellect

and strength become very potent”.

In the Rig-Veda (1/13/5) it is said:

“Ghee (clarified butter) and other materials offered to Yajna fire, enters interstellar space and this

in turn purifies water molecules present in the atmosphere. This purified water along with its

fragrance covers all other objects and thus all living beings attain joy’.

In the Yajurveda (1/23) commentary (Bhaashya) regarding Yajnas it is written:

“Via Yajnas great children and joy pertaining to the body, speech and mind are attained

optimally”.

In this manner according to Vedas Yajnas are sound mediums of manifesting world well being.

How can we doubt its potential of world welfare when Yajnas are known to help attain strength,

purification of the intellect and making it razor sharp and which congregates society to help the

world attain material/spiritual advancement? Hence the Vedas proclaim aloud Rig-Veda

(8/102/20):

“While lighting the Yajna fire if the mind and intellect too are conjoined to it and efforts are made

to light up the Fire of Divine Wisdom in our soul our spiritual advancement gets a potent face lift”.

It is hence that Indian Divine Culture gives Yajnas a prime slot. The burning fire is looked upon as

God manifest and the divine principle fire is said to be a Purohita or preceptor-priest. No doubt it

does not preach using speech yet via its mode of working inspires us to follow suit. It is only when

it becomes functional that the preceptor’s fulfillment and the disciple’s imbibing of this teaching

attains fulfillment. We can understand Yajns fire the bestower of great teachings as follows:

1) As long as fire continues to burn it remains hot and manifests light. We too must remain ‘hot’

throughout our lifespan i.e. remain active and not indolent. We must make intense efforts to

augment our wisdom consciousness so as to render it widespread and all pervasive. We must

perform such actions which inspire others to lead a life of divine light and that their activities gain

more optimum momentum.

2) The second characteristic of fire is that ‘its head is always held high’ i.e. it moves in the

upward direction. No amount of pressure on fire’s ‘head’ can make it droop downwards. Thus our

intellectual thinking too must reach high peaks of glory. Even if circumstances are very dire yet

never think in a lowly and tainted manner. Never bow your head to illegality and criminal

tendencies. Stand upright to uphold justice and thus aspire for heights of greatness. Always also

inspire others by setting an example to uphold law and hence justice at all times.

3) Even if impure materials are added to fire the latter renders them pure and taintless. Wood,

ore or dirt on entering fire become fire itself. Thus even if tainted people contact you your

personality should be so radiant that they will shed all their taints and become pious. We must

imbibe the art of befriending those who are lost and in need of help. Never attract vile qualities of

others in your psyche. Lord Shiva’s neck is ‘decorated’ with serpents coiling around it but never

does the Lord imbibe their venom. In fact since these serpents are in close contact with the Lord

they gradually shed their venom and become imbued with divine aura. On the holy day of

Naagpanchami serpents are worshipped in the ancient land of India. Thus Lord Shiva’s contact

has bestowed sacredness on the entire group of the snake species. Our endeavor of setting an

example should be such that those who have strayed away from wholesome living are lured back

into doing so.

4) If any material is added to fire it does not keep any of it for its selfish usage. Instead fire

gives it back to the world. Fire thus never hoards anything. We too must walk in the footsteps of

our divine preceptor i.e. Fire God. Never harbor stinginess and never hoard wealth, materials etc.

Our potentials and means must all the time be used for world well being.

5) Fire’s ultimate form is ash. All of us should realize that ultimately we will die and will become

nothing but dust. Hence never behave arrogantly/egoistically and refrain from incurring sins as a

result of such unruly activities. Always keep the thought of death staring at you in the deep

recesses of your psyche. Always remember that one day your life will definitely end and hence do

not act in such an erroneous way which will make you repent for a long time to come.

These 5 precepts are more priceless than all the jewels of the world put together. Jewels after all

are nothing but stones and we harbor fear lest someone robs them from us. But these 5 precepts

are such that any Ritwija (Yajna doer) who imbibes them truly attains divinity. Further

respect/honor associated with these great qualities along with cooperation too is theirs for keeps

sake.

Yajna is called the manifest image of the formless Lord Almighty because unlike other demigods

there is no past history wherein along with various qualities a distortion too exists. The stories

attached to other demigods are such that a question arises in the mind i.e. if they are worth

worshipping why along with their many qualities they possess a few flaws too? This problem can

never be attributed to Fire God of Yajnas.

With reference to Yajna Fire the belief of divinity must be reinstated. We must believe it to be God

incarnate/manifest. Thus the more Yajna attitude and Yajna based life is imbibed the more

speedily can we visualize the advent of a New Era.

As long as in the past India lived a life of Yajna it oozed with both material and spiritual prosperity.

At that time India inspired and gave the light of wisdom to world humanity via its sacred ideals.

Today we must reawaken our sacred consciousness. But it is not possible merely via material

Yajnas. To this we must imperatively conjoin Yajna Philosophy and Wisdom. Yajna inspirations

must be imbibed wholeheartedly in the deep cave of the soul. Only then will our soul advance and

further manifest the age old dream of world well being in an all round manner. With reference to

this, scriptural scholars talk of Yajnas as follows:

“Yajna is that action which ultimately manifests world welfare”.

From the above observations the great import and all encompassing nature of Yajnas can be

understood. It should never be looked upon as a narrow sectarian activity/ritual. The Lord has

correctly said in the Rig-Veda that Yajna Fire truly is our Guru and guide. The Ritwij of a Yajna

becomes divine and the Havan doer finds the same in the form of a vault of rare jewels. These

are divine jewels of divine wealth which follows us in innumerable incarnations/rebirths that we

undergo. They fill us up with so many divine glories (Vibhootees) that mankind realizes he/she is

wealthier than Kubera (god of wealth) too.

The process of imbibing a Yajna way of life is such that the confluence of material and spiritual

wealth is a foregone conclusion.

CHAPTER 13

THE METHODOLOGY OF YAJNA WAY OF LIVING

Offering fragrant materials to Yajna fire signifies the fact, that no longer shall our inner goodwill

and sacred thinking remain dormant/latent. We must light them up divinely and thus make them

radiant. Instead of allowing it to dwell in a limited manner it should be made

widespread/omnipresent.

Gigantic amounts of Havan materials can be found in storehouses. It can give us no merit. May

be the hoarder gets minor financial benefits and yet the lay public will benefit only this hoarded

material is shared with society. Every human being possesses some special talent and if he/she

so wishes the same can be used to help others attain them. Such help can augment peace and

joy in the entire world. Wherever such pious sentiments and endeavors flourish there know for

sure Yajna life proliferates.

Only when sandalwood, incense etc is lit that its fragrance spreads in all directions. To put it

differently if they remain hoarded and unlit their fragrance will not be enjoyed by one and all. Man

is free to limit the utility value of his skills and pious qualities for his own usage. No doubt he/she

can benefit personally but if he/she utilizes the same for others our society will become akin to

heaven. In certain cases it will appear that the individual is not benefiting a great deal but know

for sure this is a superficial observation. This is because when you work for world welfare you as

a cog in the wheel too are definitely going to prosper along with the world.

It is a mighty Yajna act of righteousness when valiantly one tries to burn to naught ones mental

taints and distortions. Twigs and branches of trees lying scattered here and there are of no use

unless and until they are collected and offered to fire to render it more brilliant and potent. If you

give a chance to a lit stick of wood it can set ablaze an entire jungle and thus cleanse miles and

miles of forest area. Fire can cook so many items and the importance of cooked food is more

than its raw counterpart especially grains etc. The results of heating, cooking etc using fire

element are limitless. But these benefits accrue only when fire is given ample fuel to set it ablaze.

Keeping this analogy in mind if we human beings offer our scattered wayward habits in the fire of

greatness a radiant Fire God manifests and the aim of Yajna thus gets fulfilled. Yajna gives us

heaven. This is indeed an open secret. Everyone is most welcome to directly experience and

visualize it. When a tiny seed in the tradition of Yajna living sacrifices its tiny existence the result

is manifestation of a gigantic tree. This tree stands testimony to the self sacrifice (Yajna) and glory

of the tiny seemingly negligibly important seed. Anyone can see after cutting asunder the limits of

selfishness so as to enter the abode of cosmic consciousness that how much more a person who

does not hoards anything attains in comparison to a rank hoarder? Water molecules that yearn to

reach great heights conjoin to fire/heat and give up their heaviness so as to be rendered feather

weight. The more one is light in weight the more one rises upwards. Dirty water is known to rise

along with wind upwardly yet if it wishes to renounce the dirt so as to become light in weight it

must contact heat, shed its limiting form so as to enter a gigantically widespread area. This verily

is the spiritual aspect of Yajnas. If we valiantly dare to endure/forbear heat of this material world

we will become light (egoless) and hence we can sail in the gigantic sky of cosmic

consciousness. Thus even a previously miniscule stature individual will now be called great or

super man. Such a great man/woman who commands respect from every nook and corner of the

globe and who gets credit for manifesting well being of millions of people the world over.

If Yajna is understood not in a narrow but more widespread manner all the artistic skills and

sciences get enveloped under its guidance. All material and spiritual benefits of Yajnas as

mentioned in sacred texts will not remain a topic of mere faith and that in this very birth mankind

can experience a heavenly situation on this planet Earth it self. If only every human being of our

planet manifests world well being in his/her day to day transactions we may or may not attain that

heaven which scriptures say we attain on death. And yet know for sure that this world of ours it

self will become heavenly. In reality laboratories and manufacturing units are nothing but Yajna

Institutions but it is our ill fate that not all of them aspire for world welfare. As a result of this those

fruits of true Yajnas are not experienced by earth denizens.

CHAPTER 14

OUR ENTIRE LIFE SPAN MUST BE YAJNA ORIENTED

Life is a Yajna. Every breath of it is an Aahuti or sacrificial offering. He who lives such a life wards

of diseased conditions and attains a long healthy life span. In the Chhandogya Upanishad a great

deal of light has been thrown on its precepts and deep import.

The Upanishad author has divided man’s life into 4 stages based on Varna-Aashrama. A life of

activity is said to span 96 years. The last 4 years of a 100 year life span is spent in tiredness,

weakness etc. Hence a human life is said to be 96 years and not 100 years. Every stage amongst

4 are said to be of 24 years. This is also because Gayatri Super Mantra has 24 alphabets in

Sanskrit language. Youth which is the 2nd stage is compared to the blazing sun of the noon. The

remaining 2 stages are Vaanaprastha and Sanyaasa in that order. Both are clubbed under one

category because it signifies activities that help us attain our spiritual goal in life. In this manner

the 3-legged Gayatri represents the 3 stages of optimal human living. Life’s Yajna is divided into 3

stages that are synonymous with self/sense control, enterprise/valor, radiant skills and spirituality.

Thus Gayatri too is a Yajna of the highest order.

These 3 stages have 3 demigods-the first is Vasu, second is Rudra and 3rd is Aaditya. Vasu

connotes self control, Rudra enterprise and Aaditya is the substratum of radiance. Life should be

wholesomely used in this manner. If this wheel of life moves optimally there is no need to undergo

diseases, sorrow and downfall in life.

According to the Upanishads if midway some distortions/hardships do appear avoid erring by

looking upon it as manifestation of past actions or destiny and endure them calmly. Search for

these distortions within the psyche and correct those flaws accordingly. We must pray to the

demigod to make our contemporary circumstances optimal so that our future is full of radiance.

We must alertly not walk on that path which will create our downfall in future.

When our flaws get corrected distortions and strife which are its fruits too are warded off. The

diseased condition of the psyche now gets reformed. Ill fate that creates obstacles in the arena of

the body, mind and social life can now no longer continue to harass us and thus with tail between

legs vanish into the thin air.

This verily is the royal path of eternal joy and peace. We must first understand life’s various

stages, its goal and usage and then act accordingly. We must overcome our errors and pray to

God that we move forward on the path of truth. Thus our strife and stress will be destroyed and if

we don’t do this our minds will remain diseased and life full of dire situations.

As mentioned before life is a Yajna. Gayatri is its icon. Time is its offering or Havishya. Vasu,

Rudra and Aaditya or self control, enterprise and spirituality is the discipline it must observe.

Those who deeply understand this spiritual mystery never get enmeshed in the net of diseases,

strife, sorrow etc. Assuming that in those rare cases we do get enmeshed even then ward off your

mistakes and pray to Almighty God that you get inspired to walk on the path of truth/integrity. This

is that royal path which gives man permanent all round good health.

The Chhandogya Upanishad (3/16/1-2) writes:

“Human life is a Yajna. The first 24 years of man is life is the Yajna of dawn. Gayatri Chhand

(meter) is of 24 alphabets and in the Yajna of dawn this meter is used. In this Yajna Vasu demigod

too is associated and it is none other than our Prana or Vital Force (because all energies dwell in

it). If in these 24 years anyone afflicted with bodily or psychological diseases should pray thus: O

lord Vasu (Vital Force)! Please conjoin my morning Yajna to that of noon. It means conjoin my 24

years to the rest of my life span so that my life progresses optimally. Pray fervently that this Yajna

of Vasus, does not fizzle away to naught midway. This request will give you the path of acquiring

good health. Thus the first 24 years of man’s life chugs ahead”.

It is elaborated further:

The next 44 years of a human being (corresponding to youth) is akin to noon time. The Trishtupa

Cchand has 44 letters and at noon time it is made use of. This Yajna is related to Rudra demigod.

Rudra is verily Prana or Vital Force. If anyone is afflicted with a disease he/she must pray: O lord

Rudra as my Vital Force! Please do conjoin this noon time Yajna of mine to the 3rd stage Yajna

(Vanaprastha and Sanyaasa). We pray that this noon time Yajna predominating with Rudra as

Vital Force never fizzle away to naught.

The remaining 48 years too are Yajna manifest and is depicted as follows in the Chhandogya

Upanishad (3/16/5,6):

The remaining 48 years of man’s life span corresponds to the dusk Yajna. The Jagati Cchand has

48 letters and this Yajna uses Jagati Cchand. This dusk Yajna is associated with a Vital Force

called Aaditya demigod. Aaditya demigod is a Vital Force because it imbibes everything. If

anyone is afflicted with a disease he/she must pray: O lord as Aaditya my Vital Force! This life

span of mine has entered the third stage and hence we pray that it lives a full life. We pray that

this dusk time Yajna predominating with Aaditya as Vital Force never fizzle away to naught.

The Upanishads (Chhandogya 4/46/7) while ending the above precept and depicting its results

writes thus while giving example of Rishi Aitereya who could ward off his disease:

Once Rishi Maheedaas Aitereya who understood the Yajna of Life deeply fell ill and in that state

he said to the disease: O disease! Why are you harassing me? Why are you giving me agony? I

definitely will not die because of this. When he questioned firmly thus his disease vanished and

lived a full life. Those who truly understand the spiritual philosophy of this Yajna of Life live a full

life span.

 

Om Tat Sat
                                                        
(Continued...) 

(My humble salutations to Shri Shriram Sharma Acharya ji  and thankfulness to Ms. Heena A Kapadia ji for the collection)