What differentiates yagna from other similar pujas?
All this is not for me. इदम् न मम Idam na Mama this concept makes the difference.
This spirit of total dedication, complete surrender, and supreme selflessness is that which is expressed by the term Na Mama. It is performed to bring peace, re-awaken harmony, foster love and make happiness prevail in this world. It never celebrates material benefit or reputation of the performer. The sacrifice thus acknowledges its core of
लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवंतु loka samsta sukhino bhavantu.
I may refer yagna or yagam as a doorway to peace. It attains peace because it culminates in the unification of yajman ,homa ingredients and its end result into the Ultimate Brahman.
Yagna is derived from the Sanskrit word yaj which means sacrifice (my POV).
Who then sacrifices?
With a large number of people in attendance, the yajman and his wife initiates the yagna, the ultimate sacrifice, committing his entire life to the ritual. With a number of universal values to implement, the yajman offers oblations into the sacrificial fire or agni. He carries this agni home, keeps it burning at his house until this divine energy has been transferred to one of their funeral pyre. There is no mission or greater sacrifice than sacrificing ones whole life to keep this fire ablaze.
Why is agni preserved?
All who attend and leave the ritual preserves agni in their hearts, in the realm of faith. Those who have a veil upon their hearts do not see the light. The numinous power of the mantras chanted here has strengthened the fire. The yajman has sincerely transferred our portion of this divine blaze, to fill all our hearts that have had abundant faith. For all humanity, the yajman preserves another portion of agni at his home, just in its true, steady, and physical form. For all humanity, he lets the light shine in their hearts, celebrating the aura or blaze or tejas(of the Ultimate Brahman). He thus preserves the agni at home, as a faithful instrument and driving force for a huge transformation.This agni remains an indwelling energy in us, an infusing divine energy that changes every one of us to a new being, culminating in self-realisation.
A new and glorious way has opened through the Athiraathram.
What is athirathram?
An oblation conducted overnight, it is termed athirathram. Athirathram involves the consumption of Soma and falls under the category Soma Yagna. Haviryajna represents all non-Soma sacrifices.
This can be conducted using or without using a chithi or the altar of fire. But, Kerala follows the oldest Vedic ritual by constructing altar or chithi for the yagashala , signifying the changing seasons.
We remain incapable to completely comprehend the intricacy of the recitations, chants and rituals. So, I sincerely dont feel a grand description would be befitting here, nonetheless one earnestly partakes in it. All intellectual explanation not backed by direct experience would only misguide. All procedures that apply to the rituals are detailed in the Kalpa-Sutra, it assures continuity of these age old rituals in its original form, anywhere.
These are questions I asked to myself and When I write this, I wish each one of you could reach
Panjal in 2013, and heighten the energy field of love, harmony and peace.
Back from Panjal, I attempted many a time to sit and write and share with you what I experienced, but could not make it happen. The thoughts repeatedly took me to a distinct realm, encountering the divine glow again and again.
(CONTINUED.../)
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Originally Posted by Indraneela
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