Yagya

Scientific & Ayurvedic perspective of Yagya / Havan & it’s benefits | Advait Danke | BodhMarga Foundation | Wellness Vibe Advait Danke

Advait Danke

Oct 23, 2019·11 min read

In the physical world we have two basic energy systems first one is heat and second one is sound. In yagna “sound” or “nada” of the Mantras and “Heat” from Yagna, these are combined together to find the desired physical, psychological and spiritual powers.

Yagna literally means “devotion, worship, offering” * It is a process of invoking a sacred fire with intentions of cleansing one’s self (material and spiritual), and the environment. The fire is a symbol of God, and practitioners offer items such as grains, ghee and herbs to the sacred fire as symbolic offerings to God. Common belief assumes several positive effects inherent to this ritual, ranging from revitalizing/purifying the environment to curing diseases. ‘Heal the atmosphere and the healed atmosphere will heal you’

Homa or Hawan or Yagya, as people call it in India is a vedic tradition which is coming down from the last billions and trillions of yugas. The famous yagyas which are mentioned in the Vedic literature are Ashwamedha Yagya of Maharaj Dashratha, Rajsuya Yagya of Maharaj Yudhishthir etc.
Doing Yagya was yuga dharma (Supreme prerogative and duty) of Treta yuga and people used to see the lord being satisfied by that when he used to appear in the yagya kund.
“अयं यज्ञोः विश्वस्य भुवनस्य नाभिः”

In Yajurveda, Hawan is said to be the Naabhi (nucleus) of the the entire world. Just like Naabhi is the most important place in the Human body, so is the role of Yagya in this world.

“Pra Yajnamanmaa Vrijanam Tiraate” (Rigveda 7–61–4) Means performing sacred Yajna solves all problems of life.
“One’s intellect is purified with the Yajna” (Rigveda 3–32–12)
There are many such origins and references in the great Four Vedas about the yagya.
Yagya comprises of igniting a holy fire using pure wood and pure cow ghee and cow dung cakes and with the chanting of mantras, the hawish is poured into the fire with the word “Swaha!”. The hawish comprises of Indian Cow Ghee and mixture of Herbs called Hawan Samagri along with some other pure materials.
The fumigation of specific object in the Yagna — fire is a scientific method of subtilisation of matter into energy and elaborate its potential and positive effects in the surrounding air. The electromagnetic waves generated thereby help in transmitting at cosmic level, the desired sonic signals ‘stored’ in the Mantras, which are chanted during the process of sacrificing the special materials in the fire.
In order to get an idea of the various chemical changes which take place, it is essential to know the various substances offered in Yagya.
Wood: Wood has to be dry and free from dust, insects and worms. The wood is cut into small sticks of varying lengths called Samidhas according to the size of the altar or Agnikunda.

The principal types of wood used are the following:-

I. Sandal-wood (Santalum Album) II. Agar and Tagar wood (Aquilana Malaccensis and Valeriana Wallchii) III. Deodar (Cedrys Libani) IV. Mango (Mangifera Indica) V. Dhak or Palash (Butea Frondosa) VI. Bilva (Aegle Marmelos) VII. Pipal (Ficus Religiosa) VIII. Bargad (Ficus Bengalensis) IX. Shami (Proposis Spicigera) X. Gular (Ficus Glomerata)

In addition to wood, various Havishya or Havan samagri are offered in Yagya can be divided into the following four groups:

(B) Odoriferous Substances:-

These are — saffron, musk, agar, tagar, chandan, illaychi, jayphal, javitri and camphor.

These are clarified butter (ghee), milk, fruits and cereals like wheat, rice, barley, til, kangu, munga, chana, arhar, masur or peas.

These usually are — sugar, dried grapes, honey or chhuhara.

These are used as per specific requirement. Some common herbs are Somalata or Giloya, Brahmi, Shankhpushpi, Nagkesar, Mulhati,Red Chandan, Baheda, Sonth and Harad.

Now-a-days Havan -samagri is readily available in the market consisting of the following substances in a crude powder form: Saw dust of sandal-wood and pine wood, the agar and tagar wood chips, kapurkachari, gugal, nagarmotha, balchhaar or jatamansi,narkachura, sugandhbala, illayachi, jayphal, cloves and dalchini.
For the home environment instead of wood, we can also use Dry Gobar Upla/Cow Dung Cake. Using the cow dung elevates the prosperity and abundance of the person and the environment.
Seeing the Hawan with scientific paradigm, the ancient sages used to say that by doing yagya, Sattva gun increases which is symbolized by cleanliness, peace and purity.
The cow ghee and cow dung cake react to release tonnes of oxygen ad other gases which make the atmosphere pure.
The small quantities of sulpher and nitrogen oxides get rid of harmful bacteria and their inhalation causes lacrimation, which relieves the eyes of all impurities and cough which arises clears the nasal and respiratory passage.
All the harmful microbes and pathogens are cleared due to the smoke emitted by burning of herbs which acts as a natural detoxifier.
The natural herbal smoke purifies the mind as well as the body.
The ash which is remaining from the Hawan kund is asked to put into plants which acts as a very good fertilizer.
Air surrounding becomes pure. Removal of foul odor, bacteria, insects.
The aromatic substances during Yagya get diffused in the air and offer protection to plant life against harmful organisms. This ensures healthy plant growth.Agnihotra’s atmosphere and ash can be used as adjutants in the ‘Natural farming’ methods — also known as the Agnihotra farming methods. It is a holistic concept of growing plants in healthy atmosphere and maintaining ecological balance by performing Agnihotra (Yagya) in the middle of the farm and using the Yagya — ash as a fertilizer.
Fire acts like pesticide for the home.
Water of the home is changed after Yagna (so mandate cleanliness happens ensuring good health)
Earth due to heat attracts minerals from within and so that place surrounding becomes fertile.
Yagya is also glorified as “Yajóoaya Sarvakamdhuk” meaning, “Yagya is the source of fulfilling all desires”. This appears to be true in view of the positive effects, at physical, mental and spiritual levels, of performing Yagya and ideal elevation of life by adopting the universal philosophy of Yagya in action.
“Agni Mode Purohitam” The first revelation of Rig Veda of is said to have given knowledge of kindling fire to the first man on the earth. The knowledge of other powers of Nature is said to have descended afterwards. Fire and thermal energy are also the key sources of materialistic development. “Fire worship” is prevalent in one form or the other in almost every religion or cult. In Hindu religion and Indian culture, the sacrificial fire of Yagya is of auspicious importance.
The vibrations of the home/vastu are corrected
Relief from Drug Addictions
During yagya, the performer goes into the alpha brainwave state and higher levels of consciousness that opens up other areas of perception. The performer gets deeper relaxation, balanced state of body and mind, creativity is enhanced, immunity is enhanced, increased awareness.
In the Body -

Ether — elevates the vibrations of the body and removes the negative and stuck vibrations

Air — takes care of breathe, balances respiratory system

Fire — balances the fire (agni) element in the body, balances the different types of fires (agni) in the body, balances pitta dosha

Water — Clean water flows through the throat ensuring good clean taste.

Earth — heat ensures a little tear from the eye, cleaning eye as well. Balances the Kapha dosha of the body as well

CO2 produced in Yagya is not always free CO2 but it remains mixed with other aromatic oils and antiseptic products. It therefore, acts as a vehicle in transporting such products to distant surroundings.The use of CO2 as a cerebral stimulant to assist the patients suffering from lack of ventilation is common in medical world. Its use to control and cure many mental disorders is also known to medical science. Small amounts of CO2 inhaled by the persons performing Yagya acts as a stimulant and more and more aromatic fumes are inhaled which help in curing mental disorders.Particularly effective results with respect to the elimination or reduction in radiation were achieved through Yagya’s fire and ash.
Yagya renews brain cells, revitalizes the skin, purifies the blood.
Relief to stress, anxiety, depression, emotional & mental problems.
All 5 sensory organs get pure like a reset button.
Diseases & Disorders which can be brought to balance and cured linked with Yagya are — Tuberculosis Worm infections Fever Vata and Kapha are balanced and medicinal — smoke intake can provide benefit, are as follows: headache, disease related to sensory organs, migraine, hiccups, asthma, goiter, fungal infection, jaundice, cold, sneezing, insomnia, hair fall etc
Hawan has been designed by the ancient scholars to fight with a plethora of diseases related to brain

How to perform Yagya?

We must perform Yagya on a regular basis, if we want people and animals / birds in our home or environment to benefit. In the current modern lifestyle, however, it is very difficult for working people to find the time and dedicate an entire day to the due diligence of a Yagya. For such people there is a provision of a shorter version of Yagya or Hawan, which can be done without much ado in less than an hour’s time in an iron or copper container easily available in the market. This is the best procedure considering the current lifestyle and circumstances.
You can choose a capable Pundit if the Hawan is for a specific purpose but if you want to perform the Hawan for your family members or inhabitants at home then the procedure is extremely simple:
Time: Should be done within 1 hour after Sunrise or Sunset
Place: The place should ideally be the Center of the house.

Clean and mop the place well. Then sit either facing the East or North direction (East for worldly goals and North for spiritual). Keep the Hawan kund in front of you and use only dry Peepal, Mango or Dhak (Flame of the forest) wood. Other wood produce gases that have a negative effect on the mind and body.

Heat a cow-dung cake on the gas till just before it starts releasing smoke. Keep this in the Hawan kund and put the wood on top. Then keep 1–2 pieces of camphor and light with a match. Now perform the

Hawan with Cow’s ghee and Hawan samagri (material).

You can choose the mantras as per your wish. After chanting the Mantra, recite ‘Swaha’ and add some Ghee and Hawan Samagri.

Gayatri Mantra for successful completion of all tasks -

“Aum Bhur Bhuvah Swah, Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat”

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra for spiritual growth and purification -

“Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat”

Buy a good brand of Hawan Samagri from the market. Add the following (only what is readily available)

to 1 kg of Samagri.

· Black Sesame Seeds — 50 grams

· Yellow Mustard Seeds — 50 grams

· Whole Urad (Black Gram) — 50 grams

· Pure Cow’s Ghee — 100 grams

· Sesame seeds- 100 grams

· Boora Sugar — 100 grams

· Bhojpatra cut in small pieces (Himalayan Birch) — 50 grams

Add about 10 Rupees worth of Agar-Tagar, Nagarmotha, Balchad, Charchabil,

Kapoor Karchar, Indrajau, Satawar (Asparagus), White Sandal in the Hawan Samagri

respectively.Take from a garden or open space, some dry Aak, Chirchita (Apamarg),

Gular (Sycamore), Doob grass, kusha etc and add in the Hawan Samagri as well.

While performing the Hawan develop a state of gratitudeness, grace and total surrender. Feel the sensations of the divine fire penetrating inside your body and mind and removing the stuck and negative vibrations. Be silent and get aware of what is happening inside and outside of your body
Once the Hawan is performed, pacify the flames by sprinkling some Jal (water).
Subtle Benefits for spiritual growth -

1 Creation of a ring of spiritual emotion (bhāv)

2 Attraction of the Supreme God Principle

2A Creation of a ring of the Supreme God Principle

3 Attraction of a flow of Divine consciousness (Chaitanya)

3A Creation of a ring of Divine consciousness

3B Emission of Divine consciousness in the form of Air

3C Emission of Divine consciousness to the person and creation of its ring

4 Attraction of the Sun Principle after oblations (Ahuti)

4A Creation of a ring of Sun-predominant Principle

5 Attraction of a flow of Fire-predominant Principle

5A Creation of a ring of Fire-predominant Principle

5B Emission of rings of Fire-predominant Principle

6 Emission of a flow of energy from the mantra (Mantra-shakti)

7 Spreading of Divine Energy (Shakti) particles

8 Emission of the Absolute Fire Principle (Tēj-tattva)

8A Creation of a ring of the Absolute Fire Principle

9 Spreading of Divine Energy particles in the form of Divine consciousness

10 Purification of the Kunḍalinī-chakras

11 Spreading of vital energy (Prāṇa-shakti) particles

11A Obtaining vital energy

12 Spreading of Divine Energy particles

13 Creation of a protective sheath around the body

Youth Satsang Manual.pdf