The Spiritual Importance of Yagya by Pandit B.P. Sharma

In ancient Hindu scripture there are numerous descriptions of the benefits of the many types of Yagyas that can be performed to help solve problems or conflicts and remove blockages in one's life. Yagyas are described and found in the ancient Vedic writings called Brahmanas and are also prominently in the Yajurveda as well.

The Spiritual Importance of Yagya
by Pandit B.P. Sharma

The Yagya, or Yajna,⁽¹⁾ is a spiritual action; a blissful and divine ceremony performed by a group of Vedic Pandits who sit together and chant the Vedic⁽²⁾ rhymes and verses called “Mantras”. A mantra is a sacred spiritual sound; a syllable, word or group of words spoken in Sanskrit The Vedic Pandits (scholars of the Vedas) who perform this auspicious action do so with very pure minds and bodies. Because of their intense focus and purity of thought, their performance of the Yagya can very gently help solve problems, conflicts and remove blockages in one's life. The Yagyas special prayers and chants can assist in solving these and many other types of problems in one's life by clearing blocked energy and restoring a balance again to life.

The Benefits of Yagyas

Some examples when a Yagya will have a positive benefit:

• Couples facing trouble in marriage or life.
  
• One who is highly educated and cannot find employment.
  
• Help with ill health or disease.
  
• One who does work but cannot seem to save for the future.
  
• Opening opportunities, removing stagnation or blockages.
  

The Information Needed for Preparation

There is basic but important information needed for preparation when a Yagya is to be performed. First, and most important, is for the Pandit to review the person's horoscope and access the time period, what transits are now occurring and what is the overall understanding of an individual's Vedic horoscope chart.

For a properly performed Yagya the Pandit needs the following from the client:

• Date of Birth
  
• Time of Birth
  
• Place of Birth
  

With this information the Pandits then chart the Horoscope according to the Vedic Astrology (Jyotish - which means the Light of the Soul or Knowledge) to determine the status of the Signs and positions of Stars and Planets in his or her (Kundali) Horoscope. The position of different Stars and Planets and the status of the Signs show the sources of the lessons, difficulties or problems. After the Horoscope overview is reached and then reviewed the Pundits gain deeper perception into the actual reasons of someone's circumstances so that a specific conclusion is reached as to what type of Yagya is needed.⁽³⁾

For example, suppose an individual is facing financial problems, this situation indicates the person needs the Maha Lakshmi Yagya to be done. The reason for this specific Yagya is because Maha Lakshmi (an Aspect of Mother Divine) is the goddess of wealth, abundance and material success so a Yagya is done to please Her and She grants Her Blessing. This gives some insight into how Pundits determine which type of Yagya or Yagyas are needed to address different concerns or problems.

Performing Yagyas

To perform the actual Yagya a group of Vedic Pandit's first sit together and Chant Vedic Mantras. Then the Pundits divine insight by holding the Holy Water of the River Ganges along with the name and the status of the signs of the Vedic Horoscope of the person who needs the specific Yagya to be done for them. After which, the Pandits are ready to start their practice of Vedic Mantras and Chants for the individual.

An ancient Spiritual Science, the Yagya is a Spiritual and very blissful and highly auspicious way to please the different aspects of Nature and a Yagya helps to grow and improve the will- power and self-confidence of the individual; plus, a person gains the support of Nature. In Hindu scripture there are numerous descriptions of the benefits of the many Yagyas that can be performed.

In the Gita,⁽⁴⁾ Chapter 4- Verse 32, Lord Krishna advises Arjuna on the Spiritual importance of Yagyas:

“... evaµ bahu-vidha yajna vitata brahmano mukhe karma-jan-viddhi tan sarvan evarn jnatva vimoksyase.”

“... many varieties of sacrifices have been explained in the Vedas. You should understand that all of them are born of action. Knowing this, you shall be liberated”.

The importance of Yagyas is realized by studying the Gita and the Vedas and there are many examples in Hindu Scripture for those who wish more information. All the different types of Yagyas (Divine Sacrifice) are approved by the Vedas, and each Yagya is specific to a different need and situation. Meditation helps us to gain insight from our experiences, which will then help one attain Salvation or Liberation.

Pandits: Chandan, Hari, Rajiv, Phanindra, Navin and the author, Head Pandit B.P. Sharma who is on the right in the yellow robe.

Jai Guru Dev

Head Priest
Pt. B.P. Sharma

For additional information on Yagyas, or if you are interested in having a Yagya done by Vedic Pandits, please contact the Head Priest, Vedic Pandit Sharma.

Footnotes:
⁽¹⁾ The word Yagya, or Yajna, (Sanskrit: yajña) has its root in the Sanskrit yaj meaning “to worship, adore, honor, revere”. Yajna has a three-fold meaning: worship of deities (devapujana), unity (saògatikaraña) and charity (dána).

⁽²⁾ The Vedas (Sanskrit: “knowledge”) are called śruti (“what is heard”). Originally preserved by oral tradition, and eventually written in early Sanskrit, they consist of hymns, philosophy, and guidance on ritual for the priests of Vedic religion. The Vedas consist of four parts: Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda. In the Hindu Epic the Mahabharata, the creation of Vedas is credited to Brahma.

⁽³⁾ There are said to be four hundred Yagyas that are described in the Vedas.

⁽⁴⁾ The Bhagavad Gita, (Sanskrit) “Song of the Lord”, is often referred to as simply the Gita and is a 700-verse Hindu scripture in Sanskrit that is contained within the larger Hindu epic the “Mahabharata”. In the Gita, Arjuna is counselled by Krishna on the battlefield to fulfill his Dharma, or duty, as a Kshatriya (warrior).


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Tags: mind body and spirit