Monday 18 September 2017

LIGHTING THE SACRED FIRE 3

Yagna: In the Light of Science 

We gather much scientific findings on the Yagna from Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya’s book, ‘THE INTEGRATED SCIENCE OF YAGNA’ and http://yagya.awgp.org/purificationofenvironmentbyyagya/.

The Pandit summarizes the Yagna in the following words, "Heal the atmosphere and the healed atmosphere will heal you is the Modus Operandi of a Yagna. In physical terms, Yagna is a process aimed at the refinement of the subtle energy existing in matter with the help of thermal energy of the Mantras."

The Pandit has mentioned findings by some renowned scientists related to the Yagna and provides an extensive list of benefits derived from conducting the Yagna amongst them are:

i. Sublime showers of streams of vital energy from the cosmic layers known as Parjanya, generated by the Yagna, augments the level of Prana in the air.
ii. The Yagna reduces atomic radiation.
iii. Significant changes is observed in the brainwaves and the Anahata Chakra (cardiac plexus) exhibits conditions similar to that which exists after psychic and spiritual healings.

Cle Latouf in his book ‘AGNIHOTRA - AN ANCIENT SOLUTION FOR AGRICULTURE OF THE 21ST CENTURY’ too lists similar benefits of performing the Yagna or Agnihotra and mentions that the ash is used in cleansing drinking water, in irrigation systems, and as a fertilizer.

Cle Latouf and Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya mention that the smoke from the Yagna is medicinal in value and antibiotic in nature thus eradicating bacteria and micro-organisms providing for a cleaner, purer, healthier environment. Since the offerings placed in the Yagna pit have medicinal properties, they attest that the Yagna is the most effective method of administering these medicines so as to reach every single cell in the body.

Here is a list of various elements offered into a Yagna pit.

i. Wood. Sandalwood (Santalum Album), Mango (Mangifera Indica), Bilva (Aegle Marmelos), Pipal (Ficus Religiosa)
ii. Odoriferous Substances. Saffron, musk and camphor.
iii. Foodstuffs. Clarified butter (ghee), milk, fruits and cereals.
iv. Food of a sweet nature. Sugar, raisins, honey.
v. Medicinal Herbs (Names in Tamil). Kunkuma Poo, Aavaaram Poo, Aavaaram Elai, Saaranathi Ver, Vishnu Kranthi, Kasturi Manjal, Valampuri, Yelanthai Palam, Karungkaali, Athimathuram, Nellikaai, Mugil, Ven Kadagu, Thiraviya Pathai, Kadukai, Vilamicha Ver, Korai Kilangu, Vasambu, Kaar pooga Arisi, and Theyvathaaram.

One needs a Yagna Kund/ Kundam to hold the fire and the offerings. A small inverted pyramid shaped copper vessel which is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat is sufficient for performing daily Homam conducted on a personal basis or in a small group. 

Cle Latouf states, "The word ‘pyramid’ means ‘fire in the middle’. Because of its inverted pyramid shape, the copper vessel and the Homam performed there in, links are established to the cosmic energy fields. This vessel receives, generates and decentralizes electro sphere besides being an effective anti-microbial reactor. The inverted pyramid shape allows controlled generation and multi-directional dissipation of energy. It acts as a generator of unusual energy fields and spreads them in its surrounding atmosphere.

From http://www.homa-hof-heiligenberg.de, we gather the following findings.
Among other things Agnihotra has a cleansing effect on air, soil and water and helps to restore the ecological balance. In addition, a harmonization of the human body, soul and mind is possible. 
The performance of Agnihotra and application of the resulting highly energetic ashes is called Homa therapy. It follows the central idea: Heal the atmosphere and the healed atmosphere will heal you. 
The Agnihotra ash is very rich in minerals and high in energy and can be used in many ways. 
And,
Agnihotra is the smallest and basic Homa healing fire which is performed in a copper pyramid of fixed size and shape, tuned to the biorhythm of sunrise/ sunset. It comes from the ancient most Vedic Sciences of Bio-energy, Medicine, Agriculture and Climate Engineering. This knowledge has been revived by Shree Gajanan Maharaj from Akkalkot, Maharashtra last century and taught worldwide by his disciple Shree Vasant Paranjpe.
In this ancient tradition sunrise is described as follows: 
“At sunrise the many fires, electricities, ethers and more subtle energies emanating from the sun extend all the way to the Earth and produce a flood effect at those coordinates where the sun is said to rise. It is awesome. The flood enlivens and purifies everything in its path, destroying what is impure in its wake. This torrent of life-sustaining energies causes all life to rejoice. At sunrise that music can be heard. The morning Agnihotra Mantra is the essence of that music. It is the quintessential sound of that flood. At sunset the flood recedes” (Paranjpe 1989).