The Sanskrit word
Yagna is originated from the verb – YAJ = which means to do oblation to fire.
Yagna are combination of rituals which are recommended in our great Vedas.
While undertaking one particular yagna the practitioner has to recite a
particular mantra and do offerings to the fire. The mantra could be from Vedas
or from Puranas. The yagna could be undertaken for the purpose of planetary
affliction in the horoscope, some Vastu problem, child birth, marriage, progeny
etc. Vedic Yagna is the highly developed science of contacting the celestial
field of life. Our saints’ cognized specific procedures for gaining blessings
from different manifestations of the divine who create and administer the
universe. The ancient tradition of Vedic Yagna prescribes a variety of
performances to express devotion to the Divine in its varied manifestations, to
celebrate and facilitate important achievements in life, and to purify
ourselves and our environment of any malefic energy that may hinder our
evolution.
Pooja is a ritual
where mantra is also recited and fire sacrifice is also done, but all are
voluntarily. To undertake pooja there is no need of following the classical
method as prescribed in our Brahmin grantha or tantra books. There is no need
to chant the mantras in their prescribed quantity. It could be said that pooja
is undertaken as a general worship to the god just to get the spiritual
development. While undertaking pooja of a specific deity one do not have fixed
goal which he has targeted to achieve. Pooja may be performed at almost any
time, although certain times may be considered much more auspicious. They
generally last between one hour and depending upon the person.
Maha Ganapati
A Pooja to Ganesh
is often performed at the outset of any important endeavour, including the
start of new businesses, or to remove obstacles to success and evolution, to
gain support of Nature for finding a life partner, for improving harmony in
married life or for having children. A longer Homa can also be performed.
(Ganesh is also invoked at the beginning of any Yagna, as Ganesh is considered
to be the Lord of the Celestial Hosts, and his blessings are necessary for the
success of the Yagna.)
Maha Laksmi
This is one of the
most popular Yagyas for householders, for it honours MahaLaksmi, the
manifestation of Mother Divine responsible for creating and maintaining
affluence in all spheres of life, inner and outer.
Fullness and bliss
are two qualities intimately associated with MahaLakshmi, and participants in
Poojas or Homas to MahaLaksmi often report a distinct increase in sweetness of
consciousness as well as enhanced support of Nature. This Yagna is frequently
performed for increasing both material abundance and richness of spiritual life.
It is often performed when starting a new business, when making important
financial investments, or for improving harmony with business partners.
Durga Pooja
To gain the grace
of Mother Divine and receive her blessings to remove ignorance, provide protection
from adversity and eliminate suffering on an individual and cosmic level. Durga
Poojas can be of various lengths, from two hours to six hours or more, and may
be performed on a single day, or on consecutive days. The recitation of
selections from the Durga Saptashati, a collection of beautiful hymns to Mother
Divine, is an especially enjoyable part of this Pooja.
Chandi Homa
This is a more
elaborate Yayga that is understood to have powerful effects on the cosmic,
global and individual levels. It is traditionally performed to alleviate the
adverse affects of the planets, liberate man from all troubles, restore
friendships, gain blessings of wealth and beautiful children, and to overcome
enemies and evil planetary influences. Performance of the Chandi Homa includes
Pooja two to three hours long and a Homa (fire ceremony) that lasts
approximately four hours. It includes the recitation of all 700 verses of Durga
Saptashati, a collection of beautiful hymns to Mother Divine.
Rudrabhishek
This special Pooja
to Siva includes a ritual bath (Abhishek) of the Siva Lingam, followed by the
recitation of the 200 verses of Rudra from Yajur Veda. The purpose is to gain
support for spiritual endeavours and to alleviate suffering, both individually
and for the entire creation. Yagyas to Siva also help to remove ignorance,
prevent disease and promote rapid recovery from serious disease.
Mahamrityunjaya
Homa
This special fire
ceremony to Siva is for ensuring a long and healthy life and helps bring an end
to prolonged or severe sickness, as well as for many other purposes. It is also
traditionally recommended to relieve the malefic influence of Mangal (Mars) or
Shani (Saturn) when certain astrological combinations are present in the birth
chart.
Saraswati Pooja
Saraswati is the
embodiment of Mother Divine that is responsible for the enlivenment and spread
of Pure Knowledge, as well as progress in areas of study and of the arts. By
honouring Saraswati, the qualities of wisdom, intelligence and good memory are enhanced
in the individual and the environment. Yagyas for Saraswati help gain blessings
and support of Mother Divine in the areas of spiritual study, other educational
activities, or in the arts, including writing, public speaking, visual arts and
music. These Yagyas are often performed prior to starting studies.
Vishnu Pooja
Vishnu is the
Maintainer of the universe and is responsible for ensuring evolution and
harmony in life. From time to time, Vishnu incarnates in an avatar such as Rama
or Krishna to restore balance to the universe after a build-up of negativity
has occurred. Yagyas for Vishnu help gain general support of nature and smooth
family life.
Mitravrinda Yagna
This Yagna is
performed to relieve tensions and improve relations between husband and wife
and to ensure the growth of harmony, love and happiness in married life.
Baglamukhi Yagna
This Yagna is
traditionally considered to have special power in helping to gain success in
court cases, or to defeat business enemies or competitors, and to provide a
strong support of nature for fulfilment of desire.
Dr. Shanker Adawal
Profile: www.connectingmind.comResearch work and
articles on Bhrigu Nadi astrology: www.shankerstudy.com
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