VYC is introducing Daily Rudrabhishekam, Chandi Parayanam and Chandi homa on every full moon day. (This is a very authentic way worshiping Prakruti – divine
mobnther and Purusha – Lord shiva to invoke the support of nature in our lives.)
- a new and Innovative form of Daily Yagya at a very affordable price for all  from June 21st 2011 (Wednesday). That is from the 1st day of Dakshinayanam. More
details will be sent out by next week. For further details please contact us at cs@vydic.org

This chant is repeated this month again due to request from our readers. Sri Annapurna Ashtakam is a chant aimed at the Vedic goddess Annapurneswari. She was the queen mother of Varanasi.

Chanting or singing this precious Sri Annapurna Astakam is said to help you achieve all your desires and ambitions.

Click to listen to the chant of the month by the Bombay Sisters

Click to read the lyrics of this chant

MANTRAS & YAGYAS – AN OVERVIEW

Hari OM!

‘Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwarah

Guru Sakshaat Para Brahma, Tasmai Sri Gurave namah:’.

If Life is like multi-coloured painting, surely it should have been painted with bright and vibrant colours as wells as dark and piquant shades or colours. As a general rule of thumb, we, the human beings, tend to enjoy the positive and vibrant phases of life with enthusiasm and excitement and live in ecstasy while enjoying our good fruits of life. But, when we confront a situation having negative shades or cornered by difficulties in various forms, we tend to lose our balance, become very sad and very easily slip into a state of depression. It’s just like we are all floating on an ocean and sometimes we rise high due to high tide and rough sea  and some time we enjoy the sail as the sea is calm and low due to low tide.

Every living being on the earth, be it human or animal, big or small, rich or poor, will have problems and there is no exception to this law of the Nature. But knowingly or unknowingly, we all tend to forget, especially when we through rough patches, that every moment of life trickles away with time and good or bad, just remain as a memory from the past.

The attitude to take every aspect of life with equanimity, prescribed in Bhagwad Geeta  as  ‘Stitha Pragyatwa’ . One who possesses this attitude will be able to find the ways and means to develop level-headed thinking and thereby take the joys and sorrows in the life in the same stride. Yagyas and Mantras come to the aid of mankind, for identifying a person-specific means to attain this state of Stihta Pragyatwa. They guide us to develop the stoical attitude of facing the storm and cool breeze with equal ease.

When a person suffers from sickness, a medicine helps him or her to get relief from the suffering, sometimes completely and sometimes partially, similarly Yagyas and Mantras also suggest remedies to our Karmas i.e. actions/in-actions, which are the main cause of our sufferings and difficulties But sometimes Yagyas & Mantras may show their affect slowly and reduce the intensity of the negative aspects to a tolerable level, instead of totally eradicating them. Here, one should not forget that, difficulties are the result of the bad karmas from the past or sometimes even being brought forward from the past life.

Different types of remedial measures have been prescribed in the Vedas in the form of many Yagyas & Mantras, depending upon the nature and intensity of the problem,.  Be it the issue of achieving prosperity, recouping from financial downfall, health, educational or any other difficulty,  many Yagyas like Maha Mrityunjaya Yagya, Planetary Yagyas, Chandi Yagya, Sri Sudarsana Yagya,  just a few to name, have been suggested by the Vedas, which are tailor-made with reference to  the requirement of the person. There are many different forms even within the same type of Yagya. For example: many are not even aware that there are 11 type of Maha Mrityunjaya Yagya (Like Mrityunjaya, Maha Mrityunjaya, Mritasanjeevani Mrityunjaya, Pratyangira Mrityunjaya etc.) which is commonly done for longevity and good health. There may be a case where two persons are suffering from similar disease, even though both have been administered the same medicine, it works differently on these two people, depending on the nature and constitution of the body of the person. There may be another case where each person might have some common symptoms for different diseases.

Hence issue-specific remedial measures are administered through each of type of these Mrityunjaya Yagyas to annihilate the problem by attacking on the root cause, which varies from person to person.  Our organization will come to the fore just with an idea to create this awareness as to how to go about solving problems in our day to day life.

In the recent past many organizations have come up, claiming to perform Yagyas & Mantras for the benefit of the people. But, everyone is not authentic. Many of them have emerged just to mint money misleading gullible people. It is very sad that the human greed has not spared even this most revered and sacred profession and many people are turning this Spiritual and Sacred Healing method in to money making industry.

I started studying this subject and Samaveda at the age of six. I left home to completely learn this subject and spent 12 years in learning it  under typical Gurukula system. After that, as my quest for learning did not end there, I moved to the sacred city of Banaras and learned ‘Karma Kanda’. Karma Kanda deals with the Yagyas, proper way of doing the Yagyas. Then I worked in Maha Rishi Mahesh Yogi’s organization to gain good practical experience.

From 1995 onwards, I came out of India. For some time I worked as a priest in a temple, performing just the routine Poojas, Archanas and such other related chores in the temple. But one day, I felt that this is not what I am destined to do. Because if we don’t use the knowledge gained for the benefit of the mankind, then we will be indebted to the knowledge and it will leave us.

Now, let us briefly discuss about the Vedas. The word Veda comes from the word ‘Ved’ – ‘Ved ititi Vedaha’ – means the main origin of Knowledge. Veda Purusha means Lord Vishnu (Sriman Narayana). All the Vedas have evolved from Him and merge in to Him again. As we know, primarily there are   4 Vedas. They are further divided in to 1136 branches. But as on date, there are only 13 branches, left that are commonly in use. That means, we have lost many a valuable treasures of knowledge and this is the sorry-state of our holy scriptures.  Therefore, it is very essential and critical for us to save and safe-guard whatever we are left with. Vedas are the sacred texts, which teach us the very essence of life. Astrology, which also comes from Vedas, is like the eyes of the Vedas, Vyakaranam (Grammar) is like the face the Vedas.

Whatever Vedic knowledge or science we have is our source of Yagyas. Coming to the point as to how Yagyas are useful for us in our spiritual as well as day-today life. Yagyas have evolved from Vedic Science. Let us not, however, be under the impression that Yagyas are magical, it’s not so. We may consider them Mystical, devices of Divine science, but not magic. Therefore, one should not expect any overnight results by performing Yagyas. They do take time to show results. Anything that is done in a natural way takes time. Yagyas, performed in the right earnest, spread divine energy and strength, but everything must happen at the prescribed time and precise moment. Mankind has been reaping the benefits since times immemorial and that is the very reason why this branch of Veda is still available so prevalently and is so popular.

Strength and power of Yagyas lie mainly in three things. They are -

(1) The way in which Vedic Pundit performs the Yagya, the performer scrupulously adhering to the prescribed Vedic rituals. (2) The correct pronunciation of the Vedic hymns, this is extremely important as the Holy scripts and texts are filled with what are known as ‘Bhijaksharas’. These ‘Bhijaksharas’ are special syllables, which carry sounds imbibed with Divine energy and power, which when uttered or heard will invoke specific power that yields certain potential results. Therefore if they are not uttered in the right way, the Yagyas might not yield any beneficial results or some time may, even cause harmful results too as the syllables uttered are not ordinary but carry certain power.

(3) The environment in which the Yagyas are being performed. The place and the ambience are very vital too. The Yagyas cannot be performed everywhere and anywhere. The place has to be holy and sanctified properly before commencing the procedure.

Mantras:-  All the Mantras have the origin from Vedas and are powerful poetic hymns. A mantra is a repeated sacred utterance of syllable, word, or group of words that are considered capable of “creating transformation”. The main difference between a Mantra and a Yagya is the inclusion of the fire.

Mantras are composed of 3 main parts. They are -

(1) “Swara” (the meter), – The 3 main Vedic swaras are of 3 types -Udatta (Means the letter comes down), Anudatta and the  Swaritha. To quote the example of the importance of Swara, please note that when an infant cries, the mother without any doubt understands the needs of her child just based on the ‘Swara’, if her child is hungry, sleepy or ill. That’s how important is the Swara to a Mantra., as it conveys the entire meaning of your requirement through the tone and tenor.

(2) “Varna” (The letter),

(3) “Ucharana” (Pronunciation) -

Ucharana or Pronunciation is very important. All mantras are composed in the most ancient Language of the world, known as Sanskrit. In Sanskrit, if the Syllable ‘Sha’ (Sounds like syllable in the word Sharp) and ‘Sa’ (Sounds like sa in the word sat) almost sounds the same, but are so different. It is therefore essential to have at least basic Sanskrit knowledge or guidance from your Guru for saying Mantra in a proper way.

Mantras are very powerful. They, being repeated time and again, will keep on reinforcing the power. They are like missiles. It is therefore very important to use them meticulously. If the mantras are uttered or said in wrong way, they may yield unwanted results as well. That’s why we advise you not to chant any mantras unless taught by a Guru or you’ve received some training in the correct way they need to be said.

When the Yagyas are being performed there are certain rules that need to be followed. Along with the Yagyas and Mantras, it is important that the person has Purity of mind, deed and action. Then only these Yagyas and Mantras will give desired effect  and results thereof will be positive and favourable.

When the Yagyas are being performed the channels are opened. That’s when you need to follow the rules, whatever simple rules you are asked to follow. Please complete the process of Yagya by accepting the Prasadam. This is an important part of conclusion which completes your Yagya and gives the desired results.

The best way of getting optimum benefit of the Yagyas is by being there in person. Personal involvement in the Yagya gives the most desired result. When you are witnessing the Yagya, that’s the best thing you do. The same rule applies even for Pooja, Japa, Mantra, Homa etc.

The second best way is when you cannot invite Pundit to your place, you are advised to go to the Pundit to perform. The third category is to order the Yagyas from the distance. When you opt for this procedure it is very important that we locate your physical position on the globe. It is essential for the ‘Sankalpa’ part of the Yagya. If this is not done, the results might not be very effective. It is also essential that you listen to the Mantras while your Yagyas are in progress.

There are many forms of Vedic procedures, like Pooja, Homa, Japa, Chayana, Poundarika, Yagya. Commonly the people in the West know all these different processes by Yagya only. But there is difference between them all.

Pooja - Is a form of ceremonial worship done by 16 forms of ‘Upacharas’ to the deities. It may range from brief daily rites in the home to an elaborate one in temple ritual. This is done by 1 pundit.

Homa - Homa (also known as Homam or havan) is a Sanskrit word which refers to any ritual in which making offerings into a consecrated fire is the primary action. This is done by 4 pundits.

Japa – Is a spiritual discipline involving the meditative repetition of a mantra or the name of God. This may be done softly, enough for the practitioner to hear it, or it can be uttered by the performer within himself. Japa may be performed while sitting in a meditation posture, while performing other activities, or as part of formal worship in group. The practice of repetitive prayer is present in varied forms.

Tarpanam - Is the recitation of the related mantra invoking relevant Deity and leaving some rice grains with some sacred water in front of the picture or statue of the related Deity in a plate. This water is left in a river or near a plant or tree, which then merges in to the environment and blends with the level of consciousness.

Chayana - Is another form of Yagya done by 32 Vedic Pundits. Sacrificing an animal is one of the processes involved in this. But this is not Tantric but purely a Vedic process.

Yagya - Is a Vedic ritual of fire being done from Vedic times. Various forms of offerings are made to the sacrificial fire with many sacred chanting are being recited simultaneously. There are many kinds of Yagyas. Like -

(a) Veda Yagya (Effective for attaining Moksha and negative energies),

(b) Chandi Yagya (Effective for removal of the ‘Shadripu’ and many other reasons like Family harmony, Health issues, Legal matters, Financial matters). This is a very powerful Yagya, specially when done with the ‘Samputikarana’. For example – Chandi Yagya when done with ‘Sri Lakshmi Samputikarana Mantra’ for 9 days will yield very effective financial benefits.

(c) Maha Mrityujaya Yagya. As said already this is of many types. This has many benefits and fits to resolving most of the day to day problems to most complicated problems too.

(d) Sri Mahalakshmi Yagya. This is a very powerful Yagya done primarily for prosperity and financial strength and growth. This is also one of the most expensive ones mainly due to the cost of ingredients. Goddess Lakshmi is believed to like Lotus flowers, resides in Lotus, holds Lotus flowers. Therefore the proper Yagya needs to be done with 1008 Red lotus dipped in honey and then offered in to the Sacred fire. This is a form of Lakshmi Tantra. This is done on very special days like, Akshaya Tritiya, Diwali, Vasanta and Sharan Navarathri times.

(e) Sri Sudarshana Yagya. Sri Sudarshana chakra is the mighty weapon of the Lord Vishnu that has many powerful and auspicious attributes associated with it. Therefore Sri Sudarshana Yagya is also very powerful one and is mainly associated for  Protection from Negative energies, relief from the pain and suffering, removal of sins.

There are many more Yagyas, too big a list to mention. But one thing is certain;  as we believe that “ no lock has been made without a Key”, similarly  there is no such  problem in this world which cannot be solved through the Yagyas an Vedas, provided the performer and the beneficiary adhere to all the rules as given in the Vedic Texts.