Science behind indian yagya - यज्ञ (Hawan)

 Science behind indian yagya

Yagya - यज्ञ (Hawan) is a Sanskrit word which refers to any ritual that involves making offerings into a consecrated fire. It was done by ‘Rishis ’ in early period and is an important religious practice in Hinduism where they are part of most Sanskar ceremonies. They are also prevalent in current-day Buddhism and Jainism. A consecrated fire is the central element of every Hawan ritual however the procedure and items offered to the fire vary by occasions/ceremony or by the benefit expected from the ritual. A Hawan (homam, yagya or agnihotra) is a scientific experiment in which special herbal/plant medicinal preparations (Hawan Samagri) are offered in the fire of medicinal woods ignited in a specially designed inverted pyramid shaped fire pit or container (called agni-kuñda). The specific shape and size of the agni-kuñda, the arrangement of wood pieces in it, the time-frequency and amount of Hawan Samagri account for controlled chemical processing in the fire and lead to sublimation, chemical conversion and/or transformation into vapor phase of the herbal/plant medicinal preparation leading to release of medicinal phytochemicals. 

What is the purpose of yagnas?

These sacrifice rites involve making offerings to Agni in order to appease the celestial entities. According to mythology, fire is a god who carries human sacrifices to the gods, who in turn send rain to support life on earth and make the world affluent. 

Significance of yagna

The Supreme Life-Principle, also known as the Supreme Brahman, is in charge of how this entire cosmos operates. Nobody can break this Brahman's law, according to the Upanishads. The sun shines, the sun burns, Indra and Vayu do their jobs, and death does its job out of fear of this Supreme Being. 

Sri Jamadagni noted in a speech that Krishna calls attention to the global law that also applies to those who consume natural resources like air, water, etc. He emphasises their moral obligation to protect the abundance of nature that is made available to them. Rainfall from nature is beneficial since it fosters the growth of both plants and animals. 

What are the five types of yagna?

In the Vedic era, there were five different kinds of yagna: hom, isti, pashu, soma, and satrayaga. Additionally, there were specific yajnas such the rajasuya, vajapeya, ashvamedha, and naramedha for securing kingdoms or overlordships. Even at the time of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Rajasuya and Asvamedha Yajnas were well-known.

Why do we say Swaha in havan?

Swaha is a form of natural art. Any item that the deities can receive will not reach the deities without first being offered to Swaha, according to a blessing from Lord Krishna given to Swaha. This is one of the justifications for the recitation of the word Swaha during Havan. 

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