Interdisciplinary Journal of Yagya Research

The Concept and Relevance of the Cycle of Creation through Sacrifice in the Bhagavad Gita

Ayush Mittal — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

In the current era, the escalation of immoral behavior in the world can be attributed to health challenges and limited mental acuity. Individuals often engage in egregious transgressions without a moment's reflection. For contemporary humanity, personal happiness has become the essence of life. Nevertheless, it is imperative for individuals to comprehend that their ultimate self-interest is intertwined with the welfare of society. The one who orchestrates the well-being of others finds their own tribulations diminished. The conceptual framework of the creation cycle as expounded in the Bhagavad Gita enlightens us about the necessity for humans to contribute by diligently executing their duties. To refrain from immoral conduct and foster mutual welfare, it is imperative for us to incorporate the principles of the creation cycle into our lives.

वर्तमान समय में स्वास्थ्य एवं संकीर्ण मानसिकता के कारण संसार में पापाचरण बढ़ता जा रहा है। घनिष्ठ अपराधों को करने से पहले कोई भी एक क्षण के लिए भी नहीं विचार करता। वर्तमान मनुष्य के लिए मात्र अपना सुख ही जीवन का सार बन गया है। परंतु मनुष्य को यह समझने की आवश्यकता है कि लोकहित में ही उसका परम स्वार्थ निहित है। जो दूसरों के सुखों की व्यवस्था करता है उसके कष्ट स्वयं ही नष्ट हो जाते हैं। श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता में वर्णित सृष्टि-चक्र की अवधारणा से हमें यह ज्ञात होता है कि लोक कल्याण के लिए मनुष्यों को उसमें अपना योगदान देने की आवश्यकता है जिसके लिए उसे अपने कर्तव्य-कर्मों का निर्वाह करना होगा। पापाचरण से बचने के लिए एवं परस्पर कल्याण के लिए हमें सृष्टि-चक्र के सिद्धांतों को अपने जीवन में उतारने की आवश्यकता है।

Yantra and Yagya

Amrit Lal Gurvendra — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This research article delves into the depths of two ancient spiritual practices originating from the Vedic tradition of India. Yantra, an intricate geometric medium representing cosmic energies and Vedic elements, and Yagya, the ritualistic offering of Mantras through fire, have been integral parts of Indian spirituality for centuries. The article explores the Philosophy and purpose of Yantra Sadhana, unveiling the symbolic significance of geometric patterns and their connection with higher energies. Additionally, it illuminates the mechanics of Yagya Shala, where the energies of the practitioner and the cosmic forces harmonize through meticulously crafted rituals and Yagya kunds, Mandalas, and Yantras. Through this exploration, the article seeks to bridge the ancient wisdom of Yantra and Yagya with contemporary understanding, offering insights into their spiritual significance and scientific principles.

Does the ancient Indian practice of Yagya reflect some critical product design attributes? A Designer’s perspective

Abhishek Srivastava, Sonal Atreya — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Yagya is recognized as one of the most valuable outcomes of Indian knowledge systems (IKS). It was a significant element of the Vedic period and remained an integral part of the everyday lives of kings, rishis, learners, villagers, & others who practised this tradition with entire commitment and to the best of their abilities. Problem: Yagya, as a concept and practice, is an appropriate and meaningful case study for a wide range of disciplines, and it is being investigated in a variety of domains including- management, medicine, environmental science, mathematics, and many more. However, its reflection from design perspective, which places a strong emphasis on attributes like creative thinking, problem solving, etc. remains unexplored. Methods: The study's takeaways are derived from a review of the content from various mediums available on 'Yagya,' specifically Vangamaya 25 - 'Yagya ka Gyan Vigyan,' authored by Pt. Sriram Sharma Acharya. Results: The paper discusses Yagya and its association with various disciplines with a focus on attributes relevant to design. Yagya, when viewed from this lens, appears to depict some of the critical design attributes including- creative & problem-solving mindset, need-based & purpose-driven solutions, multi-sensory experience, and scalability, that are vital to (product) design. Conclusion: The practise of Yagya reflects many critical product-design attributes. The evidence presented in the paper emphasises the importance of studying ancient knowledge traditions and highlights the need to incorporate them into current educational curriculum to familiarise learners with ancient India’s rich and refined knowledge systems.

Importance of the three stages of Yagya, Prayaj, Yaaj and Anuyaj in society building

Manisha Bhardwaj Manisha Bhardwaj — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Rituals like Yagya, Sanskar etc. are specific rituals developed by Indian sages after long research and experimental testing. In this, the subtle inner powers are awakened and organized through disciplined gross activities. In this, the subtle inner powers are awakened and organized through disciplined gross activities. There are three important stages of Yagya - Prayaj, Yaaj and Anuyaj, through which the welfare of human beings and society is possible by increasing the Yagya motivations. The three stages of Yagya – Prayaj, Yaj, and Anuyaj – are deeply important for the development of sacrificial feelings. Prayag, in the first phase of Yagya, awakens the spiritual energy of social virtues of the society. This stage provides the individual with suitable tools for his spiritual practice and shows him the path to purify his mind and move in a spiritual direction. In the second phase of Yaj, the people of the society get an opportunity to come together and the feeling of cooperation, morality, and social harmony increases among the people involved in the Yagya. This stage helps in making social life pleasant and prosperous and promotes social cooperation. Anuyaaj plays an important role in the third phase of Yagya to maintain the prestige of social justice and religion in the society. Through this stage, love, harmony, generosity, cooperation, honesty, restraint, and virtue develop in the inherent qualities of the people, which increases the introduction of harmony and justice in the society. In this manner, the three stages of Yagya promote the concept of social virtues and encourage spiritual strength.

यज्ञ संस्कार आदि कर्मकाण्ड भारतीय ऋषि मुनियों द्वारा लम्बी शोध एवं प्रयोग परीक्षण द्वारा विकसित असामान्य क्रिया-कृत्य हैं। इसमें अनुशासनबद्ध स्थूल क्रिया-कलापों के द्वारा अन्तरंग की सूक्ष्म शक्तियों को जागृत एवं व्यवस्थित किया जाता है। इसमें अनुशासनबद्ध स्थूल क्रिया-कलापों के द्वारा अन्तरंग की सूक्ष्म शक्तियों को जागृत एवं व्यवस्थित किया जाता है। यज्ञ के तीन महत्त्वपूर्ण चरण - प्रयाज, याज एवं अनुयाज, जिनके द्वारा यज्ञीय प्रेरणाओं में वृद्धि द्वारा मानव और समाज का कल्याण संभव है। यज्ञीय भावनाओं के विकास के लिए यज्ञ के तीन चरण - प्रयाज, याज, और अनुयाज, गहराई से महत्त्वपूर्ण हैं। प्रयाज, यज्ञ के प्रथम चरण में समाज की सामाजिक सद्गुणों की आध्यात्मिक ऊर्जा को जागृत करता है। यह चरण व्यक्ति को अपनी आध्यात्मिक साधना के लिए उपयुक्त उपकरण प्रदान करता है और उसे अपने मन को शुद्ध करने और आध्यात्मिक दिशा में अग्रसर होने का मार्ग दिखाता है। याज, यज्ञ के द्वितीय चरण में समाज के लोगों को एक साथ आने का अवसर मिलता है और यज्ञ में सम्मिलित व्यक्तियों में सहयोग, नैतिकता, और सामाजिक समरसता की भावना की अभिवृद्धि होती है। इस चरण से सामाजिक जीवन को सुखद और समृद्ध बनाने में सहायता मिलती है और सामाजिक सहयोग को बढ़ावा दिया जाता है। अनुयाज, यज्ञ के तृतीय चरण में समाज में सामाजिक न्याय और धर्म की प्रतिष्ठा को बनाए रखने की महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाता है। इस चरण से प्रजा के अंतर्निहित गुणों में प्रेम, सद्भाव, उदारता, सहयोग, ईमानदारी, संयम, और सदाचार का विकास होता है, जिससे समाज में समरसता और न्याय का परिचय बढ़ता है। इस तरीके से, यज्ञ के तीन चरण सामाजिक सद्गुणों की संकल्पना को बढ़ावा देते हैं और आध्यात्मिक सामर्थ्य को प्रोत्साहित करते हैं।

Yagya as a Medium of Communication: A Short Perspective

Vivek Pandey — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Yagya holds great significance in Indian culture as a powerful form of communication deeply rooted in Vedic philosophy. Unlike Western views on communication, the Indian perspective emphasizes introspection, leading to self-awareness, freedom, and truth. Yagya is not just a ritualistic practice but symbolizes the pursuit of inner clarity and comprehension, aiming to connect with one’s inner self and ultimate truth. Both Yagya and communication share the core essence of building connections and fostering understanding. Throughout history, Yagya has been a profound means of communication in India, imparting knowledge, promoting unity, and conveying timeless life lessons for positive transformation. It serves as a conduit to transmit wisdom and guidance to rulers and the public, fostering open dialogue and mutual understanding, even in contemporary times with Yagya-based movements continuing to spread positive values and promote personal and societal growth.

Editorial

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

We are delighted to present the second issue of the sixth volume of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Yagya Research. This journal, published by Dev Sanskriti University, Haridwar, continues to be a steadfast platform for the exploration of interdisciplinary subjects of Yagya, blending the realms of science and spirituality in the profound field of Yagya.

In the realm of rigorous research, the first two articles delve deep into the essence of Yagya. The inaugural article, penned by Ayush Mittal takes us on a philosophical journey through the verses of the Bhagavad Gita. It explores the intricate concept of 'srishti-chakra' - the cycle of creation as Yagya process, emphasizing the necessity for individuals to contribute positively to society, as illustrated in verses 3/10 to 3/15. Their scholarly work emphasizes the importance of aligning one's actions with the greater good, a principle deeply embedded in the ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita.

The second research article, "Yantra and Yagya," authored by Amrit Lal Gurvendra, sheds light on the profound spiritual practices of Yantra and Yagya. Gurvendra's exploration connects the intricate geometric patterns of Yantra with cosmic energies and explores the ritualistic offering of Mantras through fire, highlighting the deep interconnection between individual spiritual practices and the broader cosmic energies.

Shifting our focus to a unique perspective, Abhishek Srivastava and Sonal Atreya from the Department of Design, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand, in their article titled "Does the ancient Indian practice of Yagya reflect critical product design attributes? : A Designer’s perspective," present a refreshing outlook. They explore how the principles of Yagya inherently embody critical design attributes such as creative thinking, problem-solving, and need-based solutions. Their work provides a bridge between ancient knowledge and contemporary design thinking, encouraging the incorporation of ancient wisdom into modern educational curriculums.

In the realm of social and moral ethics, Manisha Bharadwaj's article, "\begin{hindi}यज्ञ के तीन चरण प्रयाज, याज एवं अनुयाज की समाज निर्माण में महत्ता,\end{hindi}" is a valuable addition. It delves into the three vital stages of Yagya - Prayaj, Yaj, and Anuyaj, elucidating their significance in the development of societal virtues. Bharadwaj's work emphasizes the nurturing of values like love, cooperation, honesty, and morality through the practice of Yagya, showcasing how these rituals serve as a conduit for social harmony and individual spiritual growth.

Finally, Vivek Pandey's perspective in "Yagya as a Medium of Communication: A Short Perspective" sheds light on the profound communicative aspect of Yagya. In a world inundated with digital communication, Pandey reminds us of the ancient and deeply meaningful form of communication that Yagya represents. Beyond ritualistic practices, Yagya is revealed as a powerful means of fostering inner clarity, understanding, and connection with the ultimate truth, promoting not just external dialogue but internal introspection.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our reviewers and contributors who have enriched this issue with their invaluable insights. We invite our readers, researchers, educators, policymakers, and professionals to delve into the pages of this journal. We seek your feedback to continue our journey towards making this journal an even more effective vehicle in the realm of interdisciplinary studies and spiritual exploration.

May this issue inspire you, enrich your understanding, and foster a deeper connection with the profound wisdom of Yagya.

Within this volume, we are delighted to present an array of articles that delve into the multifaceted world of Yagya, unveiling its diverse dimensions and potential impacts.