Abstract
Yagya Therapy (Yagyopathy) represents an ancient Indian practice that integrates spiritual, environmental, and physiological elements into a holistic therapeutic framework. This study describes the method and application of Yagyopathy for the management of various diseases, based on about one and a half decade of practice at the Department of Ayurveda and Holistic Health, Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya (DSVV), Haridwar. Yagyopathy utilizes herbal formulations (havan samagri) transformed into medicinal fumes through ritual fire offerings. These are inhaled during deep breathing and mantra chanting, enabling efficient pulmonary drug delivery while simultaneously offering psychological and spiritual benefits. Scriptural references, particularly from the Vedas, support the daily performance of Yagya for mental, environmental, and physical purification. At Department of Ayurveda and Holistic Health, Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, patients are prescribed a home-based Yagya protocol that includes disease-specific herbal formulations, lifestyle modifications, and other Ayurvedic interventions. Observational insights and follow-up data, including clinical, pathological, and patient-reported outcomes, indicate therapeutic potential across a range of diseases—such as respiratory, metabolic, psychological, and autoimmune conditions. Case studies and large-scale usage data further demonstrate the growing application and acceptance of Yagyopathy both within India and internationally. With its emphasis on the synergy between body, mind, and environment, Yagya Therapy offers a promising complementary modality in contemporary integrative healthcare.
References
Shrivastava V, Batham L, Mishra S, Mishra A. Management of symptoms associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) through an integrated approach including Yagya therapy. Interdiscip J Yagya Res. 2019;2(1):39–51. http://ijyr.dsvv.ac.in/index.php/ijyr/article/view/28
Mishra A, Batham L, Verma S, Mishra S, Shrivastava V. Management of epileptic seizures through an integrated approach including Yagya therapy. Interdiscip J Yagya Res. 2019;2(1):52–64. http://ijyr.dsvv.ac.in/index.php/ijyr/article/view/24
Kadlimatti SM, Maheshwari KS, Chandola HM. Critical analysis of the concept of asthi kshaya vis-a-vis osteoporosis. Ayu. 2009;30(4):447–58. http://www.ayujournal.org/temp/Ayu304447-2819005_074950.pdf
Murthy KRS. Susruta Samhita. Vol. I–III. Varanasi (UP): Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2008.
Nagral KS. Ayurved for modern medical practitioners. Delhi (India): Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan; 2008.
Shastri K, Chaturvedi GN. Charak Samhita – elaborated Vidyotini Hindi commentary. Part-I. Varanasi (UP): Chaukhamba Bharati Academy; 2001.
Shastri K, Chaturvedi GN. Charak Samhita – elaborated Vidyotini Hindi commentary. Part-II. Varanasi (UP): Chaukhamba Bharati Academy; 2003.
Kumar S, Debnath P, Banerjee S, GR AR, Rao PN. Clinical investigations on the Ayurvedic management of allergic rhinitis (Vataja Pratishyaya) by Pratimarsha Nasya. Explor Anim Med Res. 2014;4(2):194–205. http://www.animalmedicalresearch.org/Vol.4_Issue-2_December_2014/Shiva%20kumar.pdf
Bansal P, Kaur R, Gupta V, Kumar S, Kaur R. Is there any scientific basis of Hawan to be used in epilepsy-prevention/cure? J Epilepsy Res. 2015;5(2):33–45. http://www.j-epilepsy.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.14581/jer.15009
Raghuvanshi M, Pandya P, Joshi RR. Yagyopathic herbal treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis symptoms – a clinical trial. Altern Complement Ther. 2004;10(2):101–5.
Raghuvanshi M. Some investigations into the chemical and pharmaceutical aspects of Yagyopathy [PhD thesis]. Haridwar (UK): Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya; 2006. http://www.dsvv.ac.in
Joshi RR, Raghuvanshi M, Pandya P. Yagyopathy versus oral and IV drug administration: evaluation for pulmonary tuberculosis using compartment modeling. J Biol Syst. 2006;14(3):463–89.
Pandya P. Reviving the Vedic culture of Yagya. Haridwar (UK): Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj; 2009. http://literature.awgp.org/book/reviving_the_vedic_cultue_of_yagya/v1
Raghuvanshi M, Pandya P, Joshi RR. In-vitro testing of an ethnobotanical inhalation therapy against pulmonary tuberculosis. Phytotherapie. 2009;7:1–8.
Joshi RR. The integrated science of Yagya. Mathura (UP): Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar Trust, Gayatri Tapobhumi; 2011. http://literature.awgp.org/book/the_integrated_science_of_yagna/v1
Pandya P. Applied science of Yagya for health and environment. Haridwar (UK): Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust (TMD), Shantikunj; 2011. http://literature.awgp.org/book/Applied_Science_of_Yagya_for_Health_and_Environment/v1
Brahmavarchas. Yagya - ek samagra upachar prakriya. In: Samagra Vangmaya, Vol. 26. Mathura (UP): Akhand Jyoti Sansthan; 2012.
Shrivastava V. Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya ke vishesh sandarbh me Yagya samagra upachar prakriya: ek vishleshnatmak adhyayan [PhD thesis]. Haridwar (UK): Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya; 2012.
Brahmavarchas. Yagya Chikitsa. Haridwar (UK): Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust (TMD), Shantikunj; 2016.
Batham L, Choudhary L, Mishra A, Shrivastava V. Yagya therapy for epileptic seizures: a case study. Interdiscip J Yagya Res. 2018;1(2):37–42. http://ijyr.dsvv.ac.in/index.php/ijyr/article/view/14
Verma S, Kumar P, Mishra A, Shrivastava V. Yagya therapy for sub-clinical hypothyroidism: a case study. Interdiscip J Yagya Res. 2018;1(2):31–6. http://ijyr.dsvv.ac.in/index.php/ijyr/article/view/13
Mishra A, Batham L, Shrivastava V. Yagya therapy as supportive care in cancer patients improved quality of life: case studies. Interdiscip J Yagya Res. 2018;1(1):26–33. http://ijyr.dsvv.ac.in/index.php/ijyr/article/view/3
Brahmavarchas. Yagya ka gyan-vigyan. In: Samagra Vangmaya, Vol. 25. Mathura (UP): Akhand Jyoti Sansthan; 1998.
Fatouh AM, Elshafeey AH, Abdelbary A. Intranasal agomelatine solid lipid nanoparticles to enhance brain delivery: formulation, optimization and in vivo pharmacokinetics. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2017;11:1815–25. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5484509/
Das B, Ganesh RM, Mishra PK, Bhuyan G. A study on Apabahuka (frozen shoulder) and its management by Laghumasha Taila Nasya. Ayu. 2010;31(4):488–94. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3202264/
Radhika C, Kumar GV, Mihirjan K. A randomized controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy of Nasya in reducing the signs and symptoms of cervical spondylosis. Ayu. 2012;33(1):73–7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3456869/
Sharma S. Yajurved Sanhita. Mathura (UP): Yug Nirman Yojana, Gayatri Tapobhumi; 2005.
Saxena M. Air quality modelling and non-conventional solutions to environmental problems with reference to Vedic science [PhD thesis]. Haridwar (UK): Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya; 2006.
Brahmavarchas. Shabda Brahma – Nad Brahma. In: Samagra Vangmaya, Vol. 19. 2nd ed. Mathura (UP): Akhand Jyoti Sansthan; 2012.
Sharma S. Eternity of sound and the science of mantras. Mathura (UP): Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar Trust; 2012. http://literature.awgp.org/book/Eternity_of_Sound_and_The_Science_of_Mantras/v1
Malhotra V, Goel N, Dhar U, Garg R, Tripathi Y. Comparison of mind control techniques: an assessment of reaction times. Bangladesh J Med Sci. 2016;15(4):596–600. https://www.banglajol.info/index.php/BJMS/article/view/30718
Pradhan B, Derle SG. Comparison of effect of Gayatri Mantra and poem chanting on digit letter substitution task. Anc Sci Life. 2012;32(2):89–92. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3807963/
Sharma S. Super science of Gayatri. Rev ed. Mathura (UP): Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar Trust; 2010. http://literature.awgp.org/book/Super_Science_of_Gayatri/v1.1
Sharma S. Gayatri Mahavigyan – Sanyukta Sanskaran. Rev ed. Mathura (UP): Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar Trust; 2010. http://literature.awgp.org/book/Super_Science_of_Gayatri/v2
Li X, Li X. The antidepressant effect of light therapy from retinal projections. Neurosci Bull. 2018;34(2):359–68. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5856726/
Chang CH, Liu CY, Chen SJ, Tsai HC. Efficacy of light therapy on nonseasonal depression among elderly adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2018;14:3091–102. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6241691/
Sharma MR, Mehta CR, Shukla DJ, Patel KB, Patel MV. Multimodal Ayurvedic management for Sandhigata Vata (osteoarthritis of knee joint). Ayu. 2013;34(1):49–55. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3764880/
Sharma S. Saral aur Sarvopayogi Gayatri Havan-Vidhi. Mathura (UP): Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar Trust; 2012. http://literature.awgp.org/book/procedure_of_gayatri_yagya/v8
Sharma S. Form and spirit of Vedic ritual worship: procedure of Yagya. Trans. Poddar K, Shambhudass. Mathura (UP): Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar Trust; 2011. http://literature.awgp.org/book/procedure_of_gayatri_yagya/v1
Sharma PV. Dravyaguna Vijnana. Vol. II. Varanasi (UP): Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; 2001.
Misra B, Vaisya R. Bhavaprakasa of Shri Bhava Misra (including Bhavaprakasa Nighantu portion). 1st part. Varanasi (UP): Chaukhambha Sanskrit Bhawan; 2013.
Sastry JLN. Illustrated Dravyaguna Vijnana. Vol. II. Varanasi (UP): Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2017.
Sharma H, Zhang X, Dwivedi C. The effect of ghee (clarified butter) on serum lipid levels and microsomal lipid peroxidation. Ayu. 2010;31(2):134–40. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3215354/
Joseph CR, Ilanchezhian R. Experimental evaluation of hingusauvarchaladi ghrita and saptavartita hingusauvarchaladi ghrita with special reference to their anticonvulsant activity. Ayu. 2010;31(4):500–3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3202270/
Bhardwaj A, Sharma MK, Gupta M. Endoscopic evaluation of therapeutic effects of “Anuloma‑Viloma Pranayama” in Pratishyaya w.s.r. to mucociliary clearance mechanism and Bernoulli's principle. Ayu. 2013;34(4):361–7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3968697/
Sinha AN, Deepak D, Gusain VS. Assessment of the effects of pranayama / alternate nostril breathing on the parasympathetic nervous system in young adults. J Clin Diagn Res. 2013;7(5):821–3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3681046/
Nivethitha L, Mooventhan A, Manjunath NK. Effects of various pranayama on cardiovascular and autonomic variables. Anc Sci Life. 2016;36(2):72–7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5382821/
Dinesh T, Gaur GS, Sharma VK, Madanmohan T, Kumar KTH, Bhavanani AB. Comparative effect of 12 weeks of slow and fast pranayama training on pulmonary function in young, healthy volunteers: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Yoga. 2015;8(1):22–6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4278131/
Mishra A, Batham L, Verma S, Mishra S, Shrivastava V. Management of epileptic seizures through an integrated approach including Yagya therapy. Interdiscip J Yagya Res. 2019;2(1):52–64. http://ijyr.dsvv.ac.in/index.php/ijyr/article/view/24
Kadlimatti SM, Maheshwari KS, Chandola HM. Critical analysis of the concept of asthi kshaya vis-a-vis osteoporosis. Ayu. 2009;30(4):447–58. http://www.ayujournal.org/temp/Ayu304447-2819005_074950.pdf
Murthy KRS. Susruta Samhita. Vol. I–III. Varanasi (UP): Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2008.
Nagral KS. Ayurved for modern medical practitioners. Delhi (India): Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan; 2008.
Shastri K, Chaturvedi GN. Charak Samhita – elaborated Vidyotini Hindi commentary. Part-I. Varanasi (UP): Chaukhamba Bharati Academy; 2001.
Shastri K, Chaturvedi GN. Charak Samhita – elaborated Vidyotini Hindi commentary. Part-II. Varanasi (UP): Chaukhamba Bharati Academy; 2003.
Kumar S, Debnath P, Banerjee S, GR AR, Rao PN. Clinical investigations on the Ayurvedic management of allergic rhinitis (Vataja Pratishyaya) by Pratimarsha Nasya. Explor Anim Med Res. 2014;4(2):194–205. http://www.animalmedicalresearch.org/Vol.4_Issue-2_December_2014/Shiva%20kumar.pdf
Bansal P, Kaur R, Gupta V, Kumar S, Kaur R. Is there any scientific basis of Hawan to be used in epilepsy-prevention/cure? J Epilepsy Res. 2015;5(2):33–45. http://www.j-epilepsy.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.14581/jer.15009
Raghuvanshi M, Pandya P, Joshi RR. Yagyopathic herbal treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis symptoms – a clinical trial. Altern Complement Ther. 2004;10(2):101–5.
Raghuvanshi M. Some investigations into the chemical and pharmaceutical aspects of Yagyopathy [PhD thesis]. Haridwar (UK): Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya; 2006. http://www.dsvv.ac.in
Joshi RR, Raghuvanshi M, Pandya P. Yagyopathy versus oral and IV drug administration: evaluation for pulmonary tuberculosis using compartment modeling. J Biol Syst. 2006;14(3):463–89.
Pandya P. Reviving the Vedic culture of Yagya. Haridwar (UK): Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, Shantikunj; 2009. http://literature.awgp.org/book/reviving_the_vedic_cultue_of_yagya/v1
Raghuvanshi M, Pandya P, Joshi RR. In-vitro testing of an ethnobotanical inhalation therapy against pulmonary tuberculosis. Phytotherapie. 2009;7:1–8.
Joshi RR. The integrated science of Yagya. Mathura (UP): Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar Trust, Gayatri Tapobhumi; 2011. http://literature.awgp.org/book/the_integrated_science_of_yagna/v1
Pandya P. Applied science of Yagya for health and environment. Haridwar (UK): Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust (TMD), Shantikunj; 2011. http://literature.awgp.org/book/Applied_Science_of_Yagya_for_Health_and_Environment/v1
Brahmavarchas. Yagya - ek samagra upachar prakriya. In: Samagra Vangmaya, Vol. 26. Mathura (UP): Akhand Jyoti Sansthan; 2012.
Shrivastava V. Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya ke vishesh sandarbh me Yagya samagra upachar prakriya: ek vishleshnatmak adhyayan [PhD thesis]. Haridwar (UK): Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya; 2012.
Brahmavarchas. Yagya Chikitsa. Haridwar (UK): Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust (TMD), Shantikunj; 2016.
Batham L, Choudhary L, Mishra A, Shrivastava V. Yagya therapy for epileptic seizures: a case study. Interdiscip J Yagya Res. 2018;1(2):37–42. http://ijyr.dsvv.ac.in/index.php/ijyr/article/view/14
Verma S, Kumar P, Mishra A, Shrivastava V. Yagya therapy for sub-clinical hypothyroidism: a case study. Interdiscip J Yagya Res. 2018;1(2):31–6. http://ijyr.dsvv.ac.in/index.php/ijyr/article/view/13
Mishra A, Batham L, Shrivastava V. Yagya therapy as supportive care in cancer patients improved quality of life: case studies. Interdiscip J Yagya Res. 2018;1(1):26–33. http://ijyr.dsvv.ac.in/index.php/ijyr/article/view/3
Brahmavarchas. Yagya ka gyan-vigyan. In: Samagra Vangmaya, Vol. 25. Mathura (UP): Akhand Jyoti Sansthan; 1998.
Fatouh AM, Elshafeey AH, Abdelbary A. Intranasal agomelatine solid lipid nanoparticles to enhance brain delivery: formulation, optimization and in vivo pharmacokinetics. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2017;11:1815–25. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5484509/
Das B, Ganesh RM, Mishra PK, Bhuyan G. A study on Apabahuka (frozen shoulder) and its management by Laghumasha Taila Nasya. Ayu. 2010;31(4):488–94. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3202264/
Radhika C, Kumar GV, Mihirjan K. A randomized controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy of Nasya in reducing the signs and symptoms of cervical spondylosis. Ayu. 2012;33(1):73–7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3456869/
Sharma S. Yajurved Sanhita. Mathura (UP): Yug Nirman Yojana, Gayatri Tapobhumi; 2005.
Saxena M. Air quality modelling and non-conventional solutions to environmental problems with reference to Vedic science [PhD thesis]. Haridwar (UK): Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya; 2006.
Brahmavarchas. Shabda Brahma – Nad Brahma. In: Samagra Vangmaya, Vol. 19. 2nd ed. Mathura (UP): Akhand Jyoti Sansthan; 2012.
Sharma S. Eternity of sound and the science of mantras. Mathura (UP): Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar Trust; 2012. http://literature.awgp.org/book/Eternity_of_Sound_and_The_Science_of_Mantras/v1
Malhotra V, Goel N, Dhar U, Garg R, Tripathi Y. Comparison of mind control techniques: an assessment of reaction times. Bangladesh J Med Sci. 2016;15(4):596–600. https://www.banglajol.info/index.php/BJMS/article/view/30718
Pradhan B, Derle SG. Comparison of effect of Gayatri Mantra and poem chanting on digit letter substitution task. Anc Sci Life. 2012;32(2):89–92. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3807963/
Sharma S. Super science of Gayatri. Rev ed. Mathura (UP): Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar Trust; 2010. http://literature.awgp.org/book/Super_Science_of_Gayatri/v1.1
Sharma S. Gayatri Mahavigyan – Sanyukta Sanskaran. Rev ed. Mathura (UP): Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar Trust; 2010. http://literature.awgp.org/book/Super_Science_of_Gayatri/v2
Li X, Li X. The antidepressant effect of light therapy from retinal projections. Neurosci Bull. 2018;34(2):359–68. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5856726/
Chang CH, Liu CY, Chen SJ, Tsai HC. Efficacy of light therapy on nonseasonal depression among elderly adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2018;14:3091–102. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6241691/
Sharma MR, Mehta CR, Shukla DJ, Patel KB, Patel MV. Multimodal Ayurvedic management for Sandhigata Vata (osteoarthritis of knee joint). Ayu. 2013;34(1):49–55. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3764880/
Sharma S. Saral aur Sarvopayogi Gayatri Havan-Vidhi. Mathura (UP): Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar Trust; 2012. http://literature.awgp.org/book/procedure_of_gayatri_yagya/v8
Sharma S. Form and spirit of Vedic ritual worship: procedure of Yagya. Trans. Poddar K, Shambhudass. Mathura (UP): Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar Trust; 2011. http://literature.awgp.org/book/procedure_of_gayatri_yagya/v1
Sharma PV. Dravyaguna Vijnana. Vol. II. Varanasi (UP): Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; 2001.
Misra B, Vaisya R. Bhavaprakasa of Shri Bhava Misra (including Bhavaprakasa Nighantu portion). 1st part. Varanasi (UP): Chaukhambha Sanskrit Bhawan; 2013.
Sastry JLN. Illustrated Dravyaguna Vijnana. Vol. II. Varanasi (UP): Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2017.
Sharma H, Zhang X, Dwivedi C. The effect of ghee (clarified butter) on serum lipid levels and microsomal lipid peroxidation. Ayu. 2010;31(2):134–40. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3215354/
Joseph CR, Ilanchezhian R. Experimental evaluation of hingusauvarchaladi ghrita and saptavartita hingusauvarchaladi ghrita with special reference to their anticonvulsant activity. Ayu. 2010;31(4):500–3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3202270/
Bhardwaj A, Sharma MK, Gupta M. Endoscopic evaluation of therapeutic effects of “Anuloma‑Viloma Pranayama” in Pratishyaya w.s.r. to mucociliary clearance mechanism and Bernoulli's principle. Ayu. 2013;34(4):361–7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3968697/
Sinha AN, Deepak D, Gusain VS. Assessment of the effects of pranayama / alternate nostril breathing on the parasympathetic nervous system in young adults. J Clin Diagn Res. 2013;7(5):821–3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3681046/
Nivethitha L, Mooventhan A, Manjunath NK. Effects of various pranayama on cardiovascular and autonomic variables. Anc Sci Life. 2016;36(2):72–7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5382821/
Dinesh T, Gaur GS, Sharma VK, Madanmohan T, Kumar KTH, Bhavanani AB. Comparative effect of 12 weeks of slow and fast pranayama training on pulmonary function in young, healthy volunteers: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Yoga. 2015;8(1):22–6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4278131/
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