Shivoham!
In the previous post of the subject I placed the last Shloka from Mahabharata for your contemplation.. We ended at –
अग्निहोत्रफला वेदाः शीलवृत्तफलं श्रुतम् |
रतिपुत्रफला दारा, दत्त भुक्तफलं धनम् ||
-
महाभारत , अश्वमेधिक पर्व , अ. 92
Just as the fruit of reading scriptures is good and graceful conduct, the fruit of a woman (as wife) is rati (sexual pleasure and all the beauties of life) and santati (progeny), the fruit of money is charity and luxury; the same way the fruit of Vedic studies is Agnihotra (discipline of yajna).
Now let’s move further.
रसाः स्नेहास्तथा गन्धा रत्नानि गणयस्तथा |
काञ्चनानि च लौहानि हि अग्निहोत्रकृतेSभवन् ||
आयुर्वेदो धनुर्वेदो मीमांसा न्यायविस्तरः |
धर्मशास्त्रं च तत्सर्वं अग्निहोत्रेकृते क्रितम् ||
छन्दः शिक्षा कल्पश्च तथा व्याकरणानि च |
शास्त्रं ज्योतिः निरुक्तं च आग्निहोत्रेकृते कृतम् ||
इतिहास पुराणं च गाथाश्चोपनिषत् तथा |
आथर्वणानि कर्माणि चाग्निहोत्रेकृते कृतम् ||
- महाभारत , अश्वमेधिक पर्व , अ. 92
It is said that all the materials, rasas, fragrant substances, Gems, Gold and Iron – everything has been created for Agnihotra (Yajnam). All the Shastras such as Dhrama, Nyaya, Ayurveda, Dhanurveda etc. are created for the Agnihotra. The 6 parts of Vedas (Vedaanga) – Chhanda (metre), Kalp (Method of Rituals), Shikshaa (Phonetics), vyaakaran (Grammar), Jyotish (Knowledge received from Cosmology), Nirukta (Meaning of words/Etymology/Dictionary) are all for Agnihotra. All the books contaning records of time, wisdom, Truth, and rituals like History, Upanishadas, Puranas, Karma (TantraShaastra) are created for the Agnihotra.
Further it is said –
वेद्यर्थं पृथिवी सृष्टः सम्भरार्थं तथैव च |
इध्मार्थमथ यूपार्थं ब्रह्मा चक्रे वनस्पतिम् ||
गावो यज्ञार्थमुत्पन्ना दक्षिणार्थं तथैव च |
सुवर्णः रजतं चैव पात्रकुम्भार्थमेव च ||
दर्भाः संस्तरणार्थं तु रक्षसां रक्षणाय च |
पूजनार्थ द्विजाः सृष्टास्तारका दिवि देवताः ||
- महाभारत , अश्वमेधिक पर्व , अ. 92
To support the altar for fire ceremony (Yajna) and produce various materials for the Yajna Lord Brahmaa created this earth. The plant kingdom was created to produce samidhaa (material to be offered in fire) and Yupa. Cows are created for their use in dakshinaa (Remuneration given to the priest) and supplying various substances needed in the sacred fire-ritual. Gold and Silver has been created to be utilized in creating various utensils and pots used in Yajna. Kusha (Tadch grass, the Sacrificial grass or bot. Desmostachya bipinnata) has been created to be used in covering the ground around the Kunda (Sacrificial Fire Place) and to protect against Raakshasas (evil forces, demonic forces). The constellations of stars, the heavenly Gods & Goddesses and Braahmins have been created for participating in and conducting the Yajna.
It is said that those Dwijas (twice born) who meticulously follow the process of Agnihotra , their endeavours such as daanam (donation), homam (Fire Sacrifice for purity of self), Yajna (Fire sacrifice for the purpose of pleasing Gods, fulfillment of some purpose), Adhyaapan (teaching) are always successful.
The good karmas of Agnihotris (ones Performing Fire sacrifice) are accepted and kept intact by Sun god (who shines with thousands of rays).
धारयेद् यत् सहस्रांशः सुकृतं आग्निहोत्रिणाम् |
Therefore Bhagwan (Lord) says; Those who wish to elevate themselves, must meticulously follow the Agnihotra daily.
होतव्यं विधिवद् राजन् ऊर्ध्वमिच्छन्ति ये गतिम् || महाभारत , अश्वमेधिक पर्व , अ. 92 ||
The Agnihotra should be treated as atma (one’s own identity) and therefore one should never criticise or leave the practice even for a moment.
आत्मवन्नावमन्तव्यमग्निहोत्रं युधिष्ठिर |
नत्याज्यं क्षणमप्येदग्निहोत्रं युधिष्ठिर ||
- महाभारत , अश्वमेधिक पर्व , अ. 92
The importance, power and significance of Agnihotra is in helping the performer transcend this place and piercing through the solar gravitation such people reach their ultimate destination. This achievement is for those who perform and enjoy Agnihotra while keeping their senses under their control.
It is said –
यथोक्तमग्निहोत्रं वै जुह्वते विजितेन्द्रियाः |
ये यान्त्यपुनरावृत्तिं भित्वा चादित्यमण्डलम् ||
More in the next post..
-Acharya Agyaatadarshan Anand Nath
The Agnihotra is not just the process of burning fire in a Kunda (sacrificial fire pit) but an attitude of dissipating all our possessions including our body and actions for the ultimate goal of transcending this material plane. To get rid of Anaatma Bhava. Gurudev Shri Aatharvan ji Maharaj who attained enlightened through the agnihotra & Mantra Sadhana chooses to quote from the 'Mahabharata'. As per Vedic wisdom Yajna is capable of alleviating all the sufferings of human life by the divine grace of brahamn operating in the form of Agni(Deva)!
Its all about you! 