Fwd: APTHOARYAAMA YAAGAM - A SCIENTIFIC EVALUATION PROJECT

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Srinath Ram Atreya <srinath_atreya wrote:Sun, 30 Nov 2003

06:50:49 +0000 (GMT)

Srinath Ram Atreya

APTHOARYAAMA YAAGAM - A SCIENTIFIC EVALUATION PROJECT

 

|| Shri Gurubhyo Namah ||

|| namah parama RshiBhyO namah parama RshiBhyah ||

 

(Forwarded original message:)

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Nikaame Nikaame Ha Vai Tatra Parjanyo Varshati…

Phalinyo Ha Vai Tatra Oashadhayah Pachyanthey…

Kalpathey Ha Vai Prajaabhyo Yogakshemaha

Yatraitheyna Yajneyna Yajanthey

 

- Taittiriya Brahmanam, 3:8:13

 

"It will rain abundantly whenever we desire; plants and trees will

bear fruits and grains profusely; People will attain Yogakshema - welfare,

security and prosperity… Where yajna is performed."

 

A group of lovers of Vedic culture in Kerala have come together to try

and organize the Yajna described below. The Chief Patron will be Swami

Ranganathananda Maharaj.

 

Please circulate this information as widely as possible to help in

this great effort.

Regards,

Michel Danino

***********************

|| Yajney Sarvam Prathishtitham ||

|| Saagnichitya Sarvaprushta Sarvasthoama ||

 

Vedic Yajna Prathishtaan,

Prabha Sadan

Poonkunnam

Trichur - 680 002.

Kerala

Tel: 0487 - 2381854.

 

OM SHANTI DHAMA,

3371, 13th Cross, K.R. Road,

Second Main, Shastri Nagar,

Bangalore - 560 028.

Tel : 080 - 676 1057 / 676 8866

 

APTHOARYAAMA YAAGAM

 

Yagnesaachyuta govinda maadhavaanantha kesava |

Krishno vishnoh hrisheekesa vaasudeva namoasthuthey ||

 

- Vishnu Puranam, 2:13:9

 

Respected Mahaasayas and Mahilaamanis,

 

We have great pleasure to inform you that by the grace of God,

blessings of Mahatmas, and goodwill and affection of the people, it is proposed

to organize the performance of Saagnichitya Sarvaprushta Sarvasthoama

Apthoaryaama Yaagam at Mulakunnanthukavu, Thrissur district, Kerala in April

2004.

 

I. PROMOTERS

 

The performance of this great Vedic ritual is being promoted jointly

by the VEDIC YAGNA PRATHISTHAAN, Mulakunnathukavu and OM SHANTI DHAM,Bangalore

with the co-operation of SROUTHA SHASTRA PARISHAD, Thrissur.

 

Il. OBJECTIVES.

 

The objectives are:

 

1. To scientifically evaluate the effects of Vedic rituals on Nature,

human beings, animals and plants with the help of eminent scientists

and modern, sophisticated equipment.

 

2. To revive, rehabilitate, rejuvenate and restore to deserving

heights our Vedic and Srouthic traditions. (Sroutha is the branch of knowledge

dealing with yajna).

 

3. To propagate the lofty principles and Universality of Vedic

culture;and to bring Veda to the people and the people to Veda.

 

4. To organize exhibitions, seminars, and assembly of scholars from

allparts of India for exchange of thought and information; and

enlightening the people about Veda, Sroutha, and related subjects.

 

III. THE RITUAL

 

Apthoaryama is a gigantic Vedic ritual. it is the seventh and the

biggest of the seven important Soma Yaagas known as SAPTHA SOMA

SAMSTHAS; the others being, AGNISHTHOMA, ATHYAGNISHTOMA, UKTHYA, SHODASI,

VAAJAPEYA and ATHIRAATHRA.

 

Apthoaryaama encompasses performance of an enormous number of rituals and

recitation of thousands of Rig Veda and Yajur Veda mantras and chanting of

innumerable Sama Veda mantras. Mantras from Atharva Veda are also utilized.

 

GARUDA CHAYANA:

 

This yajna has another important component, namely,

MAHAAGNI CHAYANA or GARUDA CHAYANA. The main FIRE-ALTAR (HAVANA-VEDI) for the

yajna is constructed with one thousand baked clay bricks of different shapes and

dimensions. They are piled in five layers; one over the other, each layer

consisting of two hundred bricks. When completed,the altar assumes the shape of

an Eagle with outstretched wings. Many rituals and the recitation and chanting

of Veda mantras accompany. the construction and consecration of this main altar.

Each brick or group of bricks is piled reciting Veda mantras. About one-third of

KrishnaYajur Veda Taittiriya Samhita is utilized for these rituals. The glorious

Sri Rudra and Chamaka are among the mantras utilized.

 

SOMAYAAGAS:

 

Somayaagas are elaborate and complex Vedic rituals. The rituals of Aptoaryaama

spread over 10-12 days and around the clock on

some days. The Vedic texts and manuals relating to yajna are

voluminous.

 

A large chunk of Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, and Sama Veda is associated

with yajna; as mantras to be utilized and their interpretation, and as

commandments, precepts, rules and procedural details.

 

The performer of the yajna (Yajamaana), Aacharyas, Ruthviks

(officiating priests) and others doing priestly duties are to be well versed in

Veda and should possess mastery and the on-the-job experience in Sroutha.Such

persons are few in number at present.

 

Even in Tamilnadu, Andhra and Maharashtra, where varieties of

Somayaagas are performed every year; the performance of Apthoaryaama takes place

only once in a few years. This may be due to the profundity and complexity of

this yajna.

 

IV. THE KERALA SCENARIO.

 

Nampoothiris in Kerala have been performing only two varieties of

Somayaaga; AGNISHTOMA and SAAGNICHITHYA ATHIRAATHRA; but there is evidence to

establish that Apthoaryaama also used to be performed in earlier days. The great

scholar and outstanding Sroutha maestro, ERKARA RAMAN NAMPOOTHIRI has stated in

his book "SROUTHA KARMA VIVEKAM', on page 176 (Anadi Books, Kunnamkulam); that

more than 200 years ago, KAIMUKKU VAIDIKAN; an eminent expert in Veda and

Sroutha has written a palm-leaf grantha in Samskrit titled "PRAYOGA VRITTI".

Erkara states that the details of yajnas now being performed in Kerala

(AGNISHTOMA and ATHIRAATHRA ) as well as those which were being performed

earlier,

viz., SHODASI, APTHOARYAAMA, SOUTHRAMANI etc. are given in the grantha. In his

book, EKAAHAA HEENA SATHRAMGAL (Preeti Books, Trichur), through pages 133-143,

Erkara has quoted extensively the portions relating to the procedure of

Aptoaryaama from Prayoga Vritti. It is therefore quite certain that Aptoaryaama

was performed in Kerala in earlier days. It is thus evident that the proposal to

perform Aptoaryaama is also an attempt to revive a lost tradition.

 

V. VENUE

 

The lush green paddy fields adjoining the Sree Narayana temple in

Mulakunnathukavu has been selected as the venue for the yajna. The

temple surroundings and the general rustic ambience provide an

appropriate setting for an event of this kind. It has all the

facilities required for the smooth and efficient conduct of the yajna. The venue

is located slightly away from the din and bustle of Trichur city, towards the

North; and the road to the venue takes off from the Trichur-Shomur highway.

 

VI. PERSONNEL

 

The yajarnaana for this yajna will be Shri DEEPAK APTE and his

Dharmapatni, Smt. DEEKSHITHA APTE; from Goa. They have already

performed two Somayaagas. The main Ruthviks will be Adhwaryu Shri NAAGAANANDA

PURANIK, Brahman; Shri KESHAVA SHARMA JOGLEKAR, Hotar; Shri GANESH SHARMA

JOGLEKAR, Udgaathar; Shri SUBRAHMANYA SHARMA SAAMAGA, Sadasya;

Shri VASUDEVA PARANJYPE, all of whom belong to Karnataka.

 

Shri Vasudeva Paranjype from Mysore, an erudite scholar and expert in

Poorva Meemansa and the members of the Joglekar family from Gokarnam, who are

reputed for their Sroutha expertise, will provide the

leadership.

 

The other ruthviks will also be from Gokarnam, Mysore and other parts

of Karnataka. It is assured that the caliber of the ruthviks will be

high.To ensure that they are thorough and their standard of performance is high;

rehearsals have started.

 

In conformity with the lofty principles of Veda, and as envisaged by

great souls like Erkara Raman Nampoothiri, people from all sections of

the society will be involved in various activities and functions of

the yajna.

 

VII. EQUIPMENT

 

Most of the equipment and vessels required for the yajna are made of

wood or baked clay. These will be got made and brought by the

yaajnikaas. The bricks required for the main altar will be manufactured

in Thrissur district.

 

VIII. OTHER ACTIVITIES

 

I . Scientific evaluation: A team of eminent scientists will be

constituted to conceive, plan and execute scientific studies of the

yajna's effect on Nature, human beings, animals and plants.

 

Studies of the effect on environment will include study of atmospheric

temperature, pressure, humidity, rainfall and study of electromagnetic

fields and nuclear radiation.

 

Studies on human beings will include measurement of brain waves and

cardiological analyses.

 

Studies on animals will include, besides others, behavioral patterns.

 

2. Vedic exhibition: An elaborate Vedic exhibition will be arranged to

enlighten the public about the various streams of knowledge enshrined

in Veda. There will be models of the yajnasaala including the eagle

shapedaltar, implements and vessels used in the yajna etc. With the help of

charts, paintings and models, attention of the general public will be drawn to

the insights in Veda.

 

3. Assembly of Scholars: Seminars and assembly of scholars and experts in Veda

and Sroutha from all parts of India will be organized.

 

4. Contact with Public:

 

a. Ratha Yaatra: A ratha yaatra from Amritsar to Kanyakumari and from

there to the venue of the yajna is planned to take the message of Veda

and yajna to the common man.

 

b. Cultural and social organizations and the public: All efforts will

be made to enlist the association, support and co-operation of cultural

and social organizations and the general public. Our aim, we would like to

re-emphasise; is to bring Veda to the common people and the common people to

Veda and to inculcate the lofty principles and Universality of Vedic culture in

the minds of the people.

 

c. Blessings of Mahatmas: We shall seek the blessings of Saints and

spiritual leaders for the auspicious fulfilment of this great ritual.

 

IX: BUDGET

 

The provisional estimates of the outlay for the yajna are given below:

 

(Rupees in LAKHS)

 

 

RITUAL

 

Dakshina, clothes, implements, bricks, yaagasala, Offering materials

like Ghee, etc. 10.00

 

SCIENTIFIC EVALUATION 5.00

 

VEDIC EXHIBITION 5.00

 

ASSEMBLY OF SCHOLARS 2.00

 

RATHA YATRA 8.00

 

PRINTING, POSTAGE, TRAVEL, OFFICE EXPENSES 3.00

 

FOOD EXPENSES 5.00

 

CONTINGENCIES 2.00

 

------------------

TOTAL 40.00 LAKHS

-------------------

 

We appeal to all to associate, involve and co-operate with this great

and noble effort and benignly, liberally and magnanimously contribute

for this great and glorious yajna; the aim and objective of which is

the welfare, well being, prosperity and security of all men, animals,

plants and everything in the Universe.

 

Yours sincerely,

VEDIC YAJNA PRATHISHTAAN &

OM SHANTI DHAMA

 

Address for Communication:

 

VEDIC YAJNA PRATHISHTAAN

Prabha Sadan,

Poonkunnam, Trichur - 680 002.

Kerala

Tel: 0487 - 2381854.

 

R.Srinath

srinath_atreya