Guest guest Posted October 13, 2003 Report Share Posted October 13, 2003 HinduThought, "Michel Danino" <micheld@s...> wrote: Dear Friends, 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 *********************** Shri Gurubhyo Namah Vedic Yajna Prattushtaan, 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 Yajney Sarvam Prathishtitham! Saagnichitya Sarvaprushta Sarvasthoama APTHOARYAAMA YAAGAM Yagnesaachyuta govinda maadhavaanantha kesava Krishna vishnoa hrisheekesa vaasudeva namoasthuthey - Vishnu Puranam, 2:13:9 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 all parts 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 Krishna Yajur 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 shaped altar, 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. Nikaame Nikaame Ha Vai Tatra Parjanyo Varshati… Bhalinyo 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." Yours sincerely, VEDIC YAJNA PRATHISHTAAN & OM SHANTI DHAMA Address for Communication: VEDIC YAJNA PRATHISHTAAN Prabha Sadan, Poonkunnam, Trichur - 680 002. Kerala Tel: 0487 - 2381854. --- End forwarded message --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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