2016-04-29T09:24:00.004-07:00

A purifying ritual with a fire ceremony.It is not a simple ritual but an act of sacrifice and selfless contribution to the universe by the performers through this act.The Sanskrit word is Agnihotra or yagna which is commonly known as Havan in Hindu Vedic religion.

A fire is ignited in a Havan-Kund (a pit made in earth or a conical pot made of gold, silver, copper or tin-according to the financial status and level of dedication or commitment of the person performing havan).in that fire pure ghee(butter oil) preferably made from cow's milk is used which has two functions - one to ablaze the fire and the other to convert the ghee into micro form for universal benefit and then purify the air.

Havan Samagri (a mixture of various dried herbal medicines, roots and leaves) is offered in the ablazed fire which disseminates in micro form, in the air, to purify the environment besides activating the air as disinfectant germicidal agent. In fact Havan is performed as a personal ritual performed for the benefit of the society or the whole living beings.

The most important element or objective of Yagna (Havan) is to inculcate the habit or spirit of sacrificing and contributing for the benefit of all, rather than for one own self.

Havan Vidhi
Vedic Sandhya
Meditation
Shanti Path

Swastika

A Symbol of Auspiciousness and Well being

This sacred hymn of the Yajurveda is a swastivacana - a prayer, an ardent aspiration, for the highest good and wellbeing of all beings, of everything, of the whole universe…. Heart-felt chanting of this hymn is an integral part of initiating every religious sacrament or important familial ceremony in the vedic cultural rituals. It conveys the core meaning hidden in the vedic symbol of swastika. The term swastika emanates from the Sanskrit word swasti = su (good) + asti (being).

As a symbol, swastika is a line-design invented by the vedic sages. Its specific geometry is believed to have some relation with certain natural energy fields. It is drawn as a cross with equal arms when all the arms are continued as far again at right angles clockwise. The sublime effects, in terms of the cosmic energy currents superimposed in the unique pattern of swastika, correspond to what the swastika symbolizes – auspiciousness, well being. The clockwise (dakïiñavarta) direction is of significant importance, as it also happens to be the direction of movement (as we see it on the earth) of the sun, which rises in the east and sets in the west. The four sides of the swastika thus represent the four principal directions.

The symbol of swastika is being used as a holy sign in India since the time of yore. Scriptural descriptions define it as a divine symbol that encompasses (in coded form) several

important meanings and mysterious formulae or signs representing specific energy cycles in the universe. The "Halayudh Kosha" regards it as prominent among the twenty-four symbols of significance in the Indian Culture and states – Chaturvinïanti Chinhantargata Chinha ViïeÌa. The same scripture also refers to it as chatuÌpatha - four paths emerging symmetrically in four directions from a common origin. The seed-syllable (sounding like "gam" in the Vedic script) of the Ganapati Mantra resembles the swastika. This seed syllable together with the four segments (chatuÌÚaya) of the mantra seems to be encapsulated in the

swastika symbol.

Sigbification of Kalash and Deepak
That symbolize respectively the manifestations of Gayatri and Yagya.

The kalash and deepak are prominent Vedic symbols that symbolize respectively the manifestations of Gayatri and Yagya. As Gayatri and Yagya are revered to be the origin of the Vedas and Vedic Science and Culture, the presence and worship of kalash and deepak in every sacrament, on every auspicious occasion is quite natural in the Vedic Culture and hence in the Indian System of life. Both are essential parts of all the important Hindu rituals and also, in varied forms, in the holy celebrations of other religions for example, deepak (as fire or candle) in case of Zarathustric and Christian and kalash in case of Jain and Buddhist worships.

The symbol of kalash is physically represented by a metal or earthen pitcher or urn. It is filled with water (preferably the water of holy Ganga, any sacred river or clean, running water). Its top open end holds betel or mango leaves and a red-yellow sanctified thread (kalawa or mauli) is tied around its neck. This kalash is placed on the p¿javedi (worship dais or table) near the idols or pictures of the deity. It is placed facing the North, in the center. This positioning signifies balance; balance that one needs to achieve success in every walk of life. Often it is topped by a coconut or a deepak and kept on the sacred Vedic Swastika symbol or a Vedic swastika is drawn on it by using wet vermillion, sandal-wood powder and turmeric. The kalash has many symbolic meanings and teachings associated with it as described below.

During worship or rituals, leaves from some select trees are used as essential accessories, but among them all the betel leaf (pana) enjoys a place of pride in India. In Hindu weddings, a betel leaf is tucked into the headgears of the bride and the groom. The betel leaf is symbolic of freshness and prosperity. The Skanda Purana says that the betel leaf

was obtained by Gods during the grand ocean-churning. The use of betel leaf in India is mentioned in the great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, as well as in Buddhist and Jain literatures.

The Primordial Sound, The Eternal Syllable

Sabdabrahm being generated by the cosmic impulse of Brahm is eternal; its physical manifestation in sonic vibrations also continues to exist forever. As per the Vedik scriptures, its first realization was – the self-existent, primordial Nada (musical sound) of Om. Physical perception of this sound is described to be similar to what one would hear from the resonant notes of the tinkling vibrations of a big gong struck by a wooden hammer in a consistent manner (e.g. during the devotional prayers - aratis in the temples). In terms of phonetics, the pronunciation of Om is described as - au..3m: 'au' stretched with a stress almost 3 times higher than ordinary 'short' or 'long' vowels, followed by the anuswara - sound of the nasal sign (m). The syllable “ ” for this universal sound “Om” (often referred as om or aum by the Westerners) in ancient Sanskrit script is a monogram of this sound. All the activities and the order in this world are said to be generated and harmoniously regulated through the origin of this omnipresent subliminal sound.

The phonemes of the Vedic hymns and the seven fundamental nodes - Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni of the Indian classical music have originated (distinctly recognized by the Rishis) from the vibrations of the sublime sound of Om in the Nature. The Vedic quote - 'Ekoham Bahusyami ' implies that all the sounds, all the energies, all the motions and everything existing in the universe have originated from the vibrations of this single anahata nada. This is the source of the manifestation of the Ïabda-Brahm and the Nada Brahm.

The Om sound of the self-inspired evolutionary pulse of the omnipresent supreme consciousness force (Brahm) has three divine manifestations in the sublime domains of

Nature; those of creation (God Brahma), preservation/execution (God Vishnu) and transformation (God Shiva). The vibratory cosmic energy of this eternal sound regenerates the life-force and vital spiritual energy of the one who utters it repeatedly at consistent, rhythmic pace with deep breathing, mental concentration and reverence. As a consequence one feels emotional soothing and rejuvenation of mind - body system. This simple practice also motivates introvert experience.

Yantra
The Vedic Symbol of Universal Energy

The Archeology, the use of “Yantras”, especially the shri Yantra, Gañeïa Yantra, etc has become quite popular these days. Exploiting the trends of mob psychology, several models of these Yantras have surfaced in the market and, in tune with the culture of commercialization some have also become 'logos' of advertisements. It is pathetic to see that a super science scrupulously invented by the dedicated efforts of the Vedic Rishis for the spiritual, intellectual and worldly evolution of mankind is being taught and used so superficially and often wrongly through the Internet in the present Age of so called intellectual evolutions with culmination of modern scientific and technological advancement. “Akhand Jyoti” - The Light Divine - is devoted to bring you the righteous knowledge extracted from authentic studies of researchers of this intriguing science. Here we introduce the readers with the subject matter illustrating the rational science behind the mystic designs of Yantras and their importance.

A human being is defined to be an ensemble of the gross (physical) body, subtle (mental and energy) body and the astral body (the inner self or the domain of the soul). The existence of three perennial expressions of thy powers of the trinity Gods – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, is said to be vital for the manifestation of Nature and life. The existence of the three bodies is similarly an

integral part of the existence of any living being in this world. The three bodies, like the triveñº –

confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, are separate as well as one – being

the interwoven segments of a single individual self. The refinement and development of any one of these bodies would be incomplete without the other two. we must analyze the respective effects on each of the three forms (bodies) of a human being. As discussed earlier, our world is physically constituted by three basic energies viz. Sound, Light and Heat. According to the electromagnetic wave theory, the ever-expanding universe is described as a limitless ocean of energy waves. Grasping and utilization of some of these has given rise to the inventions and discoveries like radio, telephone, television, X-rays, radio-rays, laser, gamma-rays, ...., etc. Enormous combinations of superimposition of compatible waves are supposed to give rise to the energy particles, various subtle particle-states and ultimately to the atomic and molecular forms of matter. The root cause of the existence of different physical forms/states of any kind of material – howsoever subtle or gigantic it might be – is the ‘collision or superimposition’ of some of these omnipresent, ever vibrating, energy waves.

The eternal forms of sound and vibrations are synonymous with respect to their physical existence. Noting this, a natural conclusion of the above theory would be that –– Ïabda and Nada are the origins and the ultimate controllers of everything that exists (in a gross or subtle form) or happens (including the manifestation of life and death) in this universe. Our gross, subtle and astral bodies are thus naturally affected by ‘sound’. Our gross body is a physical system consisting of bio-physicochemical components. The impact of sound on this system results in corresponding vibrations in the molecular, cellular (e.g., an enzyme in a cell or a membrane, or a hormone...) or organ (e.g., the liver, uterus or ears.....) components and generates isolated or cascade effects (positive or negative, depending on the type of sound) on the interconnected subsystems. Several examples of the negative physical effects of

the impact of sound on the gross body have been described earlier in the context of the Doppler

effect and noise pollution.... Examples of the positive physical effects (on the gross bodies of any

living being), apart from those described earlier, include – increase in the immunity of human

beings under specific therapies based on sound; acceleration of the growth rate of vegetation by

special music...; increase in the reproduction rates of some varieties of fishes and hens under

certain music-based treatments.... Out of the three most familiar manifestations of Ïabda in energy forms, sound directly affects our gross body and heat and light influence our subtle and astral bodies respectively. The latter two types of effects often remain unrecognized because of the random and instantaneous vibrations in our conscious and unconscious mind and irregularities in our physical activities vis-à-vis the large number of stochastic interactions in the ever-dynamic modes of our sublime interaction with the above energies in Nature. Even if the supernatural effects (of Ïabda) are observed, these are often Eternity of Sound and the Science of Mantra attributed as ‘coincidences’ owing to the lack of sufficient knowledge or scientific data to analyze the causes...

Om Bhur Bhuvah Swah , Tat Savitur Varenyam ,
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi , Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat

Meaning of gayatri mantra
Oh God, the Protector, the basis of all life, Who is self-existent, Who is free from all pains and Whose contact frees the soul from all troubles, Who pervades the Universe and sustains all, the Creator and Energizer of the whole Universe, the Giver of happiness, Who is worthy of acceptance, the most excellent, Who is Pure and the Purifier of all, let us embrace that very God, so that He may direct our mental faculties in the right direction.

Yadaa yadaa hi dharmasya , Glaanirbhavati bhaarata.
Abhyutthaanam.h adharmasya , Tadaatmaanm srrijaamyaham.h..

Meaning
Hey Bhaarata (Arjuna). It is Faith which teaches renunciation and is responsible for the elevation and well-being of human beings. Whenever in the passage of time, (yadaa yadaa) Faith (or dharma) is weakened or is under attack, (glaanirbhavati) - and whenever adharma spreads without control (abhyutthaanam.h) - it is then (tadaatmaanM) that I re-incarnate myself (sRRijaamyaham.h) with all my powers to restore Faith.

OM tryambakam yajamahe , Sugandhim pushti-vardhanam ,

Urvarukamiva bandhanan, Mrityor mukshiya mamritat ,

Meaning of maha mrityunjaya
OM. We worship and adore you, O three-eyed one, O Shiva. You are sweet gladness, the fragrance of life, who nourishes us, restores our health, and causes us to thrive. As, in due time, the stem of the cucumber weakens, and the gourd if freed from the vine, so free us from attachment and death, and do not withhold immortality.
The great mantra dedicated to Shiva as Mrityunjaya is found in the Rig Veda. It is called the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, the Great Death-Conquering mantra. It is a mantra that has many names and forms. It is called the Rudra mantra, referring to the furious aspect of Shiva; the Tryambakam mantra, alluding to Shiva's three eyes; and its is sometimes known as the Mrita-Sanjivini mantra because it is a component of the "life-restoring" practice given to the primordial sage Shukra after he had completed an exhausting period of austerity. The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is hailed by the sages as the heart of the Veda. Along with the Gayatri mantra it holds the highest place among the many mantras used for contemplation and meditation.

Om Dyau Shanti Rantariksha Gwam Shanti

Prithvi Shanti Rapah Shanti Roshadhayah Shanti

Vanas Patayah Shanti Vishwed Devah Shanti

Brahma shanty Sarvag Wam Shanti

Shanti Reva Shanti Sa Ma Shanti Redhi

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti om.

Meaning of Shanti Path

Unto the Heaven be Peace, Unto the Sky and the Earth be Peace, Peace be unto the Water, Unto the Herbs and Trees be Peace, Unto all the Gods be Peace, Unto Brahma and unto All be Peace. And may We realize that Peace. Om Peace Peace Peace

Vakratu.nDa mahaakaaya koTisuuryasamaprabha ,

nirvighnaM kuru me deva sarvakaaryeshhu sarvadaa

Meaning of Shree Ganesha Shloka

O God Ganesha (large bodied with a large belly), radiant as millions of Suns, Please, remove obstacles in all of my tasks all the time.

Om annapate annasya no dehyana mivasya
shushminah, prapradataram tarisha urjam no
dhehi dvipade chatushpade.

Meaning
O Lord, the Giver of Food! May Thou provide us with healthy and energy-producting food. Grant happiness to those that give in charity. May all living beings be pleased with energy giving food.

DENIK ARYA SAMAJ HAVAN

Swastika