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Yajnas have been performed since ancient times, and are still performed today with the same simplicity and beauty. The ancient rishis, seers and sages heard the mantras and visualized the yantras, forms of the devas, which are integral to yajna. The rishis were the scientists of their time. They studied the world around them, the planets, stars, moon and sun, and the changing influences these had on their lives, internally as well as externally. They understood the nature of their world, the climate and changing seasons, and how to live in harmony with them. They considered every aspect of this world as divine and treated everything with the same devotion and respect. In this way they were able to connect the material with the spiritual in their life, and the rituals and ceremonies they performed, such as yajna, reflect this celebration of life in all dimensions of existence. The pooja, and mantras performed during the Bhagavata Yajna are the same as those performed thousands of years ago. Daily worship was offered to the gods and to the forces of nature, such as: planets, sun and moon, plants, land, elements, climate (wind, rain), feminine and masculine nature, and the generating, sustaining and destructive aspects of creation. It is this worship of the natural forces that makes the yajna such a powerful event. All the forces of life are invoked and awakened, which contributes to the process of purification, growth and transformation of nature. The pooja area for the Bhagavata Yajna contained three vedis, which were small representations of the cosmos and the divine forces. Radha and Krishna formed the central vedi. The left vedi contained the shaktipeetha, the creative and dynamic forces of nature in the form of the sixteen matrikas, or little mothers, and the Sarvatu Bhadra, the yantra representing auspiciousness to all beings. This vedi also included Gauri-Ganesha and Varuna, the Lord of the waters, controlling weather, oceans, seas and rivers. The third vedi, on the right, represented the energies of the navagraha, nine planets, in the form of yantras, along with Indra, Lord of the Devas, and Rudra, the destructive/transformative energy of creation. During the pooja, the worship of pustaka, the ancient books, in this case the Srimad Bhagavata, which hold the knowledge and power of the spiritual teachings over thousands of years, was observed. Tulsi Devi, the holy plant of healing, and the guiding inspiration of guru, were also included in the pooja and offerings. The worship went on daily throughout the seven days, and the Sanskrit mantras of the Srimad Bhagavata were chanted, maintaining the sanctity of the entire program and all its activities. Throughout the yajna, the pooja was performed with pure and natural materials, the same simple clay pots, natural grains, oil, ghee, flowers, dhoop and camphor which were used 5,000 years ago. Each item has its own scientific properties that purify and uplift both the individual and the environment. Simultaneously, the Bhagavata katha was told on the field of Yoga Vidya to the thousands of people, who were inspired and enthralled by the pervasive spirit of satsang, kirtan, seva and joy, which continued for seven days. The beauty of it was that nobody consciously even knew it was happening, but this yajna definitely changed the direction of their lives and the way in which they relate to themselves and the world around them. The human race has been the cause of unprecedented change and destruction of the earths ecosystems and environment. We take, enjoy and destroy, without distribution, without sharing or giving anything back. Nature has become a utility for the satisfaction of our pleasure and greed, without consideration or respect. By the performance of yajna, however, we can generate a new awareness whereby all the forces of nature are respected and invoked. In this way, we align ourselves and our environment with the positive energies of creation, which are generating, sustaining, and transforming. During yajna, the environment is purified by the vibration of mantras that permeate the air all around. This also affects our inner environment; the thoughts and feelings are harmonized and become clear, pure and inspirational. The seven day Bhagavata Yajna culminated in a havan, fire ceremony, which invoked the ancient energies of the land and paid respect to them, offering peace and
gratitude to all the aspects of nature responsible for the successful culmination of this historical event. Agni, the Lord of fire, was first invoked in Jyoti Mandir through mantras and the rubbing together of aranya, fire sticks. Within minutes Agni arose in his full glory, without fuel, matches or chemicals of any kind. Just as Lord Krishna had been carried down to the field in a procession on the first day, Agni was carried from the moola of Jyoti Mandir to the site of the havan. This symbolized that the process of transformation was being completed. Just as Shakti passes through the seven chakras and merges with Shiva in sahasrara, the energy generated in the moola throughout the seven days was transported to the field, where thousands were awaiting it. With guru as the witness, all could feel the power of inspiration and grace. When you can experience the power of the divine and the forces of nature around and within you, the essence of yajna becomes real to you. The Bhagavata Yajna was a time of great unification and inspiration, reaffirming our faith and purpose in spiritual life and strengthening our dedication to continue on the path towards our goal.
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