Apthoaryama Yaga in India

[Guest guest]

Namaste from India!

I am writing on behalf of OM Shantidhama Vedic Gurukul located in

Bangalore, India.

Om Shantidhama, Bangalore in association with Vedic Yajna

Prathisthaan, Mulakunnathukavu is organizing Apthoaryama Yagna at

Kerala during April 10 to April 20, 2004. I am forwarding the details

of this yagna as part of this mail. We would be delighted to have

your presence on this historic event and seek your blessings and

support for this event. We take this opportunity to invite you to

visit OM Shantidhama Vedic Gurukul during your next visit to

Bangalore and we look forward to meeting you

 

Pranams

 

Pavan

 

http://www.omshantidhama.org/

 

 

 

Details of Apthoaryama Yagna

 

 

 

Apthoaryama is a gigantic Vedic ritual encompassing hundreds of

ritual activities and utilization of thousands of Veda mantras from

Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and few sookthas from Atharva Veda.

It is stated by experts that all the features - profundity and

complexity of Vedic ritualism are enshrined in this Yajna. The

details regarding Yajna are enclosed herewith.

 

 

 

As a part of this Yajna, we intend to make a full scientific

evaluation without any preconceived notions, prejudices or bias. The

central government has agreed to issue No Objection Certificate (NOC)

to the scientific institutions concerned. We are also organizing

other programmes like an elaborate Vedic exhibition, assembly of

scholars and experts, seminars etc.

 

 

 

It is proposed to organize the performance of Saagnichithya Sarva

Prushtha Sarvasthoama Apthoaryaama Yagaam at Mulakunnathukavu,

Thrissur District, Kerala in the month of 2004 April 10 to 20.

 

 

 

I. Promoters

 

The performance of this great Vedic ritual is being promoted jointly

by the Vedic Yajna Prathisthaan, Mulakunnathukavu and the Om Shanti

Dhama, Bangalore with the cooperation of Sroutha Shastra Parishad,

Trichur.

 

 

 

II. 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 to

enlighten the people about Veda, Sroutha and related subjects.

 

 

 

III. The Ritual

 

Somayaagas: Somayaagas are elaborate and complex Vedic rituals. The

rituals of Apthoaryaama spread of 10-12 days ñ 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

interpretations, 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.

 

Apthoaryaama 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.

 

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.

 

Garuda Chayana: This yajna has another important component, namely,

Mahaagni Chayana or Garuda Chayana. The main Fire-Altar (Havana-Vedi)

for 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.

 

 

 

IV. The Kerala Scenario and Revival of a Lost Tradition

 

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 ìSroutha Karma

Vivekamî, 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 inn Sanskrit titled

ìPrayoga Vrittiî. Erkara states that the details of yajnas now being

performed in Kerala (Agnishtoma and Athirathra) 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

Apthoaryaama from Prayoga Vritti. It is therefore quite certain that

Apthoaryaama was performed in Kerala in earlier days.

 

 

 

It is thus evident that the proposal to perform Apthoaryaama 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-Shornur highway.

 

 

 

VI. Personnel

 

The yajamana 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

 

1. Scientific Evaluation: A team of eminent scientists will be

constituted to conceive, plan and execute scientific studies of the

yajnaís 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

analysis. 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 reemphasize; is to bring Veda to the common people and

the common

 

people to Veda and to indicate the lofty principles and Universality

of Vedic culture in the minds of the people. We are happy to state

that the authorities of Thrissur Bramhasvam Matom ñ the time honored,

legendary and prestigious Vedic institution has gracefully assured

all co-operation and help.

 

© Blessings of Mahatmas: We shall seek the blessings of Saints and

Spiritual Leaders for the auspicious fulfillment of this great

ritual.

 

 

 

All are invited to involve and cooperate 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 and

prosperity of all

 

human being, animals, plants and everything in the Universe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pavan