Gayatri Yagya

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Q.2. Is it necessary to perform Yagya along with Jap of Gayatri Mantra?

 

Ans. Gayatri and Yagya form an inseparable pair. One is said to be the mother of

Indian culture and the other, the father. They are inter-linked. Gayatri

Anusthan cannot be said to be fully accomplished unless it is accompanied by

Yagya. In old affluent times Agnihotra used to be performed with number of

Ahutis equal to one- tenth of the quantum of Jap, but now, in view of the

prevailing circumstances, Ahutis are given in one to hundredth ratio. Those

lacking in requisite resources fulfil the requirement of Yagya by performing

one-tenth additional Jap.

 

There is a reference in the scriptures to a famous ancient dialogue between

Janak and Yagyavalkya. Janak went on pointing out the difficulties in daily

performance of Yagya because of non- availability of required materials whereas

Yagyavalkya, while emphasising the essentiality of performing Yagya, said that

even if charu and other materials are not available, food grains of daily

consumption can be offered in Havan. If they are also not available, mental

Yagya can be performed by offering meditation and divine sentiments in the fire

of reverence and devotion. It has thus been emphasized that not only in

Anusthan, but even in daily Sadhana, Yagya is essential along with Gayatri Jap.

 

In emergency, house-wives used to utter Gayatri Mantra and offer five morsels of

first chapati in the hearth in the kitchen. The daily routine of food to God

before taking meals was known as Balivaishwa (cf.. Saying Grace).