Essentials of Hinduism - Brahma Yajna

Essentials of Hinduism

Brahma Yajna

The word “Brahma” is to be meant as ‘Veda”; “Yajna” is to be meant as “Ritual”. Brahma Yajna is a Nitya Karma and forms part of the “Daily Vedic Rituals”. As an addition, we perform the Tarpana (offering water to please ) for the Devas, Rishis and the Pitrus. One of the most important Rituals of the Brahma Yajna is chanting of the Four Vedas and a segment from ones own veda.

Brahma Yajna Simplified Procedures:

Start performing Brahma Yajna after completing the Madhyahnika. Sit facing East.

Achamana: Do Twice. See Sandhyavandana Chapter 4 for Details.

Ganapaty Dhyana: See Sandhyavandana Chapter 4 for Details.

Pranayama: See Sandhyavandana Chapter 4 for Details.

Sankalpa: Perform Resolution to perform Brahma Yajna.

Chanting of the Four Veda-vakyas: Prior to chanting the Veda-vakyas,

Perform the prescribed Nyasas and chant the Four Veda-vakyas.

These are the first lines of the respective slokas of each veda.

Refer to Chapters 24 through 27 Sanskrit Slokas for these Arambhavakyas.

Tarpana Procedures:

Brahma Yajna consists of performing Three Tarpanas:

(1) Deva Tarpana; (2) Rishi Tarpana; (3) Pitru Tarpana.

(1) Deva Tarpana:

Wear Sacred Thread the normal way (Upavita) with Sacred Thread laid on the Left Shoulder. Chant prescribed Mantras - pour Water after chanting each Mantra over the tip of the little finger to the plate (little finger sloped downwards) in the Prescribed Manner.

(2) Rishi Tarpana:

Wear Sacred Thread like wearing a garland (Nivita) with one knot around the Thumb. Chant prescribed Mantras - pour water after chanting each Mantra over the tip of the little finger (little finger looking like a standing position) in the Prescribed Manner.

(3) Pitru Tarpana:

Wear Sacred Thread opposite to the normal way (Prachinavita) with Sacred Thread laid on the Right Shoulder. Chant Prescribed Mantras - pour Water after chanting each Mantra over the tip of the Thumb to the Plate (Thumb sloping down) in the Prescribed Manner. Now, wear Sacred Thread the normal way, perform Achamana, and pour Water on the Ground after chanting “Om Tatsat Brahmarpanamastu”.

Chapter Re-cap:

1) Brahma Yajna is a Nitya Karma and should be done Every Day just like the Sandhyavandana.

2) One of the most Important Rituals of the Brahma Yajna is chanting of the Four Veda- vakyas. These chantings should be done only after the performance of proper Sankalpa, and after ritualistic cleansing of hands with water (exterior purification) and performing Achamana Twice (Internal Purification).

3) Brahma Yajna consists of performing Three Tarpanas:

(1) Deva Tarpana; (2) Rishi Tarpana; (3) Pitru Tarpana.

4) Even a Person whose Father is alive should perform Brahma Yajna, because, the Tarpana (Anga or Brahma Yajnya) is also done for the Devas, Rishis and the Ancestral Pitrus (excluding the Parents who are alive). Ancestral Pitrus are Nitya Pitrus known as Somaha, Pitruman, Yamaha (different from one commonly known by us as Yama), Angeeraswan, Agni.

5) There is a subtle difference in the Brahma Yajna procedures for each of the Four Vedas. Therefore, adopt the procedure applicable for one’s own Veda.

Snana And Agamarshana Sukta

Snana (Bathing) consists of different kinds: Drenching our Body from waist down, from neck down and the normal one when we pour Water over our Head. However, a Snana is really recognized as a complete Snana only when we take Bath in a River facing the Sun and drenching our Head completely under the River Water. Snana of any kind should be done facing the East. One should not be naked while taking the Snana. Some Vastra (Cloth) is required.

When we do Sandhyavandana, we chant Apo Hishta... and using our finger we sprinkle Water over our Head and all over our Body; during a formal Puja or Homa, the Priest uses Darba (Dried Grass) and sprinkles Water from Kalasa (Vessel used in the Homa Rituals) on our Family Members, various rooms inside our Home etc. These Rituals are called “Brahma Snana”.

Very rarely an unusual situation comes when the Sun shines, and it also rains. This rain Water is equivalent to Water from the Deva Loka. Snana in this Water is called “Divya Snana” and some people try to do this snana.

It is important to review the Panchanga every day prior to taking our Snana. By stating the Thiti of the Day we get Wealth; by stating the Day of the Week we get Life Extension; by stating the Star of the day we get rid of Sins; by stating Yoga we get rid of Sickness; by stating Karana we get to accomplish our planned Tasks. Total there are 15 Thithis including the Purnima (Full Moon) or Amavasya (New Moon); Total there are 7 Days in One Week; total there are 27 nakshatras (Stars); total there are 27 Yogas; and, Total there are 11 Karanas.

Even for our Daily Snana, we are required to do a Sankalpa. The next Important Ritual is to chant the “Agamarshana Sukta”. This is a Prayer to the Lord of Waters or Varuna. This Sukta is relatively long (one to two pages). Instead, we may chant “Ganga...Harihi” stated in the Sanskrit Sloka above that makes our Snana inside our Home equivalent to taking Snaana in these Holy Rivers. Or, as a Last Resort, the Pranava Mantra OM can be chanted. It is recommended to do one of these chants as a Prayer to Varuna.

Agamarshana Sukta washes away our sins. By this Prayer, we purify ourselves from the food eaten at improper place or occasion, the sin committed by mind, the sin of over-eating. We pray to Varuna to get rid of our evil, impurity, sin and become liberated. Agamarshana Sukta is a sin effacing Mantra.

Chapter Re-cap:

1) Snana should not involve just pouring Water over our Head. It should be done properly following the procedures described above.

2) It is desirable to chant the Agamarshana Sukta Mantras that involve detailed Prayer to Varuna to wash away the sins.

3) For those not familiar with any chants, OM could be chanted as a last resort.

4) It is important to review the Panchanga Everyday prior to taking our Snana and state the Thiti, Day of the Week, Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana of the Day.

This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition.