chapter 11: Yagnam

After the Abhishekam and Decoration of the Lingam, preparations for Homam began. Mama sat at the position of the Chief Priest and started the procedures for igniting the Sacred Fires. It was very different from as it is done in Homam programs elsewhere. Several deities were invoked and were welcomed to protect the Yagna and accept the prayers.

Agni for the Homam was lit and was raised in the Main homa gunda. Various mantras continued to be chanted. Elaborate rituals including offering Padyam, Arghya, Achamanam, Aasanam, Naivedyam, were offered to the deities welcomed into the Homa gunda. Havya Vahana, the God of Fire was appeased with reverential prayers to carry the offerings to the respective Deities. Flames started to higher with the voice of the Ritwiks. The energy surge was intense and vibrations were very strongly felt, it was immanent that a cosmic event had started / occurred. Worship to the presiding deities of the eight corners was performed. Darbha grass was placed on the four sides. The yagna gunda was a site of divine commotion, with guardian angels protecting it from all directions and Lord witnessing the event seated in His throne!

After proper and accurate procedures as prescribed in the Shaivagama, Agni was split into ten portions. The sacred flames were received at each Homa gundam with mantras, after which they were again raised with Mantras. Now the prayers and rituals started at each homa gundam.

After appropriate rituals for raising the flames, Ganapathi Homam, Sai Gayathri Homam were performed. Offerings for various other deities were made. After all these, then finally Rudra Homa commenced. Rudram was chanted by the eleven priests sitting around the Homa gundam, and was led by the Yagna Acharya. Baskets with Jaggery mixed with Dark Sesame seeds and Paddy were placed before each Ritwik for making offerings.

The Yagna Acharya gave instructions as to how to make the offerings, and all followed. At each Swaahakaram, the Yagna acharya offered Ghee, and simultaneously all the Ritwiks offered the Paddy-Sesame-Jaggery mix. The timing of chanting Swaaha and making offerings was perfect as prescribed in the Shastras. There was no delay at all. Logs of fire woods and liters of Ghee stated to consumed in no time. The flames raised higher and higher. It was a wonderful sight. The paddy seeds popped like pop corn in the Yagna gunda, and the entire yagna shaala reverberated with a million tiny popping sounds emerging from the Yagna gunda. The jaggery melted and released a lot of heat. The logs of wood started to get reduced into ashes, and a divine fragrance filled the entire atmosphere. Every sense had the complete pleasure that could be enjoyed. There was the wonderful Darshan of Swamy through the high raising flames, with His ocher robe merging into the flames. He was granting the Darshan of the Yagna Purusha. Only His beautiful face with a Gentle Loving smile was visible. His face was shining like mid day sun, nay, the luster on His face during the Yagna is incomparable and is Unique!

The Swaahakarams went louder and louder as the pace of the Chant increased. The popping of paddy continued as intense heat got generated from the Homa gundas. The heat was strangely not causing trouble of Burning. It may be said that we got used to it like boiling frogs… only those who have experienced it know what I am talking about.

Rudra Parayanam was followed by Chamaka Parayanam, where in there was one Swaha after the entire Anuvakam. Each of us got up and stood, with Offerings in our double handfuls, and prayerfully let them into the fires at the Swaahakaram.

After Rudra Homam, other customary chants continued and finally thanks giving salutation to Havya Vahana was offered. Thus the Homam part concluded.

After Homam, Mama got up and performed puja to Lord Sayeeshwara. Salutations to Adityamaka Sri Rudra was done.

Dhoopamam was offered.

Salutations to Maha Deva ityadhi Ekadasa Rudra , Deepam Darshayami.

After offering Dhoopam and Deepam, Achamya was offered, which was followed by offering sacred scented flowers and leaves.

Naivedyam was offered, and Neerajanam was offered as the chants “Brahmatman vaya srujatam, Aatman, aatman, nityamantrayatam” reached peak voice. Neerajam with deepam with one wick, with five wicks and Meru neerajanam was offered. Sayeeshwara in both the forms received the offerings.

After aarathi with camphor, mantrapushpam was chanted and flowers of mantras was offered to Sayishwara. Vedic Aarathi mantram Yo vedadau swara prokto, vedante cha pratishtithaha, tasay prakruti leenasya, yah paraswa maheshwaraha was chanted in Unision.

Then started the grand celebration of Asthavadhana seva. A quick offering of various privileged services like Pushpam, Patram, Chatram, Chamaram, Nritya Darshanam, Geeta Shravanam, Taambulam, Samastha Rajopachara, Daivopachara, Bhktyopachara, Shodashopacharas were offered to Sayeeshwara.

Then a chant “ Deerghatama” from Rig Vedam was offered,

Om ayam puro bhava from yajur vedam was chanted in high pitch which concluded with hari om Swasthi.

A sloka Om Uchaha Tejaaha, Saaman Dhaa sahaaha, from Saama veda was offered to Adityatmaka Sri Rudra, who enjoys listening to Saama Veda.

Kailasa Shikhare ramie, Shakarasya Shivalaye, from Shiva Sankalpam chant was offered from Atharvana Vedam

Vyasaya Vishnu roopaya was chanted from the sacred scripture.

Then Panchanga Sravanam was offered.

This was followed by a verse read out from Upanishads.

Then a stotram was read out to Lord.

After this a song was sung out to the Lord for His pleasure.

The Asthavadhana seva concluded with Samastha Sanmagalani Bhavanthu.

It was time was Maha Mangala Haarathi. Om Jay Jagadeesha Hare with all accompaniments sounding at their loudest in tune with the song reverberated as more than a hundred voices emotionally sang and prayed Swamy “Mangala Haarathi Anduko Mandhara giri dhari” .

First session of the Ati Rudra Maha Yagna concluded with samastha loka sukhino bhavantu chant and shaasthanga namaskaram by all