All World
Gayatri Pariwar

The Yajna is a unique combination of the sciences of emotion, psychology, the hymns, physics and chemistry. As it is possible to access through it the Divine Consciousness, the Yajna has been called the Divine gate. That is why, divine disciplines are enforced at each and every step or action related to it. In order to recollect those divine disciplines, their Pratikas (symbols) are established in the Yajnashala, and in order to conduct the entire process in a disciplined manner, a Yajna-Sansad (the Parliament of Yajna) is also appointed. All the essential divine disciplines have been attached to the Gayatri Missions Ashvamedha Yajnas. The arrangement at the level of subtle realm has already been done by our Gurusatta. In order to prepare the visible symbolic form, a procedure laid by scriptures is being followed within the constraints of prevailing times.
The establishment of Pratikas The Yajnashala (canopy) of Ashvamedha containing one thousand eight kundas (pits of fire) is decorated with the divine symbols, chakras (wheels) and the idols of deities. Some important placements are as follows: Four Divine Gates are erected in all the four directions of the Yajnashala. These are meant only for restricted use and not for public use. These are embellished with festoons and the symbols of Shula, Shankha, Gada, Padma, etc, are painted on them. In the East - the symbol of Shankha in the red; in the South- Cakra in black; in West  Gada in white and in the North-Padma in yellow colour are inscribed. The figures of eight divine guards Jaya-Vijaya, Bhadrak-Subhadrak, Anand-Vishvarup and Dhruva-Suprasanna, are made on the two sides of each of the four gates. The flags, as symbols of different deities, are placed in eight directions on the top of the canopy. The Vahana (mount) of the related deity is also depicted on the flag.
The flag in the East depicts an elephant in white colour, as the Vahana of Indradeva; and that in South-east, goat is depicted in white colour as the Vahana of Agni Deva. In the South, buffalo in red colour as the Vahana of Yama Devata; in South-west, lion in white, as the Vahana of Goddess Durga; in West crocodile in grey colour, as the Vahana of Vasu; in North-west, deer in black as the Vahana of Candra; in North, horse in golden colour, as the Vahana of Surya; and in North-east, bull in white colour as the Vahana of Shiva, are depicted. Similarly, the flags are placed in between North-east and East depicting swan as the Vahana of Brahma and in between South-west and West depicting eagle as the Vahana of Ananta Deva. 8 Idols of elephants symbolizing eight Digpalas (the guardian deities of different quarters) are established in eight directions. Invisible Digpalas are established in the directions of Akasha and Patala. A description of construction of yajna kundas of different shapes in different directions is given in the next article. It is prescribed to place the idols of Sapta-�shi (seven prominent sages) and Arundhati in the eight directions. The direction-wise placements are as follows - the idol of Gautama in North; that of Bharadvaja in North-east, Vishvamitra in East, Kashyapa in South-east, Jamadagni in South, Vashishtha in South-west, Atri in West and Arundhati in North-west. The location of Deva-vedi(s) (platforms) in the Yajnashala is also fixed. �Sarvatobhadra� is established in front of the Deva- manca (the main stage) in the East. On the two sides of this are established Shodasha Matrika and �Dvadasha Vinayaka Cakra.� -The Tatva Vedi(s) are located as follows. The symbol of Akasha tatva (ether) in the form of swastika is placed near Deva-manca in the East. The symbols of Agni tatva (fire) in South-east, Prithvi-tatva (earth) in South-west, Vayu-tatva (air) in North-west, and Jala-tatva (water) in Noth-east, are established on the vedi(s) placed there. Navagraha Cakra in the middle of Yajnashala, Panchomkara vedi in the North-east; Kshetrapala-cakra in North-west, Yogini cakra in South-east, and Vastu vedika in South-west are also established. All these placements are shown in the figure given at the end of this article. These are not for mere decoration. The inspirations and the powers hidden in these idols are explained during the �karmakand� of Yajna. The act of Yajna and the emotions and thoughts of �yajakas� are moulded accordingly. Yajna Sansad - The Hub of Discipline: In order that the Yajna is conducted according to the prescribed rules, a team of experts is appointed. It is called Yajna-Sansad. The responsibilities of the different experts and their titles are as follows: Yajnacharya � In Rudrayamal, �Acharya� has been called as the chief patron of the Yajna. A qualified and competent �Acharya� has to be searched according to the objective to be accomplished through Yajna. �Acharya� used to have not only the knowledge of all the streams of rituals of Yajna but he also used to possess enormous power of Tapa according to the requirement of the task. It is only on the basis of the Tapa that it is possible to attract and invite the divine powers and then generate the subtle flow of their energies according to the requirements of the objective. The story of the Putreshti Yajna of king Dasharatha is well known. In those days, Maharshi Vashishtha was the most revered among all the �shis, but in order to fulfill the desired objective he made young sage �shyashranga, who was instinct with the power of Tapa, the �Acharya� of that Yajna. That Yajna produced pre-eminently results just because of the active association of his power of Tapa. The �Acharya� had the capacity to make union with the divine cosmic currents. The deities he invited, used to come in that Yajna; the deities he offered the oblations, used to accept the same. In the Sarpa-Yajna of Janamejaya, Takshaka (name of snake), for self-protection, coiled itself around the throne of Indra. When this was known, the oblations were given to Takshaka including Indra. The effect of oblations was so much that Takshaka was pulled along with the throne of Indra. At that time, Indra forcibly removed that snake from his throne. A considerable thought is given before a person is accepted as an �Acharya� of the Yajna. The Gayatri Mission�s series of Ashvamedha yajna is being performed under the patronage and direction of the �shi-couple - Pujya Gurudev and Vandaniya Mataji; who are as competent as the ancient �shi - couple Vashishtha and Arundhati. Brahma - This is the second most important position after the �Acharya�. The supervision of all the activities of �tviks, yajmans, etc and their proper management is the responsibility of Brahma. He has three assistants - (1) Brahmanacchansi (one who makes participants obey the directions), (2) Agnindhra - (the coordinator of Yajnagni �fire of Yajna, oblations etc), and (3) Pota (the person responsible for the cleanliness and sanctity of the place). Hota - The chief priests appointed for inviting and welcoming the deities. They also have three helpers � Prashasta, Acchavaka and Gravastuta. Adhwaryu - They are the priests who possess the knowledge of all the rituals of Yajna and hence they are responsible for properly conducting all the rituals. They also have three assistants, namely; Pratiprasthata, Neshta and Unneta. Udgata - These are experts in recitation of hymns and invocations. They have three assistants � Prastota, Pratiharta and Subrahmanya. Sadasya - (Members of the Sansada) - They are responsible for supervising the proceedings, by sitting near the vedis and correcting the mistakes, if any, done by the yajaks. Yajaka - These are the persons who have awakened sacrificial attitude in their hearts through devotion and who offer the oblations with that spirit. The Prominence of Shraddha The scriptures have directed that every task in Yajna / ritual has to be performed with full Shraddha (faith). Without faith the ritual is like a body without the soul. �Shraddhaya Satyamapyate� (Truth is obtained through faith alone). By saying so the scriptures have enjoined to perform every deed with full faith. Shrimad Bhagvad Gita says - Ashraddhaya hutam dravyam tapas taptam kritam cha tat / Asadityucyate Partha na ca tatpretya no iha // That is - Havana, dan (donation), tapa or any other work performed without faith is called Asat (untrue). Oh Partha! The result of untrue or unholy work is beneficial neither in heavens nor on earth. It is said in Atri Smriti (146) that - Ashraddhaya ca yaddantam vipreagnau daivike kritau / Na devastriptimayanti daturbhavati nishphalam // In a Yajna performed for the invocation of the particular deity, whatever Dakshina, etc is offered to Brahmana and Agni without Shraddha, does not please the deity. That Dakshina, etc of the giver goes waste. According to Matsya Purana, there occurs a terrific loss to both the king and the nation where the yajnas are done without faith. For example- Shantimangala homeshu nastikyam yatra jayate / Raja va mriyate tatra sam desho va vinashyati // - (239-11) Where atheism, generated by the loss of faith, reigns supreme in the work related to peace, prosperity or �homa�, there the king and the nation are ruined. That is why, the yajakas are made to practice devotion for refining and augmenting their Shraddha prior to the performance of Yajna. During Yajna, the Pratikas (idols of deities, etc) are established in several places in the Yajnashala, so that by looking at them Shraddha is generated. Yajna-Sansad too maintains the discipline and conducts the entire process of Yajna, aiming at generating genuine Shraddha in all the participants.