All World
Gayatri Pariwar

The technique of yagya for the treatment of physical and mental diseases does not comprise only of the decomposition and transformation into vapor phase and release of medicinal phytochemicals from the herbal medicinal preparation; medicinal samidhis (wood pieces) and healthy nutritional substances offered in the fire of yagya are also processed to help in inducing increased vigor and immunity

Yagyopathy or yagya-therapy incorporates pulmonary drug-administration by inhalation and infusion through skin pores during yagya (agnihotra, homam) conducted with selected herbal (plant medicinal) preparations that are offered in fire along with chanting of specific Vedic hymns (mantras). The types and quantities of herbs used in the preparation of the material (havan samagri) for oblation in the fire of yagya, the type of medicinal woods used in the fire, the selection of mantras to be chanted during the herbal-oblations, the timings of yagya etc are specific for specific effects. Typically, the material (clay or metal) and design of the agni-kuñDa (fire-pit) is also chosen as per the Vedic scriptural prescriptions for desired effects.   

The medicinal firewood (samidhi) used in yagya are cellulose-rich and have less calorific value, the arrangement of selected firewood to control the air-supply and temperature variation are also optimized so that the fire breaks up molecule-to-molecule bonds of the sacrificed substances causing them to sublimate or vaporize, rather than triggering their independent combustion process[1]. 

The technique of yagya for the treatment of physical and mental diseases does not comprise only of the decomposition and transformation into vapor phase and release of medicinal phytochemicals from the herbal medicinal preparation; medicinal samidhis (wood pieces) and healthy nutritional substances offered in the fire of yagya are also processed to help inducing increased vigor and immunity[2].

The medicinal and nourishing output of the yagya are naturally inhaled through the nose (via deep breathing) and mouth (via rhythmic chanting of mantras). Moreover, because of being spread in the surrounding air the vaporized substances also enter the body through the skin pores. Doing yagya in the early morning (few hours around the sunrise time) at a neat place is most effective as the atmosphere is relatively clear and air is fresh (free of pollutants). If yagya is performed regularly at the same place, after several days the surrounding environments would become purer and remain so almost the entire day. Still, early morning time gives the best effects in terms of cleanliness of our skin (soon after bathing), metabolic state of our body, best impact of sunlight, etc.      

People have a common belief that the smoke produced during this fire-ritual kills the bacteria so the effect of yagya is nothing but what could be achieved by burning the wood or dry cow dung. However, scientific experiments[1, 4] conducted to study the effects of – (a) proper yagya, (b) burning wood or cow dung, (c) control (no treatment) upon samples of same bacterial culture, incubated in identical conditions, show significant difference. The effect of yagya was found consistent and remarkably better (about 75% bacterial growth reduction, on an average) better than the controls while that of (b) was inconsistent; on some samples, it showed slight reduction (at the most 15%) as compared to the controls.

The duration of yagya, the selection of mantras and the type of herbal/plant medicinal preparation (havan simagri) to be used in it depend upon the nature and extent of the disease. As per the sagacious guidance of Vedmurti Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya, the thorough studies on Ayurvedic Medicines at Shantikunj, Hardwar and the research experiments and clinical trials in the yagyopathy lab of its research wing – Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan, Hardwar, has pioneered scientific revival of this ancient inhalation therapy.  This series on yagya-therapy (yagyopathy) will highlight these aspects for treatment against some major and/or common diseases (health problems).  

Here we present the method and materials of yagya-therapy prescribed to cure the diseases of eyes. It can be practiced along with oral or intravenous intake of modern and/or Ayurvedic medicines. Yagya also serves as an excellent mode of preventive medicine. It is an easy and least expensive mode of treatment provided the patient spends some time (say about 30-40 minutes or so, on an average). It is often called havana or homa® while performed at a small scale, say, everyday at home. The readers who are not familiar with the procedure of doing yagya or who have never participated in any, are advised to attend some of the yagyas organized by Gayatri Pariwar in their city/locality and are also welcome to visit Shantikunj, Hardwar for this purpose.  The books listed in the references give necessary introduction[5] and details[6] together with syllabic structure and meaning of relevant mantras (hymns) chanted during yagya. 

Yagya to Heal Eye-Ailments: Usually by disease of eyes one thinks of infections like conjunctivitis; by eye-problems one thinks of weakness of eyesight, Hypermetropia or Myopia, cataract, partial or total blindness, etc. Except perhaps in the case of infections, it is difficult to see what role medicines, other than eye-drops or ointment would have. More so what the inhalation through yagya would do in case of eye-problems? It should be noted that the functioning of the optical nerves and related system of eyes, its retinal membrane and tissues, etc are sensitive to changes in blood biochemistry and blood flow rate and pressures, resulting in varieties of problems ranging from irritation in eyes, weak eyesight, partial blindness, fibrous growth or tumors in the eye-region.

Pulmonary administration of effective medicines, which do not have any side-effects, is therefore effective in most diseases or problems of eyes. Hence the importance of yagya, as the specific plant medicinal preparation (havan simagri) used for this purpose consists of good combination of effective medicines, natural disinfectants and healthy substances that cause no risk of side-effects and are naturally soothing.  The preparation and mode of use is as follows.

The special havan simagri for eyes is prepared using equal proportions of dry coarse powder for the following plant medicines/herbs: camphor, clove, turmeric, lila chandana, diru haldi, rasauta, laudhra, mulaiÚhi, nima leafs, devadira, bacha, dhamisi, gorakhamunDi, babula leafs, kachura, and lotus. [Botanical and available English names of all plants/herbs are given in the Table underneath]. Yagya is performed using this special havan simagri mixed with the common havan simagri in 1:1 proportions.

Common havan simagri is used for general purpose (in daily yagya for normal sustenance of vigor and healthy atmospheric environment). It consists of agar, tagar, devadira, giloya, lila chandana, aïwagandhi, guggala, cloves, Jiyaphala and sandalwood powder in equal proportions.  Substances with healthy constituents like ghee (clarified butter) of cow’s milk, Hordeum Valgar (Barley), Sesamum indicum (tila), together with sugar and Vitis Vinifera  (big resins or dried grapes) small quantities (~ 1% of total quantity of the havan simagri) are added to common havan simagri.

Oblations (ihutis) of this preparation are made in the yagya-fire with rhythmic loud chanting of the Surya-Gayatri Mantra.  On an average, the ihutis (made with the sound of “swihi” at the end of the mantra) should continue for 20-25 minutes every day; or, at least 24 ihutis should be offered.

The Surya Gayatri Mantra: Om Bhur Buva¡ Swa¡, Bhiskariya Vidmahe, Diwikariya Dhimahi| Tanna¡ Surya¡ Prachodayit|| Swihi|| After offering each ihuti, one should say “Ida® Suryiya, Ida® Na Mam”  – implying an altruistic feeling that it is for the benefit of the world (through yagya) and not for my selfish benefits.

The problems of eyes including weak eyesight are also caused by severe tension or physical stress. Yagya induces soothing effects of calming mind and thus offers added benefits in such cases as well.

For rapid healing, a decoction of the following Ayurvedic prescription should also be taken. Make fine powder of equal quantities of turmeric, lila chandana, giloya, diru haldi, kutaki, chiriyati, saunÚha, ni•ma bark-skin, chitraka, visa root, patola leafs, anvali, haraDa, baheDi, nigarmothi, kutaja bark-skin, barley, gorakhamunDi, ïativara, sirivi. The powder should be kept in airtight container and every day about 50gm of this powder should be boiled in half-liter water. Keep the decoction continuously boiling (on mild flame) till only 100 ml is left. Let it cool. Filter it using fine, neat cloth and drink it fresh in the morning.   

References:

1.    Raghuvanshi M. (2006): Some Investigations into the Chemical and pharmaceutical Aspects of Yagyopathy. PhD Thesis, Dev Sanskriti Univ., Hardwar (India).

2.    Raghuvanshi M., Pandya P. and Joshi R. R. (2004): Yagyopathic Herbal Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Symptoms – A Clinical Trial. Alter. & Compl. Therapies. V 10 (2), pp. 101-105.

3.    Saxena M. (2006): Air Quality modeling and Non-Conventional Solutions to the Environmental Pollution Problems with Reference to the Vedic Sciences. PhD Thesis, Dev Sanskriti Univ., Hardwar (India).

4.    Acharya Shrama S. (2005) Saral aur Sankïipta Gayatri Havan Vidhi. 24th Print. Yug Nirman Yojna, Mathura.  (English Translation by S.Potdar:  “The Procedure of Yagya” 1st ed. 2004. Yug Nirman Yojna, Mathura.)

5.    Acharya Shrama S. (1995):  Yagya – Ek Smagra upchar Prakriya.  Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya Samagra Vangmaya Vol. 26 Akhand Jyoti Sansthan, Mathura; UP, India.