Vedic yagya in Panauti - Nepali Times

It's a material world, and the modern lifestyle brings with it higher stress levels. Individually, people practice yoga and meditation to try to regain their mental equilibrium. But one group is tackling societal stress and collective tension by organizing a yagya: an ancient Vedic practice of prolonged prayer and chanting. It is all happening in Panauti outside Kathmandu next week, and its prime mover, Martin Gluckman of the Vedic Society denies it is all mumbo jumbo.

"There is now scientific proof that society's mood and its spiritual harmony can be ensured with yagyas, there are favourable changes after the ceremony takes place," Gluckman told Nepali Times as he put finishing touches to the ceremony which will last a week and is expected to be visited by thousands from Nepal and abroad.

Yagyas are ancient proto-Hindu practices organised to restore harmony in societies torn by upheavals. They use the holy fire which burn ayurvedic plants amidst the chant of holy mantras and prayers.

A similar yagya in South India last year was credited with better harvests and healthy rainfall. Says Alex Hankey of the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine: "By collecting a large amount of data and samples of places where yagyas were done regularly, we came to realise that collective meditation can influence society."

A soma yagya is a "super yagya" that invokes "soma" the nourishing elixir of life and nature. Soma yagyas are performed to increase the society's cohesiveness and harmony, and involves the burning of the soma plant from the high Himalaya which is put into the holy fire. "Besides praying for peace and harmony in Nepal," Gluckman says, "the soma yagya in Panauti is expected to create conditions for healing, love and peace on the planet.

Gluckman and Hankey feel yagyas like the one planned for Panauti persuade people to be mellower, be less aggressive and be considerate members of society.

Gluckman, a South African Hindu environmentalist and spiritualist, organised a soma yagya in Auroville in south India last year with the help of the Institute for Studies in Vedic Sciences and Agnihotra USA.

Although small scale yagyas are common in temples across Nepal, they normally involve animals sacrifices which is unacceptable as it promotes mindless violence. Says Gluckman: "Vedic Society is reviving an ancient celebration of peace as a gift to Nepal for it has gifted the world its enriching ayurvedic knowledge."

Soma Yagya
6-11 November
Panauti, Kabhre District
www.vedicsociety.org

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1. Joan Aronowitz
Congratulations Martin to you and the Nepali Times for publishing this lovely article. We are thinking of you and looking forward to the Universal waves of bliss which will no doubt reach the farthest end of the Cape Peninsula. By bringing this harmony and enlivening the best value of the human intelligence we may expect many and varied benefits. Did you know that the sharks at Cape Point Nature Reserve are reputed not to bite? Perhaps the biting ones at Fish Hoek and Muizenberg have been affected by the cell phone tower proliferation in these areas? My wish is that you arrange two of these yagyas every year and that there will be one in Zimbabwe next year as well as in Kashmir. Love to all of you involved in the ceremony. Joan

Posted on: 01 NOV 2011 | 12:55 PM NST

2. Nepali
SAPRISHI at Baluwatar Perhaps enlighten by this yagas Organizer should invite Baidya and associate. Numerous Social, environmental as well as spiritual values are their one who Trust & innocent .

Posted on: 02 NOV 2011 | 6:31 PM NST

3. Sri Vidya
It is with much joy that we see occurring of a non-harming "sacrifice" in Nepal. May this usher in a new era of devotion and sacrifice without harming our brother and sister animals. As long as we continue to live by harming others we can not obtain peace and harmony in our great nation.

Posted on: 02 NOV 2011 | 7:20 PM NST

4. Basudev Gautam
This is a true and divine blessings for Nepal and Nepalis. Believe in the power of Mantra. AUM can turn earth to sky and vice versa. After all the killings of innocent people and animals, this is one way to atone for mistakes and usher in the peace. Remember, with Love and Peace, there is nothing to gain. So a million thanks to the people in charge of this wonderful event. Way to go.

Posted on: 02 NOV 2011 | 11:41 PM NST

5. krishna

Dear Mr. Martin

Our compliments and may choicest blessings be showered on for successfully completing SOMAYAG in Nepal. Where is next somayag?

Posted on: 13 NOV 2011 | 10:37 AM NST

6. Martin
Namaskar. The next Somayagya in this line will take place in Kashmir. All are Welcome. Martin

Posted on: 20 NOV 2011 | 7:27 PM NST