Holistic Astrology
Last week, on the Summer Solstice, I had a Vedic 'Yagya'. This is the performance of a religious duty involving Agni, the sacrificial fire, with the chanting of the mantras. The word itself is derived from the root "yaj" meaning "to worship", to evince devotion, and is a fundamental part of Vedic astrology. The performance of a yajna is meant to please the Paramatman (Higher Self or Supersoul) and the various deities.
In modern terms, we can think of yagya as sound therapy. The vibration of the mantras have a specific healing effect, which is beautiful and uplifting. You feel inwardly peaceful and centred, with any rough inner energies and disharmony smoothed out. Rather like after a sauna and massage, you feel super-clean and shiny.
Planetary Yagyas are based on a reading of your personal horoscope. Unlike in the West, where we might say 'You are having a Saturn-Pluto transit... good luck', the Jyotishi will give you something to remove the obstacle and make you feel better. A Vedic reading is simply a diagnostic to determine what sort of yagya performance you will need. This is proper practical use of astrology, in the context of a fully integrated holistic system of health.
Patanjali in The Yoga Sutras, states: Heyam duhkham anagatam, 'The danger that has not yet come can be averted' (II.16). Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, when asked about fate versus freewill, said: "We have 100% fate and 100% free will." That is, we are absolutely fated by our previous actions, but have total freedom to undo the effects of those actions today.
The pandits (Sanskrit experts) you see in the clip are based in Noida, India. The wonders of modern technology allow you to watch your yagya performance via Skype. You can even participate, by stating your name at the opening Sankalpa (intention behind the ritual) over the microphone. At a certain point in the yagya, you are invited to chant a simple mantra relating to the planetary energy being propitiated. Mine was a Rahu yagya, since I am in a difficult subperiod ruled by the North Node.
Mahalaksmi Yagya
Planetary Yagyas are based on a reading of your personal horoscope. Unlike in the West, where we might say 'You are having a Saturn-Pluto transit... good luck', the Jyotishi will give you something to remove the obstacle and make you feel better. A Vedic reading is simply a diagnostic to determine what sort of yagya performance you will need. This is proper practical use of astrology, in the context of a fully integrated holistic system of health.
Patanjali in The Yoga Sutras, states: Heyam duhkham anagatam, 'The danger that has not yet come can be averted' (II.16). Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, when asked about fate versus freewill, said: "We have 100% fate and 100% free will." That is, we are absolutely fated by our previous actions, but have total freedom to undo the effects of those actions today.
The pandits (Sanskrit experts) you see in the clip are based in Noida, India. The wonders of modern technology allow you to watch your yagya performance via Skype. You can even participate, by stating your name at the opening Sankalpa (intention behind the ritual) over the microphone. At a certain point in the yagya, you are invited to chant a simple mantra relating to the planetary energy being propitiated. Mine was a Rahu yagya, since I am in a difficult subperiod ruled by the North Node.
I wish I had taken this step about a year ago. A week after the yagya, its calming effect is palpable and I am more able to focus on my life and work. With the upsurge of interest in Yoga, it is this kind of spiritual technology that is long overdue a renaissance.
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