Yajna (yagya)
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
Yajna, sacrifice, is often considered as havan performance only , where offerings are made to fire.The Bhagwad Gita provides a deeper and wider meaning, that yajna is the route for all development and growth of the universe. The idea of Karma Yoga in the Gita is essentially based on sacrifice.Krishna says, “Yajnarthat karmano nyatra lokoyam karm abandhanah sama cara“ (3:9), that is, when actions are not performed for the cause of yajna, one is bound by his own actions.As per karmic account, one has to take rebirth to complete the debit-credit circle of actions. Hence one should perform duties for the sake of sacrifice, without any attachment.
If actions are performed with the spirit of yajna only , one is absolved from the cycle of birth and death and attains salvation. Here yajna means, when you carry out your duty selflessly , without pride and attachment, for the benefit and welfare of all beings. If you don't perform your duty and contribute your share for the sake of Humanity , then you are not part of the growth and evolution of the universe, the scripture advises. When we perform yajna, gods bestow us even with gifts we did not wish for. If one enjoys these gifts without sharing them, we would be behaving like a thief, and being ungrateful (3:12). Scriptures impart to us the culture of gratitude and thankfulness.There are various debts we incur, they're called rinahas. We need to clear them. Some of these are classified as matri rinh these are classified as matri rinha, mother's debt; pitri rinha, father's debt; dev rinha, debts of gods; social debt, teacher's debt and debt of the land. From whichever person, place or source you get something or are bestowed something by them, you must repay it. You should be grateful and thankful to them. This is a noble and typical characteristic of our culture and civilisation. The pious and benevolent person who partakes and accepts leftovers, after the sacrifice, is cleared of the guilt of all sins (3:13). The practice of accepting the fruit after distributing to all after the yajna (yajna sistasinah) gives us the thought of “judicious sharing of wealth“. It is the finest form of socialism, the summum bonum of any economy . The economy of yajna in karma yoga is being management studies of many taught in management studies of many universities of the world.
Krishna says, “He who doesn't act according to the wheel of existence or carry out his duties or contribute to the evolution of the universe, he lives in vain“ (3:16). His birth is futile and goes waste.
No society can evolve until there is a balance of responsibilities and rights. It is applicable to all, from family units to institutions, societies, nations and entire civilisation. The lack of balance between duties and rights, responsibility and freedom, trigger many chaotic conditions. Most people, including leaders, tend to harp on only one aspect the rights. They hardly talk of responsibilities or duties for fear of becoming unpopular. It is imperative in fact it is leaders' moral duty to make their followers aware of their duties also to make a future that is peaceful and hassle-free.
So let's become true karma yogis, by following Krishna's sage suggestions on the spirit and form of yajna in the third chapter of Karma Yoga in the Bhagwad Gita.
