Yagya
How a Yagya Is Performed
Every yagya follows an order handed down in the tradition. Here are the main steps.
- 1Choosing the time: a favorable date and time is chosen from the Vedic calendar.
- 2Preparation: the fire altar (havan kund) is prepared, and the offerings are made ready: ghee, grains, herbs and special wood.
- 3Intention (sankalpa): the priest states the name, family lineage (gotra) and wish of the person the yagya is for.
- 4Opening prayers: prayers to Lord Ganesha and the other deities, asking that the ceremony go without obstacles.
- 5Lighting the fire: the sacred fire is lit with mantras.
- 6Offerings: with each mantra, an offering is placed into the fire, ending with the word "svaha". A yagya may have hundreds or thousands of offerings.
- 7Final offering (purnahuti): the last, complete offering that closes the yagya.
- 8Blessing and aarti: a prayer with lamps, and blessings for the person and family.
Depending on its size, a yagya may take a few hours or several days, with one priest or many.