Question: What is the significance of Yagya in spirituality ?
Ans:
Gayatri has been regarded as the mother and, Yagya as father of Indian spiritual tradition. Yagya finds place in all sacred and auspicious ceremonies in Indian culture . In Gayatri Upasana too, it is essential. The number of oblations in Havan may preferably be one-tenth of the number of Jap s in an Anusthan or Purascharan. However, if it is not found convenient, one-tenth of this number would also suffice. The spiritual birth of a human being who is otherwise born as any other animal, takes place on his initiation by a Guru , where after he becomes a Dwij with Yagya and Gayatri as his parents. It, therefore, becomes obligatory for him to serve his spiritual parents. Scriptures prescribe daily ritual of Balivaishwa which means initially offering a small morsel of everyday food as an oblation to fire. (Saying a prayer at the dining table too is a variant of this ritual) Poornahuti and Brahmabhoj are essential at the end of the Yagya . If one is not able to participate in a Yagya on account of some contingency, a coconut may be offered as oblation as Poornahuti somewhere else, where a large Yagya is being performed.