Om Tat Sat

 

Yagyas to Gain Blessing from the Divine

Yagyas for Graha Shanti:  
  Gaining Favorable Influence from the Planets

Yagyas for Important Life Transitions

Fall Celebration of Mother Divine: Durga Puja and Chandi Homa During the first fall full moon after Navaratri, Pandit D.N. Sharma will perform two traditional Vedic Ceremonies in Fairfield, sponsored by Veda Vishwa Foundation, Inc..  On Sat. Oct. 7th at 5 pm Durga Puja will be performed, followed on Sun. Oct. 8th at 10 am by the four-hour Chandi Homa.  During this fire ceremony Pandit Sharma will recite the entire 700 verses of Durga Saptashati (also called the Devi Mahatmyam or Chandi Path.)  All events take place at Aurora Farm. From downtown Fairfield, go approx. one mile south on Rte. 1, then right on 227th St., then left on Kale Blvd.  Continue south (left) to # 2309, go up the hill through the field to the tent.  Bring chairs or blankets. The Yagyas will be held rain or shine inside a covered tent, but there is no heat. Navaratri, which is celebrated spring and fall, is considered an especially auspicious time to honor Mother Divine and gain Her blessings for world peace, for prosperity and for relief from afflictions of all types, including alleviation of the adverse affects of the planets, liberation from troubles, restoration of friendships and overcoming enemies. Please wear fresh, clean clothes and bring washed fruit and some flowers.  There is no fee for attending the Yagya, but tax-deductible donations are welcome and formal sponsorships are available.  Details: www.geocities.com/~yagya or 472-8422.

Click here for more information.

Click here for photos of the Gayatri Maha Yagya

About Pandit D. N. Sharma

Pandit Dhruv Narain Sharma comes from an unbroken line of Brahmin Vedic Pandits belonging to the Vashistha gotra. He began learning the science of Vedic Recitation and Performance from his Grandfather beginning at the age of six.

Pandit Sharma earned his Acharya (Master’s) Degree in Veda at the early age of 18 from Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Benares, India, and soon gained renown in the capital city of New Delhi for his knowledge as well as his skill in organizing large-scale Yagyas. He then became private priest to Indira Gandhi when she was Prime Minister of India.

He was brought to the United States by India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Karan Singh, a great Hindu philosopher, former King of Jammu Kashmir, and Federal Minister of India. Pandit Sharma has been in the U.S. for over 5 years, and has served as a full-time priest at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago in Lemont, Illinois.

Since 1995 he has assisted part-time at the Temple while providing Traditional Vedic Yagya and Puja services and Jyotish consultations independently throughout the United States. He has been a guest instructor at the University of Minnesota and the Scottsdale Museum of Art, and has acted as a consultant to a number of innovative projects involving art, landscape and ritual. Pandit Sharma serves on the Advisory Boards of numerous Temples and Institutions, including the Delhi Sanskrit Academy and the Kashi Vidwat Parishad in India and the Hindu Temples in Lemont, Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the USA.

In addition to performing Yagyas and Pujas throughout the United States, Pandit Sharma also organizes large-scale Yagyas in India. For instance, in 1998 he organized the elaborate and rarely-performed Sahasra Chandi Yagya in New Delhi. He coordinated the efforts of 111 Vedic Pandits in reciting all 700 verses of the Durga Saptashati a total of 1,000 times over a period of five days.

Pundit Sharma speaks English, Hindi, Bengali, Oriya, Urdu, Punjabi, and Gujarati and is expert in performing ceremonies from the traditions of the Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi, and Gujrati states of India. He also is skilled in the Jain tradition (with Jain mantras) and the Arya Samaj tradition.

Pandit Sharma travels regularly throughout the United States to perform Vedic Weddings and other traditional Vedic ceremonies. Individuals who are new to the Vedic Tradition appreciate his openness and patience in explaining the meaning of the Yagyas. Jyotishis and those interested in remedies for malefic astrological combinations appreciate his in-depth specialised knowledge of the many kinds of Graha Shanti and Nakshatra Shanti Yagyas. Indians and other Hindus of all sects appreciate his depth of knowledge and mastery in performing Vedic Yagyas, Pujas and Homas of all varieties, and his fluency in many Indian languages.

Pandit Sharma has dedicated his life to bringing the blessings of the Vedic Tradition to all who are interested. He welcomes the opportunity to serve all those who have a sincere desire to worship the Divine in its many manifestations. He is happy to discuss your needs and desires with you to determine which Yagyas would be most beneficial. Please feel free to call him at the number below.

Pandit Sharma has dedicated his life to bringing the blessings of the Vedic Tradition to all who are interested. He welcomes the opportunity to serve all those who have a sincere desire to worship the Divine in its many manifestations.

Pandit D. N. Sharma
Tel: 1 630 428 7777
e-mail: vedicyagya@hotmail.com

Traditional VedicYagyas & Pujas

The ancient tradition of Vedic Yagya prescribes a variety of performances to express devotion to the Divine in its varied manifestations, to celebrate and facilitate important achievements in life, and to purify ourselves and our environment of any malefic energies that may hinder our evolution.

Vedic Yagya is the highly developed science of contacting the celestial field of life. The ancient Rishis cognized specific procedures for gaining blessings from different manifestations of the Divine who create and administer the universe.

These Pujas (ceremonies) or Homas (fire ceremonies) may be performed at almost any time, although certain times may be considered much more auspicious. They generally last between one and one-half to two and one-half hours, although some Homa fire ceremonies may last as long as six hours or more. These include:

MahaGanapati
A Puja to Ganesh is often performed at the outset of any important endeavor, including the start of new businesses, or to remove obstacles to success and evolution, to gain support of Nature for finding a life partner, for improving harmony in married life or for having children. A longer Homa can also be performed. (Ganesh is also invoked at the beginning of any Yagya, as Ganesh is considered to be the Lord of the Celestial Hosts, and his blessings are necessary for the success of the Yagya.)

MahaLaksmi 
This is one of the most popular Yagyas for householders, for it honors MahaLaksmi, the manisfestation of Mother Divine responsible for creating and maintaining affluence in all spheres of life, inner and outer. 
Fullness and bliss are two qualities intimately associated with MahaLaksmi, and participants in Pujas or Homas to MahaLaksmi often report a distinct increase in sweetness of consciousness as well as enhanced support of Nature. This Yagya is frequently performed for increasing both material abundance and richness of spiritual life. It is often performed when starting a new business, when making important financial investments, or for improving harmony with business partners.

Durga Puja
To gain the grace of Mother Divine and receive Her blessings to remove ignorance, provide protection from adversity and eliminate suffering on an individual and cosmic level. Durga Pujas can be of various lengths, from two hours to six hours or more, and may be performed on a single day, or on consecutive days. The recitation of selections from the Durga Saptashati, a collection of beautiful hymns to Mother Divine, is an especially enjoyable part of this Puja.

Chandi Homa
This is a more elaborate Yayga that is understood to have powerful effects on the cosmic, global and individual levels. It is traditionally performed to alleviate the adverse affects of the planets, liberate man from all troubles, restore friendships, gain blessings of wealth and beautiful children, and to overcome enemies and evil planetary influences. Performance of the Chandi Homa includes Puja two to three hours long and a Homa (fire ceremony) that lasts approximately fours hours. It includes the recitation of all 700 verses of Durga Saptashati, a collection of beautiful hymns to Mother Divine.

Rudrabhishek
This special puja to Siva includes a ritual bath (Abhishek) of the Siva Lingam, followed by the recitation of the 200 verses of Rudra from Yajur Veda. The purpose is to gain support for spiritual endeavors and to alleviate suffering, both individually and for the entire creation. Yagyas to Siva also help to remove ignorance, prevent disease and promote rapid recovery from serious disease.

Mahamrityunjaya Homa
This special fire ceremony to Siva is for ensuring a long and healthy life and help bring an end to prolonged or severe sickness, as well as for many other purposes. It is also traditionally recommended to relieve the malefic influence of Mangal (Mars) or Shani (Saturn) when certain astrological combinations are present in the Jyotish chart. 

click here for more about Mahashivaratri

Saraswati 
Saraswati is the embodiment of Mother Divine that is responsible for the enlivenment and spread of Pure Knowledge, as well as progress in areas of study and of the arts. By honoring Saraswati, the qualities of wisdom, intelligence and good memory are enhanced in the individual and the environment. Yagyas for Saraswati help gain blessings and support of Mother Divine in the areas of spiritual study, other educational activities, or in the arts, including writing, public speaking, visual arts and music. These Yagyas are often performed prior to starting studies.

click here for more about Saraswati Puja

Vishnu 
Vishnu is the Maintainer of the universe and is responsible for ensuring evolution and harmony in life. From time to time, Vishnu incarnates in an avatar such as Rama or Krishna to restore balance to the universe after a build-up of negativity has occurred. Yagyas for Vishnu help gain general support of nature and smooth family life.

Mitravrinda Yagya
This Yagya is performed to relieve tensions and improve relations between husband and wife and to ensure the growth of harmony, love and happiness in married life.

Bagalmukhi 
This Yagya is traditionally considered to have special power in helping to gain success in court cases, or to defeat business enemies or competitors, and to provide a strong support of nature for fulfillment of desire.

Krishna, Rama, Hanuman & Other Devas
According to the Vedic Tradition, there are literally thousands of Devas or expressions of the Divine that are responsible for progress in virtually every specific area of life. There are also certain days during the month or the year when particular qualities of the Divinities listed above are most lively and Yagyas are most effective. Please consult with Pandit Sharma if you have a particular need or desire, and he can advise you which Puja or Homa may be appropriate, and on which date.

Gaining Benefic Influence from the Planets

A second category of Vedic Ceremonies is "Graha Shanti" performances for reducing the negative effects of our past karma as expressed through the agency of our "cosmic counterparts" in the form of the seven planets plus Rahu and Ketu.

Navagraha Shanti Puja and/or Homa
Generally a "Navagraha Shanti" Puja and/or Homa is a performance that appeals to all nine of these heavenly bodies, with special emphasis on the one or two planets that may need special attention. These ceremonies are participatory: Although the Pandit performs the Puja, the sponsor is intimately involved in the Navagraha ceremony, as he or she is in the other types of Vedic ceremonies. This Yagya may last from two to four hours or more in length and may involve a homa as well as a special Puja.

A trained Jyotishi such as Pandit Sharma will be able to identify which of the planets may be in need of remedial measures and prescribe the appropriate measures. Pandit Sharma is also especially skilled in evaluating Jyotish Compatibility for marriage and in determining muhurtas (auspicious times) for weddings, founding of businesses, etc..

In addition to the ceremony itself, there may be traditionally prescribed ritual "Upayas" or remedies that Pandit Sharma may recommend to help reduce the negative effect of certain planetary influences, or even to improve the positive effect of other planets.

In addition to Graha Shanti Pujas, certain ceremonies for Ganesh, Durga, Vishnu or Siva may also be appropriate to help alleviate the negative influence from a specific planetary situation. A special "Narayanvali" ceremony to bring peace to one’s ancestors, may also be helpful in certain situations.

Birthday Graha Shanti Yagyas
On a person’s birthday, it is traditional to start one’s personal "New Year" with a Navagraha Shanti Puja or Yagya, along with a Puja to Ganesh and Mother Divine to ensure support of Nature during the upcoming twelve months.

Inauguration Graha Shanti Yagyas
When starting any important endeavor, such as a business or going to school, a Navagraha Shanti Yagya is traditionally performed, often accompanied by a Puja to Laksmi, Ganesh or Saraswati, depending on the nature of the endeavor being started.

Mool Shanti Yagyas
These special Yagyas are performed to alleviate the negative effects of the natal moon's position in Aswini, Ashlesha, Magha, Jyeshtha, Moola or Revati. Depending on the natal chart, they may be combined with Yagas to Ganesha, Durga, Vishnu or Siva, or with the Navagraha Shanti Yagya.

Naagvali Puja
This specialised Puja is understood to nullify the effects of Kala Sarpa Yoga in the birth chart ("the yoga of the Serpent of Time" which occurs when all planets move towards Rahu or Ketu.)

Kumbha Vivaha
This specialised ceremony for women is performed to neutalise certain Jyotish Yogas (such as Vaidhavya Yoga) that indicate widowhood or divorce.

Pujas for Benefic Influence on a New-Born Child
When a baby is born a Graha Shanti Yagya is also performed to help clear the path of any obstacles to the newborn’s evolution. In addition to the Graha Shanti ceremonies there are also specific Yagyas to ensure the good health of a new-born child whose birth chart has certain unfavorable combinations. These ceremonies include Mool Shanti and the Naagvali Puja to nullify KalaSarpa Yoga. These Yagyas may also be appropriate for adults with certain planetary combinations.

 

There are also Traditional Vedic Ceremonies to ensure smooth passage into virtually every new important state of human life. These ceremonies are performed on specially selected days that may precede the event or that may occur as an integral part of the specific transition.

Marriage Vedic Wedding Ceremony 
Conception 
Strengthening the Unborn Child (Seemanta) 
Safe Delivery and Birth
First Time Out-of-Doors for the Baby
Name-Giving (Namakaran)
First Feeding of Grains (Annaprasan)
Piercing the Ears (Karanchhedan)
First Hair-Cutting (Chowla)
Start of Study of Alphabet (Vidyaramba)
Entering School
Initiation into Vedic Studies (Upanayan)
Vastu Shanti Ceremonies:
Ground-Breaking for House Building (Bhoomi & Vastu Puja )
Establishing Door Frame in New Building
Entering a New Home or Building
Starting a Business
Wedding Anniversaries
Performance of Funeral Rites 
Performance of Rites to Honor the Deceased (Narayanvali)

One of the three traditional duties for a householder in the Vedic Tradition is to pay back the "Pitri Rina" the loan of human life given by the ancestors. (The other two duties are related to the Rishi Rina and Deva Rina. Rishi Rina is the loan of Sacred Knowledge from the Guru which is repaid by teaching this Knowledge to others; and Deva Rina is the loan of God’s Grace that is repaid through devotion and puja to the Divine.)

Pitri Tarpana or regular worship of the ancestors on each new moon is part of the tradition of paying back the Pitri Rina, and the Narayanvali Yagya is considered an essential duty for every householder.

The Narayanvali ceremony is performed after the death of a blood relative to help the deceased to continue evolving. However, it can be performed by anyone for the benefit of any other person, with the exception of a man for his in-laws.

The ceremony is traditionally understood to dissolve certain karmas ("Doshas") that are associated with the actual act of dying, so that these doshas do not hinder the future evolution of the deceased.

For instance, the Narayanvali ceremony neutralises the negative effects of death by suicide, by accident, by poison, in the sky, by drowning, without a bath or otherwise unclean, when in an impure country, on the path, in a foreign land, or in a place other than one’s own home. It purifies the doshas incurred by incomplete cremation, by not having received initiation from the Guru, by not doing Puja regularly, by not receiving tulsi leaves or Ganges water just before the time of death, by being touched by any unclean persons, by not saying the Divine’s name before death, by dying during Dakshinanya or Panchak.

A related ceremony, the Panchak Shanti yagya is performed if the person dies during Panchak, the period when the moon is placed in the nakshatras beginning with the third quarter of Dhanishtha, all of Shattara, Purva and Uttar Bhadrapad and Revati, inclusive. If this happens, the tradition predicts that someone else in the family will die within a short time unless the Panchak Shanti ceremony is performed. 

To schedule a Yagya, or if you have questions, please contact Pandit Sharma by telephone.

To schedule a Traditional Vedic Yagya, or for information on appropriate timing and muhurtha selection, as well as details on procedures, ingredients or fees, contact Pandit Sharma at:

1-630-428-7777
e-mail: vedicyagya@hotmail.com

Practical Guidelines for Traditional Vedic Yagyas

Location & General Procedures:

Once you have decided to schedule a Yayga and contacted Pandit Sharma, you will need to make practical preparations for your Yagya.

The following guidelines apply in most cases. Pandit Sharma will advise you if any special arrangements are required.

General Preparation:
In general, the location should be "sattvic." Traditionally, pujas and homas are performed in a clean area. A clean sheet or carpet can be placed on the floor where the participants sit. Participants do not point their feet at the altar, nor do they step directly over the altar, even if it is on the floor. The right hand is used to make offerings, and any circular motions (such as waving a lamp or incense in the air) should be made in the clockwise direction.

Shoes and all leather items, including belts, purses and watch bands are not allowed in the room where the ceremony is performed. Traditionally, most of these ceremonies are performed in homes where no meat is eaten. This is especially important for pujas or homas to Lord Shiva. At the very least, there should be no meat in the house at the time the ceremony is performed.

Privacy is important so that the ceremony is not interrupted. It is advisable to put a note on the door, and put the telephone answering machine on or turn the ringer off if an answering machine is not available.

If a Homa (fire ceremony) is to be performed, then good ventilation is essential. If possible, the Homa should be performed outside. A flat area is ideal and a covering for the ground for seating (for instance, plywood panels) will make the Homa more comfortable for the participants. A fire pit ("kunda") can be made of bricks or of a large metal receptacle at least two feet in diameter and five or six inches deep. A supply of small pieces of wood (approximately six inches in length) is also needed. One homa pit is sufficient for up to six people.

Personal Preparation:
Traditionally, participants in Vedic Yagyas dress in fresh, clean clothing (lighter colored clothes are preferred, with nothing in solid black or dark blue or dark purple.) Participants should take a bath or shower the morning of the Yagya and the mouth, hands and face should be washed immediately before commencing the Yagya. 

On the day of the Yagya, it is customary to fast or to eat only very light food before the Yagya. Fruit juice or milk are recommended drinks. If food is needed, yoghurt, fruit or cooked vegetables are recommended. Cooked grains (breads, rice, etc.) are traditionally avoided until after the ceremony. Pregnant or nursing mothers and children (or a sick or injured person) may eat their normal foods. After the Yagya, a sumptuous meal may be enjoyed.

During the Yagya, it is customary to drink only water if necessary. If the toilet facilities are used, hands are washed before returning to the Yagya.

In the Vedic tradition, ladies attend Yagyas or assist in preparations only after a minimum of four days has elapsed since the start of their monthly period. Also, Yagyas should not be scheduled within 13 days of the birth or death of a blood relative.

Ingredients for Pujas and Homas:

Pandit Sharma will advise you if any special ingredients are required, but the following general guidelines apply in most cases:

Flowers (at least a dozen). 
Flowers should be cut from their stems. They should not touch the floor or be smelled before offering. If budget allows, a garland of flowers to go around the picture or statue of the main Deity is a nice extra offering.
For Navagraha Puja, twice this number will be needed, with at least two yellow flowers, two red flowers, three dark blue or purple flowers, two white flowers and some greens. If these color combinations are not available, then any type of flower will be acceptable.

Fruit (three or four, washed)
The fruits should not touch the floor before offering. 
For Navagraha Puja, a dozen will be needed, with at least two yellow fruits, two red fruits, three dark blue or purple fruits, two light-colored (white) fruits and one green fruit such as apples or pears. If these color combinations are not available, then any type of fruit will be acceptable.

Rice (at least two cups, washed and dried)

Water (at least two cups)

Incense (at least 6-10 sticks)

Camphor (at least one block)

Ghee (1/4 cup for pujas; 4 cups for homas)

Sweets (Indian sweets such as ladhus, sesame halvah, etc.; marzipan or coconut/date rolls or similar confections four to six pieces. Sweets should not contain eggs.)

Firewood (for Homas only: at lease a dozen pieces 6-9" in length and 1-2" in diameter)

A Large Bowl (for Abhishek ritual bathing, which is included in many pujas: 18" to 24" in diameter, and 5" to 6" deep)

Clean Cloth (for drying the statues or linga after Abhishek -- a clean dish towel is fine)

Samagree (special mixture for Homa offerings -- Pundit Sharma will advise you)

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