Pancha Maha Yagna

When I say heritage and culture it is the values that are embedded in Sanathana Dharma.

In Sanathan Dharma, dharma is simultaneously the eternal order that rules the universe and the duty or law that governs one’s life. Fulfilling one’s dharma is more than simply fulfilling one’s limited purpose in life – it is considered the very means by which one transcends the cycle of birth and death, or what is called saṃsāra. 

Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswathi said that Dharma is

The Matrix of Universal norms, values which forms the basis of inter action with the world. Since we are self-conscious beings with tremendous freedom and we could go wrong we need to have a matrix of norms to keep and guide us on the right path.

The Pancha Maha Yagna is a framework of living that is offered by the sastras that help relate to the world, a matrix of norms.

Followers of Sanathan Dharma have protected, cultivated, nurtured and live this tradition of panchamaha yajna. We recognize our place within the larger scheme of things. Much happiness comes from relating with all beings with dharma, sensitivity, contribution, gratefulness and not taking anything for granted.

पञ्च॒ वा ए॒ते म॑हाय॒ज्ञाः स॑त॒ति प्रता॑यन्ते सत॒ति सन्ति॑ष्ठन्ते

देवय॒ज्ञःपि॑तृय॒ज्ञोभू॑तय॒ज्ञोम॑नुष्यय॒ज्ञोब्र॑ह्मय॒ज्ञइति॒

TaittiriyaAranyaka says,
Panchavaaetemahayajnaassatati

Prataayantesatatisantishtante

Devayajnahpitryajnobhutayajno

Manushyayajnobrahmayajnaiti

-TaittiriyaAranyaka 2.10 “

These five great offerings are called the Pancha maha Yajna-s and they are to be performed on a daily basis. They are deva yajna, pitruyajna, bhutayajna, manushyayajna and brahma yajna”

Hence the Pancha-mahayajna are our five sacred duties – our daily acknowledgement and grateful offering for what we have been blessed with. Based on the principle of reciprocity, we contribute to these relationships because of a rnam, a sacred debt. We contribute as per our understanding and capacity, yatha mati, yatha shakti.

Deva Yagna (worship or offerings to the Devas or Ishvara and the countless manifestations) Pitr Yagna (worship of one’s forefathers/ honouring and taking forward the legacy they have created, our heritage) Manushya Yagna (worship of fellow humans/ offering service to community) Bhuta Yagna (worship of other beings / offerings to our eco-system) Bramha Yagna (worship of knowledge/ Teachers, Gurus, Rishis and Sastras)

Now going back to what I said about a traditional life style

We start by honouring Mother earth = this is deva yagna.Then again contemplating on the divine mothers by invoking them in our palms this is also deva yagna besides it is a reminder that whatever one does has to be worthy of the Divine Mothers.

Then it is honouring the sacred rivers. Sadly, when it becomes a mere ritual like it has, to many today, we will address the divine Ganga as Ganga Maiyya and also offer worship, but mindlessly we will pollute her.

When we step out to pay obeisance to Surya Bhagawan we also include the Akasha and Vaayu, this again is Deva Yagna.

Worship of the Tulasi is Bhuta yagna just as feeding the animals is. Rangoli, or sacred geometry is an avenue for creativity, prayer and also feeding the insects.

Now coming to manusha yagna, it is serving mankind, in bygone days feeding an athithi was very important, an athithi is one who comes without an invitation, many households would not have a meal till they served an athithi.

Then there is brahma yagna, honouring knowledge, the Rishis, Gurus. This is of great importance because understanding the sastras is of utmost importance to life.

For example even reading the ithihasa puranas gives us values to live by. Rama is said to be the very image of Dharma, Ramo vigrahavan dharmaha.

Now that we know the panchamaha yagna’s we have to think about how these yagna’s have to be done, the attitude of the action or Karma.