Effect of Bhaishajya Maha Yajna on Human Energy Field and Environment
* Sushrutha S1, Krishna Madappa2, Hongasandra R Nagendra3 PhD scholar and Asst. Professor1, Chancellor3
Div. Yoga-Spirituality, SVYASA Yoga University, Bangalore, India1, 3 President and co-founder, ISSS, Taos, USA2
Abstract–Objective: Positive influence of Yajna (fire ceremony) on human physiological, psychological and spiritual well-being and environment is mentioned in ancient Indian literature. The purpose of this study is to explore how Bhaishajya Maha Yajna influences the human energy field measured with Electro Photonic Imaging (EPI) technique to follow the response at individual level and also to observe the pollution level in the environment before and after.
Methods: Electro Photonic Imaging method was used to assess the subjects.
The subjects were from Kerala practicing a special type of Yoga lead by an expert, some of whom were actively involved and others just observing Yajna. Bhaishajya Maha Yajna was performed in outskirts of Bangalore, continuously for 81 hours during two consecutive years 2013 and 2014. The participants were assessed three times; at fixed intervals of 27 hours from the base reading. After getting informed consent from the participants, 29 and 21 were the sample size respectively in the two years.
EPI Measurements were made on all ten fingertips of subjects, the patterns of light emitted from the subjects’ fingertips were digitally recorded and computer analyzed. Parameters including Area, Average Intensity and Entropy were calculated and statistically compared between three measurements. SPSS version 18.0 was used for the analysis.
Pollution level was measured using Enviro-Tech, a standard environmental test equipment to observe the level of SO2, NO2 and RSPM. Results: Two times observations showed statistically significant positive changes in both years. Among three parameters Entropy was maintained constantly at a fixed level, while others (Area and Average Intensity) showed statistically significant changes in both years. In general, the changes between first and second measurements showed greater alterations than between second and third reading in EPI parameters. Forty three percent of reduction in Sulphur Dioxide was observed in the environment.
Conclusions: Attending this Yajna influenced EPI parameters of finger emission patters significantly and thus supported the objective of the study. EPI seems to be an appropriate tool to measure subtle energy filed. Yajna can be one of the practices to invoke the potentials of human internal energy. The performance of Yajna helps in cleansing the environment of certain pollutants.
Key words: Yajna; EPI/GDV; human energy filed; Offerings; Environment, Yoga Research
I. INTRODUCTION
The scriptures of India pronounce that the goal of human existence is towards self-realization. This is also known as Moksha or release from our cyclic existence in this world. The attainment of Moksha is through several methods, one of them being the performance of Yajna. Yajna is performed in India for both one’s own spiritual advancement and for the welfare of humanity. This practice has being followed from time immemorial [1].
Performance of Yajna involves offering Dravyas (sacred materials) into fire. At the initial level the offerings are of physical items followed by offering subtle facets of one’s being which includes emotional and intellectual aspects symbolically into the fire. Bhagavad Gita [4. 24-31] enumerates different Yajnas; “Some offer hearing and other senses as sacrifice into the fire of restraint; others offer sound and other objects of sense into the fire of senses, some others again offer sacrifice with the functions of senses and those of the breath (vital energy), into the fire of Yoga of self-restrain, kindled by knowledge” [2].
Indian practices such as Yoga and Yajna bring stress levels to normal. Factors such as smoke coming out Yajna Kunda (sacred pit), correct method of chanting Veda Mantras, knowing the background concepts of tradition etc cause reduction in stress levels facilitating health maintenance at optimal level [3]. Objective observations, based on research and scientific evidences during experimental field studies found Yajna to be one of the most economical means of purifying environmental pollution. Emissions during Yajna are not only non-toxic but are beneficial to the environment. Agnihotra is a very simple method of performing Yajna or offering oblations to fire at the transitional moments of sunrise and sunset. Sunrise and sunset are the shortest rhythmic cycles of nature and they leave their immediate effect on living beings [4]. Ash collected from the bottom of the sacred pit showed mineral value and therefore this ash has been used in agriculture farms for healthy growth of plants [5]. To analyze the ash content after Agnihotra, the ash is mixed with water after 48-hour of conclusion of Agnihotra. It was found that Agnihotra-ash may increase the amount of extractable P in soil; this effect was also generated with a non-Agnihotra-ash, which was produced without chanting a mantra, and not necessarily at sunrise or sunset. There was particularly larger amount of P in soil when non-Agnihotra ash was produced in a copper pyramid. A possible explanation may be the time of soil / ash contact, which may have been too short in the two latter extraction methods to allow the subtle energetic forces to unfold their effects [6]. Agnihotra research at SVYASA University showed significant changes in seed germination parameters from the data during three seasons, autumn, winter and summer conducted for a period of 15 days each. Four parameters, viz. root length, shoot length, fresh weight and dry weight were measured of seed germination. An analysis of the data showed that the Agnihotra sacrifice with mantra was overwhelmingly more effective in the germination process than control conditions [7].
There are other studies that seem to measure emotional imprints in the environment by recording the changes in randomness of certain fundamental physical processes. One such instrument is known as Random Event Generator (REG) which records the randomness of electronic generation from a semi-conductor diode. The randomness changes towards more order when the system is exposed to increased-ordering in the environment. The reason for this may be due to positive emotions in the environment. Emotions are powerful thoughts according to Yoga. These powerful thoughts are cancelled when the waves associated are out of phase and the thoughts get into resonance when the phase and frequency are matched [8]. One of the studies could trace the significant changes between chanting of Gayatri Mantra and Random Thinking sessions. During Gayatri mantra chanting, REG show patterns that imply breaking of randomness in the surrounding environment when compared to Random Thinking session [9]. The cosmic biological and psychological effects influence significantly the biological and psychical, collective and individual organizational processes. The cosmic connections between Man and Universe do not represent a one- sided action, but a mutual, meaningful, life-giving interaction, in which Man is also an active participant if humankind accepts the challenge of fulfilling its original, natural destination [10].
Traditional cultural practices have much impact on the social condition and have a role in the healing process to large extent. These practices increase the functional intelligence of the species as discussed by Dr. Robert [11]. Music and other collective performances greatly influence the collective conscious level by bringing positive changes in the environment. With a suitable measurement method such as EPI, it is possible to observe the changes in the environment objectively [12]. It is very important to show evidences from Puranas (subordinate texts for understanding deeper Vedic concepts and ideas) and Itihasas (history of Indian culture and practice in particular) which exhibit numerous references for physical and meta-physical results due to rituals such as Yajna, Yoga, Mantra, Tantra etc. The present study pays attention to both individual and collective changes when Yajna is performed following specific method (especially herbal offerings) developed by a spiritual master from southern India.
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
A. Sample for EPI
The subjects of interest for this study are members of a group led by a spiritual master from Kerala, southern India.
These subjects are actively involved in the entire process of performing Bhaishajya Maha Yajna (BMY) by following certain practices: conducting brief Yajnas every month, collecting holy sticks for annual Yajna, collecting firewood, preparing necessary oils etc. These subjects (29 in 2013, 21 in 2014) have age ranging from 20 to 40 (males and females), who were ready to volunteer for the study. Subjects were asked to fill the consent form to acquaint them with entire procedure and make sure regarding volunteering for the study without any emotional disturbance. Majority (70%) of the subjects were from Kerala and some (10%) of them were from the neighboring villages, practicing specific Yoga Module framed by Rishidev Narendran Ji, and the rest (20%) of them were newly introduced to this group.
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