Comparative study of Influence of Yajña and Yogāsana on stress level as Measured by Electron Photonic Imaging (EPI) Technique
Sushrutha S1, Madhukeshwara Hegde2,
Hongasandra Ramachandra Nagendra3,
Thaiyar M Srinivasan4
1Asst. Professor, Div. Yoga-Spirituality, SVYASA Yoga University, Bangalore, India 2 Research Scholar, Div. Yoga-Spirituality, SVYASA Yoga University, Bangalore, India 3Chancellor, SVYASA Yoga University, Bangalore, India
4Dean, Div. Yoga and Physical Sciences, SVYASA Yoga University, Bangalore, India
Abstract: Background: Vedic literature makes injunction of Yajña extensively as one of the Karmas to achieve the intended goal by performing a set of activities, maintaining synchrony with creation. Various Yajñas have been explained for removal of diseases. Electro Photonic Imaging (EPI) technique, a specially designed instrument is used to measure human stress level based on the autonomic
nervous system activity. The present study is designed to explore the influence of Yajña on normal healthy individuals’ stress level.
Aim: To compare the influence of Yajña and Yogāsana sessions on stress level using Activation coefficient as measured by EPI. Settings and
Design: In a self as active control study, 18 participants underwent one hour yoga session on the first day and Yajña session on the next
day. Data were taken before and after the session of the respective event. The subjects of study were participants of YIC (Yoga Instructor
Course) from different places in India who have recently gone through one month of Yoga Instructor Course at Praśānti Kuṭīram.
Methods and Material: In the study participants had one hour Yoga session and on the next day, they took part in Saraswati Yajña for one hour and ten minutes. On each day, EPI data were taken before and after the session of each event. These are the two interventions in the study. Statistical analysis used: SPSS-12.00 software was used for data analysis. Paired sample t-test was used for analysis.
Results: Within group differences showed significant change observed in Activation coefficient (p<.021) of EPI parameter in Yajña session indicating decreased stress level after Yajña session.Conclusions: Yajña brings about a larger decrease in stress level compared to Yogāsana session. The effects of Yajña which were observed could be because of the use of medicinal plants and procedure involved in Yajña. So Yajña can be performed not only as a traditional practice but also as therapy for effective stress management.
Keywords: Yajña, Yogāsana, Mantra, stress and EPI, Yoga
1. Introduction
Each philosophy has certain practices that form the essence
of that philosophy. Yajña (fire ceremony involving offerings
selected substances) holds a supreme position in Indian
culture. All the auspicious performances in Indian tradition
admit worship of Agni (the sacred fire) as an important
component. Selected and specified materials are offered to
Agni in multifold along with chanting of Veda Mantras as
appropriate to different Devatas (deities or cosmic centers in
creation). Throughout ages, fire has been venerated as a
symbol of Spirit. The first hymn in Rig Veda is related to
Agni:
“I invoke and worship Agni light of life, self-refulgent lord
of the universe, foremost leader and inspirer, blazing light of
Yajnic creation, high-priest of cosmic dynamics, controller
of natural evolution, and most generous giver of the treasure
of life” (1)
Ayurveda (Knowledge of Life and Science of Living)
postulates that manifestation of diseases is caused by the
impressions from the previous births, environment, our
relation to people and the world etc. There are multifarious
methods to identify and cure diseases in Ayurveda. Diseases
can be managed through Japa (repeating a sacred name of
particular God), Homa (fire offering) and Surarchana
(worship of God). A Mantra from Rig Veda comprehends
the result of performing Yajña with a specific note:
Yajāmahe saumanasāya devān|| (Ṛig Veda || 1-173-2)
meaning ‘We perform Yajña in favour of Devatas for
sanctification and bracing the Manas (an aspect of Mind)’
along with other facets of inner tools (Antahkarana) in order
to reach intended goal.
2. Yajña and its basis
The Sanskrit word ‘Yajña’ etymologically means ‘to
worship’, ‘to unite or connect’, ‘to do charity
unconditionally (Dāna) in right manner to the deserved (2).
Pūrva Mīmāmsa, one of the schools of Indian philosophy,
proclaims that – Devatoddeśena dravya tyāgaḥ) meaning for
the purpose of satisfying the deities, we give oblations to
them. Yajña is the procedure of offerings to deities. (3)
One of the texts explains Yajña as a combination of
offerings to Devatas, recitation of Mantras from three Vedas
with Ṛtviks (performers of Yajña), and Dāna
(acknowledgements or respecting noble people). (4)
Yajña is a systematic process in which herbs are offered
along with recitation of Mantras to accelerate the process of
harmonizing the creation and human life. Smoke generated
in a Yajña has medicinal value because of herbs offered into
Agni; hence inhalation of the smoke brings changes in
physical structure in human. This action purifies Mahāprāṇa
(5). In addition to it, Yajña influences spiritual values and
life style changes (6). Chanting of Mantras produces
vibrations which makes human body to resonate to Mantras’
mystic powers and responds in greater manner (7). These
vibrations reverberate and spread specific energy waves in
the surrounding atmosphere while the oblations are offered
with specific chants (6) . So Yajña has physical,
psychological, spiritual and social value.
The entire process of a Yajña, consisting of mantra chanting,
lighting the sacrificial fire and offering Havis to the gods in
the form of ghee, Vanaspati (materials from plants and trees)
and other objects, purifies the environment significantly. In
fact, Yajñas have been successfully performed even in
modern times to induce rainfall, to check spread of
epidemics, and for various mundane and spiritual purposes.
With reference to Yajña, Śrī Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-Gita,
“The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins
because they eat food which is offered first in sacrifice.
Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment,
verily eat only sin.” [Bhagavad Gita 4.31] “Serve the gods
through Yajña and let the gods be gracious to us. Thus, each
serving the other selflessly will attain the highest good.”
[Bhagavad Gita 3.11] (8) “Through Yajña, deities went to
heaven, enmity transforms to friendship, so Yajna is
considered to be the greatest performance one can deliver as
an action. Oblations given to Agni reach the Sun, which in
turn transforms that into clouds through vaporization
resulting in rainfall and gives back in the form of food grains
which is the base for human progeny.” [Manu Smriti 3.76]
(9)
3. EPI Electron Photonic Imaging, also known
as GDV (Gas Discharge Visualization)
EPI was developed by Professor K. G. Korotkov on the basis
of Kirlian effect. EPI is an instrument, which measures
human energy field. It is computer registration and analysis
of ‘Gas Discharge Glow’ (GDV-images) of any biological
object placed in a high intensity electric field. EPI studies
involve placing the object on a glass electrode and an
electronic circuit provides a high-intensity electric field
(with duration 10 microseconds applied with frequency 1024
Hz). As a result of impulse effect a sequence of gas
discharge is formed during the specified exposure time.
Spatial distribution of the glow emitted by the discharge is
registered with a light-sensitive CCD matrix (a chargecoupled
device) situated directly under the glass electrode.
3.1 EPI Parameter
Several parameters are derived from the image obtained in
the EPI instrument. These parameters are related to
functioning of physiological systems of the body. Overall
activity of the body mind complex to stress inputs and
balances in energy could also be calculated. We present here
one parameter of importance, known as Activation
Coefficient the details of which are presented below
Full text: 2014 Yoga Sushrutha