10-27-2005, 10:57 PM
<b>A lost Vedic ritual is brought alive </b>
Hyderabad: The ancient ritual of Ashwamedha Yagam, conducted by emperors to extend their domains, will be resurrected in Hyderabad on December 11. In the modern age, however, the ritual is intended to extend the domain of peace and tranquillity across the world. The Hyderabad-based Aananda Aashramam will conduct the Ashwamedha Yagam and will invite people of all religions to take part in it and offer prayers for the well-being of humanity.
It was a popular Vedic ritual in ancient India but became rare in the last 2,000 years. âIt is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,â said Dr P.V. Sesha Sai, the yaga kartha or organiser. Ashwamedha Yagam is of two kinds â Snarta Ashwamedha Yagam and Srouta Ashwamedha Yagam. Kings used to perform Srouta Yagam and would sacrifice a horse at the end of the ritual. The Snarta Yagam was performed by saints without animal sacrifice.
âWe are going to observe the Snarta variety in Hyderabad, reviving a tradition which became extinct long ago,â said Dr Sesha Sai. It is a Vedic ritual which has a deeply secular and political dimensions. The role of the priest is not as prominent as in other rituals. The sankalpa for the yagam took place in the month of Maha Maghi (February). âWe have selected a bright day of Margasira maas coupled with Sunday and Revati Star to hold the yagam,â said Dr Sai. âIt will be on for eight days.â
Jagadguru Sri Ganeshananda Bharathi Maha-swami will bless the yagam which will be performed as per Vedic traditions. Along with Ashwamedha Yagam, priests will also conduct other yagams. Individuals aspiring for âpolitical prosperityâ can take part in Sri Sowra Yagam. Sri Varuna Yagam will bring timely rains and Sri Runa Vimochana Pasupatam will help a person escape from debt traps.
The priests will also conduct Sri Kanya Pasupatam (for marriage), Sri Kubera Pasupatam (for business success), Sri Mrutyunjaya Homam (for long life), and Sri Navagraha Pasupatam (for relief from bad times) along with the main yagam. Dr Sesha Sai said that there was a clear difference between Ashwamedha (horse sacrifice) which is held as an outward rite and the one held as an âinwardâ one.
The external rite was performed by kings.
However, the horse is also the symbol for life-energy inside the human being and in the cosmos. Medha means âofferingâ as well as âintelligenceâ. In the âinward riteâ, Ashwamedha is an offering of the life force to the deity.
As part of the ritual, 108 couples, 108 students, 108 housewives and 108 girls will be honoured. In tune with the times, a Sarva Dharma Sammelan will also be held.
The yagam will be held in about 100 acres of land and 300 Vedic scholars will participate in it. And of course, horses will be very much part of the ritual.
Hyderabad: The ancient ritual of Ashwamedha Yagam, conducted by emperors to extend their domains, will be resurrected in Hyderabad on December 11. In the modern age, however, the ritual is intended to extend the domain of peace and tranquillity across the world. The Hyderabad-based Aananda Aashramam will conduct the Ashwamedha Yagam and will invite people of all religions to take part in it and offer prayers for the well-being of humanity.
It was a popular Vedic ritual in ancient India but became rare in the last 2,000 years. âIt is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,â said Dr P.V. Sesha Sai, the yaga kartha or organiser. Ashwamedha Yagam is of two kinds â Snarta Ashwamedha Yagam and Srouta Ashwamedha Yagam. Kings used to perform Srouta Yagam and would sacrifice a horse at the end of the ritual. The Snarta Yagam was performed by saints without animal sacrifice.
âWe are going to observe the Snarta variety in Hyderabad, reviving a tradition which became extinct long ago,â said Dr Sesha Sai. It is a Vedic ritual which has a deeply secular and political dimensions. The role of the priest is not as prominent as in other rituals. The sankalpa for the yagam took place in the month of Maha Maghi (February). âWe have selected a bright day of Margasira maas coupled with Sunday and Revati Star to hold the yagam,â said Dr Sai. âIt will be on for eight days.â
Jagadguru Sri Ganeshananda Bharathi Maha-swami will bless the yagam which will be performed as per Vedic traditions. Along with Ashwamedha Yagam, priests will also conduct other yagams. Individuals aspiring for âpolitical prosperityâ can take part in Sri Sowra Yagam. Sri Varuna Yagam will bring timely rains and Sri Runa Vimochana Pasupatam will help a person escape from debt traps.
The priests will also conduct Sri Kanya Pasupatam (for marriage), Sri Kubera Pasupatam (for business success), Sri Mrutyunjaya Homam (for long life), and Sri Navagraha Pasupatam (for relief from bad times) along with the main yagam. Dr Sesha Sai said that there was a clear difference between Ashwamedha (horse sacrifice) which is held as an outward rite and the one held as an âinwardâ one.
The external rite was performed by kings.
However, the horse is also the symbol for life-energy inside the human being and in the cosmos. Medha means âofferingâ as well as âintelligenceâ. In the âinward riteâ, Ashwamedha is an offering of the life force to the deity.
As part of the ritual, 108 couples, 108 students, 108 housewives and 108 girls will be honoured. In tune with the times, a Sarva Dharma Sammelan will also be held.
The yagam will be held in about 100 acres of land and 300 Vedic scholars will participate in it. And of course, horses will be very much part of the ritual.