The larger context of a Mahayajna

In the vast and profound teachings of the Shastras, the concept of reality is far from being a mere immediate sensory experience. It is instead an intricate, multi-layered architecture that transcends what we perceive with our limited senses. Without an understanding of the deeper meanings embedded within the layers of reality, we are left only with fleeting moments of sensory impressions, disconnected from the larger context. The Shastras offer us a comprehensive framework to navigate and comprehend this architecture, with the practice of yajna playing a pivotal role.

Reality, as described in the Shastras, is not simply what we see, hear, or touch. The visible world is just a fragment of a much larger and more intricate structure. Imagine a child trying to understand the vastness of a country, not knowing its divisions into states and cities, or even its place in the world. The child's experience is limited to a small, immediate context. Similarly, our experiences, when disconnected from the larger context of existence, remain shallow. We fail to comprehend the deeper realities that govern our lives.

The knowledge required to grasp this deeper reality is not limited to just one source. According to the Shastras, valid sources of knowledge include Pratyaksha (direct perception), Upamana (comparison), Anumana (inference), and Agama (scriptural teachings). These sources offer us different angles to observe reality, allowing us to slowly expand our understanding beyond what we experience at the moment. As our awareness grows, the depth of what we experience now also evolves, revealing layers of reality that were once hidden from our perception.

Without these sources of knowledge, we are left merely with sensory experiences. These immediate experiences are valuable but incomplete. They provide us with surface-level understanding, devoid of the larger framework that defines their purpose. This is where the importance of practices such as yajna becomes evident.

As embodied beings (Jeevatmas), we live in a world structured by the five koshas, or sheaths, that define our existence. These koshas are not something we create; they are bestowed upon us, and we inhabit them within the Bhuloka (earthly plane). Just like we cannot simply occupy any land without permission, the koshas come with certain responsibilities. To occupy the land of the five koshas, we must adhere to a larger structure governed by higher authorities — the devatas.

This brings us to the concept of Daiva Runa — the debt we owe to the divine. It is not a debt in the material sense but a spiritual responsibility. The divine forces govern the koshas, and our existence within them requires us to pay this debt. But how do we repay this debt? What currency is required for this exchange?

This is where yajna comes into play. Yajna is a sacred offering, an act of service, and an opportunity to connect with the divine. It is through yajna that we pay back our spiritual debts. The offerings made during yajna are not mere rituals but acts that align our intentions with the larger cosmic order. Yajna purifies our koshas, maintaining balance and harmony in our lives.

One of the crucial aspects of our spiritual debt is the purity of the Manomaya Kosha — the mental sheath. In the larger cosmic structure, we are expected to return this kosha in a purified state. If we fail to do so, there are consequences. In the words of the Shastras, the failure to maintain the purity of the mind leads to Punarapi Jananam Punarapi Maranam — the cycle of rebirth and death, where one is continuously trapped in the cycle of suffering.

The purity of the Manomaya Kosha is maintained through values and disciplined practices. Without cultivating virtues such as compassion, truthfulness, and self-control, we risk damaging this mental sheath, leading to an imbalance in our life and eventually leading to suffering. We are given repeated opportunities to cleanse and purify our mind, but if we disregard these, the consequences of impurity become more profound. Thus, values become not just abstract ideals but practical tools to keep our koshas healthy.

In our day-to-day lives, we often experience various forms of misery — physical pain, mental turmoil, or existential dissatisfaction. If we focus only on the immediate causes of our discomfort, such as knee or back pain, we miss the larger, more profound reasons for our suffering. The deeper reasons for our experiences of misery are often hidden from our immediate perception, and without understanding the larger context, we cannot address them meaningfully.

The practice of yajna helps to reveal this larger context. Through yajna, we acknowledge our place in the cosmos and align ourselves with the divine will. By doing so, we tap into a higher frequency of consciousness that helps us rise above our immediate discomforts. Yajna assists in bringing a holistic, long-term perspective to our lives, allowing us to solve our problems not just at a superficial level but at a deeper, spiritual level.

Ultimately, yajna is an integral part of our journey toward fulfillment. It is not just a ritualistic act but a means to experience the deeper realities of existence. By taking a Sankalpa (resolve) to live a purposeful life, we align ourselves with the larger cosmic forces, invoking their blessings. However, this is not an automatic process; it requires conscious effort. Just as we cannot expect happiness without actively working toward it, we cannot experience the true benefits of yajna without actively engaging with it.