What is yagya ? Why is Yagya performed?science behind this and What is the difference between Havan and Yagya??

The word yagya is comprised of two words, 'yaj' and 'ya'. 'Yaj' means “worshipping or rendering service” and 'ya' means “whom”. Therefore, yagya means: “Worshipping the Supreme lord” or “Rendering service to the Supreme Lord.

The tradition of Yagya in Hindu religion has been going on since the Vedic period. There are many references to performing Yagya in Hindu religious texts to fulfill wishes and avert evil.

In Ramayana and Mahabharata, there are descriptions of many kings who performed many yagya. There is a tradition of performing Yagya to please the Gods. According to the scriptures, Yagya was first created by Supreme Father Brahma. The complete description of Yagya is found in the Vedas. Another name of Yagya is Agni Puja. Gods can be pleased through Yagya and desired results can also be obtained.Yagya fulfill wishes and needs. You propitiate the gods through yagya, they will progress you. In religious texts, fire is considered the face of God. Whatever is fed in this is actually Brahmabhoj.

Putting the offering in the mouth of Yagya is to provide food to God. Undoubtedly the gods are welcomed in the Yagya. The glory of Yagya has been greatly praised in religious texts. The subject of Yagya is also important in the Vedas. God is pleased with the yagya.

● Science behind Yagya -

In the process of Yagya are involved two biggest energies i.e. sound (as Vedic hymns) and heat (as kindled in Yajna Kund) which transform the energy from one form to another beneficial energy which is for the physical, psychological and spiritual well being of human.

Some benefits -

The aroma of Yagya can be sensed from a significant distance because the heat in Yagya helps in the diffusion of vaporized particles into our surroundings. 

Yagya Kund architecture - pyramid- it is structurally the strongest shape in the world, and studies shows that the center of the pyramid is the source of energy. The Yagya Kund is also formed in that particular way as the center of it is lightened as the energy source.

Use of Clarified butter or ghee– as ghee is natural combustion fuel to anything made of hydrocarbons, it helps to keep the fire lightened.

Environmental purification- scientists proved that the place where Yagya is performed regularly, physical ailments, sickness, and diseases occur less commonly in that place. 

More info on this can be found in ‘The Integral Science of Yajna’, a book published in 1998 by Yug Nirman Yojna, Mathura, and can be downloaded below. 

Words taken from Sanskrit Language- all the words from Sanskrit contain some sort of vibrations and set a harmonious pattern to the sound wave constitute a great amount of energy. For example, chanting Gayatri Mantra can produce more than 10000 sound waves per second.

Sanitization or Fumigation– complex hydrocarbon combustion leads to formaldehyde and formalin production in the environment which is lethal to bacterial cells and it is a natural disinfectant.
Apart from that it also removes insects and foul smells from the environment.

● Difference between Havan and Yagya -

Havan is a short form of Yagya. The process of putting or offering something in fire after any puja or chanting is popular as Havan. Yagya is an offering made to a particular deity for a specific purpose. It essentially includes the deity, offering, Veda mantra, Ritvik, Dakshina. Havan is a ritual of purification in Hinduism. The process of offering havi (food) to the deity through fire in the pond is called Havan.

Havi, Havya or Havishya are the things which are sacrificed in fire. After lighting the fire in the Havan Kund, the important things to be offered in this sacred fire are fruits, honey, ghee, wood etc.

It is believed that if there is influence of any evil spirit etc. around you then the Havan process frees you from it. Havan is also performed for good luck, health and prosperity etc.

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