THE YAJNA
According to many vedic scholars, yajna is one of the greatest activities that can be performed. In this context, it acquires a meaning more profound than that which is understood in a narrow ritualistic sense. In fact, yajna is the source or origin of the Vedas itself. The four Vedas, Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva, along with the Upanishads are the embodiment of the concept of yajna. A fundamental question in these ancient scriptures is implicitly raised as to what is the unifying factor of the entire cosmos. Indeed, yajna is the abiding principle that sustains the entire creation, the unifying power that links the creature with the creator, the microcosm with the macrocosm. Kinds of yajna Yajna can be broadly classified as vedic or tantric, depending on the rituals employed. A yajna can be performed with a specific desire in mind (sakama yajna), or without any desire, for the benefit of humanity in general (nishkama yajna). According to vedic scholars, the main kind...