Somayajna

The Somayajna (ISO: ) or Somayaga (ISO: ) or Soma sacrifice is a Hindu ritual. It is a type of ''yajna'' performed to appease celestial entities to promote the well-being of all humanity.

This ritual is based on methods described in the Vedas. Soma is used as the main offering in this yajna, hence the name Somayajna. The Soma plant, the king of medicinal herbs, is said to be relished by the celestials.

Types

The seven types of Somayajna are:

* ''Agniṣṭoma'' – The first and main type, the six others are considered variations of this
* ''Uktya(उक्त्य)''
* ''Ṣoḍaśī''
*''Atyagniṣṭoma''
* ''Atirātra''
* ''Āptoryāma''
*''Vājapeya''

Importance - Significance

''Somayajna'' has unparalleled importance in ''yajna'' culture. This special ''yajna'' is said to provide a powerful boost of healing energy extending to the whole world. The performance of a ''Somayajna'' is intended to cleanse the atmosphere so that it becomes medicinal, nutritious and disease-free, yielding a qualitative and quantitative improvement in the psyche. The purported benefits of ''Somayajna'' are similar to those of the other ''Śrauta yajnas'', e.g., cleansing the environment of toxins. The performance of a ''Somayajna'' has prerequisites apart from the knowledge of ''Yajurveda'', together with the auxiliary ''sutras'' e.g''. Srauta grihya-dharma-kalpa,'' pertaining to the rescension of the Veda.

Practitioners of - Somayaga

* Somayaga is one of the Primary Shrouta Yajnas (whose procedures are Ordained by Veda in details). Soma Yaga involves the procedure bringing the sacred creeper, cleaning, grinding, extraction of juice, collection into several wooden vessels before offering the same to the deities.

In Southern India, several stalwar scholars have performed Soma Yagas,. In Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, several such scholars and practitioners are found, who are called as Somayaji or by an earlier qualification called Aahitaagni.

However, many of them shun publicity and remain reclusive. Therefore, their religious and spiritual achievements are not public."
* Anant Shri Vibhushan Sarvotomukhi Sagnichit, Vajpayee Soumyajit Dixit Jagadguru VallabhSampradayacharya - Jagadguru Pithadhishwar-Mathadhishwar , His Divine Holiness Acharya Dr. Goswami Shri Gokulotsavji Maharaj (Padma Bhushan award recipient by President of India) has performed more than 84 ''Somyagyas''.
*His son, Anant Shri Vibhushan Sarvotomukhi, Vajpayee Soumyajit Dixit Jagadguru VallabhSampradayacharya '
Acharya Dr. Goswami Shree Vrajotsavji
'' has performed more than 47 ''Somyagyas''. Together they have performed ''Sapta Samhita'' and many other types of ''Somyagyas''. They both (father and son duo) played an instrumental role in popularizing ''Somyagyas and ancient Vedic culture, tradition and practices''.
* In 2015, an ''Atya Agnistoma Somayajna'' was performed by Dharma Vardhiny Sabha near Gnana Saraswati Temple, Basar. This was the first recorded performance of a ''Somayajna'' in Basar. The ''yajna'' was performed over six days at the Naimisharanyam Yagashala from 27 July 2015 to 1 August 2015.
* In 2017
Samvit Sadhnanyan Trust
monitored by Swami Shri Ishwaranandgiriji Maharaj, organized and performed ''Soma Yajna'' at the Shankralok Ashrama in Uvarsad gram, Gandhinagar. This was the first recorded ''yajna'' in the western part of India in the modern period. The seven-day carnival took place from 26 Feb 2017 until 3 March 2017. The special ''Somvalli'' from the Himalayas was used during this event. Sri Ranganath Krishna Selukar Ji Maharaj of Parbhani Maharashtra performs ''Somayajna'' in other areas of India.
* The Nambudiri Brahmins of Kerala have continued the tradition of performing the Agnistoma (''Agnistoma somayaga'') and Atiratra (''agnichayana''). In 1975, the ritual was conducted, at Panjal, Thrissur. apart from that, many ''somayagas'' and ''atiratras'' have been conducted in Kerala.

See also

* Vedas
* Yajna

References

External links

, , Acharya Dr. Vrajotsavji , , - Creative projects for revival of Ancient Vedic practices

{{Hindudharma

Soma (drink)
Vedic period
Yajna