It was reported in a daily that during the Athiratra yajna conducted in April in Kerala, a team of scientists studied its impact on the environment.
It seems they found that the microbial activity in and around the venue was reduced and also germination of seeds was accelerated.
One of the scientists said that their findings will help remove the notion of superstition associated with vedic rituals and help in continuation of these rituals for the betterment of nature and the environment.
These jobs are better done by a municipal worker with a can of pesticide and various agro nutrients and fertilizers. Purpose of yajna is not to disinfect the air or to speed up germination of seeds. Let us not degrade the vedic rituals.
Yajnastu devataan uddishya mantrairdrvyasya daanam - Yajna is offering of dravya to Gods by means of mantras. It is worship. Not anything else.
Isn't it too apologetic to say that, "Look, it helps the environment, so let's continue it". You know what the scientists will say next. 'It's a very inefficient way of cleansing the air, so there is no point continuing it.
YAJNA IS RELIGION. IT IS WORSHIP OF VEDIC GODS. OFFERING TO GODS. PRAYING FOR BLESSINGS. THE PRINCIPLES INVOLVED ARE RELIGIOUS AND THEOLOGICAL IN NATURE. NOT SCIENTIFIC.
