Combat strategy in the veda

Krishna Yajurveda 6.2.3 talks about the battle between devas and asuras. Tripura ( not the state Tripura) was the dwelling place of the asuras. It was made up of three layers, the lowermost of iron, the middle of silver and the uppermost gold. Devas found it difficult to conquer them.

They laid siege by surrounding it and cut of all supplies and help to the asuras. After depleting the asuras of all their strength in this manner, they were attacked and destroyed.

Veda says, those who know of this and even the laymen would strategize  in such a way that they don't attack the strong enemy directly. First lay siege, weaken and then attack.

Yajna performed without faith and not following proper procedure

Yajnas are performed to receive their auspicious results. They should be performed with faith and carried out strictly as per procedure laid down in the brahmanas and sutras.

Krishna Yajurveda 2.6.10 narrates ....

Svagakarta in a yajna is the person who makes sure that each deity receives his share of offering without mix up. Once, while devas were performing yajna, ( even devas perform yajnas, that's how they become devas and remain devas ) they could not find a svagakarta. They approached Shamyu, son of Brihaspati and asked him to take up this role. Shamyu asked for a boon in return - if anyone performs yajna without faith or not following the proper procedure as laid down in the scriptures, let the auspicious results of such yajnas come to me. It was granted.

There is no point in performing yajna without faith and in violation of the ordained procedure as the result goes to somebody else.

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Penance for offending Gods

Atharva veda 6.114.1 - यद्देवा देवहेडनं

Coming under the influence of senses, we have committed sin that has angered gods.May lord Surya release us from this sin by virtue of the truth of mantra.

A variant of this mantra is also there in Rigveda (10.37.12) wherein the ill effects of the sin is transferred to enemies.

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Stick to your Gods !

People these days have this tendency to take up new spiritual practices such as mantra sadhana. One's own roots such as sandhyavandanam, gayatri, kuladevata and puja at home are neglected. Not even lighting a lamp in front of gods at home, they run from temple to to temple and attend satsangs seeking blessings.

Veda says ( T.S.2.5.4)

यो वै स्वां देवतामतियजते प्र स्वायै देवतायै च्यवते न परां  प्राप्नोति पापीयान्भवति

One who goes beyond his own deity loses his own deity and does not obtain another one. He becomes a sinner.

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Importance of using right quantity of materials in homa/havan

Krishna Yajurveda 2.5.4 says

यस्मै वा अल्पेना$$हरन्ति ना$$त्मना तृप्यति नान्यस्मै ददाति यस्मै महता तृप्यत्यात्मना  ददात्यन्यस्मै

To whom something is offered in small quantity is himself not satisfied, he will not give to others.

To whom something is offered in plentiful is satisfied, and he will  give to others.

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What is yajna ?

येन सदनुष्ठानेन इन्द्रप्रभृतयो देवाः सुप्रसन्ना: सुवृष्टिं कुर्युस्तद्  यज्ञपदाभिधेयम्  |
By performing which devas such as Indra are pleased and cause good rains is called yajna.
येन सदनुष्ठानेन स्वर्गादिप्राप्तिः सुलभा स्यात् तद् यज्ञपदाभिधेयम् |
By performing which attainment of heaven etc. are easily accomplished is called yajna.
येन सदनुष्ठानेन संपूर्णं विश्वं कल्याणं भजेत् तद् यज्ञपदाभिधेयम् |
Performance of which is auspicious to the entire universe is called yajna.
येन सदनुष्ठानेन आध्यात्मिक - आधिभौतिक - आधिदैविक तापत्रयोन्मूलनं सुकरं स्यात्  तद् यज्ञपदाभिधेयम् |
By the performance of which, the troubles of threefold nature, aadhyaatmika, aadhibhautika and aadhidaivika are easily removed, is called yajna.
मन्त्रैर्देवतामुद्दिश्य द्रव्यस्य दानं यागः
Offering to devatas accompanied by mantras is called yaga.

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Do not perform shubha karma in noisy environment !!!

पेषणादिकयन्त्रेषु शब्दो यावत्प्रवर्तते
तावत्कर्म न कर्तव्यं तथा सन्ध्याद्वये$पिवा

When noise from machines etc. are heard, shubha karmas should not be performed, also during twilight.

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Y chromosome and gothra

http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=1094

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When to offer ahuti during havan !

मन्त्रेणोङ्गारपूतेन स्वाहान्तेन विचक्षणः
स्वाहावसाने जुहुयात् ध्यायन् मन्त्रदेवताम्

With the mantra sanctified by ॐ  and ending with स्वाहा , the ahuti should be offered at the end of स्वाहा  meditating on the deity of the mantra.

There is a more precise direction.

सकारे सूतकं विद्याद्धकारे मृत्युमादिशेत्
आहुतिस्तत्र दातव्यः यत्र आकार दृश्यते

स्वाहा is made up of    स् + व्  + आ  + ह्  + आ
स् is impure on account of sutaka
ह्  is attached to death.
Hence the ahuti should be offered when the आ succeeding ह् is seen - ie:- at the very end of स्वाहा

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Importance of anujna ( permission ) from brahmins at the start of any ritual.

The performer of the ritual such as shanti, at the beginning briefly mentions the task that is ahead to the brahmins in the assembly and requests for their blessings for eligibility of the ritual. This is called anujna.

..............कर्तुं योग्यता सिद्धिं अनुगृहाण  this is the request.

brahmins say योग्यता सिद्धिरस्तु  - may you be eligible.

Dharma shastra says

ब्राह्मणानां विना वाक्यैः क्रियाः स्युर्निर्निष्फलाः स्मृताः
कर्तव्या ब्राह्मणानुज्ञा कर्मणां परिपूर्तये
Any task performed without obtaining the permission of the brahmins will be fruitless. The act of anujna should be performed for successful completion of the task,

How these blessings should be obtained ?

महादनुग्रहश्च द्रव्यदानेन कारयितव्यः
The blessings should be obtained by offering daanam.

दाने सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्  ( तैत्तिरीय आरण्यकम् )


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