Puran Chand Sharma
Mortal World classified into four specific categories
During the ancient times when our Rishis and Munis made an effort to analyze the whole mortal world based on their knowledge and experience, they returned the finding that mortal world comprises four distinct categories and the first one is called as Panchmaha Bhoot comprising Graha, Nakhasttar, Prithvi, springs, Mountains, Seas forming one distinct and phenomenal world. There is another unique world which consists of holistic Vegetation e.g from a tiny blade of grass to a gigantic Peepal Tree. Another third world happens to be the world of insects of different varieties plus the hordes of lovely birds and beautiful animals. In the fourth category we come across the most classical and developed world of Homo Sapiens (Humans).The significant point in this matter is that the first three specified mortal worlds mentioned hereunder are nature controlled, their behaviour, conduct and habits are in consonance with the laws of nature and by and large they rarely violate and disregard the laws of nature but the fourth world of human beings do indulge in unwanted and undesirable infringements of laws of nature at the risk of being meted out the matching and befitting justice of nature.
Panchmahayagya Parampara (Tradition) in India
Panchmaha Yagya Tradition has been going on and being observed in our country since times immemorial but in consequence of various foreign aggressors assaulting the country from time to time and ransacking our materialistic and cultural heritage which sadly slowed down and dented this noble tradition of Panchmaha Yagya, which in this twilight hour need be revived to restore and enrich our cultural treasures, unlocking our hidden divine strength and capability. Let us judiciously endeavour to understand the five Yagya and their soothing divine impact.
1.BRAHAMYAGYA:- In ancient times Braham yagya meant to be constant meditation and remaining engrossed in it all the times with the thinking process that I am not ‘Body’ only but all pervading consciousness and the immortal soul, but during the current times this spiritual concept need be expanded across the family and the vibrant society, by doing so we can repay and liquidate our PITRE RRIN in line with the pursuit of laid down spiritual norms and principles. The consistent and regular practitioner of Brahamyagya /Panchyagya does not confine himself to his personal benefit or spiritual upliftment but ensures that entire family and the society as a whole is benefited and grows in accordance with the Panchyagya, which is the ultimate purpose and goal.
2.PITREYAGYA:- At this critical period of time it is being observed that our upcoming progeny are not getting proper moral education either in schools or the families and slowly and steadily they are getting delinked and disconnected from their cultural roots, they have almost no access even to our very crucial religious scriptures such as Geeta, Ramayam, Mahabharata, Vedas, Upnishadas, Puranas, bhaktambar (Jains), Dhammpad (Bhudists), Gurugranth sahib (Sikhs) etc. A door to door survey conducted in Orissa revealed that out of 1000 Households , 250 houses were found to have no significant religious scripture in their houses, which were the perennial source of learning the tenets of Sanatana SanskritI for one and all in the family inclusive of growing children. In these changed circumstances, the modified version of Brahamyagya can be very helpful and act as panacea for reviving our age old family system to streamline the things in line with the changed conditions. There is a very inspiring and motivating incident relating to Ashutosh Mukherjee, High court Judge and father of Shyma Prasad Mukherjee. He was very obedient and respectful to his mother. Lord Curzon, then viceroy of India asked Ashutosh Mukherjee to proceed to England for some urgent work, Ashutosh said, I shall have to seek permission of my mother, Viceroy said, when you have permission of the Viceroy, why permission from your mother is required. Ashutosh replied, in our family system, permission of mother is supreme, I cannot go abroad without her permission. As the mother had been suffering from prolonged illness, she advised her son not to proceed abroad and his visit had to be abruptly cancelled. This was the classic example of Pitreyagya.
3.DEVYAGYA:- In our Sanatan Sanskriti we come across so many Vibrant divine entities whom we also address as gods and diligently worship them such as Sarasvati Devi (God of Education), Yam is revered as God of Death, Sun, Moon are worshiped as gods, we cannot think of life on earth without blessings of these celestial bodies, But at this critical juncture humans are causing severe harm to nature in various forms due to lack of knowledge and for mortal gains. Basic moral values and ethics need be inculcated by virtue of Devyagya/ Panchyagya for ultimate Bliss and Ecstasy.
4.NARYAGYA:- All human beings whist spending their life span in this world incur some kind of debt which need be paid back under all circumstances. This we can do through the medium of NARYAGYA, which requires us to make our house an ideal family which, apart from their own sustenance, volunteer themselves to help the needy and downtrodden, if they do that, it will be their NARYAGYA in real sense of the term.
5. BHOOTYAGYA:- It is universally admitted fact that our existence in this mortal world is dependent on Earth, Water, Air, Animals, Plants etc and whilst living in this transient world, we naturally incur debt from their side enabling us to lead a comfortable and purposeful life in this phenomenal world. We, human beings are morally bound to expunge this debt prior to our departure for the heavenly abode.
CONCLUSION
In our childhood we had experienced that there was lovely tradition in our families wherein our mothers used to cook first Roti for Gau Mata, last Roti for Dog. Further, some morsels of food, some seeds and water etc used to be offered to the Animals and Birds regularly every day. They were being treated as our natural guests. But with the changing life styles and lack of awareness and commitment in respect of basics of Sanatan Sanskriti, adherence to the hardcore values have suffered severe setback. Comprehensive and fool proof revival of Panchyagya together with dedicated compliance of the age old principles and Sanatan morals is the Buzz word and transformative action. Hope we, the people of India take up the challenge lock, stock and barrel for the ultimate good of the global world .
(The author is President, Ved Mandir)