Agni was the first word of Rigveda for a reason. It is in fact a wondrous element. All are aware of the fire which gives heat and light, but very few have the understanding that it is fire that runs our body and plays a pivotal role in cleansing of the body and various elements. Yet fewer people appreciate its role as a medium to interact with the devlok and hardly anyone uses these properties to manifest changes within and around. Dhyan Ashram is one such rare place in present day and age where sadhaks (practitioners) are practically experimenting with and experiencing the magical properties of fire.

Yagyas were a routine practice in vedic times. They are to be understood, not as a ritual, but as a perfect and precise science to invoke and channelize forces of Creation through the medium of fire. There are close to 400 kinds of yagyas detailed in the Vedic Shastras towards different ends. Those for fulfillment of desires come under kamya-karmas. Those which are to be performed as a duty by every individual are called nitya-karmas. Those pertaining to an individual and his family are called ghrya-karmas. These are also called smarta-karmas since they belong to the Smritis. Then there are yagyas to be performed for the well-being of mankind, these are detailed at length in Shrutis (Vedas) and so are called srauta-karmas.

There are specifications on the dimensions and shapes of yagya kunds (fire altars) for yagyas towards different ends. The time (muhurat) at which they are performed and the direction in which they are performed also hold special significance. The ingredients (samidha and samagri) also vary depending on the kind of yagya that is being performed. Most importantly, the mantras are given by a siddha Guru to the practitioner to ensure that the oblations reach the deity that is being invoked and they manifest in the yagya fire.

To give you an example of the specificity and precision called for in the yagyas, there are 3 separate fires in the srauta rites in three differently shaped yagya kunds. Specific formulae and measurements for deriving the dimensions of the kunds, the distance between them and the laying of the bricks is detailed at length in the Shulba Sutras. The geometry equation which we today attribute to Pythagoras is also detailed in this text at least 500 years before Pythagoras. The power and efficacy of these yagyas gets further highlighted from the fact that there is no smoke in the fire from an authentic vedic yagya and formations of Devas and Devis can be seen in yagya fire upon successful completion of the yagya.

You may experience the power of a vedic yagya at the Karma Stories Ashram Sanctuary in Victoria where sadhaks have built an authentic vedic fire altar and perform daily yagyas with proper chants and pure ingredients. The effects can be ascertained from the manifestation of deities seen in pictures clicked at the yagyas. The sadhaks also nurture the authentic Brahmin cows and bulls at the ashram and conduct gau puja ceremonies. Karma Stories also conducts weekly classes on mantra chanting and Sanatan Kriya meditation in Melbourne free of cost.