Jivaka Ayurveda

Ayurvedic Studies in Vrindavan India
Part 3

1/18/06
Ygya (pronounced yug-ya)- Fire Ceremony

Upon my arrival in India, during my initial session with Dr. Gupta, I mentioned that one of the things I was specifically interested in learning more about mantra therapy. Mantra therapy is the use of sound (specifically in the form of Sanskrit words) for healing. Dr. David Frawley, a Western authority on Ayurveda, yoga and Vedic knowledge, has stated that mantra therapy is considered the most powerful therapy for working with the mind. All disease processes are said to start in the mind and then manifest in the digestion track and then relocate to other places in the body where western medicine gives them symptom names.

Dr. Gupta explained that this was a very large field of knowledge, which could not be quickly transmitted to me. In fact Dr. Gupta’s father (G Sr.) who is an expert in mantra therapy and has not taught it fully to Dr. Gupta yet, because he will only do so when Dr. Gupta does not fly in a plane for three years. Air travel is said to un-ground one to such an extent that the person would not be able to properly receive this subtle knowledge.

About a week after my arrival, Dr. Gupta asked for my birthday and birth time and the same from Cecilia (the other student in the teaching program). G. Sr. wanted to determine the preferred time and date for a fire mantra ceremony (Ygya) which would be for the two students. He is also knowledgeable in Vedic astrology. The date was decided as last Sunday 1/15/05 the day of the full moon. The intention of the Ygya is to ask Lord Dhanvantari to make a connection between these two students and the power of the herbs. This will allow us to be able to use our intuition, insight and deeper knowledge in working with the ayurvedic herbs. This was to be an “applied” aspect for my interest in mantra. In general, it is best to feel the effects of something and then try to know it. Taste the food and then ask what it is and how to make it.

The day before the Ygya, five herbs were chosen by G. Sr., which would be part of the Ygya. Dr. Gupta and I went into the medicinal garden and asked each of the plants if they would be so kind as to join us in the ygya the next day. A short prayer, turmeric, water and rice were offered to each plant. I personally invited Ashwagandha to be part of the ygya since I already had a relationship with this herb and we had studied it the week before. Shatavari and three other herbs not known in the West were also invited. The other herbs were “Mother” herbs and herbs using specifically in mantra healing (not taken internally but worn on the body for a period of time).

Dr. Gupta gives garden tour to guests

Sunday arrived, a nice warm sunny day. Eleven guests from MVT guesthouse, where I am staying, where invited to observe the ygya. We all drove out the clinic in the Dhanvantari Dham SUV together. A family from New Zealand, a couple from Holland, another potential student from St. Louis, Cecilia and me all piled in the truck. Once at the garden, the guests were given a tour of the garden by Dr. Gupta.

Mula collects Ashwaghanda for the ceremony

Each of the plants were asked if they wished to be part of the ygya. They all wanted to participate. Samples of the some roots of some and entire plants of others were collected for the ceremony.

Fire Ceremony in front of Lord Dhanvantari Temple

The area out size the temple has a five foot high raised six sized platform with a square fire pit in the center. It is about ten feet in diameter. The door to the temple had a garland of leaves about the door. A picture of Lord Dhanvantari had been moved from the temple and placed on a table covered with a saffron colored cloth. The pieces of the five plants were placed on the altar.
The space was in full sun for the entire ceremony.

Acharya and G. Sr. next to the altar

A Brahmin Acharya (priest), who was a friend of G. Sr. was invited to officiate the ygya. He basically is the “mouth” of the event and G. Sr. would be the “hand” or doer of the work. It is said to be too complicated for one person to do both and keep it together. G. Sr. had designed the ygya, and the Acharya was to execute the plan. By designed I should clarify. G. Sr. chose the time and the herbs for the event but the event has been practiced unchanged for generations. The Acharya was a large man with a booming deep voice. This man had a command of Sanskrit that was truly incredible. He was born into the caste of the priest and was trained his whole life to perform religious rites such as this. This basically involves getting a PH.D. in religion.

Seated cross legged around the fire pit, sat the Acharya, G. Sr., Vishnu (Dr. Gupta’s brother who runs the herbal pharmacy), another Ayurvedic Doctor (who runs the charitable dispensary at the clinic), and another India man who is training in Ayurveda with Dr. Gupta. Dr. Gupta had a placed reserved in the circle but remained outside to the ygya for most of the time so that he could explain to the audience what was going on. Although the ygya was for Cecilia, and me, we only played a small part in the actual doing of the rites since we had little knowledge of the prayers. Cecilia was also on her moon cycle so was considered “taking rest” and only to observe.

Vishnu adds a garland of marigolds to Lord Dhanvantari

The ygya lasted one hour. During this time the frame picture of Dhanvantari was treated like a guest and first was called to join the ceremony by naming all of his qualities. This was to get the power of the deity in the space. He was then bathed (sprinkled water on), presented with rose petals, dressed, tika (red dot) placed on forehead, a garland of marigolds placed around his neck and then “fed” (presented) some bananas. It is important to treat your guests with loving care. This whole time the Acharya was chanting out of his Sanskrit book with full voice that could have moved walls if we had been indoors. He also read some prayers from a Dhanvantari prayer book. Three times during the event he had to pause and converse with G. Sr. about the Sanskrit in this book which he then corrected some typos. You got to get these things right you know. I knew enough Sanskrit so that I could recognize some of the words during this part.

To ensure that there was no mistake of whom we called into this sacred space, the 108 names of Lord Dhanvantari were called out, while a flourish of flower petals were placed at the base of the picture. You wouldn’t want to get the wrong subtle energy involved with this kind of work. The altar was quite a site at this point. I was invited to join in the circle to recite the one prayer of Lord Dhanvantari that I had learned since my arrival. A small compass needle on the altar started to move at this point. This represented the churning of the milk ocean from which Dhanvantari is said to have come. This “miracle” seemed to get a lot of attention including the attention of the Acharya. The small white stick on what looked like a long needle moved slowly around counterclockwise four or so times. This was the sign that Lord Dhanvantari was present and ready to make the connection between the plants and the two students.

G. Sr. puts ghee on the fire as visitors watch with focused intention

A small fire was started in the fire pit. Dr. Gupta joined the group, making six men. Six is the minimum number of men needed. All are needed to be present so if someone falters, the others can take over. I took a seat out side at this point since I was no longer qualified to participate. The fire was repeatedly fed a pinch of five herbs that smelled like fir needles as the Acharya delivered a line of Sanskrit ending in Svaha. Svaha is said to the state of mind just after the crash of a thunderbolt. These guys don’t mess around with weak imagery. Each time the Acharya said Svaha everyone said it together as they fed the fire. Fire is the element of transformation that takes the prayers on the smoke of the fire sends them to the universe to “make it so”. The smoky fire continued till the prayers were complete. Everyone including the guests then each came to the altar and presented a flower to Lord Dhanvantari. This acted as a blessing for each person present. The rite was then completed with little fanfare. This is all business. Do what you have to do on the subtle level and then get out. No wandering about.

Mixture of five herbs on banana leaf plate to be added to the fire.

The six men moved into the shade temple space. It was time for everyone to eat. Food for everyone involved in the ceremony, from the Acharya to the man who feeds the cows, was offered first Lord Dhanvantari for his blessing. Blessed food is called Prasad and is considered especially nutritious and sattvic (pure and beneficial for spiritual development). A six dish meal was then served first to the Acharya who ate alone. This was a sign of respect for his services. The rest of us had a blessed banana and entertained ourselves outside. The invited guests, Cecelia and I were served next in the second sitting. And finally G. Sr., Dr. Gupta and his brother and the other men in the ygya and staff ate in the third sitting.

The meal consisted of rice, subji (vegetable stew),a spiced vegetable dish, three kinds of chapatti (breads) - one called kachori was stuffed with lentils was especially yummy. I ate three. The desert was a sweet rice pudding. The meal was served in a traditional method for Prasad. Everyone is seated in a row in the temple on mats. A “plate” make from leaves is placed on the ground in front of each person. Each dish is served from a bucket down the line on onto the plate. We all were served, a short prayer was said and then eating began. No silverware was used. We ate only with the right hand (left is used for cleaning after using the toilet). I had been practicing eating right handed each day at lunch, so I had developed some skill in tearing the bread with one hand and then using it to pickup the rice and veggies. I’m a slob compared to any India but at least I didn’t offend anyone. Two small plastic bowls and a plastic cup were also used to contain the food. Dr. Gupta explained that these were originally also made of leaves so the entire waste of the meal was biodegradable. Unfortunately in the age of Kali-yuga (dark days of the present time) it is harder to come by these, as it is sort of a lost art to make them. Nothing is 100% in India.

Dr. Gupta explaining what it all means

For me the ygya was quite an experience and I was glad to have Dr. Gupta there to explain what was happening as it added a level of meaning to the ygya which otherwise would have been lost by my western eyes. Personally, the ceremony had the feeling that something was happening just beyond the field of vision. Sort of like when you know when someone is looking at you behind your back. You turn around and sure enough someone is there. In this case, it was as if the air was thicken with some sort of presence. I also felt a great sense of respect and admiration for the Ayurvedic community that came together to create such a beautiful and sacred experience. As for the long term effects of the ygya, we shall see how my relationship with the herbs of Ayurveda develops in month and years to come. I have a feeling that this is the start of a long and deep relationship.

Continued to Part 4...Parikrama: A walk around the town

Review: Part 1, Part 2