In a traditional Vedic yajna, fire is generated onsite using the ancient technique of rubbing two pieces of wood. Most city folks have never seen the Arani Manthana ceremony. Arani अरणि is a piece of wood used to kindle the sacred fire & manthana means churning (1)
During the Brihathi Sahasra Mahayajna at @TexasGaushala, we saw Arani Manthana in all its glory. An interesting contraption was used in which a cylinderical wood piece was churned back and forth against a block of wood placed below it. (2)
@TexasGaushala It was an arduous process which went on for a long time with no results despite the most vigorous churning by the Acharyas. Smoke would appear indicating there must be a fire but next moment, the fire would die out. (3)
@TexasGaushala And the Acharyas would have to start churning all over again. At one point there was a lot of smoke, but where was the fire? My mind went to my Nyaya Shastra classes in which the teacher gave the classic example of fire and smoke. (4)
@TexasGaushala There is agni in the arani, I said to myself.
What is the Pramana?
Because there is smoke.
For when there is smoke, there is fire, as in the kitchen.
I smiled at how my head was full of bits and pieces I had taken from Indian Knowledge Systems. (5)
What is the Pramana?
Because there is smoke.
For when there is smoke, there is fire, as in the kitchen.
I smiled at how my head was full of bits and pieces I had taken from Indian Knowledge Systems. (5)
@TexasGaushala I wondered if the Acharyas were feeling frustrated. One could only marvel at the physical stamina of the purohitas. On and on they churned. How did they not give up in fatigue? (6)
@TexasGaushala Dozens of cell phones were zoomed on the wooden piece to capture the exact moment when fire appeared. It became so smoky that I could not see the wood! (7)
@TexasGaushala Then suddenly everyone started clapping. Agni Deva had manifested and finally decided to stay on to enable the yajna. What a celebratory moment it was! (8) youtube.com
Conches were blown, and gongs were sounded. Never before did I feel the physical presence of a deity as I did that moment. Tears glistened in many an eye. (9)
After a while, the fire crackled strong and steady. Ladies were called to carefully light the lamps with that Agni. After all, the responsibility of keeping grihasta fires burning is theirs. It was all so touching and beautiful that I bowed to my precious civilization! (10)
Even just a glimpse of my civilization fills me with so much energy. I am grateful that I witnessed the Bruhati Sahasra Mahayajna. Here is my full article on the spectacular event which gave so much joy. (11)
@sahana.singh/in-the-heart-of-america-a-rare-vedic-ritual-invokes-peace-and-prosperity-dffcb8b3f5b7?sk=e74e2fb198acb7a00d9fd4cd55ad9eee" target="_blank" rel="noopener" onclick="event.stopPropagation()">medium.com
@sahana.singh/in-the-heart-of-america-a-rare-vedic-ritual-invokes-peace-and-prosperity-dffcb8b3f5b7?sk=e74e2fb198acb7a00d9fd4cd55ad9eee" target="_blank" rel="noopener" onclick="event.stopPropagation()">medium.com
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