Atma Shanti Yagna
April 9, 2010
Atma means our soul
Shanti means peace
Yagna is a fire ceremony
Following the guide lines from books about havans and from instructions given by Mahen Panchal and his nephew, Leela combined both Sanskrit and English so we would know exactly what we were doing and why.
Even before the fire was started various deities were invoked to join and accept our offerings. We cleansed ourselves and our immediate area with water in the prescribed manner.
A small piece of camphor was put in the kund and was lit by Tim Morgan, kindling was added. The directions were honored. Sticks and ghee were offered as the fire grew.
Offerings were made with our words, ghee, sticks, samagri, sugar, flowers, nuts, and fruits in the name and memory of our loved ones.
6 people participated and names were added for those who could not come.
After the Yagna we went into the temple and Leela chanted in Sanskrit from the Bhagavad Gita: chapter 2 slokas 19-30; chapters 8,12, & 15.
We had a discussion about various words that we use to describe death and their origins - such as kicked the bucket and bought the farm.
Charmayne Harper read a beautifully written paper about our friend Jim Gardner. Jim didn't have a funeral after his death and this was just so appropriate for him. Rest in peace dear friend.
