There are many types of prayers in Veda mantras with most of them asking Eeshvara to help us acquire both spiritual and/or secular knowledge, wisdom, good health, bravery, fearlessness, prosperity, wellbeing of the family, society, nation and the world. Some prayers are for personal individual welfare while majority are for ‘us’ including others’ welfare also. Prayer, worship and meditation of God in Vedic scriptures is called Eeshvara-stuti-prārthanā-upāsanā which means Eeshvara’s i.e. the Supreme Master’s or Lord God’s praise, prayer and meditation.
Stuti is usually translated in English as praise or glorification of Eeshvara/God or singing about His glory. Stuti, however, is not repeating Eeshvara/God’s name over and over to praise Him, nor is it flattery of God. True stuti on the other hand is sincere and implies knowing and appreciating God’s various attributes, as well as a thoughtful reflection upon them, understanding their significance and finally based on the correct understanding of the attribute, doing appropriate virtuous deeds in daily life.
Prārthana means prayer to Eeshvara/God to be our guide. Prayer is asking for Eeshvara/God’s inspiration and help so that we may gain spiritual knowledge, wisdom, strength, and determination to acquire virtuous qualities in ourselves as well as live a virtuous life, learn humility and help fellow human beings. After making one’s best effort, it is asking Eeshvara/God, the Universal Benefactor, for His blessings so that our requests are fulfilled. Praying teaches us humility and reminds us that we are not all powerful like Eeshvara/God. It also helps us acknowledge our limitations and our vanity so that we learn where we need to improve. Praying also reminds us of our moral duties (dharma) both to ourselves and to others and further shows us that we should seek Eeshvara/God’s teachings/counsel as our inner voice first and then that of our fellow humans, not the other way around.
Dev Yajnya: Agnihotra
Havan / Agnihotra is a component of Deva Yajnya and is an example of deva puja which means honoring or worshipping of devas, sangtikaran i.e. company of fellow truth seekers and dan giving/donating back to the society and the physical universe which makes our life more fruitful.
Havan/Agnihotra is performed as a fire ceremony by lighting fire in the havan kund (a sacred fire pot: see below), chanting select mantras as prayers to Eeshvara/God, and putting oblations of ghee and sämigri (mixture of fragrant herbs and incense) in the fire to purify and brighten the surrounding environment.
Havan is usually a group activity including family, friends, and other respected members of the society and is often conducted as part of weekly or daily satsang (see below for details), but may be done alone if company is not available. Thus, havan has spiritual aspects both at a personal (adhyātmic) and group (adhibhoutic) level as well as at physical (adhidevic) level.
Brahma Yajnya: Sandhya
Sandhya is not a rote recitation or chanting of select mantras or hymns from the Vedas and other Vedic scriptures. Sandhyā implies contemplating upon the teachings of the mantras especially on the attributes of God and doing dhyān i.e. meditating on them. Sandhya as advised by Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati incorporates in an indirect manner all eight steps of yoga as described by rishi Patanjali in Yoga Darshanam. Read More