Havan/Yagya/Homma

[Kharag Singh]

Fateh! May the peace and blessings of the Lord be upon all!

I was talking to this South Indian "smarta" Purohit/Pandit and we were discussing the many different ways of worshiping. I argued that there is no purer or higher form of worship than that of Naam Simran, and he argued that the method of Havan/Yagya is greater and bears more fruit.

His main argument was that Hari Simran is the easiest from of worship in the sense that one can worship day and night hence why "aaht pehar har dhiyaya raam" one can worship the lord day and night just by repeating the Lords name. However in terms of effectiveness Havan/Yagya is far more superior as it is an embodiment of both esoteric and exoteric factors to worship. He backed up the effectiveness of the ritual by "scientific" means where he said that when preforming the Yagya the heat from the fire open one chakras and invokes Mata Kundalini hence the exoteric, the esoteric he explains is the chanting of the mantras whereby once the chakras are opened one can channel ones energy and meditation become easier. He also says that its more effective because Agni Dev is the postman of the daivi world and because heat rises as it rises ones prayer and efforts are taken up to the divine more effectively and quickly.

My argument was that when one is physically preforming the yagya one is alert and aware to ones surrounding and it is much easier for the mind to "Bhatak". However when meditating via Naam Simran one channels and relaxes the hyperactivity of the mind a stronger and more effective link between the divine and the devotee is created through the heart by the means of "bhagti".

So what are your views? What do you think about the Purohits argument ?

Fateh!