Yagya is regarded as the means to that complete success in life which
consists of all possible achievements in the world together with freedom
from bondage. Yagya, in fact, is a means to accomplish perfection of
life."
—Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita:
Ch. 3, v. 11
Enlightenment: What is meant by the term Graha Shanti?
Steve Brittingham: Graha Shanti is a Sanskrit phrase. Shanti means
peace, and Graha is translated as "planet," but the term Graha
actually means much more than that. It represents certain forces in
Nature that are seated in the planets, and are also seated in the human
brain physiology. So Graha Shanti means to create a peaceful
relationship with the planets, but also with these administrative forces
of Nature that have a direct influence on our own physiology.
Graha can also be translated to mean "that which grasps or
seizes." In this sense, the Graha is a force in nature that
has a grip on our physiology, awareness and emotions—and thus a grip on
the destiny of our life. The influence from the Grahas determines
our day-to-day experiences, and influences the decisions we make.
Of course, the Grahas are only returning the influences that
were created by us in the past. A Maharishi Yagya performance for a
peaceful relationship with a Graha has the influence of releasing
the grip of the Graha, freeing us to make more evolutionary choices
in our lives.
Enlightenment: Can you give an example of that?
Steve
Brittingham: At one time or another, I think everyone has had the
thought, "I’d like to make a different choice, but somehow I’m
not able to." That inability to make the right choice may be due to a
planetary influence. We may experience this influence as a habit that is
hard to break. For instance, we may keep making the same mistakes in our
relationships, in our business, or for our health.
Maharishi has given us this beautiful program which allows us to
release the grip of the Grahas and make more enlightened choices,
and thus enjoy greater freedom in life. In this way the Maharishi Yagya
program contributes directly to our growing enlightenment, because
enlightenment means a state of ultimate freedom in which we can choose
anything, be anything, and be successful at anything.
Enlightenment: Can you describe the different kinds of Maharishi Yagya performances
that are available?
Steve Brittingham: There are basically two types of Maharishi Yagya
performances: planetary yagyas and yagyas to fulfill specific desires. The
planetary yagyas are most fundamental, because the planets, or Grahas,
are the forces of Nature that control individual destiny. The planetary
yagyas remove obstacles or avert problems caused by the Grahas.
Maharishi Yagya performances are also available to fulfill specific
desires. For example, you could request a yagya for improvement of health,
better memory, better sleep, harmonious family relationships, increased
wealth, or spiritual progress. There are specific Maharishi Yagya
performances to remove obstacles and bring support of Nature to almost any
area of life.
However, these yagyas for specific purposes are even more effective if
the person first takes care of the planetary influences through Graha
Shanti. So the planetary yagyas are fundamental; they’re the most
important ones to do first.
Enlightenment: How long will it take to fulfill a desire
after having a Maharishi Yagya performance?
Steve Brittingham: That will depend on many things—on the nature
of the desire, how much support is seen in the birth chart, and whether
this is a favorable time for fulfilling that desire. It could be that it
happens very quickly, or it could take some weeks or months. Individual
effort is also an important aspect of the Maharishi Yagya program. An
opportunity may come due to the Maharishi Yagya performance, but you have
to take action—you have to take advantage of it.
Enlightenment: How can special days in the Vedic Calendar
enhance Maharishi Yagya performances?
Steve Brittingham: The Maharishi Jyotish program provides a
quarterly Vedic Calendar of auspicious dates for Maharishi Yagya
performances. There are certain days in the Vedic Calendar on which the
Laws of Nature are more awake and alert to support specific desires and
needs. Maharishi Yagya performances for special purposes done on these
days have a greater influence and can more easily fulfill a desire. On the
Day for Removing Obstacles (Birthday of Ganesh) for instance,
traditionally a yagya for removal of obstacles would be performed
In the days of Vedic civilization, specific yagyas were performed on
certain days in order to bring the greatest effect. We want to re-enliven
this tradition by scheduling Maharishi Yagya performances during these
days (see Special Days in the Vedic Calendar below).
Enlightenment: How often should a person have Maharishi
Yagya performances?
Steve Brittingham: Maharishi suggests that we have our birth chart
reviewed and then schedule the recommended Maharishi Yagya performances
at least once a year. In this way the recommended yagyas can be performed before
a new cycle of time begins or a planetary transit occurs, to ensure a
peaceful relationship with the Grahas and continued support of
Nature. In some cases Maharishi Yagya performances may be recommended more
often, but this is the general suggestion.
Maharishi says that everyone should know how to secure his future, and
this is the main purpose of the Maharishi Jyotish and Maharishi Yagya
programs.
Click here for part one of the interview
What
Participants Say
"Deeper Levels of Awareness"
Mark Dyer of Colorado has been meditating nearly 40 years, yet he
experienced a powerful increase in pure awareness during his Maharishi Yagya
performance.
"I’ve noticed throughout the decades that there are certain moments or
experiences in the Movement that reinforce the beauty and power of Maharishi’s
knowledge. This Maharishi Yagya performance was certainly one of those
experiences.
"About an hour before my afternoon Transcendental Meditation and
TM-Sidhi program, I began to feel much deeper levels of awareness, along with an
increasing sense of inner and outer well-being. This experience intensified as
the weekend progressed, similar to the deep quality of experience from two- to
three-month meditation courses I had taken in the past.
"It seems like pure magic that a group of pandits in India reciting
specific Vedic sounds can simultaneously create an experience within the nervous
system of an individual on the other side of the world. "I’m now
reorganizing my budget so I can have more yagyas in the future."
Each month, the Vedic Calendar includes special days that are
auspicious for fulfilling specific desires through Maharishi Yagya
performances. Here are a few highlights in the coming months:
July 5, 2001, Guru Purnima Spiritual and material fulfillment,
blessings of the spiritual master, success in education, spiritual
development of children
August 22, 2001 Birthday of Ganesh Removal of obstacles or
problems, improvement of finances, harmony in married life, gaining
knowledge and intelligence
October 17-25, 2001 Days of Mother Divine Improvement of
health, wealth, and fulfillment of desires
November 14, 2001 Mahalakshmi Day The most important day of the
year for Maharishi Yagya performances for wealth, good fortune, and bliss
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