Publication of Shrauta Prayoga - An Initiative

The Vedas have a very high position in the eternal heritage of India. The Vedas elucidate the means for betterment of life and
for attainment of the ultimate good. The means are the Karmas (actions) prescribed by the Vedas and the knowledge imparted by
the Vedas. Every individual desires to attain the likes and avoid the dislikes. For fulfilling this the Vedas started its Karma Kanda -
section dealing with the Karmas. Starting from Agnihotra till Ashvamedha are the Karmas prescribed by the Vedas. Worldly
actions, though performed well, may not be fruitful. But the Karmas prescribed by the Vedas, Agnihotra etc, are not destroyed
without giving its fruit. Hence he Vedas call these actions as Satyam or the truth.
Shastric Karmas are of two kinds - Smartha Karma, prescribed by the Smritis and Shrauta Karma, prescribed by the Shruti or
the Vedas. The Smartha Karmas are performed using one sacred fire. A Grihasta (householder) performing Aupasana in the
Aupasana Agni, the Vaishvadeva, the Parvana Shraddha etc which are collectively called Saptapaaka samstha Karmas are some of
the Smartha Karmas. Similarly Rudra Homa, Chandi Homa, Navagraha Homa etc are also Smartha Karmas.
The Shrauta Karmas are performed using the three sacred fires, viz. the Garhapatya, the Ahavaniya and the Dakshinaagni. The
following are the Nitya Shrauta Karmas -
* Agnihotra - performed everyday during the sunrise and sunset.
* Pindapitr yagna - performed on the newmoon day.
* Darshapoornamasa Yaga - performed on the day after full moon and new moon.
* Navaagrayana Ishti - performed in the Autumn season.
* Chaturmasya Yaga - performed once in four months.
* Nirooda Pashubandha Yaga - performed in the rainy season.
* Soma Yaga - performed in the Spring Season.

The Rishis like Apastamba, Bauddhayana etc have described elaborately the method of performing all these Karmas i the
works called Kalpa Sutras. For elucidating the Kalpa Sutras, the prayogakaras have composed the works called as the Prayogas, for
the convinence of the performers of the Karmas.The Shastras aver that the performance of these yagas not only bestows good on
the performer of the Karmas but bestows on the whole world peace, prosperity, good health, good rains, progeny with good health
& instinct etc. Unfortunately by the influence of the dark-age of Kali, the performance of Shrauta Karmas has dwindled. In the
whole of India the number of Agnihotris can be fingered.
Presently, the palm leaf manuscripts are the only resource available to the performers for reference, posing impediment for the
people who are willing to perform the Karmas and students who are willing to learn it. The commoners do not have even
awareness of them. The students willing to learn and people willing to perform the Shrauta Karmas are becoming lesser and lesser.
The precious heritage of this knowledge is in the verge of extinction.
Our organization, perceiving the hapless state, desirous of rejuvenating the Vedic heritage by making this knowledge
accessible even to a commoner, has taken up the task of publishing a series of books on Shruta Prayoga for the first time in the
history. In the series of books that we have planned to publish, the first book will contain the Shrauta Prayoga based on the Shrauta
Sutra of Apastamba, with complete description of the
* Agnyadhana
* Darshapoornamasa Yaga
* Navaagrayana Ishti
* Chaturmasya Yaga
* Nirooda Pashubandha Yaga
* Soma Yaga
Apart from publication, our organization into imparting knowledge of Sharauta Karmas and helping the interested people
perform the same.
This initiative is in need of enormous financial assistance and can definitely see the light of the day with the goodwill
contributions by people like you. So, by contributing for this noble cause may all be blessed by Yajneshwara, the Vedapurusha, the
personification of the Vedas.

M S Ashwattanarayana Avadhani,
President
Shruthi Shankara Samskrita Samshodhana Pratishtana
Mattur
Shimoga - 577203
Phone - 08182-237728
Mobile - 9448933121

Note : The DD may be drawn in the favour of "Shruthi Shankara Samskrita Samshodhana Pratishtana".