Rajasooya Yajna 2002
The Art of Giving

According to most ancient traditions recorded in the life of Rama, the speciality of this yajna is perfection in the art of giving. It was thus understood that only emperors and chakravartis could undertake this yajna and it was named rajasooya, as raja means one who governs.

Who else but a raja can give with an open and joyous heart. This art of giving is known as bhet. Bhet is not just about giving. It is about receiving as well. Rather it is receiving and returning what you have received after adding to it a touch of excellence. So you always get back in abundance what you give.

In this the first year of the Rajasooya Yajna, Sri Swamiji offered to all, including hundreds and thousands of families from Rikhia and neighbouring panchayats, vastra (cloth) brought from all parts of India. In the second year his offering of bhet will be patra.

The word patra has many meanings. In this context it means container, vessel or utensil. It also means deserving or fit for a particular role. Anything that contains or holds together is naturally and spontaneously regarded as auspicious, as opposed to something that cannot hold what you put into it. For example, which would you consider luckier, a pocket with a hole or without one?

Similarly, a container keeps your possessions safe and intact. There is little danger of them getting scattered, stolen or lost. That is why it is considered very lucky for the receiver. A primitive belief no doubt, but one that is rampant still today, because common sense tells us it is a reality.

Sri Swamiji tells us of a superstition people have in many parts of the world. Whenever food or any item is sent to anyone in a vessel or container, it is most important that the container be returned to the owner. That is the lakshmi or prosperity residing in his house and so it must come back. Even the richest, who can afford many containers, wants his container back. Tell me which person would like prosperity to leave his house and go to another? But the container is not returned empty. Something is kept in it as a token gesture of acknowledgement.

As you very well know, according to tradition and popular belief patra is synonymous with Lakshmi, the auspicious and beautiful goddess of wealth and prosperity. Everything about her, from the tip of the head down to her toe, is auspicious. She is much sought after.

During Deepawali, the exquisite festival of lights, when Lakshmi is beckoned into each and every home by lighting lamps, and gifts are bought and exchanged, a patra is always included in some form or the other. It is a symbol of novelty in life. A wonderful concept that has at once both social as well as spiritual overtones.

Patra offered at the yajna are highly auspicious because you receive it after it has been blessed by Devi. She awakens the prosperity already residing there. That naturally adds a new dimension to it. It becomes sacred and thus rejuvenates your life.

The patra or utensils offered in bhet should be new and traditionally can be made of clay, cast iron, aluminium, stainless steel, copper, silver, gold, ceramic, or ashta dhatu. They can be patra of utility such as those used for cooking, serving and eating as well as for storage of grains, food or water. Or else they can be ornamental for adorning and worship. However, items of utility such as those used in the kitchen made of aluminium and steel are preferred.

In the tradition of Sri Rama, giving is exemplified in the Rajasooya Yajna. It is a total giving which extends from the material to the spiritual. Yes, by such a chakravarti, along with vastra, patra and anna (grain), both jnana and bhakti can also be given in bhet. But just as in a yoga class it has to be graded. Not just all at once.

There is an adage in Hindi which, when translated, means that your patra or vessel can hold only as much as the capacity it is used to. Through innuendo it tells us that in order to receive more you will have to enlarge your vessel. This is only possible through giving. So come to the Rajasooya Yajna and learn the art of giving and receiving.

The Rajasooya Yajna will be held at Paramahamsa Alakh Bara, Rikhia, from 5th to 9th December. Sat Chandi and Sita Kalyanam will be held during this event.

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