Shuklyajurvediya Graha Shanti Prayog - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shuklyajurvediya Graha Shanti Prayog" by Durgashankar Shastri, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Shuklyajurvediya Graha Shanti Prayog Author(s): Durgashankar Shastri Publisher: Durgashankar Shastri Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/020726/1

Overall Purpose:

This book, "Shuklyajurvediya Graha Shanti Prayog," is a detailed guide for performing specific Vedic rituals, primarily focused on "Graha Shanti" (pacification of celestial bodies/planets) according to the Shukla Yajurveda tradition. It appears to be a practical manual intended for priests and individuals seeking to conduct or understand these rituals for well-being, protection, and auspiciousness. The text is written in Sanskrit with some Gujarati explanations and is presented as the third offering in the Karmakanda section of the Durgashankar Shastri Sanskrit Granthamala.

Key Sections and Content:

The provided pages offer a glimpse into the structure and content of the book, which seems to be a comprehensive compilation of Vedic practices.

Introduction and Publisher's Note (Pages 1-2):
- Pages are attributed to Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra, Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir, indicating a connection to Jain institutions, though the content itself is Vedic.
- It's identified as the third flower in the Karmakanda department of the Durgashankar Shastri Sanskrit Granthamala.
- The book was published in 1929 (Shakabda 1851, Vikramabda 1985) by Durgashankar Shastri, compiled and annotated by him, based on the Valukeshwar Sanskrit Vedic Pathshala.
- The author expresses his work is for the welfare of humanity.
Praise for the Guru (Page 3):
- A lengthy "Prashasti" (eulogy) dedicated to the revered Guru Shri Chetanananda. This section highlights the guru's spiritual qualities, wisdom, compassion, and influence on the author. It also praises Durgashankar Shastri, the author, as a vessel of great virtues.
Catalog of Published Works (Pages 4-7):
- This section provides a detailed list of other books published by the same author/series, categorized into "Karmakanda Vibhag" (Ritual Section) and "Jyotish Vibhag" (Astrology Section). This gives context to the author's broader work.
- Karmakanda Vibhag: Lists numerous books covering various rituals and Vedic texts, including:
  - Brahma Karma Samuchchaya (daily rituals for Brahmins)
  - Graha Shanti Prayog (the current book, detailed as having 46 topics)
  - Sad Swahakar Samuchchaya (various forms of Swahakar rituals)
  - Paraskargrihyasutra and Rudrasutra
  - Upyukta Mantra Samuchchaya (collection of useful mantras)
  - Puranokta Sarva Puja and Tantric Devi Puja
  - Vedokta Sarva Puja and Rudrashtadhyayi
  - Brahma Nitya Karma Samuchchaya (Part 1)
  - Samaveda Trikala Sandhya
  - Aarti Samuchchaya
- Jyotish Vibhag: Includes books on astrology:
  - Jatakalankar (interpreting birth charts)
  - Graha Gochar Jyotish (planetary transits)
Ritual Procedures (Pages 8-104):
- The bulk of the text details the actual "Graha Shanti Prayog" (Ritual for Pacifying Planets). This includes:
  - Mangala Snanam (Auspicious Bath): Preparation for the ritual.
  - Shikha Bandhanam (Tying the Topknot): A specific mantra for this action.
  - Pavitra Dharanam (Wearing the Sacred Thread): Mantras and procedure.
  - Achamanam (Sipping Water): Ritual sipping of water with specific mantras.
  - Pranayama: Breath control exercises with mantras.
  - Tilak Dharanam (Applying Tilak): Using auspicious mantras.
  - Bhadra Suktam (Auspicious Hymn): Recitation of a hymn for general well-being.
  - Devata Namaskaram (Salutations to Deities): Invoking various deities.
  - Sankalpa (Intention Setting): A detailed sankalpa stating the purpose of the ritual, the date, time, lineage, and the specific intention (e.g., for a son's Upanayanam or a wedding).
  - Digbandhanam (Protection of Directions): Rituals to ward off negative influences from all directions.
  - Kalash Archanam (Worship of the Pot): Installation and worship of a pot containing sacred water, invoking Varuna and other deities. This is a significant part of the purification process.
  - Deepa Puja (Worship of the Lamp): Invoking the deity residing in the lamp.
  - Ganapati Puja (Worship of Lord Ganesha): Detailed procedure for invoking and worshipping Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, including various offerings (bathing with different substances like milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, Gandhodaka, Udvartana).
  - Punyahavachanam (Auspicious Recitation): A ritual of invoking blessings and purification, often involving priests sprinkling water. This section includes detailed procedures for preparing the sacred area, invoking deities, and the specific blessings requested.
  - Matruka Puja (Worship of Mother Goddesses): Worship of various forms of the mother goddess, including the 64 Matrikas.
  - Ayushya Mantra Japam (Chanting for Longevity): Recitation of mantras for long life.
  - Nandi Shraddham (Ritual for Ancestors): A ritual performed for ancestors to ensure prosperity and remove obstacles, especially before important events.
  - Agni Pratishthapana (Establishment of Fire): The ritual of establishing the sacred fire (Agni).
  - Graha Mandala Devata Sthapana Pratishtha Puja (Installation and Worship of Planetary Deities): Detailed steps for establishing and worshipping the specific deities associated with the planets (Surya, Soma, Mangala, Budha, Brihaspati, Shukra, Shani, Rahu, Ketu) in a mandala, along with their presiding and subordinate deities.
  - Agni Uttaranam (Purification of Fire): A ritual for purifying the fire.
  - Prana Pratishtha (Infusion of Life): Ritual to imbue the installed deities with life.
  - Anvadhanam (Laying out materials for Homa): Preparing the offerings and materials for the Homa (fire sacrifice).
  - Kusha Kandika (Ritual with Kusha Grass): Procedures involving Kusha grass, likely for purification and ritualistic framing.
  - Dravya Tyaga Sankalpa (Renunciation of Offerings): Declaring the offerings made to the deities.
  - Agni Puja (Worship of Fire): Further worship of the sacred fire.
  - Vara Huti (Offerings with Vara Mantras): Specific offerings.
  - Graha Mandala Devata Homa (Homa for Planetary Deities): This is the core of the Graha Shanti, involving specific offerings (Sami, Charu, Til, Ghee) for each planet and their related deities.
  - Guggul Homa (Homa with Guggul): Offering of Guggul resin.
  - Shatru Homa (Homa for Enemies): Likely for overcoming obstacles or negative influences.
  - Lakshmi Homa (Homa for Goddess Lakshmi): For prosperity.
  - Vyahruti Homa (Homa with Vyahrutis): Offerings to specific cosmic energies.
  - Uttara Puja (Concluding Puja): Final worship of the installed deities and fire.
  - Svishtakrit Homa (Homa for Appeasement): A ritual for appeasing Agni.
  - Balidana (Offerings to directional deities and spirits): Specific offerings to ward off negative energies and appease spirits.
  - Purnahuti Homa (Final complete offering): The culmination of the Homa.
  - Vaso-dhara Homa (Continuous stream of Ghee): A continuous offering of ghee, symbolizing prosperity.
  - Rudra Stuti (Praise of Rudra/Shiva): Hymns of praise.
  - Agnipradakshina (Circumambulation of Fire): Walking around the sacred fire.
  - Bhasma Dharanam (Applying Sacred Ash): Wearing sacred ash.
  - Samsrava Prashanadi (Consumption of sacred remnants): Ritual consumption of remnants.
  - Shreyo Dana (Donation for merit): Giving donations for spiritual merit.
  - Dakshina Dana (Giving Donations): Offering donations to priests.
  - Swarnadi Mahadana (Great donations of gold, etc.): Offering valuable items.
  - Yajamana Abhishekam (Anointing the sacrificer): The main ritualistic bath for the person performing the sacrifice.
  - Avabhritha Snanam (Concluding Purificatory Bath): A final cleansing bath.
  - Ghrita Patra Dana (Donation of Ghee vessel): Offering a vessel of ghee.
  - Devata Visarjana (Visarjana of Deities): Ritual bidding farewell to the installed deities.
  - Peethadi Dana (Donation of Seats and Altars): Offering the ritualistic altars and seats.
  - Agni Visarjana (Visarjana of Fire): Bidding farewell to the sacred fire.
  - Mandapa Dana (Donation of the Pavilion): Offering the ritualistic pavilion.
  - Karma Sampurnata Vachana (Declaration of Ritual Completion): A statement confirming the completion of the ritual.
  - Preishatmaka Punyahavachana (Blessings for Completion): Auspicious blessings upon completion.
Graha Shanti Upayogi Paribhasha (Definitions for Graha Shanti): This section (Page 109) likely explains key terms and concepts relevant to these rituals.

Key Themes and Practices:

Vedic Ritualism: The book is firmly rooted in Vedic traditions, specifically the Shukla Yajurveda Samhita, with references to various sutras and supplementary texts.
Planet Worship: The central theme is the appeasement of planetary influences (Graha Shanti) through fire sacrifices (Homa) and specific deity worship.
Purification and Auspiciousness: Numerous rituals are described for purification (of the body, mind, space) and invoking auspiciousness (Shanti, Pushti, Riddhi, Siddhi).
Guru-Shishya Tradition: The prominent mention of gurus and the author's respect for them highlights the importance of the traditional transmission of knowledge.
Detailed Procedures: The text is highly procedural, outlining each step, mantra, and offering required for the rituals.
Use of Sanskrit Mantras: The core of the rituals is the recitation of Sanskrit mantras, with phonetic transcriptions provided.
Gujarati Explanations: Some sections, particularly in the catalog of works, include Gujarati for broader accessibility.
Material Requirements: The "Graha Shanti Sahitya ni Yadi" (List of materials for Graha Shanti) on pages 104-108 is crucial, detailing every item needed for the rituals, from specific types of wood and grains to metals, cloths, and even the correct age and type of cow products.

Significance:

This book serves as a valuable resource for understanding and practicing Vedic Graha Shanti rituals within the Shukla Yajurveda tradition. Its detailed nature suggests it's a practitioner's guide, ensuring accuracy in the performance of these complex ceremonies. The author's meticulous approach, evident from the extensive catalog and detailed procedures, marks him as a significant scholar in Vedic rituals. The connection to Jain institutions, while noted, points to the broader practice of Vedic rituals within different religious communities in India.