Yajna of the Senses: A Spiritual Approach to Gratification
In the previous article, we discussed Lord Krishna’s explanation of “Yajna for commoner” in Bhagavad Geeta. In this article, we will discuss the concept of “Indriya Yajna” i.e., Yajna of gratification of senses.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna explains the concept of Indriya Yajna, or the Yajna of the Senses. This idea challenges the conventional notion of Yajna as a complex ritualistic practice. Instead, it invites us to transform our everyday sensory experiences into spiritual offerings.
We are constantly engaged in gratifying our senses, both consciously and unconsciously. From the simple act of eating to the more complex experiences of listening to music or engaging in art, our senses are perpetually active. Indriya Yajna proposes a spiritual approach to these experiences.
Benefits of Indriya Yajna
Mindfulness: By practicing Indriya Yajna, you will cultivate mindfulness and awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Spiritual Growth: It helps us connect with the divine and deepen our spiritual practice.
Emotional Balance: By offering our experiences to the divine, we can release attachment and cultivate a sense of peace and contentment.
Enhanced Enjoyment: When we approach sensory experiences with a spiritual perspective, we can truly appreciate their beauty and significance.
How to Practice Indriya Yajna?
Oblation to almighty: Our senses act like a “fire” that consumes sensory input. By offering these inputs, we are essentially offering them into this fire, transforming them into Indriya Yajna. This isn’t just about food. It includes everything we take in through our senses: sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches. It also includes the information we consume through media, conversations, and our own thoughts. This signifies that we are offering these sensory experiences to a higher power, recognizing that they are gifts and that we are not the sole owners of them.
Pause and Offer: This pause creates a gap between the sense stimuli, and your reaction to that stimulus, giving you the ability to choose your reaction. This is a crucial step. It involves creating a moment of awareness before indulging in any sensory experience. It’s a moment to step back from the automatic response of seeking pleasure. So, every timebefore indulging in any sensory pleasure, take a moment to offer the potential enjoyment to the divine. This simple change in routine transforms our enjoyment into Indriya Yajna.
Savor the Experience: After offering the experience, we can fully immerse ourselves in it, appreciating its beauty and richness. This means being present in the moment, paying attention to the details of the experience, and appreciating its unique qualities. To achieve this, you must keep away your mobile phone and stay away from all electronic items which can create visual and auditory stimulus. Specially while consuming food, silence allows you to connect to the divine – which you are directly experiencing. This practice is the hight of Indriya Yajna.
Remember:
Detach: While enjoying the experience, remain detached from the outcome. Let go of any expectations or desires.
Offering All Experiences: Indriya Yajna extends beyond positive experiences. Even negative experiences arising out of challenging situations can be offered to the divine as a form of sacrifice.
Surrendering the Ego: The ultimate goal is to surrender the ego and unite with the supreme consciousness.
By integrating Indriya Yajna into our daily lives, we can transform ordinary moments into extraordinary spiritual experiences.
In the next article, we will discuss the second yajna – “Samyama Yajna”.
Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe
