If worshiping materially produced elements is a sin, then why Yagna is mentioned in Veda? In Yagna, God is worshiped by honoring fire and fire is the vehicle that takes the request to God. One thing we must understood that all the material elements of this world is produced by God's own energy. Samkhya philosophy informs us the effect exists in its material cause even before the effect is produced. If the effect does not exist in the cause (God), then that which was non-existent would be coming into existence out of nothing. Then you cannot call God as all-powerful or creator.
So the conclusion is: This material world is created by His energy (moola prakriti) which was existing even before the creation started. Creation means the energy is simply emerged from Him and annihilation means that energy is simply merged with Him. However, God is ofcourse different from this energy which we are talking. Just like Sun and the sun-light. So Yagna or archana (loosely idol worship) is like mapping to a spiritual God using material elements. Also remember that the worship is offered not to the physical fire but to the presiding deity. The sacred smoke rising from the sacrificial fire, fully charged with the power of the sacred Vedic mantras, enters the clouds and purifies the rain tailing from them. The smoke of the sacrificial fire thus purifies the pollution in the atmosphere and on earth. It is also performed to please the demi-gods or to attain certain wishes. An essential element is the sacrificial fire - the divine Agni - into which oblations are poured, as everything that is offered into the fire is made to reach the demi-gods (who are using the power of the one and only God) by using mantras (of course, the mindset of the worshipper also matters). Among the items offered as oblations in the yagya include large quantities of ghee, milk, grains, cakes or soma. Yajna in itself is to be seen as the very essence of Veda. From the early times, the ritual was understood to be the link between the human and the Divine and a vehicle towards liberation.
The 'Vishnu Sukta' of the Rig Veda [1.154] says that the first and second of Vishnu's strides (those
encompassing the Prathvi/blackhole cum white hole and Vaayu/air/solar wind) are visible to
men and the third is in the heights of heaven (sky). This last place is described as Vishnu's
supreme abode in [RV 1.22.20]. Vishnu is not just the representation of the Surya/sun, as he
traverses in his strides both vertically and horizontally in the universal”Intelligent
Design” as Aakash, Antariksh and Prathivi/ blackhole cum white hole/our Earth.In hymns [R.V. 1.22.17, 1.154.3, 1.154.4] he strides across the Prathivi with three steps, in
[R.V.6.49.13 , 7.100.3] strides across the earth three times and in [R,V,154.1, 1.155.5, 7.29.7,
8.12.27, 8.15.9, 8.89.12, 10.113.2] he strides vertically, with the final step in the heavens.
Rig Veda 1.22: ---- Indra Chhand: Trishtup
16) “May God protect the Prathivi belonging to seven places by stepping on it.
17) “Vishnu acquires the universe by taking three steps. His dusty foot covered the entire
universe.
18) “He is the protector of all. No one is capable of deceiving him. He follows the rules (of
trinities) and then takes three steps.
19) “The prowess of Vishnu lies in the rules of all the forces of nature. He is the mate and
friend of Indra.
“All Devtaas of nature are integral parts of Vishnu”. [R.V. 1.40.11]
20) “The eyes scan the sky systematically to recognize His Param Pada (supreme spiritual
stature).
21) “The conscious and wise praise and find His supreme and highest Pada in their heart and
mind which is all pervading.
sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Sukta 1.154:--- . Vishnu Chhand: Trishtup
1) “ I describe the valor of Vishnu. Vishnu measures the three Lokas with His three feet and
makes the sky static.
2) “The entire universe resides in His three feet. Hence this Sansaar/mortal world describes
the valor of Vishnu alike the dangerous beasts living on mountains.
3) “Vishnu who measures all by himself all the three Lokas by his three feet of Aakash
Prathivi and all the Lokas is praised by many living beings…
4) “The one who all by himself enveloped the threefold PratPrathivi, Aakash and all the Lokas
(black holes cum white holes), that Vishnu becomes immensely pleased by the indestructible
freedom and associates Manushya with sweet Anna, etc,
[“He envelopes the Triloki (three Lokas/ three worlds) all by Himself. Param Pada of Vishnu
[Yajur Veda 6.5; 34.44] is in the center of Amrit (elixir) and sweetness. It is full of Tej
(radiations)”. (Also ref. Atharva Veda 7.26.1; Yajur Veda 5.18)]
5) “I (Rishi Deerghatamah) desire the substratum and support of that extensive foot. It is here
that those (Manushyas) who believe that Devatas are the owner derive blessings. Vishnu is our
brother. His Param Pada is the center of sweetness (Elixir, etc.)
6) “Hey Indra and Vishnu! We aspire for that place where extremely powerful and
accomplished forms of cows/Dhenu (black holes cum white holes) reside. The praise worthy
high Pada/residence is full of Tej/radiance.
000000000000000
Sukta 1.155:--- . Vishnu Chhand: Trishtup, Jagati 1) “Manushyas are requested to prove their protector Soma that is Anna/particulate food
in
favor of Vishnu and Indra. Both of them being the performers of the best deeds are never led
away from their path.
2) “Hey Indra and Vishnu! You are the Lord and deliver the fruits/ rewards for the work. The
Soma is squeezed and is ready for serving you. You are capable of protecting from the arrows
shot by the enemies and Vaani.
3) “All the offerings of oblations to Indra give strength to his Virya/ semen (self-replicating
quark gluon). Indra yields Anna (food of sub-atomic particles etc.) by the rains (in Antariksh
and Aakash for AakashPrathivi, according to the Chhand of the Sukta). The Virya /
Raja/semen (quark gluon) is capable of producing a son (sub-atomic particles by interactions
and self- replication) at intense temperature at creation. From this tradition of sequential birth),
the name Tritiya/grand son is derived. {Also refer R.V.1.164.16]}. The birth of Pranies
depends on Indra and Vishnu.
4) “ We praise the seminal powers of the youthful Vishnu who is the lord of all and the
protector from the enemies. He crossed over all the people by stepping his three feet for the
sake of protecting the Lokas.
5) “ All the Pranies/living beings can see only the two Lokas. No one dare to reach the third
Loka (heaven). Marut Ganas who travel in Aakash are unable to reach it.
6) “After being praised by great eulogies, Vishnu rotated the wheel of Kaala/time by ninety
degrees. The eulogizers keep searching by Dhyaana and express their gratitude.
******************
Sukta 1.156 : --- Vishnu Chhand: Trishtup, Jagati.
1) “Hey Vishnu! You are the creator/producer of waters, ex
emely glorious, protector and
extensive and giver of happiness like a friend. The learned persons eulogize you with great
fervor. The Yajamaan who offers Havies (material offered in Yagna), conducts the Yagna for
you.
2) “Those learned people who offer Havis in Yagna for the Swyambhu Vishnu and describes
the Yagna, they wins the hearts of all.
3) “O Eulogizer! You know Vishnu who is the womb of Nature. Enlighten him by your
praiseworthy hymns. Hey Vishnu! We desire sympathy from you.
4) “Vishnu inspires Maruts (storm God) and gets his wishes fulfilled by Varuna and Ashawini
Kumars. It is Vishnu who acquires the wealth of day by Mitra (light radiations) and removes
darkness.
5) “Indra is always keen to serve Vishnu, the lord of Triloki for gains in favor of Yajamaan.”
*************
Sukta 7.99: --- Vishnu, IndraaVishnu Chhand Trishtup
1) “Hey Vishnu! No one knows your glory. I (Vashishtha) know your two Lokas, but you
alone know the Paraloka.
2) “Hey Vishnu! Those who are born on Prathivi/Our Earth and those who are yet to be born
do not know your magnanimity; you have enveloped the Swarga Loka/heaven.
3) “O DhyvaPrathivi (capable of moving here and there)! You become rich in food (subatomic particles/plasma) and cows (mini-white holes) for offering and fulfilling the wishes of
the Stotas/eulogizers. Vishnu wields Antariksh in Aakash Prathivi in different ways.
4) “Indra and Vishnu reveal the trinity of Surya/sun, Agni (thermal energy), and Usha
(morning twilight) and create heaven for Yajamaan. He destroyed the evil powers of enemies
(the inward forces operating in favor of the gravitational forces).
5) “Indra and Vishnu destroy 99 cities of Shambar and hundred thousand fighters of
Varchi.”
6) “This eulogy will increase the powers of Indra and Vishnu. Hey Indra and Vishnu! This
eulogy is pronounced for you in the battlefield, You increse the Anna/Particulate food for us.
7) “Hey Vishnu! I have praised you in Yagna. You accept our offerings of Havya. Let my
praises encourage you and we will always follow your precepts.
**************
Sukta 7.100: --- Vishnu Chhanda: Trishtup.
1) “One who offers Havis (materials of oblations offered in Yagna) and one who worships
using Mantras/ hymns, that Manushya aspiring for wealth begets wealth immediately.
2) “Hey Vishnu! Oblidge us with the wealth
we desire.
3) “Vishnu lifted his three steps on the Prathivi and created expansive places (Lokas). The wise
Vishnu as our Ishwar and is extremely brilliant.
4) “Vishnu took the three steps with a view to provide residence and created expansuve place
5) “Hey Vishnu! I (Rishi Vashishtha) will recite your various names. We Manushyas praise
your wisdom.
6) “Hey Vishnu! I have pronounced your best names. Are these appropriate? On the battlefield
you adopted various forms. Do not hide from us the forms you adopted.
7) “Hey Vishnu! I am Vashatakaar for your sake. You accept Havies offered by me. May our
eulogies energise you and you nourish us.
************
The same Veda also says he strode wide and created space in the cosmos for Indra to fight
Vratra. By his stride he said to have made dwelling for men possible, the three being a
symbolic representation of its all-encompassing nature. This all-enveloping nature and
benevolence to men were to remain the enduring attributes of Vishnu. As the triple-strider he
is known as Tri-vikrama and as Uru-krama for the strides were wide.
“Vishnu, Varuna, Mitra eulogize Indra: In the Maruts’ company have great delight”.[R.V.
8:15:9] [R.V. 10:113:2] the wider stride, my comrade Vishnu; make room, Dyaus, for the
leaping of the lightning.Let us slay Vratra, let us free the rivers let them flow at the command
of Indra” [RV. 8.89.12]
The characteristic of Vishnu as the supreme Devata appears in :[R.V.10.82.6]: The waters verily
first retained the embryo in which all the Devataas were aggregated, single deposited on the
navel of the unborn (creator), in which all beings abide. The reference to the navel of the
unborn is an indication of reference to Vishnu.Sukta 8.77: --- Indra.
http://www.ramanuja.org/sri/Web/VedarthasangrahaOverview
http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/sri-vaishnava-forum/449831-vedartha-sangraha-essence-veda.html
http://www.hinduwebsite.com/vedicsection/yajna.asp
www.vedism.in/yajna.htm
http://www.eaisai.com/baba/docs/yagna.html
