SASI’s mission is to provide education, particularly to the younger generation, about various aspects of the Vedic Hindu culture and traditions. SASI aims to achieve its mission by providing a forum where interested people could come

together to perform the various Vedic rituals and ceremonies for universal peace and prosperity. With this objective, SASI has been organizing Chandi Homams during SaradNavarathri for the past ten years. Every year, thousands of devotees have come together to participate in these events, contributing physically and financially in a selfless manner. Yagna is the performance of a vedic ritual with absolute devotion to the Supreme Lord (paramatman). Maha Narayana Upanishad categories 11 items in the discussion of practices leading to liberation (moksha sadhana), and speaks highly of yagnam; indeed, it is the supreme

means of liberation. Scholars say, when yagna is performed without expecting any personal gains, it results in the purification of the mind and leads to the path of knowledge (jnana marga). Below are brief descriptions of the yagnas to be performed during the Dashamanotsavam.

ASHTA DRAVYA GANAPATHI HOMAM – HOMAM TO LORD GANESHA WITH EIGHT DIFFERENT MATERIALS

All our rituals and poojas always start with prayers to Lord Ganapathi(Ganesha) to

invoke his blessings to remove all obstacles and lead to successful completion of our intention (sankalpa). Ganapthi is the Lord of knowledge and represents PRANAVA (omkaram). During the Dashamanotsavam, Ashta Dravya Ganapathi Homam will be performed seeking Lord Ganesha’s blessings. This homam is a unique way to worship Lord Ganesha with chanting of atharvasheersham. Ashta Dravya Ganapathi Homam is the best solution to overcome all the hurdles in life.

The energy from the homam provides a soothing effect to the mind as well as the body. It also purifies the environment.

The Eight materials for the Ashta Dravya Ganapathi Homam are:

• Modaka (type of sweet) Pruthuka (beaten rice)

• Laja (popped rice) Sakthu (flour, from rice)

• Rasalika (sugarcane) Narikela (coconut)

• Thila (sesame seed) Rambha phala (banana)

Each material represents a Devatha (Lord). A mixture of these eight ingredients is coated with three other dravya – Guda (jaggery),Madhu (honey) and Ghritha (ghee). Ashta Dravya Ganapathi Homam brings Prosperity in life; Health, Wealth, Unity in family, Victory and Success in your life.

SHATA CHANDI YAGNAM – 100 Chandi Parayanams+10 Chandi Homams

Shata Chandi – means 100 repetition of Devi Mahatmyam. According to Shastras, onetenth (dashamsha) of the energy that comes from the Paath (chanting) has to be sacrificed thru Agni to get full benefit of any Japam or Anushtanam; so, 10 priests will do the homam together once.The text is also known as Durga Saptashati because it contains 700 shlokas describing various aspects of divine mother, Devi. In the 12th chapter of Devi Mahathmyam, divine mother herself says she destroys the sins of all living beings. “My keerthanam – singing, chanting my glories – protect all beings. Just listening to my glories removes sins and bestows good health on the listener”. The Divine Mother blesses all the devotees reciting Devi Mahatmyam with Strength, Courage, and Valor to beat the negative energies and attitudes (asuras) and bring Victory, Peace, and Prosperity. More importantly, Shri Durga Parameshwari will confer harmony at individual and community levels, and bring peace and prosperity to all creatures in the Universe.

If by merely listening to her glories our sins are removed, we can imagine the enormous benefits that are received by performing Shata Chandi Yagnam.

MAHARUDRAM – 1331 SRI RUDRA PARAYANAM+133 SRI RUDRA

MahaRudraYagna is a very important form of worship of Lord Parameshwara, who manifests in the form of Rudra or destroyer (of evil) as well as in the form of Shiva or the auspiciousness and nurturer of the universe.He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. MahaRudraYagna requires 121 Vaideekas and Ritwiks reciting Sri Rudram 11 times (with one canto – first, second, through eleven – of Chamakam following each Rudram recitation), totaling 1,331 times. In addition, one-tenth (133) recitations are performed for the purpose of the homam. He is the conqueror of Death and an embodiment of infinite mercy, compassion and love. We owe our existence to the Divinity and pray and worship Him constantly with gratitude for the welfare of all mankind. In the tenth Anuvaka of Sri Rudram, it is said “May there be happiness for our children, grandchildren and other human beings. May there be happiness for our animals like cows. Moreover, may all the life in this village (or city) be happy and without any afflictions”.