Yajna and Pooja in Astrology

The Indian tradition has always been to start any and every important task with a small prayer to the gods, so they would bless our way going forward. We perform a number of different rituals so we could initiate the blessings of the gods and seek for our desires through the ritual. While there is a debate in the top ten astrologers in India about what should be the right way to denote these rituals, the two most commonly used terms are Yajna (or Yagna) and Pooja. But Vedic Astrology tells us that these are actually different from each other.

While common folk also often use these terms interchangeably, it is important to know the difference between these 2. Starting with how these are different, this article will work towards establishing what these terms are used for. Go ahead and give this a read.

Differentiating Yajna and Pooja

Yajna or Yagna is the name given to a prescribed combination of rituals that have been recommended in the Vedas to pray to and appease our gods. Derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yaj’ which means to do oblation through fire, Yagna requires the practitioner to recite specific mantras while making offerings to the fire. The purpose of the Yajna can be anything, from appeasing the gods to planetary affliction in the horoscope, or to even invite the ancestors to have a meal with their family.

Pooja is the ritual where mantras are chanted and oblations are made to the fire, but everything is voluntary. It is the general worship that we do to show our gratitude to our gods while also asking for their blessings. The general difference between the two is that while Yajna are systematic in the rituals and mantras while being performed at a fixed auspicious time, Pooja can be performed at any time of the day and do not have the same compulsions on the number of chants and specific rituals to be followed.

Common Yajnas and Poojas

There are a number of common Yajnas and Poojas that are performed, all for a different purpose and following a different method. Here are some common poojas that are performed in the Indian tradition

• Maha Ganpati
• Durga Pooja
• Rudra Abhishek
• Saraswati Pooja
• Vishnu Pooja
• Navgraha Shanti Pooja
• Nagavali Poojas

And the common kinds of Yajnas include the following

• Maha Lakshmi
• Chandi Homa
• Mahamrityunjaya Homa
• Mitravinda Yajna
• Bagalamukhi Yajna
• Graha Shanti Yajna
• Mool Shanti Yajna

Ceremonies that Deserve a Yajna or Pooja

After understanding what Poojas and Yajnas are, you must also know what occasions in our lives need a ritualistic prayer to the gods. Here is a list from the most famous astrologer in India entailing all the occasions in your life when you need to make a Pooja or Yajna for your gods and ancestors.

• Conception
• Beginning of School life
• Annaprashan (Or feeding first grain)
• First haircut (chowla)
• Marriage and Vedic wedding ceremony
• Name Giving (Namakaran)
• Bhoomi Poojan
• Griha Pravesh
• Starting a Business
• Funeral Rites
• Rituals to Honour the deceased

So there you go, a complete list of common Yajnas and Poojas with all the knowledge on how both these forms of prayer differ from each other. Remember this information for the next time you decide to make an important wish to the gods and follow what the experts tell you about rituals you need to perform.