Why Many People Are Away From God
The fourth richa or mantra of Rigveda First Ashtaka:
अग्ने यं यज्ञमध्वरं विश्वतः परिभूरसि स इद्देवेषु गच्छति
A very important concept is revealed here.
The yajna or offerings received by Agni from various places — they only go to Devas.
If you want to give to Devas, you can’t give directly.
Devas also cannot receive directly.
First, you have to give the offerings to Agni. He would hand them over to other Devas.
Devas are in Swarga.
How does Agni carry the offerings to Swarga?
Agni is right in front of you. He is in Bhoomi.
How will he carry the offerings to Swarga, for Devas?
You will see that the direction of Agni is always upwards.
Water can flow downwards, but Agni is always upwards — towards Swarga.
Then another important point:
The fire that you see on earth is Agni.
The air is also another form of Agni.
Surya is also another form of Agni.
This is what Veda establishes.
So essentially, Agni means all forms of energy — not just the physical fire.
So: fire on earth, air in the atmosphere or mid-heaven, and Surya in the sky or Swarga.
His presence is continuous from earth to heaven.
He can carry whatever is offered on earth to heaven because of this continuity.
So, if you want to offer something to the Devas in Swarga, give it to Agni here —
In the form of homa, havana, yajna.
He is the carrier. He will carry it to them.
Yajna is called here as Adhwara.
Adhwara means non-violent — in which there is no cruelty, aggression, or violence.
We know that some of the yajnas involve animal sacrifice.
How can this be called non-violent?
Yajna is specifically called Adhwara or non-violent to highlight that in spite of animal sacrifice being there, it is non-violent.
That is the precise reason it is called Adhwara.
A soldier carries a gun in his hand. He can shoot. He can kill.
But do we call him a murderer or a criminal?
There is a difference.
What is he doing it for — that’s what matters, not what he is doing.
We will get into this topic later.
Here Adhwara has another meaning.
Whenever there is a yajna, evil forces try to stop it, prevent it.
Yajnas are against the interests of evil forces.
Sometimes they directly get involved, sometimes they influence the mind and prevent the yajna from taking place.
This is why many people are becoming non-believers these days and going away from rituals, from devotion.
Don’t think that they are genius or logical or rational or pragmatic.
They are under the influence of evil forces.
Evil forces are influencing their mind and preventing them from engaging in noble acts.
But this doesn’t happen if you are under the protection of Agni.
If Agni is there to protect you — Agni’s presence at your home —
Even lighting a lamp — his presence there — he will protect you from these evil influences.
That’s what Sayanacharya says:
न ह्यग्निना सर्वतः पालितं यज्ञं राक्षसादयो हिंसितुं प्रभवन्ति
If you are under the protection of Agni, your yajnas will not be disturbed.
Your worship will not be disturbed.
Agni is the medium of worship. Yajna is the medium of worship.
Even for carrying out worship, you need Agni’s protection, blessing.
That means only the blessed few are able to even approach God.
Others stay under the influence of evil forces and are away from God.
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