Swaha

Published on 7th October, 2018, in Mid-day. Buddha said that desire is the cause of suffering. Outgrowing desire enables one to experience freedom from suffering. The Vedic approach was very different. Suffering can be reduced when we pay attention to, and try to satisfy, each other's desires. This gave rise to the ritual of yagna. The person who conducts the yagna was called a yajaman. He lit a fire, and chanted hymns in order to invoke a deity or devata. He gave the devata something to eat, and said, "Swaha." Swaha means what was mine is now yours. Technically, it is the transfer of deeds. ..