Athirathram…..How is it Performed..!
Athirathram, which is now being held with much fanfare in Bhadrachalam,
AP, is the most splendid of all yagas. It is perhaps the most ancient and most
powerful ritual in the Indian tradition.
Every Namboothiri family in Kerala is supposed to perform a
yaga representing their generation.
But Athirathram is not one such yaga. Only those who can
afford need to perform this yagna since it is complex and requires much
preparation.
The rites of an ordinary yaga get completed in six days,
whereas those related to Athirathram lasts for 12 days.
In the yajnjasala, a floor known as chithi is prepared to
conduct homas. The observance karmas in Athirathram are Kriyarambham (the
beginning rite), Somakrayam, Vedeekaranam, Agnishomeeyam, Sathyam and
Avabhruthasnanam.
Selected verses from Rig Veda are chanted while performing
Athirathram.
In the ancient days, Athirathram required “vapa” (fat) of
the cow. However, in modern times, animal sacrifice is avoided.
Iron is a taboo in all yagas and in Athirathram too. Vessels
of earth or wood are used. These vessels are made in the shape of tortoise or
chameleon.
Athirathram requires yajamanan (the one conducting yaga),
his wife, 17 rithwiks and their assistants. The presence of yajamanan, his wife
and one of the rithwiks is essential for all karmas.
The yagam begins with the invoking of Threthagni (holy fire)
brought from the home of yajamanan. It is then taken to the yajnjasala.
Some of the rites performed there are Varana, Deeksha,
Praayaneeya, Somakrayam, Aathithyam, Pravargyam, Upasatha, Vedeekaranam,
Somahuti, Saamasthuti and Rigvedasasthram. The construction of the chithi is to
be completed in five days while chanting mantras from Yajurveda. Hymns from
Samaveda is also required.
The presence of black and white horses, offerings of holy
objects in the fire, and vigorous chanting of powerful mantras give Athirathram
an awesome appearance.
The chief performer keeps his fingers folded all the first
nine days. During these days, he is denied rice food, salt and tamarind. At the
end of the Athirathram, the yajamanan is crowned as Akkithiri, a highly
honourable title.
It is believed that the performance of Athirathram purifies
the environment and fills the atmosphere with immense quantity of positive
energy. Scientists from the West are usually in attendance at the yaga
precincts to measure its effect on the environment.
It is indeed a spiritual purging of the earth — of its
malaises and impurities, evils and imbalances. It is a humble yet effective
venture to restore the worth and values of our rishi tradition.
Yadyadaacharathi sreshtasthatha devetharo jana Sa yal pramaanam kuruthe lokasthadanu varthathe(What the noble man practices, others follow suit. What he
takes for a dictum, the world accepts it). This verse in the Bhagvad Gita is true for Athirathram also.
This yaga is conducted for the benefit of the entire world and never for the
wellbeing of an individual or a sect of people.
It is very important that Athirathram is being performed at
this juncture when the world is surging with materialism and people are
suffering from stress and tension and are lacking peace of mind.
This yaga is a ritual representation of the core Indian
thought: “Loka samastha sukhinao bhavanthu” (let the whole world enjoy wellness
and prosperity).
— Dr Venganoor Balakrishnan is the author of Thaliyola, a
book on Hindu beliefs and rituals.
He has also written
books on the Vedas and Upanishads. 
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