If you search for the definition of a yogi online, you’ll encounter various interpretations. Some describe a yogi as a practitioner of yoga and meditation, activities that help improve health. Others suggest that a true yogi is someone who lives free from the metaphorical coffins people build around themselves, exploring possibilities beyond the body. Some believe a yogi is one who remains unattached to both material possessions and actions. There are also those who say a yogi is someone who understands the profound union of all that exists.

 

But where do all these interpretations and understandings converge to reveal the complete essence of a yogi?

A yogi is someone whose life has become a Yajna.

A yogi’s life becomes a Yajna when they perform each activity with complete knowledge of its meaning, their role in it, and the ultimate recipient. This awareness applies to every act and every activity performed at any time during the day.

Our Elders have said that when one acts without this complete knowledge, such efforts are considered equivalent to thusha:vagha:tham. What does this mean?

In the past, people used a pounding process to separate the husk from rice. This was done to obtain the edible rice grain, a primary source of nutrition.

However, if one pounds only the husk, what is the result? Beyond the sweat from physical exertion, there is no real benefit. Thusha (husk) + avagha:tham (pounding)

Similarly, living life without an understanding of the ultimate purpose, and its related aspects, is like pounding the husk. It brings no true benefit.

Ancient method rice pounding.jpeg

A yogi understands that they are an individual soul given the opportunity to use the body in service to God’s purpose. They know that the body’s purpose is to liberate oneself from the clutches of karma and live life in humble submission to the ultimate power, God. A yogi recognizes that everything in existence is made up of three realities: prakruthi (nature), ji:va:thma (soul), and parama:thma (Bhagava:na, God).

How does he do it?

A true yogi uses their senses as tools, like the suk and sruv (spoons used in homa). The actions performed are like the ghee used as an offering. Lord Vishnu is the homa kunda (sacred fire), where the offering is made.

Perorming Homam

When everything the yogi sees, hears, touches, eats, and smells is offered with humility to Lord Vishnu, who resides within, the intake is sanctified. When the yogi thinks of their form, words, actions, and presence as humble offerings to Lord Vishnu residing in others, then the outgoing is also sanctified.
Isn’t this the essence of a life lived as a pure Yajna? When one lives like this, they are a true yogi. Such a yogi sees the Lord in the form of a murthi within their heart.

Brahma Yajna Who is a yogi

-From the discourse of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
–  Brahma  Yagna, Biratnagar , Nepal
-15th March 2025

Homam
Archaka
Agnihotra

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