Alchemy in Action: The Forgotten Science of the 5 Yajnas

Let’s face it — the moment someone utters the word “Yajna”, most modern minds either think of saffron robes, smoke rising from fire altars, or worse, click away faster than you can say “Swaha.” It’s been neatly boxed away as philosophical-spiritual mumbo jumbo meant only for sanyasis, gurus, and people who have way too much time.

But here's a little secret: we’re all performing a Yajna, every single day. Whether you're running a start-up, scrolling reels at midnight, changing diapers, or planning your next beach holiday — you are smack in the middle of an invisible, magical alchemy.

Yes, Yajna is not just a ritual. It’s an ancient metaphor — a symbol of the ongoing alchemy between your actions and five forces that shape your inner and outer worlds.

Let me break this down like a Netflix docu-series, minus the background score:

🔥 The 5 Forces of Life: The Real “Yajna Experiments"

Deva Yajna – Your relationship with nature and the cosmic energies. It’s not just about offering ghee to Agni. It's also about not throwing plastic in the ocean and waking up to see the sunrise without checking WhatsApp first.

Brahma Yajna – Feeding your intellect and honoring wisdom. Read. Reflect. Respect your teachers. Try something new, like opening the Gita instead of swiping left on enlightenment.

Bhuta Yajna – Your connection with animals, plants, and all living beings. Feed a dog. Plant a tree. Or at least don’t kick the cat.

Pitru Yajna – Gratitude to your ancestors. No, this doesn’t mean becoming an ancestral property lawyer. It means remembering where you come from — your roots, your values, and maybe even calling your parents without asking for money.

Nri/Manushya Yajna – Being a decent human being. Help people. Smile. Volunteer. Or just be nice to your Zomato delivery guy even when the chutney is missing.

💫 The Real Alchemy: Nishkaam Karma + Yajna = Bliss

What’s at play here is a beautiful alchemy — the fusion of our nishkaam karma (action without attachment) with these five symbolic energies. Krishna calls it out in the Bhagavad Gita (3.9):

 "Yajnaarthaat karmano'nyatra loko'yam karma-bandhanah"

“All work should be done as a sacrifice (Yajna) for the sake of the Divine; otherwise, work causes bondage in this material world.”

We live like mad scientists running experiments on life: “If I do this, I must get that.” If it works — woohoo, it’s beer o'clock. If it fails — well, same beer, different mood. This transactional life is exhausting.

But the Gita whispers a deeper formula: Don't chase outcomes. Engage in life as a sacred experiment. Surrender to the process. Let the 5 Yajnas refine you. Over time, you'll notice a strange thing — a quiet joy, an inner lightness, and a mind at peace.

😄 And Finally, for the 50+ Club…

If you’re 50 or 60+, wondering what to do now that the kids are married, the career is winding down, and WhatsApp forwards no longer thrill you — give this ancient formula a test-drive. If it works, great! If not, well, just add it to the long list of things that didn’t.

I’ve been practicing these Yajnas for over a decade — not with smoke and chants, but in simple, mindful ways. And yes, it’s transformed my relationship with both the noisy world outside and the even noisier world inside.

Try it. You might just turn everyday life into sacred alchemy. Or at least have something interesting to tell your grandkids beyond “Back in our day…”

Swaha!