Vedic Yajna basics - how yajnas work

A yajna actually is a Vedic ritual, performed by Vedic priests (Pundits). It is composed of some systematic activities, such as lighting the fire, chanting of mantras, making offerings to the deity etc. The power of mantras is nothing new to describe, anyone practicing it can see the results. On the other hand it is also well known that sacrifices pay off the debts of your karma in the alternate way than making you suffer. Suffering is a way to pay the karmic debts, so is sacrificing. So when mantras and sacrificing are done together, naturally a better result can be obtained and this is obtained. Moreover, a yajna is performed only on auspicious dates (As per the Vedic tradition) to bring the best possible outcome of this activity. A yajna most of the times has a very strong impact on the life of the native than any other remedies.

From a karmic view

As per the Vedic / Hindu teaching, there are three kinds of karmas -

1. Sanchita - All the accumulated Karmas of the past lives. The storehouse of the karma.
2. Prarabdha - The karma we are going to experience in this life.
3. Kriyamana / Agama - The karma we are creating through our current actions and decisions.

Generally, the efforts we make to impact our problems (Prarabdha Karma) through material ways (Kriyamana Karma) are often not so blessed. This is what we experience most of the times, that marital problems, financial problems, career problems, health problems etc. are not so easily affected as we put our effort. As long as the horoscope promises to continue them, they are with us. We also see that doing good deeds, rendering selfless services and prayers generally do not change the situation straightly unless indicated in the horoscope itself. That is why the worldly efforts most of us make, have a very little to say about impacting the current situation, i.e. the Prarabdha Karma. May be our good karmas impact the Sanchita Karma and the results materialize in the next births. That is why it is generally stated that the Prarabdha Karma is to be exhausted by experiencing only.

However, Vedic Remedies are that kind of Kriyamana Karma those have a strict and direct impact on the Prarabdha Karma. That is what we always see - chanting mantras, fasting, wearing a gemstone etc. have an immediate and clear effect on our lives. Similarly yajnas impact the Karma we are experiencing and make our lives better.

A yajna addressed to a karma of Satwik quality is said to have quicker effect whereas a yajna addressed to a karma of Tamasik quality is said to have less or slower effect. This is what we see even practically. Strong problems are actually created by strong Tamasik acts or curses you carry, and they generally will need strong and bigger yajnas as well. A less powerful yajna addressed to a strong problem will not have a quick or clear effect, but will work on the background to make it easier. In that case, a small repetition of the procedure could generally bring the success.