||    Pishta Pasu used in Soma Yaagams    ||

In modern day Soma Yaagams , Pishta Pasu (statue of an animal ) is sacrificed as Havis instead of the live Yaaga Pasu . There was a dispute between DevAs and Maharishi once upon a time about the superiority of offering Pishta Pasu or live Yaaga Pasu in the Yaj~nams as Havis . A great chOla king , who had accumulated so much PuNyam was asked to arbitrate . This king had the power to travel on his chariot in the air from place to place .

Which form of Pishta Pasu is Superior as Havis ?
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The King heard both the sides and deliberately ruled in favor of the DevAs ( Live Yaaga Pasu paksham ) although the correct answer was the Pishta Pasu havis has the same or superior effect . This faltering on his part (PakshapAdham) led to his car being grounded from the air. His wheels got stuck on ground at a dhivya dEsam , which came to be known as ThEr AzhunthUr (where the aerial chariot got stuck). The Lord of this dhivya dEsam is Aamuruviyappan (Gosakan) and He has recieved 47 beautiful Paasurams from Thirumangai AzhwAr .

Soma Yaagams in Kerala
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NambhUdhri Brahmins are well known for their rigorous observances of Soma Yaagams . Pishta Pasu made from flour used in one of their Soma Yaagams is shown in the attached picture. Its limbs are offered as Havis during the different stages of the Yaj~nam.

Purusha Sookthams in the four Vedas & Their SaakhAs
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I am trying to get Saama Veda Purusha Sooktham recorded in the three SaakhAs ( Jaimineeyam , RaaNAyaneeyam and Kauthumam ). The Saama Veda Aalapanam in Jaimineeya branch is said to be the most musical. From my experience , the RaaNAyaneeya recitation is the most musical. I am told that there are only 3 adhikAris who have full mastery of RaaNAyaNeeya SaakhA . I heard this SaakhA's aalApanam in front of MalOlan at the silver mantapam as Srimath Azhagiya Singar invited the Lord of Ahobilam
to listen (AkhilNDa Koti BrahmAnda Naayaka, RaaNAyaneeya Saama SaakhAm srAvaya). That was a thrilling experience.

NamO Veda PurushAya ,
Oppiliappan Koil Varadachari Sadagopan

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