His Holiness Acharya Sudhanshu ji Maharaj
It is said that twenty-two thousand years ago, there was Maharishi Uddalak. Ushasti Chakrayana was also the Rishi of that time. Different type of disciples came to them to gain knowledge and science. Their style of giving teachings was also wonderful. Once Bhagawan Vishnu told Narada that where the Rishi-Munis stay, God also stays there. The land of this country is so divine that everywhere and everyday God is worshipped. The saints and sages are revered. The respect of Rishi-Munis may get affected in Kaliyug but the inhabitants would continue to have feeling of respect for them. Maharishi Uddalak, handing over something to his disciple instructed him to take it and give it to Maharishi Ushasti Chakrayan. That thing was nothing but one single piece of draksha/kishmish(raisin), and also advised him to give itto the Rishi personally and say that it should be eaten after distributing it to his thousands of disciples who might be sitting there. The disciple reached there with that single raisin held in his hand and said that his Gurudev has sent that prasad for him and for his disciples. He should eat it only after distributing it among his all disciples who were sitting there. Hearing this all his disciples became angry. They thought that their guru was being insulted. How could one single piece of raisin be distributed amongst so many. Maharishi Ushasti Chakrayan called one of his disciples and instructed him to take the draksha to the kitchen where thandaiprasad was being prepared.Thandai was a cooling drink for the ashram residents. He said, the Kishmish should be crushed and mixed with milk and water and when theprasad was ready it should be distributed among all the disciples. A part of it should also be given to the Rishi. Hearing the instructions all the disciples got pacified and wondered how great and intelligent their Gurudev was. After distributing the prasad, the Rishi expressed his gratitude for the delightfulprasad sent by another Rishi.

Then Maharishi Ushasti Chakrayan picked up a seed of sesame from theyagyasamagri [material used in a yagya] and gave it to the disciple of Uddalak Rishi and said: ‘Please thank your guru for his gift. Now take this single seed and hand it over to the Rishi and say that it should be distributed among all the creatures of the world.’ All the disciples were surprised and amused at this and thought how this single seed could be distributed to all the creatures of the world. Their Gurudev had found the way of defeating the other Gurudev. Now a single sesame seed was to be distributed to the entire world even to all creatures and Gurudev himself.The disciple of Maharishi Uddalak took the sesame seed respectfully in his hand. He was thinking if this would anger his Gurudev but then he thought that great people know each other and would also know how to deal with each other. The brain of an ordinary person like him could not understand the meaning of such a return gift. He came back to his Gurudev and handed over the single seed to him and conveyed the message which was sent along. Maharishi Uddalak called all his disciples and told that that hehad been given a great task by a great person.He invited all of them to join in the great act. All of them were instructed to proceed towards the YagyaVedi and it was the time to offer the prasad to all the creatures of the world. He sat at the YagyaVedi and said that fire is the mouth of all Gods and if that sesame seed would be given to the fire it would get distributed among all the creatures and elements of nature.

Maharishi Uddalak brought together the ring finger, middle finger and the thumb and took the sesame seed in between them and said, ‘Agnay
Swaha’. He said that he has given this ahuti (oblation) for agni (fire). He prayed to the Agnidev (Fire God) to accept it and then distribute it in the whole world. When Rishi Ushasti Chakrayan came to know about it he told his disciples that whether they get less or more, they should eat after
offering a part of whatever they have. This practice of offering is considered virtuous and it wouldgive pleasure too. In this way our great teachers used to educate their pupils while honoringother peers. In our society we lay special emphasis on performingyagya on auspicious occasions. While performing a yagya the thumb and two fingers, middleand ring fingers are used to offer ahuti(oblation) in the sacred fire. Ahuti is made of traditional herbs and pieces of wood from sacred trees. Uddalak Rishi said that Rishi Ushasti Chakrayan had conveyed an important teaching. Whatever you have, share it with others.There lies deep pleasure in sharing. Itgives the feeling of joy and satisfaction. This way theRishis gave their teachings in different ways for the welfare of all creatures.Offerings in the sacred fire are for benefit of all creatures and nature alike.
While performing yagya mantras from the Vedas and other Scriptures are recited. Hindusperform yagya, recite prayers and mantras to thank God for His Grace, to seek good health, prosperity, harmony, peace at home and in the world.