Vedic Sacrifice

Annamaacharyaa was one of the great Avataara purushas, who sung 1000s of keerthanas, on Sri Venkateshwara. After being initiated by none other than Lord Srinivaasa, he started singing on the Lord's graces and glories. He took formal initiation from the then Jeeyar of Ahobila Matam (Azagiya Singar). On the occasion of tadheeya aradhanam , conducted by his revered Guru, he had composed this song, comparing the various aspects of a Sri Vaishnava Aradanam with the aspects of a Vedic sacrifice or Yagna. This song is very mellifluously rendered by BKP. With Annamaacharya's endless devotion  graces of the Jeeyar of Sri Matam and Lord Venkateshwara, this song is evergreen and reflects the basic tenets of Sri Viashnavam.

Gnana Yagnam Igathi Moksha Sadhanamu
Naanarthamulu Ninne Nadape Maa Gurudu

Vedic religion is based on Yagna and fire is the divine carrier of messages and or materials to the world of celestial  But, Sri Krishna talks of Gnana Yagna in B. Gita (instead of a physical yagna). Annamaacharyaa compares the Aradhanam of Sri Lakshmi Nrusimha with Gnana Yagna. He says that, this Guru conducted a Gnana Yagna, which is the means for salvation or moksham. 

Alari Vedam Anetti Yaaga Shaalalonu
Paluvai agnanapu pashuvunu bandinchi
Kalasi vairagyapu kathula kosi kosi
Velaya Gnaanagnilo Veyiche Maa Gurudu

Desc: Here Annamaacharyaa beautifully compares the rituals of a real Yagna to the the Aradhanam of his Acharya  The stage or the enclosure, where the actual yagam is conducted is called as Yaaga Shala. Here Annamaacharyaa compares the Yaaga shaala to Vedas. Thus the aradhanam, siddantham etc.. of his Acharya are all confined within the Vedas. A cow is usually brought to the Yaaga Shaala or the place, where the sacrifice is conducted. Here Annamaacharyaa compares ones own ignorance (about divinity) with that cow. Then, the knife used to cut the samith(s) and meat is compared to the determination or Vairagya. Finally, he states that, in the blazing fire of wisdom (Gnaanagni), his Guru performed this sacrifice. In this stanza Annamaacharyaa compares Yagna Shaala to Vedas, Pashu to ignorance, knife to Vairagyam and finally the fire to wisdom.

Mokkuchu Vaishnavulane Muni Sabha Gooda Betti
Sokkuchu Sri Paada Theertha Somapaanamunu niche
Chakkaga Sankeerthana Saamagaanamu chesi
Ikkuva tho yagnamu seyinchevo Maa Gurudu

Desc: In a traditional Yagna  we need several priests (like hota, the adhvaryu, the udgāta and the Brahma). Those priests in the Yagna would be experts in Rig- hota, adhvaryu - Yajur, Udgata - Sama and Brahma will be supervising all of them. In his song, Annamaacharyaa compares the worshiping Sri Vaishnavites(with anjali mudra, symbolizing their swaroopa lakshanam as Daasas to the Lord) with those priests (Muni Sabha). Soma paanam or the juice of the somalatha vine is offered to Agni or fire and also consumed by the priests. Here Annamaacharyaa compares  Sri Pada Theertham, from the Padhukaaradhana (worshiping the sandals) of his Acharya  Azagiya Singar as the Soma  rasam. Udgata priest does the Sama Gaanam , in a Yagna  But in this Gnana Yagna, the glorious Sri Vaishnavites do the Sankeerthanam - in the form of Azhwar Pasurams  other sloka  songs etc.. , which is compared to that Sama Gaanam - as both of them are performed to please the Supreme Lord Sriman Narayana, who is manifested as Sri Lakshmi Nrusimha. Finally Annamaacharyaa mentions that, his Guru  made everyone perform that Gnana Yagam with Ikshu or stick or samtihu.

Tadhteeya Guruprasadambu Purodaasham Ichi
kodadheera dhvayamanu kundalambulu betti
Yadhalo Sri Venkateshu Itu Prathyakshamu Jese
Idivo Swaroopa Diskha Ichenu Maa Gurudu

Desc: Purodasham, is the food offering (cake) made to the fire, during the Yagna, but here Annamaacharyaa compares that, Purodasham with the prasdam offered after the Padukaaradhanam, which is Guru Prasadam. The word Thadeeya(m) here, is used to refer the process of offering food to Bhagavathas. Further he compares the kundalam or ear rings worn by the Vedic priests with Dhvaya manthram, taught by this Guru to all the disciples (as a part of Sri Vaishnavites initiation - Samashryanam), which contains the essence of the sampradayam, which is unconditional surrender to the Lord. By preaching that Dhvaya manthram  his Guru had taught the true from of the Self, (Swaroopa Diksha) . That lesson, would enlighten one as a Dasa or slave or servant to the Lord, which would help them to envision the Lord, Almighty. Thus Annamaacharyaa declares that, to envision Lord Sri Venkateshwara in this world his Guru gave the Swaroopa Diksha. So the fruit of the Gnana yagnam is to know the state of Self in relationship with the Supreme, which is thus attained in the last stanza.

Conclusion: This song is rich in meaning, explaining various aspects of the sampradayam, and also the Vaideeka yagnas. Annamaacharyaa was such a gem of poet, and he's being thankful of the graces bestowed by his Guru, and had composed this song. Thus he declares that, only Guru Krupa and his teachings (Upadesham) had let him envision Sri Venkateshwara. His respect and regards for his Guru is incomparable, which is clearly visible though this song.