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==== Yajna ====

==== Yajna ====

As discussed previously, Yajna, broadly is a special act of offering dravya to devatas into the fire along with the recitation of prescribed mantras. Example : [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]] are nityakarmas, to be performed daily by grhastas. Mantras recited here are prescribed in Shrauta Sutras and Grhyasutras, for example, Haviryajna procedures are described in Brahmanas and  

As discussed previously, Yajna, broadly is a special act of offering dravya to devatas into the fire along with the recitation of prescribed mantras. Example : [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]] are nityakarmas, to be performed daily by grhastas. Mantras recited here are prescribed in Shrauta Sutras and Grhyasutras, for example, Haviryajna procedures are described in Brahmanas and Vedanga Kalpa, 

==== Yagam ====

==== Yagam ====

==== Homam ====

==== Homam ====

Homam is generally a small scale 'yaga' performed at home or lately conducted as a small community event, unlike the Yaga which requires a large public place where attendance of a large group of persons is expected.  

Homam is generally a small scale 'yaga' performed at home or lately conducted as a small community event, unlike the Yaga which requires a large public place where attendance of a large group of persons is expected.

== Yajnas in Rig Veda ==

== Yajnas in Rig Veda ==

We find that even in the remotest ages when the mantras of the Rig Veda were composed and compiled, the main features of Yajnas have been evolved. To mention a few instances<ref name=":0" />

We find that even in the remotest ages when the mantras of the Rig Veda were composed and compiled, the main features of Yajnas have been evolved. To mention a few instances<ref name=":0" />

* Existence of three fires appears in Rigveda (2.36.4) where Agni is asked to sit down in three places.

* Existence of '''three fires''' ([[Tretagni (त्रेताग्नयः)|Tretagni]]) appears in Rigveda (2.36.4) where Agni is asked to sit down in three places.

* Rigveda (1.15.4 and 5.11.2) states that men kindle Agni in three places.

* Rigveda (1.15.4 and 5.11.2) states that men kindle Agni in three places.

* The Garhapatya fire is expressly named in Rigveda (1.15.12)  

* The '''Garhapatya''' fire is expressly named in Rigveda (1.15.12)  

* The three savanas (i.e. pressings of Soma in the morning, mid-day, and evening) are mentioned in Rigveda (3.28.1 mentions pratah-sava, 3.28.4 mentions madhyandina savana and 3.28.5 mentions tritiya savana).

* The '''three savanas''' (i.e. pressings of Soma in the morning, mid-day, and evening) are mentioned in Rigveda (3.28.1 mentions pratah-sava, 3.28.4 mentions madhyandina savana and 3.28.5 mentions tritiya savana).

* That the yajna gives food to Agni three times on all days; is given in Rig veda mantras 3.52.5-6, 4.12.1 and 4.33.11.

* That the yajna gives food to Agni three times on all days; is given in Rig veda mantras 3.52.5-6, 4.12.1 and 4.33.11.

* It may affirmed that the sixteen priests required in Soma yajnas were probably known to the composers of Rigveda mantras. The names of the sixteen priests is given in Asvalayana Shrauta sutras (4.1.6) and Apastamba Shrauta Sutras (10.1.9). Rigveda (1.162.5) also mentions a few namely Hotr, Adhvaryu, Agnimindha, Gravagarbha, Samsta (prasahstr or mitravaruna) etc.  

* It may affirmed that the sixteen priests required in Soma yajnas were probably known to the composers of Rigveda mantras. The names of the sixteen priests is given in Asvalayana Shrauta sutras (4.1.6) and Apastamba Shrauta Sutras (10.1.9). Rigveda (1.162.5) also mentions a few namely '''Hotr, Adhvaryu, Agnimindha, Gravagarbha, Samsta (prasahstr or mitravaruna)''' etc.  

* Rigveda (2.43.2) mentions Udgata.

* Rigveda (2.43.2) mentions Udgata.

* The word purohita occurs very frequently in Rigveda (1.1.1, 3.2.8 etc).

* The word '''purohita''' occurs very frequently in Rigveda (1.1.1, 3.2.8 etc).

* The yupa (the post to which the yajnapasu is tied) is mentioned in Rigveda (1.162.6). Rigveda (3.8) is full of praise for yupa.  

* The '''yupa''' (the post to which the yajnapasu is tied) is mentioned in Rigveda (1.162.6). Rigveda (3.8) is full of praise for yupa.  

* The instruments used in yajnas such as darvi (Rig. Veda. 5.6.9) sruk (Rig. Veda. 4.12.1 and 6.11.5) juhu (Rig. Veda 10.21.3) are mentioned in numerous places.

* The instruments used in yajnas such as '''darvi''' (Rig. Veda. 5.6.9) '''sruk''' (Rig. Veda. 4.12.1 and 6.11.5) '''juhu''' (Rig. Veda 10.21.3) are mentioned in numerous places.

* Yajnas were the first dharmas according to Rigveda (10.90.16).

* Yajnas were the '''first dharmas''' according to Rigveda (10.90.16).

Thus, evidence of performance of yajnas may be seen from Rigvedic period.<ref name=":0" />

Thus, evidence of performance of yajnas may be seen from Rigvedic period.<ref name=":0" />