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Panchamahayajnas (Samskrit : पञ्चमहायज्ञाः) or the five great sacrifices is a very important part of the daily functions of a householder consisting of a set of five-fold duties. The performance of these five [[Yagya (यज्ञ)|yajnas]] is conducive to the spiritual evolution or growth of a man. An individual in [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातन धर्म)|Sanatana Dharma]] (सनातनधर्मः) observes these mahayajnas on a daily basis and gradually learns that he is not a separate entity, isolated creature or isolated unit, but is a part of a great whole.

Panchamahayajnas (Samskrit : पञ्चमहायज्ञाः) or the five great sacrifices is a very important part of the daily functions of a householder consisting of a set of five-fold duties. The performance of these five [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|yajnas]] is conducive to the spiritual evolution or growth of a man. An individual in [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana Dharma]] (सनातनधर्मः) observes these mahayajnas on a daily basis and gradually learns that he is not a separate entity, isolated creature or isolated unit, but is a part of a great whole.

==  परिचयः || Introduction ==

==  परिचयः || Introduction ==

Dharma shastras proclaim that [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|samskaras]] are a series of sacrifices and ceremonies indicating the passage of various stages of the human life and to signify entry to a particular [[Ashrama Dharma|ashrama]]. All human beings, especially the Dvija (द्विजः । twice born - called so after [[उपनयनम्|upanayana]]) and Grhasthas (गृहस्थ-s) are required to perform a number of sacrifices with oblations for devatas, ancestors and guardians in accordance with the vedic mantras laid down for a righteous living. Scholars differ in their opinion about the number of samskaras being forty and a few saying 25 and 16.     

Dharma shastras proclaim that samskaras are a series of sacrifices and ceremonies indicating the passage of various stages of the human life and to signify entry to a particular [[Ashrama Dharma (आश्रमधर्मः)|ashrama]]. All human beings, especially the Dvija (द्विजः । twice born - called so after [[उपनयनम्|upanayana]]) and Grhasthas (गृहस्थ-s) are required to perform a number of sacrifices with oblations for devatas, ancestors and guardians in accordance with the vedic mantras laid down for a righteous living. Scholars differ in their opinion about the number of samskaras being forty and a few saying 25 and 16.     

== संस्काराः || Samskaras ==

== संस्काराः || Samskaras ==

Forty samskaras have been prescribed by Gautama Smriti<ref>Kannan. P. R. Translation of Article : [http://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/articles/INITIAL%20SAMSKARAS.html Initial Samskaras] from Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham</ref>, as a part of purificatory activities, for not just the physical body but the Jivatma also and for removal of papas (पाप | sins) accrued in different ways. They are,     

Forty samskaras have been prescribed by Gautama Smriti<ref>Kannan. P. R. Translation of Article : [http://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/articles/INITIAL%20SAMSKARAS.html Initial Samskaras] from Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham</ref>, as a part of purificatory activities, for not just the physical body but the Jivatma also and for removal of papas (पाप | sins) accrued in different ways. They are,     

These, in ordinary religious parlance, are called the Panchamahayajnas, or the five great sacrifices which a householder, especially in India, has to perform. These sacrifices mean the way in which one recognizes one’s own self in the variety of creation that he sees before him, by means of sympathy, consideration and feeling for others<ref>The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad by Swami Krishnananda ([https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/brdup_audio/brdup-12.pdf Discourse-12)]</ref>. That is the first step that one takes before moving on to the difficult task of complete identification with the [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atma]] (आत्मन् । Inner Being) of all things.

These, in ordinary religious parlance, are called the Panchamahayajnas, or the five great sacrifices which a householder, especially in India, has to perform. These sacrifices mean the way in which one recognizes one’s own self in the variety of creation that he sees before him, by means of sympathy, consideration and feeling for others<ref>The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad by Swami Krishnananda ([https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/brdup_audio/brdup-12.pdf Discourse-12)]</ref>. That is the first step that one takes before moving on to the difficult task of complete identification with the [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atma]] (आत्मन् । Inner Being) of all things.

The sympathy and compassion that one psychologically exercises in respect of others is the first step. The identity with others is a more difficult thing to feel and maintain that bhavana (feeling). To feel for others is easier than to become others though that is the ideal. So, the [[Upanishads|Upanishad]] tells us, try to feel for others first and manifest this feeling in your actions before you totally become, or aspire to become one with them.

The sympathy and compassion that one psychologically exercises in respect of others is the first step. The identity with others is a more difficult thing to feel and maintain that bhavana (feeling). To feel for others is easier than to become others though that is the ideal. So, the [[Upanishads (उपनिषदाः)|Upanishad]] tells us, try to feel for others first and manifest this feeling in your actions before you totally become, or aspire to become one with them.

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