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Dharma shastras proclaim that 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 आश्रमः ॥ ashrama. All human beings, especially the द्विजः || Dvija (twice born - called so after उपनयनम् ॥ upanayanam) and गृहस्थाः ॥ Grhasthas are required to perform a number of sacrifices with oblations for देवताः ॥ devatas, ancestors and guardians in accordance with the vedic mantras laid down for a righteous living. Scholars differ in the number of samskaras being forty and a few saying 25 and 16.     

Dharma shastras proclaim that 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 आश्रमः ॥ ashrama. All human beings, especially the द्विजः || Dvija (twice born - called so after उपनयनम् ॥ upanayanam) and गृहस्थाः ॥ Grhasthas are required to perform a number of sacrifices with oblations for देवताः ॥ devatas, ancestors and guardians in accordance with the vedic mantras laid down for a righteous living. Scholars differ in the number of samskaras being forty and a few saying 25 and 16.     

== संस्काराः || Samskaras ==

== संस्काराः || Samskaras ==

Forty सम्स्काराः || samskaras have been prescribed by Goutama 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 Jeevatma and for removal of paapam or sins accrued in different ways. They are     

Forty संस्काराः || 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 जीवात्मन् ॥ Jeevatma also and for removal of पापानि ॥ papas (sins) accrued in different ways. They are,    

सम्स्काराः || Samskaras (11 of the Shodasa samskaras)   

संस्काराः || Samskaras (11 of the षोडश-संस्काराः ॥ Shodasa samskaras)   

वेदव्रताः || Vedavratas (4)   

वेदव्रताः || Vedavratas (4)   

पञ्चमहायज्ञाः || Panchamahayagnas (5)     

पञ्चमहायज्ञाः || Panchamahayajnas (5)     

पाकयज्ञाः || Paakayagnas (7)   

पाकयज्ञाः || Pakayajnas (7)   

हविर्यज्ञाः || Haviryagnas (7)   

हविर्यज्ञाः || Haviryajnas (7)   

सोमयज्ञाः || Somayagnas (7)   

सोमयज्ञाः || Somayajnas (7)   

Panchamahayagnas are performed by a person in the [[Grihastha]] ashram. As a student he obtains knowledge by studying the sacred scriptures given by great Rishis and since he lives in a group or society he is helped and associated with fellow-beings like friends and relatives. The main goal of students of [[Brahmachaari]] ashram is to absorb all the knowledge, during which time he is supported by the persons already in Grihastha ashrama for food, clothing and shelter and needs of everyday life. The great seers and पितृ || pitris (ancestors) have to be remembered with gratitude for their contribution to his spiritual development.<ref>[http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/hist/hist_8b.html A Short History of Religious and Philosophic Thought In India] By Swami Krishnananda. Divine Life Society</ref>

Panchamahayajnas are performed by a person in the Grhastha [[Ashrama Dharma|ashrama]]. As a student, he obtains knowledge by studying the sacred scriptures given by great Rishis and since he lives in a group or society, he is helped and associated with fellow-beings like friends and relatives. The main goal of students of Brahmacharya ashrama is to absorb all the knowledge, during which time he is supported by the persons already in Grhastha ashrama for food, clothing and shelter and needs of everyday life. The great seers and पितृ-s || pitrs (ancestors) have to be remembered with gratitude for their contribution to his spiritual development.<ref>[http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/hist/hist_8b.html A Short History of Religious and Philosophic Thought In India] By Swami Krishnananda. Divine Life Society</ref>

Once a Brahmachari crosses this ashram his duties become multifold as he enters the Grihastha ashram. The physical body constitutes the [[Panchabhutas (पञ्चभूताः)|पञ्चभूत || panchabhutas]] and is obtained from his parents, nourished by the milk of cows, grains, vegetables and fruits. The Devas and the Pitris bless him in his endeavors and activities of daily life. The five sense organs, with whose help he conducts his life are a blessing of the Devas and thus he learns to be grateful to the Devas who gave him the ability and intellect.   

Once a Brahmachari crosses this ashrama, his duties become multifold as he enters the Grhastha ashrama. The physical body constitutes the [[Panchabhutas (पञ्चभूत)|पञ्चभूताः || panchabhutas]] and is obtained from his parents, nourished by the milk of cows, grains, vegetables and fruits. The Devas and the Pitrs bless him in his endeavors and activities of daily life. The five sense organs, with whose help he conducts his life, are a blessing of the Devas and thus, he learns to be grateful to the Devas who gave him the ability and intellect.   

Protecting subhuman beings such as cattle, dogs, ants, birds, medicinal plants and trees has been an integral system of Sanatana Dharma. The householder on whose shoulders rest the responsibility and well-being of all animate and inanimate, is thus entrusted to care for these speechless beings with due dignity towards them. Food, milk and grains are all provided by this bountiful nature and man owes gratitude to plants and trees with reverence. Thus, in the spiritual evolution of man he learns humility and compassion by providing for and protecting them. Garuda Purana details the importance of Cow not only for providing the material things required for sustenance in this world but greatly stresses the absolute requirement of a Cow, which helps cross the Vaitarini river (a river which is very difficult to cross on the way to Yamaloka), when the soul is transiting from the material world to the spiritual world<ref>[http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/practice/Process.of.Spiritual.Practice.pdf The Process of Spiritual Practice] (Chap 4) By Swami Krishnananda</ref>.   

Protecting sub-human beings such as cattle, dogs, ants, birds, medicinal plants and trees has been an integral system of Sanatana Dharma. The householder on whose shoulders rest the responsibility and well-being of all animate and inanimate, is thus entrusted to care for these speechless beings with due dignity towards them. Food, milk and grains are all provided by this bountiful nature and man owes gratitude to plants and trees with reverence. Thus, in the spiritual evolution of man he learns humility and compassion by providing for and protecting them. Garuda Purana details the importance of Cow not only for providing the material things required for sustenance in this world but greatly stresses the absolute requirement of a Cow, which helps cross the Vaitarini river (a river which is very difficult to cross on the way to Yamaloka), when the soul is transiting from the material world to the spiritual world<ref>[http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/practice/Process.of.Spiritual.Practice.pdf The Process of Spiritual Practice] (Chap 4) By Swami Krishnananda</ref>.   

Therefore, he owes a fivefold debt to Nature - to his parents and ancestors (for the physical body and lineage), the rishis (for the knowledge of the Vedas), devas (for their blessings), nature (including the animate (plants and animals) and inanimate (panchabhutas)) and fellow human beings (for their support in society). He must pay back his debt by performing these five sacrifices daily. Further, numerous insects are killed by him unconsciously during walking, sweeping, grinding, cooking, etc. This sin is removed by performance of these five sacrifices.<ref>Mani, V. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>

Therefore, he owes a fivefold debt to Nature - to his parents and ancestors (for the physical body and lineage), the rishis (for the knowledge of the Vedas), devas (for their blessings), nature (including the animate ie. plants and animals and inanimate ie. the panchabhutas) and fellow human beings (for their support in society). He must pay back his debt by performing these five sacrifices daily. Further, numerous insects are killed by him unconsciously during walking, sweeping, grinding, cooking, etc. This sin is removed by performance of these five sacrifices.<ref>Mani, V. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>

In addition to these daily rites, the householder has also to perform certain monthly ceremonies such as offering oblations to the ancestors on the new-moon day and the observance of the vow of Ekadasi or fast on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight.  

In addition to these daily rites, the householder has also to perform certain monthly ceremonies such as offering oblations to the ancestors on the new-moon day and the observance of the vow of Ekadasi (fast on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight).  

==    पञ्चमहायज्ञाः  || Panchamahayajnas ==

==    पञ्चमहायज्ञाः  || Panchamahayajnas ==

* Manusmriti gives the definitions and essence of Panchamahayagnas in the 3rd Chapter (slokas 67 to 83).<ref name=":0">Manusmriti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Third Adhyaya])</ref>    <blockquote>पञ्च सूना गृहस्थस्य चुल्ली पेषण्युपस्करः । कण्डनी चोदकुम्भश्च बध्यते यास्तु वाहयन् । । ३.६८ (Manu Smri. 3.68)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>For a grihastha (householder) five apparatus namely a sifter, a grinding stone, a broom, a mortar and a water-pot are unavoidable. It is believed that when these instruments are used for daily activities a householder incurs paapam or sins (attributable to killing of numerous small beings such as ants, insects and such minute organisms unconsciously).   

* Manusmriti gives the definitions and essence of Panchamahayagnas in the 3rd Chapter (slokas 67 to 83).<ref name=":0">Manusmriti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Third Adhyaya])</ref>    <blockquote>पञ्च सूना गृहस्थस्य चुल्ली पेषण्युपस्करः । कण्डनी चोदकुम्भश्च बध्यते यास्तु वाहयन् । । ३.६८ (Manu Smri. 3.68)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>For a grihastha (householder) five apparatus namely a sifter, a grinding stone, a broom, a mortar and a water-pot are unavoidable. It is believed that when these instruments are used for daily activities a householder incurs paapam or sins (attributable to killing of numerous small beings such as ants, insects and such minute organisms unconsciously).