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==    पञ्चमहायज्ञाः  || Panchamahayajnas ==

==    पञ्चमहायज्ञाः  || Panchamahayajnas ==

Panchamahayajnas have been described in different texts as follows

Panchamahayajnas have been described in different texts as follows

* [[Manu Smriti|Manusmriti]] gives the definitions and essence of Panchamahayajnas in the 3rd Chapter (shlokas 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><blockquote>pañca sūnā gṛhasthasya cullī peṣaṇyupaskaraḥ । kaṇḍanī codakumbhaśca badhyate yāstu vāhayan || ३.६८ (Manu Smri. 3.68)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Meaning : For a grhastha (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 पापम् (sin) - attributable to killing of numerous small beings such as ants, insects and such minute organisms unconsciously.

* [[Manu Smriti|Manusmriti]] gives the definitions and essence of Panchamahayajnas in the 3rd Chapter (shlokas 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><blockquote>pañca sūnā gṛhasthasya cullī peṣaṇyupaskaraḥ । kaṇḍanī codakumbhaśca badhyate yāstu vāhayan || ३.६८ (Manu Smri. 3.68)</blockquote>Meaning : For a grhastha (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 पापम् (sin) - attributable to killing of numerous small beings such as ants, insects and such minute organisms unconsciously.

* Panchamahayajnas have been described in [[Grhya Sutras|Grhyasutras]].

* Panchamahayajnas have been described in [[Grhya Sutras|Grhyasutras]].

<blockquote>अथातः पञ्चयज्ञाः | १ देवयज्ञो भूतयज्ञः पितृयज्ञो ब्रह्मयज्ञो मनुष्ययज्ञ इति | २</blockquote><blockquote>athātaḥ pañcayajñāḥ | 1 devayajño bhūtayajñaḥ pitṛyajño brahmayajño manuṣyayajña iti | 2</blockquote><blockquote>तद्यदग्नौ जुहोति स देवयज्ञो यद्बलिङ्करोति स भूतयज्ञो यत्पितृभ्यो ददाति स पितृयज्ञो यत्स्वाध्यायमधीयते स ब्रह्मयज्ञो यन्मनुष्येभ्यो ददाति स मनुष्ययज्ञ इति | ३ तानेतान्यज्ञानहरहः कुर्वीत | ४ (Asva. Grhy. Sutr. 3.1.1 to 4)<ref name=":2">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Asvalaayana Grhya Sutras]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tadyadagnau juhoti sa devayajño yadbaliṅkaroti sa bhūtayajño yatpitṛbhyo dadāti sa pitṛyajño yatsvādhyāyamadhīyate sa brahmayajño yanmanuṣyebhyo dadāti sa manuṣyayajña iti | 3 tānetānyajñānaharahaḥ kurvīta | 4 (Asva. Grhy. Sutr. 3.1.1 to 4)<ref name=":2">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Asvalaayana Grhya Sutras]</ref> </blockquote>Meaning : Now the Panchayajnas. The yajna for devatas, yajna for (other living) beings, yajna for forefathers, yajna for Brahma, yajna for human beings. Here, when offerings are made in Agni, this yajna is for the devatas. That which is offered as bali, is the yajna for other beings. That (pindas) which is given for forefathers, is the pitru yajna. That study (of the vedas) is the brahma yajna, and that which gives to men, is the manushya yajna. These five yajnas are to be performed everyday.

<blockquote>अथातः पञ्चयज्ञाः | १ देवयज्ञो भूतयज्ञः पितृयज्ञो ब्रह्मयज्ञो मनुष्ययज्ञ इति | २<ref name=":2">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Asvalaayana Grhya Sutras]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>athātaḥ pañcayajñāḥ | 1 devayajño bhūtayajñaḥ pitṛyajño brahmayajño manuṣyayajña iti | 2</blockquote><blockquote>तद्यदग्नौ जुहोति स देवयज्ञो यद्बलिङ्करोति स भूतयज्ञो यत्पितृभ्यो ददाति स पितृयज्ञो यत्स्वाध्यायमधीयते स ब्रह्मयज्ञो यन्मनुष्येभ्यो ददाति स मनुष्ययज्ञ इति | ३ तानेतान्यज्ञानहरहः कुर्वीत | ४ (Asva. Grhy. Sutr. 3.1.1 to 4)<ref name=":2">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Asvalaayana Grhya Sutras]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tadyadagnau juhoti sa devayajño yadbaliṅkaroti sa bhūtayajño yatpitṛbhyo dadāti sa pitṛyajño yatsvādhyāyamadhīyate sa brahmayajño yanmanuṣyebhyo dadāti sa manuṣyayajña iti | 3 tānetānyajñānaharahaḥ kurvīta | 4 (Asva. Grhy. Sutr. 3.1.1 to 4) </blockquote>Meaning : Now the Panchayajnas. The yajna for devatas, yajna for (other living) beings, yajna for forefathers, yajna for Brahma, yajna for human beings. Here, when offerings are made in Agni, this yajna is for the devatas. That which is offered as bali, is the yajna for other beings. That (pindas) which is given for forefathers, is the pitru yajna. That study (of the vedas) is the brahma yajna, and that which gives to men, is the manushya yajna. These five yajnas are to be performed everyday.

* The ancient rishis have prescribed these Panchamahayagnas in Taittriya Aranyaka (Prapathaka 2 and Anuvaka 10<ref>Taittriya Aranyaka ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0)/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8 Prapathaka 2 Anuvaka 10])</ref> given along with Sayanacharya's bhashya) <ref name=":12">[http://www.vedamu.org/PageViewerImage.aspx?DivId=998 Taittriya Aranyaka] (2.10) with Sayanabhashyam in Pages 144 to 146</ref> for removal of the sins accrued by the grhastha.

* The ancient rishis have prescribed these Panchamahayagnas in Taittriya Aranyaka (Prapathaka 2 and Anuvaka 10<ref>Taittriya Aranyaka ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0)/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8 Prapathaka 2 Anuvaka 10])</ref> given along with Sayanacharya's bhashya) <ref name=":12">[http://www.vedamu.org/PageViewerImage.aspx?DivId=998 Taittriya Aranyaka] (2.10) with Sayanabhashyam in Pages 144 to 146</ref> for removal of the sins accrued by the grhastha.

<blockquote>तद्विधिप्रसङ्गेन पञ्चमहायज्ञान्विधत्ते |  </blockquote><blockquote>tadvidhiprasaṅgena pañcamahāyajñānvidhatte | </blockquote>Meaning : The procedure to perform panchamahayajnas is now given<blockquote>पञ्च वा एते महायज्ञा: संतति प्रतायन्ते सतति संतिष्ठन्ते | देवयज्ञ: पितृयज्ञो भूतयज्ञो मनुष्ययज्ञो ब्रह्मयज्ञो इति-, इति || </blockquote><blockquote>pañca vā ete mahāyajñā: saṃtati pratāyante satati saṃtiṣṭhante | devayajña: pitṛyajño bhūtayajño manuṣyayajño brahmayajño iti-, iti || </blockquote>Meaning : Five of these mahayajnas are observed and completed day after day, on a daily basis. They are Devayajna, Pitruyajna, Bhutayajna, Manushyayajna and Brahmayajna.

<blockquote>तद्विधिप्रसङ्गेन पञ्चमहायज्ञान्विधत्ते |  </blockquote><blockquote>tadvidhiprasaṅgena pañcamahāyajñānvidhatte | </blockquote>Meaning : The procedure to perform panchamahayajnas is now given<blockquote>पञ्च वा एते महायज्ञा: संतति प्रतायन्ते सतति संतिष्ठन्ते | देवयज्ञ: पितृयज्ञो भूतयज्ञो मनुष्ययज्ञो ब्रह्मयज्ञो इति-, इति ||<ref name=":12">[http://www.vedamu.org/PageViewerImage.aspx?DivId=998 Taittriya Aranyaka] (2.10) with Sayanabhashyam in Pages 144 to 146</ref> </blockquote><blockquote>pañca vā ete mahāyajñā: saṃtati pratāyante satati saṃtiṣṭhante | devayajña: pitṛyajño bhūtayajño manuṣyayajño brahmayajño iti-, iti || </blockquote>Meaning : Five of these mahayajnas are observed and completed day after day, on a daily basis. They are Devayajna, Pitruyajna, Bhutayajna, Manushyayajna and Brahmayajna.

=== देवयज्ञः || Deva Yajna  ===

=== देवयज्ञः || Deva Yajna  ===

<blockquote>तत्र देवयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यदग्नौ जुहोत्यपि समिधं तद्देवयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते - इति ||</blockquote><blockquote>पुरोडाशादिहविर्मुख्यं तदलाभे समिधमप्यग्नौ देवानुद्दिशञ्जुहोतीति यत्सोऽयं देवयज्ञः || (Saya. Bhas.)</blockquote><blockquote>tatra devayajñasya lakṣaṇamāha - yadagnau juhotyapi samidhaṃ taddevayajña: saṃtiṣṭhate - iti ||</blockquote><blockquote>puroḍāśādihavirmukhyaṃ tadalābhe samidhamapyagnau devānuddiśañjuhotīti yatso'yaṃ devayajñaḥ || (Saya. Bhas.)</blockquote>Meaning : The characteristics of Devayajna are now said - Wherein the समिधः || samidha (sacrificial material ) is offered into Agni, that completes Devayajna.  According to सायणाचार्यः ॥ Sayanacharya, पुरोडाशः || Purodasha ( a special kind of havis made of cooked rice) is to be offered primarily as a आहूतिः ॥ ahuti. However, when that is unavailable, samidha is offered for Devatas and such a practice is called Devayajna.

<blockquote>तत्र देवयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यदग्नौ जुहोत्यपि समिधं तद्देवयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते - इति ||</blockquote><blockquote>पुरोडाशादिहविर्मुख्यं तदलाभे समिधमप्यग्नौ देवानुद्दिशञ्जुहोतीति यत्सोऽयं देवयज्ञः || (Saya. Bhas.)<ref name=":12">[http://www.vedamu.org/PageViewerImage.aspx?DivId=998 Taittriya Aranyaka] (2.10) with Sayanabhashyam in Pages 144 to 146</ref></blockquote><blockquote>tatra devayajñasya lakṣaṇamāha - yadagnau juhotyapi samidhaṃ taddevayajña: saṃtiṣṭhate - iti ||</blockquote><blockquote>puroḍāśādihavirmukhyaṃ tadalābhe samidhamapyagnau devānuddiśañjuhotīti yatso'yaṃ devayajñaḥ || (Saya. Bhas.)</blockquote>Meaning : The characteristics of Devayajna are now said - Wherein the समिधः || samidha (sacrificial material ) is offered into Agni, that completes Devayajna.  According to सायणाचार्यः ॥ Sayanacharya, पुरोडाशः || Purodasha ( a special kind of havis made of cooked rice) is to be offered primarily as a आहूतिः ॥ ahuti. However, when that is unavailable, samidha is offered for Devatas and such a practice is called Devayajna.

Deva Yajna, is when ahutis are offered to the celestial beings in the form of milk, ghee, herbs, and camphor offered into the [[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|अग्निहोत्रम् || Agnihotra]] (sacrificial fire). Havis are the offerings for Devatas made with the utterance of स्वाहा || Svaha at the end of the mantra. Homa or Havan promotes rains which give good crops and harvest.   

Deva Yajna, is when ahutis are offered to the celestial beings in the form of milk, ghee, herbs, and camphor offered into the [[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|अग्निहोत्रम् || Agnihotra]] (sacrificial fire). Havis are the offerings for Devatas made with the utterance of स्वाहा || Svaha at the end of the mantra. Homa or Havan promotes rains which give good crops and harvest.   

=== पितृयज्ञः || Pitru Yajna  ===

=== पितृयज्ञः || Pitru Yajna  ===

<blockquote>पितृयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यत्पितृभ्यः स्वधा करोत्यप्यपस्तत्पितृयज्ञः संतिष्ठते-,इति ।</blockquote><blockquote>तत्र पिण्डदानासंभवे जलमात्रमपि पितृभ्यः स्वधाऽस्त्विति स्वधाशब्देन यद्ददाति सोऽयं पितृयज्ञः ---|| (Saya. Bhas)<ref name=":12" /></blockquote><blockquote>tatra piṇḍadānāsaṃbhave jalamātramapi pitṛbhyaḥ svadhā'stviti svadhāśabdena yaddadāti so'yaṃ pitṛyajñaḥ ---|| (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote>According to Sayanacharya, Pitru Yajna, is where पिण्डप्रधानम् ॥ Pindapradhana (offering of pindas made of rice) is made into fire with the chanting of स्वधा || svadha, but when that is not possible, even water offered to Pitrus with स्वधाकारः || svadhakara (i.e using the mantras with svadha in the end) or offering anything into the fire with svadha constitutes the Pirtuyajna.

<blockquote>पितृयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यत्पितृभ्यः स्वधा करोत्यप्यपस्तत्पितृयज्ञः संतिष्ठते-,इति ।</blockquote><blockquote>तत्र पिण्डदानासंभवे जलमात्रमपि पितृभ्यः स्वधाऽस्त्विति स्वधाशब्देन यद्ददाति सोऽयं पितृयज्ञः ---|| (Saya. Bhas)<ref name=":12" /></blockquote><blockquote>pitṛyajñasya lakṣaṇamāha - yatpitṛbhyaḥ svadhā karotyapyapastatpitṛyajñaḥ saṃtiṣṭhate-,iti ।</blockquote><blockquote>tatra piṇḍadānāsaṃbhave jalamātramapi pitṛbhyaḥ svadhā'stviti svadhāśabdena yaddadāti so'yaṃ pitṛyajñaḥ ---|| (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote>According to Sayanacharya, Pitru Yajna, is where पिण्डप्रधानम् ॥ Pindapradhana (offering of pindas made of rice) is made into fire with the chanting of स्वधा || svadha, but when that is not possible, even water offered to Pitrus with स्वधाकारः || svadhakara (i.e using the mantras with svadha in the end) or offering anything into the fire with svadha constitutes the Pirtuyajna.

Generally तर्पणम् || tarpana (offering of water and pinda or offering of rice) is made to the ancestors with the utterance of Svadha. Offering of तिलः ॥ Tila (sesame) to pitrudevatas is also practiced.   

Generally तर्पणम् || tarpana (offering of water and pinda or offering of rice) is made to the ancestors with the utterance of Svadha. Offering of तिलः ॥ Tila (sesame) to pitrudevatas is also practiced.   

=== भूतयज्ञ: || Bhuta Yajna  ===

=== भूतयज्ञ: || Bhuta Yajna  ===

<blockquote>भूतयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यद्भूतेभ्यो बलिँ् हरति तद्भूतयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते -, इति ||</blockquote><blockquote>bhūtayajñasya lakṣaṇamāha - yadbhatebhyo balim̐ harati tadbhūtayajña: saṃtiṣṭhate -, iti ||</blockquote>Meaning: Characteristics of Bhutayajna is now said - that bali offered to Bhutas (other life forms); that completes the bhutayajna.<blockquote>वैश्वदेवानुष्ठानादूर्ध्वं बहिर्देशे वायसादिभ्यो भूतेभ्यो यद्बलिप्रदानं सोऽयं भूतयज्ञ: || (Saya. Bhas)<ref name=":12" /></blockquote><blockquote>vaiśvadevānuṣṭhānādūrdhvaṃ bahirdeśe vāyasādibhyo bhūtebhyo yadbalipradānaṃ so'yaṃ bhūtayajña: ||</blockquote>वैश्वदेवः || Vaisvedeva is the offering of food to Agni, without which food cannot be cooked. Bhuta-Yajna involves feeding of animals, especially cows, ants and birds like crows that are present in the outside environment (not domesticated) and the ritual is called बलिप्रदानम् || Balipradana.

<blockquote>भूतयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यद्भूतेभ्यो बलिँ् हरति तद्भूतयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते -, इति ||<ref name=":12" /></blockquote><blockquote>bhūtayajñasya lakṣaṇamāha - yadbhatebhyo balim̐ harati tadbhūtayajña: saṃtiṣṭhate -, iti ||</blockquote>Meaning: Characteristics of Bhutayajna is now said - that bali offered to Bhutas (other life forms); that completes the bhutayajna.<blockquote>वैश्वदेवानुष्ठानादूर्ध्वं बहिर्देशे वायसादिभ्यो भूतेभ्यो यद्बलिप्रदानं सोऽयं भूतयज्ञ: || (Saya. Bhas)<ref name=":12" /></blockquote><blockquote>vaiśvadevānuṣṭhānādūrdhvaṃ bahirdeśe vāyasādibhyo bhūtebhyo yadbalipradānaṃ so'yaṃ bhūtayajña: ||</blockquote>वैश्वदेवः || Vaisvedeva is the offering of food to Agni, without which food cannot be cooked. Bhuta-Yajna involves feeding of animals, especially cows, ants and birds like crows that are present in the outside environment (not domesticated) and the ritual is called बलिप्रदानम् || Balipradana.

Every temple in the past had बलिपीठम् || Bali peetha on which the food (after Vaisvedava offering) is placed for feeding the hungry animals and birds.   

Every temple in the past had बलिपीठम् || Bali peetha on which the food (after Vaisvedava offering) is placed for feeding the hungry animals and birds.   

This is the fourth yajna and includes providing hospitality, food and water to hungry, uninvited अतिथिः || atithi (guests). अतिथि देवोभव || Atithi devobhava is the humane concept wherein any person irrespective of their birth, age and gender are offered essential items such as food and clothing without accepting anything in return.   

This is the fourth yajna and includes providing hospitality, food and water to hungry, uninvited अतिथिः || atithi (guests). अतिथि देवोभव || Atithi devobhava is the humane concept wherein any person irrespective of their birth, age and gender are offered essential items such as food and clothing without accepting anything in return.   

=== ब्रह्मयज्ञ: || Brahma Yajna  ===

=== ब्रह्मयज्ञ: || Brahma Yajna  ===

<blockquote>ब्रह्मयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यत्स्वाध्यायमधीयीतैकामप्यृचं यजु: सामं  वा तद्ब्रह्मयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते - , इति ||</blockquote><blockquote>स्वस्यासाधारणत्वेन पितृपितामहादिपरम्परया प्राप्ता वेदशाखा स्वाध्यायः | तत्र विद्यमानमृगादीनामन्यतममेकमपि वाक्यमधीयीतेति यत्सोऽयं ब्रह्मयज्ञः--- || (Saya. Bhas)<ref name=":12" /></blockquote><blockquote>brahmayajñasya lakṣaṇamāha - yatsvādhyāyamadhīyītaikāmapyṛcaṃ yaju: sāmaṃ vā tadbrahmayajña: saṃtiṃṣṭhate - , iti ||svasyāsādhāraṇatvena pitṛpitāmahādiparamparayā prāptā vedaśākhā svādhyāyaḥ | tatra vidyamānamṛgādīnāmanyatamamekamapi vākyamadhīyīteti yatso'yaṃ brahmayajñaḥ--- || (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote>Meaning : The characteristics of Brahmayajna are now said - when स्वाध्यायः || svadhyaya (regular study) of at least one of the Rig, Yajus and Sama vedas are performed, that completes the Brahmayajna.

<blockquote>ब्रह्मयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यत्स्वाध्यायमधीयीतैकामप्यृचं यजु: सामं  वा तद्ब्रह्मयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते - , इति ||</blockquote><blockquote>स्वस्यासाधारणत्वेन पितृपितामहादिपरम्परया प्राप्ता वेदशाखा स्वाध्यायः | तत्र विद्यमानमृगादीनामन्यतममेकमपि वाक्यमधीयीतेति यत्सोऽयं ब्रह्मयज्ञः--- || (Saya. Bhas)<ref name=":12" /></blockquote><blockquote>brahmayajñasya lakṣaṇamāha - yatsvādhyāyamadhīyītaikāmapyṛcaṃ yaju: sāmaṃ vā tadbrahmayajña: saṃtiṃṣṭhate - , iti ||</blockquote><blockquote>svasyāsādhāraṇatvena pitṛpitāmahādiparamparayā prāptā vedaśākhā svādhyāyaḥ | tatra vidyamānamṛgādīnāmanyatamamekamapi vākyamadhīyīteti yatso'yaṃ brahmayajñaḥ--- || (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote>Meaning : The characteristics of Brahmayajna are now said - when स्वाध्यायः || svadhyaya (regular study) of at least one of the Rig, Yajus and Sama vedas are performed, that completes the Brahmayajna.

According to Sayanacharya, स्वाध्यायः || svadhyaya is that where the vedashaka (veda) is conventionally handed down according to tradition by the forefathers (such as father and grandfather) to a person. A study of at least one word in such traditionally handed down veda is said to be Brahmayajna.  

According to Sayanacharya, स्वाध्यायः || svadhyaya is that where the vedashaka (veda) is conventionally handed down according to tradition by the forefathers (such as father and grandfather) to a person. A study of at least one word in such traditionally handed down veda is said to be Brahmayajna.