Changes

* सोमयज्ञाः || Somayajnas (7)   

* सोमयज्ञाः || Somayajnas (7)   

Panchamahayajnas are performed by a person in the Grhastha 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 pitrus (पितृ-s | 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 [[Grhasthashrama (गृहस्थाश्रमः)|Grhastha 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 [[Brahmacharyashrama (ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमः)|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 pitrus (पितृ-s | 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 ashrama, his duties become multifold as he enters the Grhastha ashrama. The physical body constitutes the [[Panchabhutas (पञ्चभूत)|panchabhutas]] and is obtained from his parents, nourished by the milk of cows, grains, vegetables and fruits. The Devas and the Pitrus 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)|panchabhutas]] and is obtained from his parents, nourished by the milk of cows, grains, vegetables and fruits. The Devas and the Pitrus 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.   

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

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

=== भूतयज्ञ: || Bhuta Yajna  ===

=== भूतयज्ञ: || Bhuta Yajna  ===

<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>Vaishvedeva (वैश्वदेवः) 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 Balipradana (बलिप्रदानम्).

<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>Vaishvedeva (वैश्वदेवः) is the offering of food to Agni, without which food cannot be cooked. [[Bhuta Yajna (भूतयज्ञः)|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 Balipradana (बलिप्रदानम्).

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

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