Changes

==  परिचयः || Introduction ==

==  परिचयः || Introduction ==

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.     

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 [[Upanayana (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 (संस्काराः)]] 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 (संस्काराः)]] 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,     

* '''Shatapata Brahmana''' emphasises the grhastha dharma of performing the five yajnas in पञ्चमहायज्ञब्राह्मणम् of Adhyaya 5 of Kanda 11 thus,<ref>Shatapatha Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AB/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AC Kanda 11 Adhyaya 5])</ref>

* '''Shatapata Brahmana''' emphasises the grhastha dharma of performing the five yajnas in पञ्चमहायज्ञब्राह्मणम् of Adhyaya 5 of Kanda 11 thus,<ref>Shatapatha Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AB/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AC Kanda 11 Adhyaya 5])</ref>

<blockquote>पञ्चैव महायज्ञाः। तान्येव महासत्त्राणि भूतयज्ञो मनुष्ययज्ञः पितृयज्ञो देवयज्ञो ब्रह्मयज्ञ इति - ११.५.६.[१]</blockquote><blockquote>pañcaiva mahāyajñāḥ। tānyēva mahāsattrāṇi bhūtayajñō manuṣyayajñaḥ pitr̥yajñō dēvayajñō brahmayajña iti - 11.5.6.[1]</blockquote>Summary: Only five are the mahayajnas. These are the mahasatras. They are yajnas for the bhutas, all created beings; yajna for manushyas, the human beings; yajna for pitrs, the ancestors; yajna for devas, residing in different aspects of creation; yajna for Brahman, the font of all knowledge.<ref name=":02">Bajaj, Jitendra and Mandayam, Srinivas. (1996) ''Annam Bahu Kurvita.'' Madras: Centre for Policy Studies Madras</ref>

<blockquote>पञ्चैव महायज्ञाः। तान्येव महासत्त्राणि भूतयज्ञो मनुष्ययज्ञः पितृयज्ञो देवयज्ञो ब्रह्मयज्ञ इति - ११.५.६.[१]</blockquote><blockquote>pañcaiva mahāyajñāḥ। tānyēva mahāsattrāṇi bhūtayajñō manuṣyayajñaḥ pitr̥yajñō dēvayajñō brahmayajña iti - 11.5.6.[1]</blockquote>Summary: Only five are the mahayajnas. These are the mahasatras. They are yajnas for the bhutas, all created beings; yajna for manushyas, the human beings; yajna for pitrs, the ancestors; yajna for devas, residing in different aspects of creation; yajna for Brahman, the font of all knowledge.<ref name=":02">Bajaj, Jitendra and Mandayam, Srinivas. (1996) ''Annam Bahu Kurvita.'' Madras: Centre for Policy Studies Madras</ref>

* [[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>

* '''[[Manusmrti (मनुस्मृतिः)|Manusmrti]]''' 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>

<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 sin (पापम्) - attributable to killing of numerous small beings such as ants, insects and such minute organisms unconsciously.<blockquote>अध्यापनं ब्रह्मयज्ञः पितृयज्ञस्तु तर्पणम् । होमो दैवो बलिर्भौती नृयज्ञोऽतिथिपूजनम् ॥ ३-७० (Manu. Smri. 3.70)</blockquote><blockquote>adhyāpanaṃ brahmayajñaḥ pitṛyajñastu tarpaṇam । homo daivo balirbhautī nṛyajño'tithipūjanam ॥ 3-70 (Manu. Smri. 3.70)</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 sin (पापम्) - attributable to killing of numerous small beings such as ants, insects and such minute organisms unconsciously.<blockquote>अध्यापनं ब्रह्मयज्ञः पितृयज्ञस्तु तर्पणम् । होमो दैवो बलिर्भौती नृयज्ञोऽतिथिपूजनम् ॥ ३-७० (Manu. Smri. 3.70)</blockquote><blockquote>adhyāpanaṃ brahmayajñaḥ pitṛyajñastu tarpaṇam । homo daivo balirbhautī nṛyajño'tithipūjanam ॥ 3-70 (Manu. Smri. 3.70)</blockquote>

*'''Garuda Purana''' (Adhyaya 115 according to Shabdakalpadruma and Vachaspatya<ref>Vachaspatyam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AF See Under Yajna])</ref>) (1.213.144)<ref>Garuda Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A9 Acharakanda Adhyaya 213])</ref> cites the above Manusmriti shloka (3.70) for Panchamahayajnas.  

*'''Garuda Purana''' (Adhyaya 115 according to Shabdakalpadruma and Vachaspatya<ref>Vachaspatyam ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AF See Under Yajna])</ref>) (1.213.144)<ref>Garuda Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A9 Acharakanda Adhyaya 213])</ref> cites the above Manusmriti shloka (3.70) for Panchamahayajnas.  

Meaning : Teaching of [[Vedas (वेदाः)|Vedas]] is called Brahmayajna, (offering of) Tarpana is called Pitryajna, performance of Homa is Devayajna, offering of oblations is Bhutayajna, and the hospitality to guests is Nryajna.<ref>Shastri, J. L (1979) ''[https://archive.org/details/13GarudaPurana.Vol.2_201802 The Garuda Purana, Part 2]'' Delhi:Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>

Meaning : Teaching of [[Vedas (वेदाः)|Vedas]] is called Brahmayajna, (offering of) Tarpana is called Pitryajna, performance of Homa is Devayajna, offering of oblations is Bhutayajna, and the hospitality to guests is Nryajna.<ref>Shastri, J. L (1979) ''[https://archive.org/details/13GarudaPurana.Vol.2_201802 The Garuda Purana, Part 2]'' Delhi:Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>

* Panchamahayajnas have been described in [[Grhya Sutras|Grhyasutras]]. Given in '''Ashvalayana Grhyasutras''' as below

* Panchamahayajnas have been described in [[Grhyasutras]]. Given in '''Ashvalayana Grhyasutras''' as below

<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 (आग्निः)|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 (आग्निः)|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.