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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.     

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 (पापम् | sins) accrued in different ways. They are,     

* संस्काराः || Samskaras (10 of the षोडश-संस्काराः ॥ Shodasa samskaras)   

* संस्काराः || Samskaras (10 of the षोडश-संस्काराः ॥ Shodasa samskaras)   

* वेदव्रताः || Vedavratas (4)   

* वेदव्रताः || Vedavratas (4)   

* nature (including the animate ie. plants and animals and inanimate ie. the panchabhutas) and  

* nature (including the animate ie. plants and animals and inanimate ie. the panchabhutas) and  

* fellow human beings (for their support in society).

* 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, Vettam. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass.</ref>

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 papa is removed by performance of these five sacrifices.<ref>Mani, Vettam. (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 Ekadashi (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 Ekadashi (fast on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight).  

* '''[[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>

* '''[[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 papa (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>

== As given in Taittriya Aranyaka ==

== As given in Taittriya Aranyaka ==

* 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 papas 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: सतति 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.

<blockquote>तद्विधिप्रसङ्गेन पञ्चमहायज्ञान्विधत्ते |  </blockquote><blockquote>tadvidhiprasaṅgena pañcamahāyajñānvidhatte | </blockquote>Meaning : The procedure to perform panchamahayajnas is now given<blockquote>पञ्च वा एते महायज्ञा: सतति 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.