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Panchamahayajnas (Samskrit : पञ्चमहायज्ञाः) or the five great sacrifices is a very important part of the daily functions of a householder consisting of a set of five-fold duties. The performance of these five [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|yajnas]] is conducive to the spiritual evolution or growth of a man. An individual in [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana Dharma]] (सनातनधर्मः) observes these mahayajnas on a daily basis and gradually learns that he is not a separate entity, isolated creature or isolated unit, but is a part of a great whole.

Panchamahayajnas (Samskrit : पञ्चमहायज्ञाः) or the five great yajnas is a very important part of the daily functions of a householder consisting of a set of five-fold duties. The performance of these five [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|yajnas]] is conducive to the spiritual evolution or growth of a man. An individual in [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana Dharma]] (सनातनधर्मः) observes these mahayajnas on a daily basis and gradually learns that he is not a separate entity, isolated creature or isolated unit, but is a part of a great whole.

==  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 [[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 yajnas 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 yajnas 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 (पापम् | 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,     

* 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 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>

He must pay back his debt by performing these five yajnas daily. Further, numerous insects are killed by him unconsciously during walking, sweeping, grinding, cooking, etc. This papa is removed by performance of these five yajnas.<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).  

=== 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.)<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 samidha (समिधः | sacrificial material ) is offered into Agni, that completes Devayajna.  According to [[Sayanacharya (सायनाचार्यः)|Sayanacharya]] (सायणाचार्यः), Purodasha (पुरोडाशः | a special kind of havis made of cooked rice) is to be offered primarily as a ahuti (आहूतिः). 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 samidha (समिधः | yajnika material ) is offered into Agni, that completes Devayajna.  According to [[Sayanacharya (सायनाचार्यः)|Sayanacharya]] (सायणाचार्यः), Purodasha (पुरोडाशः | a special kind of havis made of cooked rice) is to be offered primarily as a ahuti (आहूतिः). 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)|Agnihotra]] (अग्निहोत्रम् | sacrificial fire). Havis are the offerings for Devatas made with the utterance of Svaha (स्वाहा) 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)|Agnihotra]] (अग्निहोत्रम् | yajnika agni). Havis are the offerings for Devatas made with the utterance of Svaha (स्वाहा) 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>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 Pindapradana (पिण्डप्रदानम् | offering of pindas made of rice) is made into fire with the chanting of svadha (स्वधा), but when that is not possible, even water offered to Pitrus with svadhakara (स्वधाकारः) 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 Pindapradana (पिण्डप्रदानम् | offering of pindas made of rice) is made into fire with the chanting of svadha (स्वधा), but when that is not possible, even water offered to Pitrus with svadhakara (स्वधाकारः) i.e using the mantras with svadha in the end or offering anything into the fire with svadha constitutes the Pirtuyajna.

According to Sayanacharya, svadhyaya is that where the vedashakha (वेदशाखा) 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, svadhyaya is that where the vedashakha (वेदशाखा) 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.  

This sacrifice is dedicated to the Vedas and their seers (Rishis) in the form of regular study (svadhyaya) of the sacred vedas and the teaching of it to deserving students (अध्यापनम् । adhyapana).

This yajna is dedicated to the Vedas and their seers (Rishis) in the form of regular study (svadhyaya) of the sacred vedas and the teaching of it to deserving students (अध्यापनम् । adhyapana).

These five functions are imperatives on every householder and they are rightly regarded as Mahayajnas (great sacrifices). These are the dharmas of a person in Grhastha ashrama.     

These five functions are imperatives on every householder and they are rightly regarded as Mahayajnas (great sacrifices). These are the dharmas of a person in Grhastha ashrama.     

Even if at times one is incapable of doing Manushya yajna, one must perform the Brahma and Deva yajnas . The offerings given to gods in the sacrificial fire goes to [[Surya (सूर्यः)|Surya]] and he sends rains to the earth which enable the plants to grow. Thus, food is obtained and Vedas say this is the cause for the living beings to increase. A share of food is given to them as a token of one's remembrance of them. The quantity that is offered is not important; it is the mental state of expressing gratitude and feeling that is associated with it that is of consequence in conducting these yajnas. Just as how all animals and objects depend on the life-breath for living, Brahmachari, Vanaprastha (वानप्रस्थः) and Sanyasi are dependent on the Grhastha for sustenance. Therefore, the Grhastha ashrama is the best of all ashramas according to Manusmriti (chap 3).  

Even if at times one is incapable of doing Manushya yajna, one must perform the Brahma and Deva yajnas . The offerings given to gods in the yajnika agni goes to [[Surya (सूर्यः)|Surya]] and he sends rains to the earth which enable the plants to grow. Thus, food is obtained and Vedas say this is the cause for the living beings to increase. A share of food is given to them as a token of one's remembrance of them. The quantity that is offered is not important; it is the mental state of expressing gratitude and feeling that is associated with it that is of consequence in conducting these yajnas. Just as how all animals and objects depend on the life-breath for living, Brahmachari, Vanaprastha (वानप्रस्थः) and Sanyasi are dependent on the Grhastha for sustenance. Therefore, the Grhastha ashrama is the best of all ashramas according to Manusmriti (chap 3).  

== संवादः || Discussion ==

== संवादः || Discussion ==

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{{#evu:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzfTZQigCRw&t=1212s

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These, in ordinary religious parlance, are called the Panchamahayajnas, or the five great sacrifices which a householder, especially in India, has to perform. These sacrifices mean the way in which one recognizes one’s own self in the variety of creation that he sees before him, by means of sympathy, consideration and feeling for others<ref>The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad by Swami Krishnananda ([https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/brdup_audio/brdup-12.pdf Discourse-12)]</ref>. That is the first step that one takes before moving on to the difficult task of complete identification with the [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atma]] (आत्मन् । Inner Being) of all things.

These, in ordinary religious parlance, are called the Panchamahayajnas, or the five great yajnas which a householder, especially in India, has to perform. These yajnas mean the way in which one recognizes one’s own self in the variety of creation that he sees before him, by means of sympathy, consideration and feeling for others<ref>The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad by Swami Krishnananda ([https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/brdup_audio/brdup-12.pdf Discourse-12)]</ref>. That is the first step that one takes before moving on to the difficult task of complete identification with the [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atma]] (आत्मन् । Inner Being) of all things.

The sympathy and compassion that one psychologically exercises in respect of others is the first step. The identity with others is a more difficult thing to feel and maintain that bhavana (feeling). To feel for others is easier than to become others though that is the ideal. So, the [[Upanishads (उपनिषदाः)|Upanishad]] tells us, try to feel for others first and manifest this feeling in your actions before you totally become, or aspire to become one with them.

The sympathy and compassion that one psychologically exercises in respect of others is the first step. The identity with others is a more difficult thing to feel and maintain that bhavana (feeling). To feel for others is easier than to become others though that is the ideal. So, the [[Upanishads (उपनिषदाः)|Upanishad]] tells us, try to feel for others first and manifest this feeling in your actions before you totally become, or aspire to become one with them.