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→‎Features of Pakayajnas: added table and reference
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=== चत्वारः पाकयज्ञाः ॥ Four kinds ===
 
=== चत्वारः पाकयज्ञाः ॥ Four kinds ===
Paraskara and Shankhayana, however, mention four kinds of Pakayajnas in a different context. They are Huta (हुतः), Ahuta (अहुतः), Prahuta (प्रहुतः), Prashita (प्राशितः)<blockquote>चत्वारः पाकयज्ञा हुतोऽहुतः प्रहुतः प्राशित इति १ (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 1.4.1)<ref name=":3">Paraskara Grhyasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%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 Full Text])</ref><ref name=":5">Shankhayana Grhyasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%96%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 Full Text])</ref></blockquote>Shankhayana explains the four kinds, Huta is that in which offering is made into the Agnihotra (here it is the grhyagni), Ahuta means an offering of Balis, Prahuta involves offerings to the Pitrs, Prashita is an offering to Brahmanas (food given to Brahmanas).<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>हुतोऽग्निहोत्रहोमेनाहुतो बलिकर्मणा प्रहुतः पितृकर्मणा प्राशितो ब्राह्मणे हुतः ७ (Shan. Grhy. Sutr. 1.10.7)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote>According to Manusmrti, Ahuta, Huta, Prahuta, Braahmya-huta and Prasita are also the names of the [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]]. <blockquote>अहुतं च हुतं चैव तथा प्रहुतं एव च । ब्राह्म्यं हुतं प्राशितं च पञ्चयज्ञान्प्रचक्षते ।। ३.७३।।  जपोऽहुतो हुतो होमः प्रहुतो भौतिको बलिः । ब्राह्म्यं हुतं द्विजाग्र्यार्चा प्राशितं पितृतर्पणम् । । ३.७४ (Manu. Smrt. 3.73-74)<ref>Manusmrti ([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 Adhyaya 3])</ref></blockquote>The five 'great yajnas are called Ahutam, Hutam, Prahutam, Brahma-hutam, and Prashitam. Ahuta stands for the recitation of vedas, Huta for homa, Prahuta for the Bali offered to the bhutas (Baliharana), Brahmahuta for the respectful hospitality show to Brahmanas and uninvited guests. Prashita stands for tarpana offered to Pitrs.<ref>Pt. Manamathnath Dutt (1979) ''The Dharam shastra, Hindu Religious codes, Volume 5.'' New Delhi:Cosmo Publications. (Page 95)</ref>
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Paraskara and Shankhayana, however, mention four kinds of Pakayajnas in a different context. They are Huta (हुतः), Ahuta (अहुत), Prahuta (प्रहुतः), Prashita (प्राशितः)<blockquote>चत्वारः पाकयज्ञा हुतोऽहुतः प्रहुतः प्राशित इति १ (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 1.4.1)<ref name=":3">Paraskara Grhyasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%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 Full Text])</ref><ref name=":5">Shankhayana Grhyasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%96%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 Full Text])</ref></blockquote>Paraskara explains Ahutada (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 2.15.3) are the Marutganas who are said to be the consumers or "eaters" of Ahuta or Bali offerings. To them instead of Ajya offerings Bali is offered.
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Shankhayana explains the four kinds, Huta is that in which offering is made into the Agnihotra (here it is the grhyagni), Ahuta means an offering of Balis, Prahuta involves offerings to the Pitrs, Prashita is an offering to Brahmanas (food given to Brahmanas).<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>हुतोऽग्निहोत्रहोमेनाहुतो बलिकर्मणा प्रहुतः पितृकर्मणा प्राशितो ब्राह्मणे हुतः ७ (Shan. Grhy. Sutr. 1.10.7)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote>According to Manusmrti, Ahuta, Huta, Prahuta, Braahmya-huta and Prasita are also the names of the [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]]. <blockquote>अहुतं च हुतं चैव तथा प्रहुतं एव च । ब्राह्म्यं हुतं प्राशितं च पञ्चयज्ञान्प्रचक्षते ।। ३.७३।।  जपोऽहुतो हुतो होमः प्रहुतो भौतिको बलिः । ब्राह्म्यं हुतं द्विजाग्र्यार्चा प्राशितं पितृतर्पणम् । । ३.७४ (Manu. Smrt. 3.73-74)<ref>Manusmrti ([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 Adhyaya 3])</ref></blockquote>The five 'great yajnas are called Ahutam, Hutam, Prahutam, Brahma-hutam, and Prashitam. Ahuta stands for the recitation of vedas, Huta for homa, Prahuta for the Bali offered to the bhutas (Baliharana), Brahmahuta for the respectful hospitality show to Brahmanas and uninvited guests. Prashita stands for tarpana offered to Pitrs.<ref>Pt. Manamathnath Dutt (1979) ''The Dharam shastra, Hindu Religious codes, Volume 5.'' New Delhi:Cosmo Publications. (Page 95)</ref>
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|+Similarities between Panchamahayajnas and Pakayajnas
 
|+Similarities between Panchamahayajnas and Pakayajnas
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# संस्कारा उच्यन्ते ॥ In them are covered the Samskaras
 
# संस्कारा उच्यन्ते ॥ In them are covered the Samskaras
 
# Mostly deities and in few instances the ancestors are offered ahutis in these yajnas
 
# Mostly deities and in few instances the ancestors are offered ahutis in these yajnas
#
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{| class="wikitable"
 +
|+Typical Features of Pakayajnas<ref name=":32">Sen, Chitrabhanu. (1978) ''A Dictionary of the Vedic Rituals. Based on the Srauta and Grhya Sutras.'' Delhi : Concept Publishing Company</ref>
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!
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!Pakayajnas
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!Deities
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!Frequency
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!Time of Performance
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|-
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|1
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|औपासनहोमः ॥ Aupanasa homa
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|Devatas
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|Everyday
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|Nityakarma starting from vivaha samskara, in the morning and at dusk
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|-
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|2
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|वैश्वदेवम् ॥ Vaisvedeva
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|Devatas
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|Twice everyday
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|Morning and evening
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|-
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|3
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|पार्वणः ॥ Paarvana
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|Shraddha for Ancestors
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|Once a month
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|On Parva day (Amavasya) the full moon day of the month especially in Bhadrapada masa (September) (page 161)
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|-
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|4
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|Ashtaka (अष्टका )
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|Shraddha for Ancestors
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|Once a year
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|Ashtami tithi of Krishnapaksha of Moon (8th day of Dark fortnights) of Margashira, Paushya and Magha masas December to January) (Pages 132-133)
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|-
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|5
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|मासिश्राद्धम् ॥ Masishraddham
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|Shraddha for Ancestors
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|Once a month
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|On Parva day (Amavasya) the new moon day of the month, in Aparahnna time i.e., afternoon (page 149)
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|-
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|6
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|सर्पबलिः ॥ Sarpabali
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|Bali to snakes
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|Once a year
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|Paurnami or Fullmoon day of Sravana masa (August) after sunset
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|-
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|7
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|ईशानबलिः ॥ Ishanabali
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|Rudra
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|Once a year
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|Autumn or spring.
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|}
    
== गृह्याग्निः ॥ Grhyaagni ==
 
== गृह्याग्निः ॥ Grhyaagni ==
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The Grhyaagni - the grhya fire, and the associated karmas are found mentioned in the brahmanas.<blockquote>...गृहान्पश्चा'''द्गृह्यस्याग्ने'''रुपविष्टायान्वातब्धाय ऋत्विगन्ततः कंसेन चतुर्गृहीतस्तिस्र...। (Aita. Brah. 8.10)<ref name=":2">Aitareya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%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%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%AE_(%E0%A4%85%E0 Panchika 8])</ref></blockquote>A few sutras mention the term Grhyagni in the procedure of morning and evening homas to be performed along with the wife, in grhyagni.<blockquote>स यदेवान्त्यां समिधमभ्यादधाति जायाया वा पाणिं जिघृक्षन्जुहोति तमभिसंयच्छेत् २० स एवास्य गृह्योऽग्निर्भवति २१ (Gobh. Grhy. Sutr. 1.1.20-21)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>Grhyagni is called variously in different texts as follows
 
The Grhyaagni - the grhya fire, and the associated karmas are found mentioned in the brahmanas.<blockquote>...गृहान्पश्चा'''द्गृह्यस्याग्ने'''रुपविष्टायान्वातब्धाय ऋत्विगन्ततः कंसेन चतुर्गृहीतस्तिस्र...। (Aita. Brah. 8.10)<ref name=":2">Aitareya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%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%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%AE_(%E0%A4%85%E0 Panchika 8])</ref></blockquote>A few sutras mention the term Grhyagni in the procedure of morning and evening homas to be performed along with the wife, in grhyagni.<blockquote>स यदेवान्त्यां समिधमभ्यादधाति जायाया वा पाणिं जिघृक्षन्जुहोति तमभिसंयच्छेत् २० स एवास्य गृह्योऽग्निर्भवति २१ (Gobh. Grhy. Sutr. 1.1.20-21)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>Grhyagni is called variously in different texts as follows
* औपासानाग्निः ॥ Aupasana agni
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* औपासानाग्निः ॥ Aupasana agni (पाणिग्रहणादिरग्निस्तमौपासनमित्याचक्षते १ Hira. Grhy. Sutr. 7.26.1) <ref>Hiranyakeshi Grhyasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%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 Full Text])</ref>
 
* एकाग्निः ॥ Ekagni
 
* एकाग्निः ॥ Ekagni
 
* आवसथ्याग्निः ॥ Aavasathyagni (आवसथ्याधानं दारकाले १ Para. Grhy. Sutr. 1.2.1)<ref name=":3" />
 
* आवसथ्याग्निः ॥ Aavasathyagni (आवसथ्याधानं दारकाले १ Para. Grhy. Sutr. 1.2.1)<ref name=":3" />
 
* स्मार्ताग्निः ॥ Smarta agni
 
* स्मार्ताग्निः ॥ Smarta agni
 
* लौकिकाग्निः ॥ Laukikagni
 
* लौकिकाग्निः ॥ Laukikagni
The grhastha is supposed to perform nityakarmas such as [[Aupasana (औपासनः)|Aupasana]], twice a day, in the grhyagni, which is rite replacing the [[Samidadhana (समिदाधानम्)|samidadhanam]] performed during [[Brahmacharyashrama (ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमः)|Brahmacharyashrama]]. This same agni is used for all the later samskaras of the family, such as upanayana, vivaha and even [[Shraddha (श्राद्धम्)|shraddha]]. When the son gets married the father's vivaha agni is used to initiate the son's vivaha homa, thus it is preserved eternally, handed down to generations.  
+
The grhastha is supposed to perform nityakarmas such as [[Aupasana (औपासनः)|Aupasana]], twice a day, in the grhyagni, which is rite replacing the [[Samidadhana (समिदाधानम्)|samidadhanam]] performed during [[Brahmacharyashrama (ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमः)|Brahmacharyashrama]]. According to Hiranyakeshi Paraskara grhyasutras he is called Ahitagni. This same agni is used for all the later samskaras of the family, such as upanayana, vivaha and even [[Shraddha (श्राद्धम्)|shraddha]]. When the son gets married the father's vivaha agni is used to initiate the son's vivaha homa, thus it is preserved eternally, handed down to generations.  
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The grhyagni is set up primarily by a prospective grhastha at the time of his wedding. Upon the death of the father, in a joint family, the eldest of the brothers should set up the grhyagni. Usually it is kindled using the [[Agnyadhana (अग्न्याधानम्)|Agnyadhana]] procedure on an Amavasya or new moon day at an auspicious time.   
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The grhyagni is set up primarily by a prospective grhastha at the time of his wedding (दारकाले) or at the time of division of the ancestral property, individually, by the sons (दायाद्यकाल). Upon the death of the father, in a joint family, the eldest of the brothers should set up the grhyagni. Usually it is kindled using the [[Agnyadhana (अग्न्याधानम्)|Agnyadhana]] procedure on an Amavasya or new moon day at an auspicious time.   
    
The homa is performed uttering the "Svaha" to be constantly pronounced at the end of each mantra. Pakayajna is the name of that which is performed in Ekagni. Here the Rtvik is not to perform but oneself has to perform the morning and evening homa on his own. <blockquote>स्वाहान्ता मन्त्रा होमेष १९ पाकयज्ञ इत्याख्या यः कश्चैकाग्नौ २० तत्रर्त्विग्ब्रह्मा सायंप्रातर्होमवर्जम् २१ स्वयं हौत्रम् २२ (Khad. Grhy. Sutr. 1.1.19-22)<ref>Khadira Grhyasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%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 Full Text])</ref></blockquote>Although there is little unanimity among the Grhyasutras regarding the names of deities to who the ahutis are given, the following deities are mentioned by most of the texts: Agni, Soma, Prajapati, Dhanvantari, Visvedevas, Agni Svishtakrit, Anumati, Brahman.
 
The homa is performed uttering the "Svaha" to be constantly pronounced at the end of each mantra. Pakayajna is the name of that which is performed in Ekagni. Here the Rtvik is not to perform but oneself has to perform the morning and evening homa on his own. <blockquote>स्वाहान्ता मन्त्रा होमेष १९ पाकयज्ञ इत्याख्या यः कश्चैकाग्नौ २० तत्रर्त्विग्ब्रह्मा सायंप्रातर्होमवर्जम् २१ स्वयं हौत्रम् २२ (Khad. Grhy. Sutr. 1.1.19-22)<ref>Khadira Grhyasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%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 Full Text])</ref></blockquote>Although there is little unanimity among the Grhyasutras regarding the names of deities to who the ahutis are given, the following deities are mentioned by most of the texts: Agni, Soma, Prajapati, Dhanvantari, Visvedevas, Agni Svishtakrit, Anumati, Brahman.

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