Changes

The details of earliest performance of Yajnas have been described in a few texts and are associated with deities such as Varaha (form of Vishnu) and Prajapati. Origin of various kinds of Yajnas is described in Kalika Purana, where the creation of the world from the body of Vishnu as Yajna-Varaha. After the earth was recovered from the depths of the waters by Varaha, an incarnation of Vishnu, the gigantic body of the Varaha had to be disposed off. Shiva assumed the form of Sharabha and undertook to strike at it and Vishnu cuts it into pieces using his chakra (disc). From the joints of the various body parts separate yajnas came forth according to this legend.<ref name=":22">Prof. S. K. Ramachandra Rao's : ''[https://ia801405.us.archive.org/26/items/principlesofyajnavidhiramachandraraos.k._202003_229_P/Principles%20of%20Yajna%20Vidhi%20%20Ramachandra%20Rao%20S.K.%20.pdf Principles of Yajna Vidhi]''</ref>

The details of earliest performance of Yajnas have been described in a few texts and are associated with deities such as Varaha (form of Vishnu) and Prajapati. Origin of various kinds of Yajnas is described in Kalika Purana, where the creation of the world from the body of Vishnu as Yajna-Varaha. After the earth was recovered from the depths of the waters by Varaha, an incarnation of Vishnu, the gigantic body of the Varaha had to be disposed off. Shiva assumed the form of Sharabha and undertook to strike at it and Vishnu cuts it into pieces using his chakra (disc). From the joints of the various body parts separate yajnas came forth according to this legend.<ref name=":22">Prof. S. K. Ramachandra Rao's : ''[https://ia801405.us.archive.org/26/items/principlesofyajnavidhiramachandraraos.k._202003_229_P/Principles%20of%20Yajna%20Vidhi%20%20Ramachandra%20Rao%20S.K.%20.pdf Principles of Yajna Vidhi]''</ref>

'''''Jyotishtoma (ज्योतिष्टोम)''''' emerged from the joint between the eyebrows and the snout. '''''Agnishtoma (वह्निष्टोम)''''' from the joint between the jaws and the ears; '''''Vratyastoma (व्रात्यस्तोम)''''' from the meeting place between eyes and eyebrows; '''Paunarbhavastoma (पौनर्भवस्तोम)''' from the spot where the snout and lips meet; '''Vrddhastoma (वृद्धस्तोम)''' and '''Brhatstoma (बृहत्स्तोम)''' from the root of the tongue; '''Atiratra (अतिरात्र)''' from under the tongue; the '''Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)''' from the neck-point; Ashvamedha, '''Mahamedha (महामेध), Naramedha (नरमेध)''', and all other yajnas which involve from the foot joints; '''Rajasuya (राजसूय), Kariiri (कारीरी), Vajapeya (वाजपेय)''' and the '''Grhyayajnas (ग्रहयज्ञा)''' - from the hind parts; '''Pratistosarga-yajna (प्रतिष्ठोत्सर्गयज्ञा),''' '''Dana-shradda (दानश्राद्धा)''' and '''Savitri yajna (सावित्रीयज्ञ)''' from the joints in the area of the heart; '''Prayaschitta-yajna (प्रायश्चित्तकराश्च)''' from the joints in the penis region; '''Raksha-satra (रक्षःसत्रं)''', '''Sarpa-satra (सर्पसत्रं)''', '''Gomedha (गोमेध)''' and all the '''abhicharika rites (सर्वञ्चैवाभिचारिकम्)''' from the hooves of the feet; '''Mayeshti (मायेष्टिः), Parameshti (परमेष्टिश्च)''', and all other annual and '''naimittika yajnas (नैमित्तिकाश्च)''' from the tail joint and so on. In all, one thousand and eight yajnas were thus produced.<ref name=":22" />

'''''Jyotishtoma (ज्योतिष्टोम)''''' emerged from the joint between the eyebrows and the snout. '''''Agnishtoma (वह्निष्टोम)''''' from the joint between the jaws and the ears; '''''Vratyastoma (व्रात्यस्तोम)''''' from the meeting place between eyes and eyebrows; '''Paunarbhavastoma (पौनर्भवस्तोम)''' from the spot where the snout and lips meet; '''Vrddhastoma (वृद्धस्तोम)''' and '''Brhatstoma (बृहत्स्तोम)''' from the root of the tongue; '''Atiratra (अतिरात्र)''' from under the tongue; the '''Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)''' from the neck-point; Ashvamedha, '''Mahamedha (महामेध), Naramedha (नरमेध)''', and all other yajnas which involve from the foot joints; '''Rajasuya (राजसूय), Kariiri (कारीरी), Vajapeya (वाजपेय)''' and the '''Grhyayajnas (ग्रहयज्ञा)''' - from the hind parts; '''Pratistosarga-yajna (प्रतिष्ठोत्सर्गयज्ञा),''' '''Dana-shradda (दानश्राद्धा)''' and '''Savitri yajna (सावित्रीयज्ञ)''' from the joints in the area of the heart; '''Upanayana and other samskaras''' and '''Prayaschitta-yajna (प्रायश्चित्तकराश्च)''' from the joints in the penis region; '''Raksha-satra (रक्षःसत्रं)''', '''Sarpa-satra (सर्पसत्रं)''', '''Gomedha (गोमेध), Vrkshayajnas''' and all the '''abhicharika rites (सर्वञ्चैवाभिचारिकम्)''' from the hooves of the feet; '''Mayeshti (मायेष्टिः), Parameshti (परमेष्टिश्च)''', and all other '''yajnas during sankrantis''' and '''naimittika yajnas (नैमित्तिकाश्च)''' from the tail joint and so on. In all, one thousand and eight yajnas were thus produced.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":22" />

 

Along with the yajnas that arose, various implements and vessels used, the items of oblation, details of structural requirements of yajna vedis were also produced from the dismembered body of Yajna-Varaha; the ladles known as sruk from the snout, sruva from the nostrils, Pragvamsha (one of the housing area of yajnas) from the neck region, Istapurti and Yajurveda dharmas from the earholes, Yupas (wooden posts to tie animals) came from teeth (tusks), the Kusha-grass from the hairs of the body. From the four feet came the four rtviks (Hotr, Adhvaryu, Udgatr and Brahma), Purodasa and Charu offerings from the brain, Kakhu from the eyes, yajna-ketu from the hooves. The middle portion of the animal's body became the yajna-vedi, the back of the Varaha changed into the yajnalaya; the penis converted into the fire-pit, genital areas came forth Ajya, svadha and matra. From the heart of Varaha issued forth the yajna itself.<ref name=":1" />

== Yajnas in Rig Veda ==

== Yajnas in Rig Veda ==