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A very important part of the daily functions of a householder consists of a set of fivefold duties called पञ्चमहायज्ञ Pancha-Mahayajnas (five great sacrifices).  The performance of these five yajnas is conducive to the spiritual evolution or growth of a man. An individual in Sanatana Dharma observes these mahayagnas on a daily basis and gradually learns that he is not a separate entity or isolated creature or isolated unit, but is a part of a great whole.

A very important part of the daily functions of a householder consists of a set of fivefold duties called पञ्चमहायज्ञ Pancha-Mahayajnas (five great sacrifices).  The performance of these five yajnas is conducive to the spiritual evolution or growth of a man. An individual in Sanatana Dharma observes these mahayagnas on a daily basis and gradually learns that he is not a separate entity or isolated creature or isolated unit, but is a part of a great whole.

==  Introduction ==

==  परिचय || Introduction ==

Dharma sastras proclaim that samskaaras 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. All human beings, especially the Dvija (after upanayanam) or twice born and grihasthas are required to perform a number of sacrifices with oblations for gods, ancestors and guardians in accordance with the vedic mantras laid down for a righteous living. Scholars differ in the number of samskaras being forty and a few saying 25 and 16. Goutama smriti accounts the following - Garbhadana, Pumsavana, Seemantam, Upanayanam,     

Dharma sastras proclaim that samskaaras 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. All human beings, especially the Dvija (after upanayanam) or twice born and grihasthas are required to perform a number of sacrifices with oblations for gods, ancestors and guardians in accordance with the vedic mantras laid down for a righteous living. Scholars differ in the number of samskaras being forty and a few saying 25 and 16. Goutama smriti accounts the following - Garbhadana, Pumsavana, Seemantam, Upanayanam,     

== Samskaram ==

== संस्कारम् || Samskaram ==

Forty samskaras that have been prescribed by Goutama Smriti, as a part of purificatory activities, for not just the physical body but the Jeevatma and for removal of paapam or sins accrued in different ways. They are the Samskaras (11 of the Shodasa samskaras), Vedavratas (4), Panchamahayagnas (5) Paakayagnas (7), Haviryagnas (7), and Somayagnas (7).   

Forty samskaras that have been prescribed by Goutama Smriti, as a part of purificatory activities, for not just the physical body but the Jeevatma and for removal of paapam or sins accrued in different ways. They are the Samskaras (11 of the Shodasa samskaras), Vedavratas (4), Panchamahayagnas (5) Paakayagnas (7), Haviryagnas (7), and Somayagnas (7).   

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 Ekadasi or 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 Ekadasi or fast on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight.  

==    The Five Mahayajnas ==

==    The Five महायज्न || Mahayajnas ==

For a grihastha (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 paapam or sins (attributable to killing of numerous small beings such as ants, insects and such minute organisms unconsciously). The ancient rishis have prescribed these Panchamahayagnas as given in Taittiriya Aranyaka (2.10) for removal of these sins.   

For a grihastha (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 paapam or sins (attributable to killing of numerous small beings such as ants, insects and such minute organisms unconsciously). The ancient rishis have prescribed these Panchamahayagnas as given in Taittiriya Aranyaka (2.10) for removal of these sins.   

# The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad by Swami Krishnananda (Discourse-12) 9

# The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad by Swami Krishnananda (Discourse-12) 9

# http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/practice/Process.of.Spiritual.Practice.pdf

# http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/practice/Process.of.Spiritual.Practice.pdf

# https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft

# <nowiki>https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft</nowiki>