Difference between revisions of "Nru Yajna (नृयज्ञः)"

Latest revision as of 14:41, 28 May 2019

Nru Yajna (Samskrit: नृयज्ञः), also called as Manushya Yajna (मनुष्ययज्ञः) is one of the Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञ-s | five great sacrifices) prescribed for the Grhasthashramis (गृहस्थाश्रमी-s | householders).

परिचयः ॥ Introduction

It is said that,

नृयज्ञोऽतिथिपूजनम् | nr̥yajño'tithipūjanam । (Manu. Smrt. 3.70)^[1]

Meaning : The honouring of Guests is ‘offering to men’ (Nru Yajna).^[2]

It refers to respectful reception of brahmanas^[3] - ब्राह्म्यं हुतं द्विजाग्र्यार्चा | brāhmyaṁ hutaṁ dvijāgryārcāis |^[1] Hence, it is also called Brahmya-huta. (Manu. Smrt. 3.74)

नृयज्ञकर्माणि ॥ Constituents of Nru Yajna

According to Manusmrti,

Bhikshadana (भिक्षादानम् | Giving alms)
Atithi satkara (अतिथिसत्कारः | Taking care of guests)

are the two most important components of Nru Yajna.

अतिथिसत्कारः ॥ Offering hospitality to guests

Amongst atithi satkara and bhikshadana, atithi satkara (अतिथिसत्कारः | taking care of guests) takes precedence. It is said,

कृत्वैतद्बलिकर्मैवं अतिथिं पूर्वं आशयेत् । भिक्षां च भिक्षवे दद्याद्विधिवद्ब्रह्मचारिणे । । ३.९४ । ।^[1]

kr̥tvaitadbalikarmaivaṁ atithiṁ pūrvaṁ āśayet । bhikṣāṁ ca bhikṣave dadyādvidhivadbrahmacāriṇe । । 3.94 । ।

Meaning: After having performed the Bali offering (Bhuta Yajna), one should first honour guests and then give alms to an ascetic and a student according to the prescribed rules. (Manu. Smrt. 3.94)^[3]

Manusmrti also discusses in detail about

Who is considered a guest ? Who is entitled to hospitality ?
What are the things to be offered to a guest ?
The Principles of hospitality, etc.

And among the offerings, it is Annadana (अन्नदानम् | offering of food to the hungry) that is held in high regard in the Indian culture. It is said that,

विद्यातपःसमृद्धेषु हुतं विप्रमुखाग्निषु । निस्तारयति दुर्गाच्च महतश्चैव किल्बिषात् । । ३.९८ । ।^[1]

vidyātapaḥsamr̥ddheṣu hutaṁ vipramukhāgniṣu । nistārayati durgācca mahataścaiva kilbiṣāt । । 3.98 । ।

Meaning: An offering of food given to the fire in the form a Brahmana's mouth (vipra mukhagni), who is endowed with learning and austerities, saves one from great difficulties and papa (पापम्). (Manu. Smrt. 3.98)^[3]

भिक्षादानम् ॥ Giving Alms

Manusmrti says, respecting a brahmana well versed in the vedas, one should give alms or a vessel of water as per the prescribed rule.^[3]

भिक्षां अप्युदपात्रं वा सत्कृत्य विधिपूर्वकम् । वेदतत्त्वार्थविदुषे ब्राह्मणायोपपादयेत् । । ३.९६ । ।^[1]

bhikṣāṁ apyudapātraṁ vā satkr̥tya vidhipūrvakam । vedatattvārthaviduṣe brāhmaṇāyopapādayet । । 3.96 । ।

भिक्षादानफलम् ॥ Fruit of giving alms

According to Manusmrti, giving alms to an ascetic or a brahmachari as mentioned above, bears the same fruit as that obtained by offering a cow as guru dakshina to a teacher.^[3]

यत्पुण्यफलं आप्नोति गां दत्त्वा विधिवद्गुरोः । तत्पुण्यफलं आप्नोति भिक्षां दत्त्वा द्विजो गृही । । ३.९५ । ।^[1]

yatpuṇyaphalaṁ āpnoti gāṁ dattvā vidhivadguroḥ । tatpuṇyaphalaṁ āpnoti bhikṣāṁ dattvā dvijo gr̥hī । । 3.95 । ।

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 ^1.5 Manusmrti, Adhyaya 3
↑ Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti (Vol.4), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 ^3.3 ^3.4 Pt. Girija Prasad Dvivedi (1917), The Manusmriti, Lucknow: Naval Kishore Press.

[:0-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 ^1.5 Manusmrti, Adhyaya 3

[:1-2] Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti (Vol.4), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.

[:2-3] 3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 ^3.3 ^3.4 Pt. Girija Prasad Dvivedi (1917), The Manusmriti, Lucknow: Naval Kishore Press.

[1]

[2]

[3]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''8.3 Brahmanya-huta − giving alms & feeding guests'''
+Nru Yajna (Samskrit: नृयज्ञः), also called as Manushya Yajna (मनुष्ययज्ञः) is one of the [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]] (पञ्चमहायज्ञ-s | five great sacrifices) prescribed for the Grhasthashramis (गृहस्थाश्रमी-s | householders).
-Having performed this Bali offering, he shall first feed his guest and, according to the rule, give alms to an ascetic (and) to a student. [v.3.94.]
+== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
+It is said that, <blockquote>नृयज्ञोऽतिथिपूजनम् | nr̥yajño'tithipūjanam । (Manu. Smrt. 3.70)<ref name=":0" /> </blockquote>Meaning : The honouring of Guests is ‘offering to men’ (Nru Yajna).<ref name=":1">Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti ([https://ia801603.us.archive.org/33/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.46010/2015.46010.Manusmrti--Vol-4.pdf Vol.4]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref>
-.3.1 Alms
+It refers to respectful reception of brahmanas<ref name=":2">Pt. Girija Prasad Dvivedi (1917), [https://archive.org/details/ManusmrtiHindiTranslationGirijaPrasadDvivediNavalKishore The Manusmriti], Lucknow: Naval Kishore Press.</ref> - ब्राह्म्यं हुतं द्विजाग्र्यार्चा | brāhmyaṁ hutaṁ dvijāgryārcāis |<ref name=":0">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> Hence, it is also called Brahmya-huta. (Manu. Smrt. 3.74)
-A twice-born householder gains, by giving alms, the same reward for his meritorious act which (a student) obtains for presenting, in accordance with the rule, a cow to his teacher. [v.3.95.]
+== नृयज्ञकर्माणि ॥ Constituents of Nru Yajna ==
+According to Manusmrti,
+# Bhikshadana (भिक्षादानम् | Giving alms)
+# Atithi satkara (अतिथिसत्कारः | Taking care of guests)
+are the two most important components of Nru Yajna.
+=== अतिथिसत्कारः ॥ Offering hospitality to guests ===
+{{Main|Atithi Satkara (अतिथिसत्कारः)}}
-Let him give, in accordance with the rule, to a Brahmana who knows the true meaning of the Veda, even (a small portion of food as) alms, or a pot full of water, having garnished (the food with seasoning, or the pot with flowers and fruit). [v.3.96.]
+Amongst atithi satkara and bhikshadana, atithi satkara (अतिथिसत्कारः | taking care of guests) takes precedence. It is said, <blockquote>कृत्वैतद्बलिकर्मैवं अतिथिं पूर्वं आशयेत् । भिक्षां च भिक्षवे दद्याद्विधिवद्ब्रह्मचारिणे । । ३.९४ । ।<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>kr̥tvaitadbalikarmaivaṁ atithiṁ pūrvaṁ āśayet । bhikṣāṁ ca bhikṣave dadyādvidhivadbrahmacāriṇe । । 3.94 । ।</blockquote>Meaning: After having performed the Bali offering ([[Bhuta Yajna (भूतयज्ञः)|Bhuta Yajna]]), one should first honour guests and then give alms to an ascetic and a student according to the prescribed rules. (Manu. Smrt. 3.94)<ref name=":2" />
-.3.2 Care of guests
+Manusmrti also discusses in detail about
+* Who is considered a guest ? Who is entitled to hospitality ?
+* What are the things to be offered to a guest ?
+* The Principles of hospitality, etc.
+And among the offerings, it is Annadana (अन्नदानम् | offering of food to the hungry) that is held in high regard in the Indian culture. It is said that,<blockquote>विद्यातपःसमृद्धेषु हुतं विप्रमुखाग्निषु । निस्तारयति दुर्गाच्च महतश्चैव किल्बिषात् । । ३.९८ । ।<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>vidyātapaḥsamr̥ddheṣu hutaṁ vipramukhāgniṣu । nistārayati durgācca mahataścaiva kilbiṣāt । । 3.98 । ।</blockquote>Meaning: An offering of food given to the fire in the form a Brahmana's mouth (vipra mukhagni), who is endowed with learning and austerities, saves one from great difficulties and papa (पापम्). (Manu. Smrt. 3.98)<ref name=":2" />
-An offering made in the mouth-fire of Brahmanas rich in sacred learning and austerities, saves from misfortune and from great guilt. [v.3.98.]
+=== भिक्षादानम् ॥ Giving Alms ===
+Manusmrti says, respecting a brahmana well versed in the [[Vedas (वेदाः)|vedas]], one should give alms or a vessel of water as per the prescribed rule.<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>भिक्षां अप्युदपात्रं वा सत्कृत्य विधिपूर्वकम् । वेदतत्त्वार्थविदुषे ब्राह्मणायोपपादयेत् । । ३.९६ । ।<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>bhikṣāṁ apyudapātraṁ vā satkr̥tya vidhipūrvakam । vedatattvārthaviduṣe brāhmaṇāyopapādayet । । 3.96 । ।</blockquote>
-But let him offer, in accordance with the rule, to a guest who has come (of his own accord) a seat and water, as well as food, garnished (with seasoning), according to his ability. [v.3.99.]
+==== भिक्षादानफलम् ॥ Fruit of giving alms ====
+According to Manusmrti, giving alms to an ascetic or a brahmachari as mentioned above, bears the same fruit as that obtained by offering a cow as guru dakshina to a teacher.<ref name=":2" />  <blockquote>यत्पुण्यफलं आप्नोति गां दत्त्वा विधिवद्गुरोः । तत्पुण्यफलं आप्नोति भिक्षां दत्त्वा द्विजो गृही । । ३.९५ । ।<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>yatpuṇyaphalaṁ āpnoti gāṁ dattvā vidhivadguroḥ । tatpuṇyaphalaṁ āpnoti bhikṣāṁ dattvā dvijo gr̥hī । । 3.95 । ।</blockquote>
-A Brahmana who stays unhonoured (in the house), takes away (with him) all the spiritual merit even of a man who subsists by gleaning ears of corn, or offers oblations in five fires. [v.3.100.]
+== References ==
-Grass[asana], room (for resting), water, and fourthly a kind word; these (things) never fail in the houses of good men. [v.3.101.]
+[[Category:Yajnas]]
+[[Category:Dharmas]]
-But a Brahmana who stays one night only is declared to be a guest (atithi); for because he stays (sthita) not long (anityam), he is called atithi (a guest). [v.3.102.]
-A guest who is sent by the (setting) sun in the evening, must not be driven away by a householder; whether he have come at (supper-) time or at an inopportune moment, he must not stay in the house without entertainment. [v.3.105.]
-Let him not eat any (dainty) food which he does not offer to his guest; the hospitable reception of guests procures wealth, fame, long life, and heavenly bliss. [v.3.106.]
-Let him offer (to his guests) seats, rooms, beds, attendance on departure and honour (while they stay), to the most distinguished in the best form, to the lower ones in a lower form, to equals in an equal manner. [v.3.107.]
-But if another guest comes after the Vaisvadeva offering has been finished, (the householder) must give him food according to his ability, (but) not repeat the Bali offering. [v.3.108.]
-But a Kshatriya (who comes) to the house of a Brahmana is not called a guest (atithi), nor a Vaisya, nor a Sudra, nor a personal friend, nor a relative, nor the teacher. [v.3.110.]
-But if a Kshatriya comes to the house of a Brahmana in the manner of a guest, (the house-holder) may feed him according to his desire, after the above-mentioned Brahmanas have eaten. [v.3.111.]
-Even to others, personal friends and so forth, who have come to his house out of affection, he may give food, garnished (with seasoning) according to his ability, (at the same time) with his wife. [v.3.113.]
-Without hesitation he may give food, even before his guests, to the following persons, (viz.) to newly-married women, to infants, to the sick, and to pregnant women. [v.3.114.]
-But the foolish man who eats first without having given food to these (persons) does, while he crams, not know that (after death) he himself will be devoured by dogs and vultures. [v.3.115.]
-After the Brahmanas, the kinsmen, and the servants have dined, the householder and his wife may afterwards eat what remains. [v.3.116.]
-Let him honour with the honey-mixture a king, an officiating priest, a Snataka, the teacher, a son-in-law, a father-in-law, and a maternal uncle, (if they come) again after a full year (has elapsed since their last visit). [v.3.119.]
-A king and a Srotriya, who come on the performance of a sacrifice, must be honoured with the honey-mixture, but not if no sacrifice is being performed; that is a settled rule. [v.3.120.]