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Pakayajnas (Samskrit: पाकयज्ञाः) are a class of yajnas defined based on the offering of cooked items (पाकसाध्यो यज्ञः)<ref name=":1">Vachaspatya (See explanation for word [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8 Pakayajna])</ref> in the specific grhyaagni, at different times of the year and one some occasions (samskaras). Some of these yajnas are performed once while others are recurrent in the year. The [[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]] specifically deal with these yajnas which are the prescribed nityakarmas or obligatory activities of a grhastha. They are the yajnas for individual and his extended family. The technical term Pakayajna is used to refer to Grhyayajnas to distinguish them from the Shrauta yajnas.

Pakayajnas (Samskrit: पाकयज्ञाः) are a class of yajnas defined based on the offering of cooked items (पाकसाध्यो यज्ञः)<ref name=":1">Vachaspatya (See explanation for word [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8 Pakayajna])</ref> in the specific grhyaagni, at different times of the year and one some occasions (samskaras). Some of these yajnas are performed once while others are recurrent in the year. The [[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]] specifically deal with these yajnas which are the prescribed nityakarmas or obligatory activities of a grhastha. They are the yajnas for individual and his extended family. The technical term Pakayajna is used to refer to Grhyayajnas to distinguish them from the Shrauta yajnas.

These texts teach us some of the ancient ways in which our ancestors respected all aspects involved in our way of life; snakes were propitiated (Sarpabali), personified seasons, nakshatras, land that was tilled, the food grains, the ploughs (Sita Yajna), cattle, winds - all also offered back the prayers and ahutis for their role in our sustenance. Giving back to the nature has thus existed and persisted in our jivana vidhana, unfortunately nature and mother earth are being plundered indiscriminately with the loss of such values.  

These texts teach us some of the ancient ways in which our ancestors respected all aspects involved in our way of life; snakes were propitiated (Sarpabali), personified seasons and nakshatras, land that was tilled, the food grains, the ploughs (Sita Yajna), cattle, winds - all were offered back the prayers and ahutis for their role in human sustenance. Giving back to the nature has thus existed and persisted in our jivana vidhana, unfortunately nature and mother earth are being plundered indiscriminately with the loss of such values.  

== लक्षणम्॥ Definition ==

== लक्षणम्॥ Definition ==

Prayavarohana (प्रत्यवरोहणम्) which means to "descend again" is a rite which marks the ceremonial descent of the entire family from a high couch or cot, which was used from Sravana Purnima (fullmoon of Sravana maasa) due to increased presence of snakes at that time. It is also called Aagrahayani (आग्रहायणी) because it is performed on the Purnima day in the month of Margashira masa which is called as Agrahayana (अग्रहायणम्) masa.<ref name=":32" /> Scholars explain this aspect that Aagrahayani is that Purnima (full moon day) which falls in the beginning of the year. According to this version, in certain calendars Margashira masa also called as Agrahayana which was said to be the beginning of the year. Hence the festival that is celebrated on this day came to be known as Aagrahayani.   

Prayavarohana (प्रत्यवरोहणम्) which means to "descend again" is a rite which marks the ceremonial descent of the entire family from a high couch or cot, which was used from Sravana Purnima (fullmoon of Sravana maasa) due to increased presence of snakes at that time. It is also called Aagrahayani (आग्रहायणी) because it is performed on the Purnima day in the month of Margashira masa which is called as Agrahayana (अग्रहायणम्) masa.<ref name=":32" /> Scholars explain this aspect that Aagrahayani is that Purnima (full moon day) which falls in the beginning of the year. According to this version, in certain calendars Margashira masa also called as Agrahayana which was said to be the beginning of the year. Hence the festival that is celebrated on this day came to be known as Aagrahayani.   

Shankhayana GS states that during Aagrahayana masa, Pratyavarohana rite is conducted. Paraskara GS states Aagrahayani karma instead of using the term Pratyavarohana. Ashvalayana GS (2.3.1-2) state that the Pratyavarohana may be performed either in the fourteenth tithi of the bright half of Margashira masa or on the following day - on the full moon day. Prayavarohana, from prati and avarohana, signifies that the grhasthas descend from high bed-steads on which they began to sleep from the Shravana Purnima day on account of the danger of snakes (Shan. Grhy. Sutr. 4.15.22). After the performance of this ceremony they may not sleep on high bed-steads and may sleep on the ground. Some commentators of the grhyasutras regard Pratyavarohana as distinct from the Aagrahayani karma. But according to majority, the activities of both these ceremonies are comparitive and Pratyavarohana seems to form a part of the Aagrahayani karma.  

Shankhayana GS states that during Aagrahayana masa, Pratyavarohana rite is conducted. Paraskara GS states Aagrahayani karma instead of using the term Pratyavarohana. Ashvalayana GS (2.3.1-2) state that the Pratyavarohana may be performed either in the fourteenth tithi of the bright half of Margashira masa or on the following day - on the full moon day. Prayavarohana, from prati and avarohana, signifies that the grhasthas descend from high bed-steads on which they began to sleep from the Shravana Purnima day on account of the danger of snakes (Shan. Grhy. Sutr. 4.15.22). After the performance of this ceremony they may not sleep on high bed-steads and may sleep on the ground. Some commentators of the grhyasutras regard Pratyavarohana as distinct from the Aagrahayani karma. But according to a majority, the activities of both these ceremonies are comparative and Pratyavarohana seems to form a part of the Aagrahayani karma.  

the sarpadevatas have to be offered bali in the morning and evening with Svahakara (स्वाहाकारः).<blockquote>आग्रहायण्यां प्रत्यवरोहेद् १ (Shan. Grhy. Sutr. 4.17.1)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote><blockquote>मार्गशीर्ष्यां पौर्णमास्यामाग्रहायणीकर्म १ (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 3.2.1)<ref name=":3" /> </blockquote><blockquote>सर्पदेवजनेभ्यः स्वाहेति सायं प्रातर्बलिं हरेदा प्रत्यवरोहणात् १४ (Ashv. Grhy. Sutr. 2.1.14)<ref name=":6" /></blockquote>

Many versions exist with regard to the description of this ceremony. According to the Paraskara GS (3.2.2-16) the grhastha.<blockquote>आग्रहायण्यां प्रत्यवरोहेद् १ (Shan. Grhy. Sutr. 4.17.1)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote><blockquote>मार्गशीर्ष्यां पौर्णमास्यामाग्रहायणीकर्म १ (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 3.2.1)<ref name=":3" /> </blockquote><blockquote>सर्पदेवजनेभ्यः स्वाहेति सायं प्रातर्बलिं हरेदा प्रत्यवरोहणात् १४ (Ashv. Grhy. Sutr. 2.1.14)<ref name=":6" /></blockquote>

== References ==

== References ==

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