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=== सप्त पाकयज्ञसंस्थाः ॥ Seven kinds ===

=== सप्त पाकयज्ञसंस्थाः ॥ Seven kinds ===

Some sutras mention them as Pakasamstha (an assemblage, a group) consisting of seven pakayajnas.

Some sutras mention them as Pakasamstha (an assemblage, a group) consisting of seven pakayajnas. These yajnas are equivalent in certain cases for example term Sarpabali given by Apastamba is similar to Pratyarohana and Aagrahayani given by other authors. So is the case of Ishanabali which is similar to Shulagava yajna given by Baudhayana.

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|+Seven Kinds of Pakayajnas

|+Seven Kinds of Pakayajnas

''Also called Aagrahayani (आग्रहायणी)'', ''Aagrahayani-karma (आग्रहायणीकर्म)''

''Also called Aagrahayani (आग्रहायणी)'', ''Aagrahayani-karma (आग्रहायणीकर्म)''

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 that Aagrahayani is that Purnima day (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.<ref name=":0" />  

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.  

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.  

==== Brief Procedure ====

==== Brief Procedure ====

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>

Many versions exist with regard to the description of this ceremony. According to the Paraskara GS (3.2.2-16) the grhastha prepares and offers sthalipaka and Ajyabhagas in the same way as at the Shravana ceremony. Here the offering is made to Soma, Mrgashira nakshatra, the full moon of Margashira masa and the hemanta (cold) season. After partaking the remnants from the yajna the remainder of the Saktus (which was initially prepared in Shravana) are spread around the house along with the sprinkling of water with the lines "the bali offering is over".<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>Further to the completion of the bali, the spreading of a Kusha grass and on it a new garment takes place. On this the master of the house and his family lie down in a specific manner, based on the seniority in age followed by his wife and subsequently each younger one lies to the left of the older person. These activities are the specific parts pertaining to this rite conducted by a Brahman thrice in total after which they should start sleeping on the ground for four months or as long as they desire. Aagrahayani in Gobhila grhyasutra has a few variations, the bali offering should be made in a fashion similar to that mentioned in Shravana. Additionally after the grhastha has made regular morning offering, he should procure Darbha grass, a Sami (tree) branch, a Badari branch with fruits, the Apaamarga plant, and Shirisha (names of plants and trees). The branches are used to stoke the grhyagni while circumambulating the house while the brahmans are pronouncing the auspicious blessings. Here the family sits in the specific order of descending age and they touch the grass and eventually lie down on the ground after the mantra recitations. Shankhayana GS mentions sweeping the floor with a Palasa branch before performing other rites. Ashvalayana GS (3.3.1-12) mentions that on the occasion of Pratyavarohana they should renovate, apply new coating on the walls, put up a new roof and level the floor of the house.<ref name=":0" />

 

Phalguni pakayajna is offered on the full-moon day of the month of Phaalguna. This yajna is mentioned in Manava and Katha Grhyasutras primarily. Both the Manava and Katha Grhyasutras lay down a procedure similar in many ways. On the full-moon day of Phaalguna the Apupas (cooked item made of grains) are offered to the deities Bhaga and Aryaman. Grains sacred to Indrani are ground and the flour is used to make figurine in pairs of as many animals as he owns. He then cooks and along with Ajya offers them as ahuti to Rudra or Ishana according to some. In the evening two Apupas are prepared for Indra and Agni. The Apupa offered to Indra is partaken by the inmates of the house. On the same day or on the following day sthalipaka is prepared and offered to Indrani.<blockquote>फाल्गुन्यां पौर्णमास्यां पुरस्ताद्धानापूपाभ्यां भगं चार्यमणं च यजेत् १ सायमपूपाभ्यां प्रचरत्यग्नीन्द्राभ्याम् ३ (Mana. Grhy. Sutr. 2.10.1 and 3)<ref>Manava Grhyasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B5%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>Katha GS mentions the same cooked preparation of Apupas but the deities offered to are Aryaman, Rudra, Aditi and Indrani with various mantras.<ref name=":0" />

== References ==

== References ==

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