Changes

==  परिचय || 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 द्विज || 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.     

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 द्विज || 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.     

== संस्कारम् || 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.  

==    पञ्चमहायज्ञ  || Panchamahayajnas ==

==    पञ्चमहायज्ञ  || Panchamahayajnas ==

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.   

'''Brahma Yagna''' : The first of the Mahayagnas, this sacrifice is dedicated to the Vedas and their seers (Rishis) in the form of regular study (svadhyaya) of the holy scripture and the teaching of it to deserving students (adhyapana).  

=== Deva Yagna : ===

<blockquote>तद्विधिप्रसङ्गेन पञ्चमहायज्ञान्विधत्ते - The procedure to perform panchamahayagnas is not given</blockquote><blockquote>पञ्च व एते महायज्ञा: संतति प्रतायन्ते सतति संतिष्ठन्ते | देवयज्ञ: पितृयज्ञो भूतयज्ञो मनुष्ययज्ञो ब्रह्मयज्ञो इति-, इति ||</blockquote>Meaning : Five of these mahayagnas bestow <blockquote>तत्र देवयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यदग्नौ जुहोत्यपि समिधं तद्देवयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते - इति |</blockquote>Deva-Yajna, is the sacrifice offered to the celestial beings in the form of ghee, herbs, and camphor offered into the अग्निहोत्र || Agnihotra (sacrificial fire). Homam or Havan promotes rains which give good crops and harvest. 

'''Deva Yagna''' : The second, Deva-Yajna, is the sacrifice offered to the celestial beings in the form of ghee, herbs, and camphor offered into the अग्निहोत्र || Agnihotra (sacrificial fire). Homam or Havan promotes rains which give good crops and harvest.   

<blockquote>भूतयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यद्भतेभ्यों बलिँ् इरति तद्भूतयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते -, इति ||</blockquote>Meaning of Bhutayagna is said to be - that bali offered to Bhutas (other life forms) is the bhutayagna.<blockquote>वैश्वदेवानुष्ठानादूर्ध्वं बहिर्देशे वायसादिभ्यो भूतेभ्यो यद्बलिप्रदानं सोऽयं भूतयज्ञ: ||</blockquote>Vaisvedeva is the offering of food to Agni, without which food cannot be cooked. Bhuta-Yajna involves feeding of animals, especially cows, ants and birds like crows that are present in the outside environment (not domesticated) and the ritual is called Balipradanam.  

 

Every temple in the past had 'Bali peetam' on which the food (after Vaisvedava offering) is placed on it for feeding the hungry animals and birds.   

'''Pitru Yagna''' : The third is Pitri-Yajna where the तर्पण || tarpana (offering of water and pinda or offering of rice) is made to the ancestors.   

'''Pitru Yagna''' : The third is Pitri-Yajna where the तर्पण || tarpana (offering of water and pinda or offering of rice) is made to the ancestors.   

'''Maanushya Yagna''' :  This is the fourth yagna and includes providing hospitality, food and water to hungry uninvited atithi अतिथि || (guests). अतिथि देवोभव || 'Atithi devobhava' is the humane concept wherein any person irrespective of their birth, age and gender are offered essential items such as food and clothing without accepting anything in return.

'''Maanushya Yagna''' :  This is the fourth yagna and includes providing hospitality, food and water to hungry uninvited atithi अतिथि || (guests). अतिथि देवोभव || 'Atithi devobhava' is the humane concept wherein any person irrespective of their birth, age and gender are offered essential items such as food and clothing without accepting anything in return.

'''Bhuta Yagna''' : Also called Vaisvedeva yagna, it starts with the offering of food to Agni, without which food cannot be cooked. The fifth yagna being Bhuta-Yajna further involves feeding of animals, especially cows, ants and birds and the ritual is called Bali. Every temple in the past had 'Bali peetam' on which the prasad (food which is offered to the god) is placed on it for feeding the hungry animals and birds.

'''Brahma Yagna''' : The first of the Mahayagnas, this sacrifice is dedicated to the Vedas and their seers (Rishis) in the form of regular study (svadhyaya) of the holy scripture and the teaching of it to deserving students (adhyapana).

These five functions are imperatives on every householder and they are rightly regarded as great sacrifices (Maha-Yajnas).  These are the dharmas of a person in Grihastaasrama.  A share of food is given to them as a token of one's remembrance of them. The quantity that is offered is not important; it is the mental state of expressing gratitude and feeling that is associated with it that is of consequence in conducting these yagnas.   

These five functions are imperatives on every householder and they are rightly regarded as great sacrifices (Maha-Yajnas).  These are the dharmas of a person in Grihastaasrama.  A share of food is given to them as a token of one's remembrance of them. The quantity that is offered is not important; it is the mental state of expressing gratitude and feeling that is associated with it that is of consequence in conducting these yagnas.   

Even if at times one is incapable of doing Maanushya yagna one must perform the Brahma and Deva yagnas .  The offerings given to gods in the sacrificial fire gi to the Sun and he sends rains to the earth which enable the plants to grow. Thus food is obtained and Vedas say thus the living beings increase.  Just as how all animals and objects depend on the life-breath for living, Brahmachaari, [[Vaanaprastha]] and [[Sanyasi]] are dependent on the Grihastha for sustenance. Therefore, the Grihastha ashrama is the best of all ashramas according to Manusmriti (chap 3).  

Even if at times one is incapable of doing Maanushya yagna one must perform the Brahma and Deva yagnas .  The offerings given to gods in the sacrificial fire gi to the Sun and he sends rains to the earth which enable the plants to grow. Thus food is obtained and Vedas say thus the living beings increase.  Just as how all animals and objects depend on the life-breath for living, Brahmachaari, [[Vaanaprastha]] and [[Sanyasi]] are dependent on the Grihastha for sustenance. Therefore, the Grihastha ashrama is the best of all ashramas according to Manusmriti (chap 3).  

== सम्वाद || Discussion ==

== सम्वाद || Discussion ==

These, in ordinary religious parlance, are called the Panchamahayajna, or the five great sacrifices which a householder, especially in India, has to perform. These sacrifices mean the way in which one recognizes one’s own self in the variety of creation that he sees before him, by means of sympathy, consideration and feeling for others. That is the first step that one takes before moving on to the difficult task of complete identification with the Inner Being or Atma of all things.

These, in ordinary religious parlance, are called the Panchamahayajna, or the five great sacrifices which a householder, especially in India, has to perform. These sacrifices mean the way in which one recognizes one’s own self in the variety of creation that he sees before him, by means of sympathy, consideration and feeling for others. That is the first step that one takes before moving on to the difficult task of complete identification with the Inner Being or Atma of all things.

The sympathy and compassion that one psychologically exercises in respect of others is the first step. The identity with others is a more difficult thing to feel and maintain that भावना || bhavana (feeling). To feel for others is easier than to become others though that is the ideal. So, the Upanishad tells us, try to feel for others first and manifest this feeling in your actions before you totally become, or aspire to become one with them.

The sympathy and compassion that one psychologically exercises in respect of others is the first step. The identity with others is a more difficult thing to feel and maintain that भावना || bhavana (feeling). To feel for others is easier than to become others though that is the ideal. So, the Upanishad tells us, try to feel for others first and manifest this feeling in your actions before you totally become, or aspire to become one with them.

== References ==

== References ==

# http://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/articles/INITIAL%20SAMSKARAS.html

# http://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/articles/INITIAL%20SAMSKARAS.html