Even if at times one is incapable of doing Manushya yajna, one must perform the Brahma and Deva yajnas . The offerings given to gods in the sacrificial fire goes to Surya and he sends rains to the earth which enable the plants to grow. Thus, food is obtained and Vedas say this is the cause for the living beings to increase. 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 yajnas. Just as how all animals and objects depend on the life-breath for living, Brahmachari, Vanaprastha and Sanyasi are dependent on the Grhastha for sustenance. Therefore, the Grhastha ashrama is the best of all ashramas according to Manusmriti (chap 3). | Even if at times one is incapable of doing Manushya yajna, one must perform the Brahma and Deva yajnas . The offerings given to gods in the sacrificial fire goes to Surya and he sends rains to the earth which enable the plants to grow. Thus, food is obtained and Vedas say this is the cause for the living beings to increase. 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 yajnas. Just as how all animals and objects depend on the life-breath for living, Brahmachari, Vanaprastha and Sanyasi are dependent on the Grhastha for sustenance. Therefore, the Grhastha ashrama is the best of all ashramas according to Manusmriti (chap 3). |