Changes

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 (सूर्यः)|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 (वानप्रस्थः) 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 (सूर्यः)|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 (वानप्रस्थः) and Sanyasi are dependent on the Grhastha for sustenance. Therefore, the Grhastha ashrama is the best of all ashramas according to Manusmriti (chap 3).  

== संवादः || Discussion ==

== संवादः || Discussion ==

These, in ordinary religious parlance, are called the Panchamahayajnas, 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<ref>The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad by Swami Krishnananda ([https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/brdup_audio/brdup-12.pdf Discourse-12)]</ref>. That is the first step that one takes before moving on to the difficult task of complete identification with the [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atma]] (आत्मन् । Inner Being) of all things.

These, in ordinary religious parlance, are called the Panchamahayajnas, 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<ref>The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad by Swami Krishnananda ([https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/brdup_audio/brdup-12.pdf Discourse-12)]</ref>. That is the first step that one takes before moving on to the difficult task of complete identification with the [[Atman (आत्मन्)|Atma]] (आत्मन् । Inner Being) 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 bhavana (feeling). To feel for others is easier than to become others though that is the ideal. So, the [[Upanishads|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 bhavana (feeling). To feel for others is easier than to become others though that is the ideal. So, the [[Upanishads|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.

[[Category: Samskaras| ]]

 

<span style="font-size:16px; font-weight:normal;color:#d85611;"> Video Courtesy Setu Foundation, Benguluru</span>

 

== References ==

== References ==

<references />

<references />

[[Category:Yajnas]]

[[Category:Yajnas]]