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A very important part of the daily functions of a householder consists of a set of five-fold duties called पञ्चमहायज्ञाः || Panchamahayajnas (five great sacrifices). The performance of these five yajnas is conducive to the spiritual evolution or growth of a man. An individual in [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातन धर्म)|सनातनधर्मः || Sanatana Dharma]] observes these mahayajnas on a daily basis and gradually learns that he is not a separate entity or isolated creature or isolated unit, but is a part of a great whole.

A very important part of the daily functions of a householder consists of a set of five-fold duties called पञ्चमहायज्ञाः || Panchamahayajnas (five great sacrifices). The performance of these five yajnas is conducive to the spiritual evolution or growth of a man. An individual in [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातन धर्म)|सनातनधर्मः || Sanatana Dharma]] observes these mahayajnas on a daily basis and gradually learns that he is not a separate entity or isolated creature or isolated unit, but is a part of a great whole.

==  परिचय || Introduction ==

==  परिचयः || 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 devatas, 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 devatas, 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 ==

== संस्काराः || Samskaras ==

Forty सम्स्काराः || samskaras have been prescribed by Goutama Smriti<ref>Kannan. P. R. Translation of Article : [http://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/articles/INITIAL%20SAMSKARAS.html Initial Samskaras] from Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham</ref>, 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     

Forty सम्स्काराः || samskaras have been prescribed by Goutama Smriti<ref>Kannan. P. R. Translation of Article : [http://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/articles/INITIAL%20SAMSKARAS.html Initial Samskaras] from Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham</ref>, 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     

* Panchamahayagnas have been described in Grhyasutras.  <blockquote>अथातः पञ्चयज्ञाः १ </blockquote><blockquote>देवयज्ञो भूतयज्ञः पितृयज्ञो ब्रह्मयज्ञो मनुष्ययज्ञ इति २</blockquote><blockquote>तद्यदग्नौ जुहोति स देवयज्ञो यद्बलिङ्करोति स भूतयज्ञो यत्पितृभ्यो ददाति स पितृयज्ञो यत्स्वाध्यायमधीयते स ब्रह्मयज्ञो यन्मनुष्येभ्यो ददाति स मनुष्ययज्ञ इति ३ </blockquote><blockquote>तानेतान्यज्ञानहरहः कुर्वीत ४ १ (Asva. Grhy. Sutr. 3.1.1 to 4)<ref name=":2">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%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 Asvalaayana Grhya Sutras]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Now the Panchayagnas. The yagna for devatas, yagna for (other living) beings, yagna for forefathers, yagna for Brahma, yagna for human beings. Here when offerings are made in Agni, this yagna is for the devatas. That which is offered as bali, is the yagna for other beings. That (pindas) which is given for forefathers, is the pitru yagna. That study (of the vedas) is the brahma yagna, and that which gives to men, is the manushya yagna. These five yagnas are to be performed everyday. </blockquote>

* Panchamahayagnas have been described in Grhyasutras.  <blockquote>अथातः पञ्चयज्ञाः १ </blockquote><blockquote>देवयज्ञो भूतयज्ञः पितृयज्ञो ब्रह्मयज्ञो मनुष्ययज्ञ इति २</blockquote><blockquote>तद्यदग्नौ जुहोति स देवयज्ञो यद्बलिङ्करोति स भूतयज्ञो यत्पितृभ्यो ददाति स पितृयज्ञो यत्स्वाध्यायमधीयते स ब्रह्मयज्ञो यन्मनुष्येभ्यो ददाति स मनुष्ययज्ञ इति ३ </blockquote><blockquote>तानेतान्यज्ञानहरहः कुर्वीत ४ १ (Asva. Grhy. Sutr. 3.1.1 to 4)<ref name=":2">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%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 Asvalaayana Grhya Sutras]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Now the Panchayagnas. The yagna for devatas, yagna for (other living) beings, yagna for forefathers, yagna for Brahma, yagna for human beings. Here when offerings are made in Agni, this yagna is for the devatas. That which is offered as bali, is the yagna for other beings. That (pindas) which is given for forefathers, is the pitru yagna. That study (of the vedas) is the brahma yagna, and that which gives to men, is the manushya yagna. These five yagnas are to be performed everyday. </blockquote>

* The ancient rishis have prescribed these Panchamahayagnas in Taittiriya Aranyaka<ref>[http://www.vedamu.org/PageViewerImage.aspx?DivId=998 Taittriya Aranyaka] (2.10 in Page 144)</ref> (2.10) for removal of these sins.  <blockquote>तद्विधिप्रसङ्गेन पञ्चमहायज्ञान्विधत्ते - The procedure to perform panchamahayagnas is now given</blockquote><blockquote>पञ्च वा एते महायज्ञा: संतति प्रतायन्ते सतति संतिष्ठन्ते | देवयज्ञ: पितृयज्ञो भूतयज्ञो मनुष्ययज्ञो ब्रह्मयज्ञो इति-, इति ||</blockquote>Meaning : Five of these mahayagnas are observed and completed day after day, on a daily basis. They are Devayagna, Pitruyagna, Bhutayagna, Manushyayagna and Brahmayagna.  

* The ancient rishis have prescribed these Panchamahayagnas in Taittiriya Aranyaka<ref>[http://www.vedamu.org/PageViewerImage.aspx?DivId=998 Taittriya Aranyaka] (2.10 in Page 144)</ref> (2.10) for removal of these sins.  <blockquote>तद्विधिप्रसङ्गेन पञ्चमहायज्ञान्विधत्ते - The procedure to perform panchamahayagnas is now given</blockquote><blockquote>पञ्च वा एते महायज्ञा: संतति प्रतायन्ते सतति संतिष्ठन्ते | देवयज्ञ: पितृयज्ञो भूतयज्ञो मनुष्ययज्ञो ब्रह्मयज्ञो इति-, इति ||</blockquote>Meaning : Five of these mahayagnas are observed and completed day after day, on a daily basis. They are Devayagna, Pitruyagna, Bhutayagna, Manushyayagna and Brahmayagna.  

=== देवयज्ञः || Deva Yagna  ===

=== देवयज्ञः || Deva Yajna  ===

<blockquote>"तत्र देवयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यदग्नौ जुहोत्यपि समिधं तद्देवयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते - इति ||"</blockquote><blockquote>"पुरोडाशादिहविर्मुख्यं तदलाभे समिधमप्यग्नौ देवानुद्दिशञ्जुहोतीति यत्सोऽयं देवयज्ञः ||" (Saya. Bhas.)</blockquote>Meaning : The characteristics of Devayagna are now said - Wherein the समिधम् || samidha (sacrificial material ) are offered into Agni, that completes Devayagna.  According to Saayana, "पुरोडाश || Purodaasha" ( a special kind of sacrificial offering) is to be offered primarily as a sacrificial offering, however when that is unavailable, samidha are offered for Devatas and such a practice is called Devayagna.

<blockquote>"तत्र देवयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यदग्नौ जुहोत्यपि समिधं तद्देवयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते - इति ||"</blockquote><blockquote>"पुरोडाशादिहविर्मुख्यं तदलाभे समिधमप्यग्नौ देवानुद्दिशञ्जुहोतीति यत्सोऽयं देवयज्ञः ||" (Saya. Bhas.)</blockquote>Meaning : The characteristics of Devayagna are now said - Wherein the समिधम् || samidha (sacrificial material ) are offered into Agni, that completes Devayagna.  According to Saayana, "पुरोडाश || Purodaasha" ( a special kind of sacrificial offering) is to be offered primarily as a sacrificial offering, however when that is unavailable, samidha are offered for Devatas and such a practice is called Devayagna.

Deva-Yajna, is the sacrifice offered to the celestial beings in the form of milk, ghee, herbs, and camphor offered into the [[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|अग्निहोत्र || Agnihotra]] (sacrificial fire). Havis are the offerings for Devatas made with the utterance of "स्वाह || Svaaha" at the end of the mantra. Homam or Havan promotes rains which give good crops and harvest.   

Deva-Yajna, is the sacrifice offered to the celestial beings in the form of milk, ghee, herbs, and camphor offered into the [[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|अग्निहोत्र || Agnihotra]] (sacrificial fire). Havis are the offerings for Devatas made with the utterance of "स्वाह || Svaaha" at the end of the mantra. Homam or Havan promotes rains which give good crops and harvest.   

=== पितृयज्ञः || Pitru Yagna  ===

=== पितृयज्ञः || Pitru Yajna  ===

<blockquote>"तत्र पिण्डदानासंभवे जलमात्रमपि पितृभ्यः स्वधाऽस्त्विति स्वधाशब्देन यद्ददाति सोऽयं पितृयज्ञः ---"|| (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote>According to Saayana, Pitri-Yajna, is where Pindapradhana (offering of pindas made of rice) is made into fire with the chanting of "स्वधा || svadha", but when that is not possible even water offered to Pitrus with "स्वधाकारः || svadhakaara" (i.e using the mantras with svadha in the end) or offering anything into the fire with "svadha" constitutes the Pirtuyagna.   

<blockquote>"तत्र पिण्डदानासंभवे जलमात्रमपि पितृभ्यः स्वधाऽस्त्विति स्वधाशब्देन यद्ददाति सोऽयं पितृयज्ञः ---"|| (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote>According to Saayana, Pitri-Yajna, is where Pindapradhana (offering of pindas made of rice) is made into fire with the chanting of "स्वधा || svadha", but when that is not possible even water offered to Pitrus with "स्वधाकारः || svadhakaara" (i.e using the mantras with svadha in the end) or offering anything into the fire with "svadha" constitutes the Pirtuyagna.   

Generally तर्पण || tarpana (offering of water and pinda or offering of rice) is made to the ancestors with the utterance of "Svadha". Offering of Tila (sesame) to pitrudevatas is also present.   

Generally तर्पण || tarpana (offering of water and pinda or offering of rice) is made to the ancestors with the utterance of "Svadha". Offering of Tila (sesame) to pitrudevatas is also present.   

=== भूतयज्ञ: || Bhuta Yagna  ===

=== भूतयज्ञ: || Bhuta Yajna  ===

<blockquote>भूतयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यद्भतेभ्यो बलिँ् हरति तद्भूतयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते -, इति ||</blockquote>Meaning: Characteristics of Bhutayagna is now said - that bali offered to Bhutas (other life forms) that completes the bhutayagna.<blockquote>वैश्वदेवानुष्ठानादूर्ध्वं बहिर्देशे वायसादिभ्यो भूतेभ्यो यद्बलिप्रदानं सोऽयं भूतयज्ञ: || (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote>वैश्वदेव || 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 बलिप्रदानं || Balipradanam.   

<blockquote>भूतयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यद्भतेभ्यो बलिँ् हरति तद्भूतयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते -, इति ||</blockquote>Meaning: Characteristics of Bhutayagna is now said - that bali offered to Bhutas (other life forms) that completes the bhutayagna.<blockquote>वैश्वदेवानुष्ठानादूर्ध्वं बहिर्देशे वायसादिभ्यो भूतेभ्यो यद्बलिप्रदानं सोऽयं भूतयज्ञ: || (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote>वैश्वदेव || 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 बलिप्रदानं || Balipradanam.   

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

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

=== मनुष्ययज्ञ: || Manushya Yagna  ===

=== मनुष्ययज्ञ: || Manushya Yajna  ===

<blockquote>"मनुष्ययज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यद्ब्रांह्मणेभ्योऽन्नं ददाति तन्मनुष्ययज्ञ: संतिष्ठते -, इति" ||</blockquote>Meaning : Characteristics of the Manushyayagna is now said - when annam (food) is given to Brahmanas, that completes the Manushyayagna.

<blockquote>"मनुष्ययज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यद्ब्रांह्मणेभ्योऽन्नं ददाति तन्मनुष्ययज्ञ: संतिष्ठते -, इति" ||</blockquote>Meaning : Characteristics of the Manushyayagna is now said - when annam (food) is given to Brahmanas, that completes the Manushyayagna.

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.   

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.   

=== ब्रह्मयज्ञ: || Brahma Yagna  ===

=== ब्रह्मयज्ञ: || Brahma Yajna  ===

<blockquote>"ब्रह्मयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यत्स्वाध्यायमधीयीतैकामप्यृचं यजु: सामं  वा तद्ब्रह्मयज्ञ: संतिंष्ठते - , इति" ||</blockquote><blockquote>"स्वस्यासाधारणत्वेन पितृपितामहादिपरम्परया प्राप्ता वेदशाखा स्वाध्यायः | तत्र विद्यमानमृगादीनामन्यतममेकमपि वाक्यमधीयीतेति यत्सोऽयं ब्रह्मयज्ञः---" || (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote>Meaning : The characteristics of Brahmayagna are now said - when स्वाध्यायः || svaadhya (regular study) of at least one of the Rig, Yajus and Sama vedas are performed, that completes the Brahmayagna.

<blockquote>"ब्रह्मयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यत्स्वाध्यायमधीयीतैकामप्यृचं यजु: सामं  वा तद्ब्रह्मयज्ञ: संतिंष्ठते - , इति" ||</blockquote><blockquote>"स्वस्यासाधारणत्वेन पितृपितामहादिपरम्परया प्राप्ता वेदशाखा स्वाध्यायः | तत्र विद्यमानमृगादीनामन्यतममेकमपि वाक्यमधीयीतेति यत्सोऽयं ब्रह्मयज्ञः---" || (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote>Meaning : The characteristics of Brahmayagna are now said - when स्वाध्यायः || svaadhya (regular study) of at least one of the Rig, Yajus and Sama vedas are performed, that completes the Brahmayagna.

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 goes to Surya 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 goes to Surya 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 ==

== सम्वादः || 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<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 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<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 Inner Being or Atma of all things.