Changes

* Panchamahayajnas have been described in [[Grhya Sutras|Grhyasutras]].

* Panchamahayajnas have been described in [[Grhya Sutras|Grhyasutras]].

<blockquote>अथातः पञ्चयज्ञाः | १ 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 तानेतान्यज्ञानहरहः कुर्वीत | ४ (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>athātaḥ pañcayajñāḥ | 1 devayajño bhūtayajñaḥ pitṛyajño brahmayajño manuṣyayajña iti | 2 </blockquote><blockquote>tadyadagnau juhoti sa devayajño yadbaliṅkaroti sa bhūtayajño yatpitṛbhyo dadāti sa pitṛyajño yatsvādhyāyamadhīyate sa brahmayajño yanmanuṣyebhyo dadāti sa manuṣyayajña iti | 3 tānetānyajñānaharahaḥ kurvīta | 4 (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 Panchayajnas. The yajna for devatas, yajna for (other living) beings, yajna for forefathers, yajna for Brahma, yajna for human beings. Here, when offerings are made in Agni, this yajna is for the devatas. That which is offered as bali, is the yajna for other beings. That (pindas) which is given for forefathers, is the pitru yajna. That study (of the vedas) is the brahma yajna, and that which gives to men, is the manushya yajna. These five yajnas are to be performed everyday.</blockquote>

<blockquote>अथातः पञ्चयज्ञाः | १ 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 तानेतान्यज्ञानहरहः कुर्वीत | ४ (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>athātaḥ pañcayajñāḥ | 1 devayajño bhūtayajñaḥ pitṛyajño brahmayajño manuṣyayajña iti | 2 </blockquote><blockquote>tadyadagnau juhoti sa devayajño yadbaliṅkaroti sa bhūtayajño yatpitṛbhyo dadāti sa pitṛyajño yatsvādhyāyamadhīyate sa brahmayajño yanmanuṣyebhyo dadāti sa manuṣyayajña iti | 3 tānetānyajñānaharahaḥ kurvīta | 4 (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 Panchayajnas. The yajna for devatas, yajna for (other living) beings, yajna for forefathers, yajna for Brahma, yajna for human beings. Here, when offerings are made in Agni, this yajna is for the devatas. That which is offered as bali, is the yajna for other beings. That (pindas) which is given for forefathers, is the pitru yajna. That study (of the vedas) is the brahma yajna, and that which gives to men, is the manushya yajna. These five yajnas are to be performed everyday.</blockquote>

* The ancient rishis have prescribed these Panchamahayajnas in Taittreeya 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.

* The ancient rishis have prescribed these Panchamahayagnas in Taittriya Aranyaka (Prapathaka 2 and Anuvaka 10 given along with Sayanacharya's bhashyam) <ref name=":12">[http://www.vedamu.org/PageViewerImage.aspx?DivId=998 Taittriya Aranyaka] (2.10) with Sayanabhashyam in Pages 144 to 146</ref> for removal of the sins accrued by the grihasta.

<blockquote>तद्विधिप्रसङ्गेन पञ्चमहायज्ञान्विधत्ते |  </blockquote><blockquote>tadvidhiprasaṅgena pañcamahāyajñānvidhatte | </blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : The procedure to perform panchamahayajnas is now given</blockquote><blockquote>पञ्च वा एते महायज्ञा: संतति प्रतायन्ते सतति संतिष्ठन्ते | देवयज्ञ: पितृयज्ञो भूतयज्ञो मनुष्ययज्ञो ब्रह्मयज्ञो इति-, इति || </blockquote><blockquote>pañca vā ete mahāyajñā: saṃtati pratāyante satati saṃtiṣṭhante | devayajña: pitṛyajño bhūtayajño manuṣyayajño brahmayajño iti-, iti || </blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Five of these mahayajnas are observed and completed day after day, on a daily basis. They are Devayajna, Pitruyana, Bhutayajna, Manushyayajna and Brahmayajna.</blockquote>

<blockquote>तद्विधिप्रसङ्गेन पञ्चमहायज्ञान्विधत्ते |  </blockquote><blockquote>tadvidhiprasaṅgena pañcamahāyajñānvidhatte | </blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : The procedure to perform panchamahayajnas is now given</blockquote><blockquote>पञ्च वा एते महायज्ञा: संतति प्रतायन्ते सतति संतिष्ठन्ते | देवयज्ञ: पितृयज्ञो भूतयज्ञो मनुष्ययज्ञो ब्रह्मयज्ञो इति-, इति || </blockquote><blockquote>pañca vā ete mahāyajñā: saṃtati pratāyante satati saṃtiṣṭhante | devayajña: pitṛyajño bhūtayajño manuṣyayajño brahmayajño iti-, iti || </blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Five of these mahayajnas are observed and completed day after day, on a daily basis. They are Devayajna, Pitruyajna, Bhutayajna, Manushyayajna and Brahmayajna.</blockquote>

=== देवयज्ञः || Deva Yajna  ===

=== देवयज्ञः || Deva Yajna  ===

<blockquote>तत्र देवयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यदग्नौ जुहोत्यपि समिधं तद्देवयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते - इति ||</blockquote><blockquote>पुरोडाशादिहविर्मुख्यं तदलाभे समिधमप्यग्नौ देवानुद्दिशञ्जुहोतीति यत्सोऽयं देवयज्ञः || (Saya. Bhas.)</blockquote><blockquote>tatra devayajñasya lakṣaṇamāha - yadagnau juhotyapi samidhaṃ taddevayajña: saṃtiṣṭhate - iti ||</blockquote><blockquote>puroḍāśādihavirmukhyaṃ tadalābhe samidhamapyagnau devānuddiśañjuhotīti yatso'yaṃ devayajñaḥ || (Saya. Bhas.)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : The characteristics of Devayajna are now said - Wherein the समिधः || samidha (sacrificial material ) is offered into Agni, that completes Devayajna.  According to सायणाचार्यः ॥ Sayanacharya, पुरोडाशः || Purodasha ( a special kind of sacrificial offering) is to be offered primarily as a sacrificial offering. However, when that is unavailable, samidha is offered for Devatas and such a practice is called Devayajna.</blockquote>Deva Yajna, is the sacrifice offered to the celestial beings in the form of milk, ghee, herbs, and camphor offered into the [[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|अग्निहोत्रम् || Agnihotra]] (sacrificial fire). Havis are the offerings for Devatas made with the utterance of स्वाहा || Svaha at the end of the mantra. Homa or Havan promotes rains which give good crops and harvest.   

<blockquote>तत्र देवयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यदग्नौ जुहोत्यपि समिधं तद्देवयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते - इति ||</blockquote><blockquote>पुरोडाशादिहविर्मुख्यं तदलाभे समिधमप्यग्नौ देवानुद्दिशञ्जुहोतीति यत्सोऽयं देवयज्ञः || (Saya. Bhas.)</blockquote><blockquote>tatra devayajñasya lakṣaṇamāha - yadagnau juhotyapi samidhaṃ taddevayajña: saṃtiṣṭhate - iti ||</blockquote><blockquote>puroḍāśādihavirmukhyaṃ tadalābhe samidhamapyagnau devānuddiśañjuhotīti yatso'yaṃ devayajñaḥ || (Saya. Bhas.)</blockquote>Meaning : The characteristics of Devayajna are now said - Wherein the समिधः || samidha (sacrificial material ) is offered into Agni, that completes Devayajna.  According to सायणाचार्यः ॥ Sayanacharya, पुरोडाशः || Purodasha ( a special kind of havis made of cooked rice) is to be offered primarily as a ahuti. However, when that is unavailable, samidha is offered for Devatas and such a practice is called Devayajna.

 

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

=== पितृयज्ञः || Pitru Yajna  ===

=== पितृयज्ञः || Pitru Yajna  ===

<blockquote>तत्र पिण्डदानासंभवे जलमात्रमपि पितृभ्यः स्वधाऽस्त्विति स्वधाशब्देन यद्ददाति सोऽयं पितृयज्ञः ---|| (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote><blockquote>tatra piṇḍadānāsaṃbhave jalamātramapi pitṛbhyaḥ svadhā'stviti svadhāśabdena yaddadāti so'yaṃ pitṛyajñaḥ ---|| (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote><blockquote>According to Sayanacharya, Pitru Yajna, is where पिण्डप्रधानम् ॥ 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 || svadhakara (i.e using the mantras with svadha in the end) or offering anything into the fire with svadha constitutes the Pirtuyajna.</blockquote>Generally तर्पणम् || tarpana (offering of water and pinda or offering of rice) is made to the ancestors with the utterance of Svadha. Offering of तिलः ॥ Tila (sesame) to pitrudevatas is also present.   

<blockquote>पितृयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यत्पितृभ्यः स्वधा करोत्यप्यपस्तत्पितृयज्ञः संतिष्ठते-,इति ।</blockquote><blockquote>तत्र पिण्डदानासंभवे जलमात्रमपि पितृभ्यः स्वधाऽस्त्विति स्वधाशब्देन यद्ददाति सोऽयं पितृयज्ञः ---|| (Saya. Bhas)<ref name=":12" /></blockquote><blockquote>tatra piṇḍadānāsaṃbhave jalamātramapi pitṛbhyaḥ svadhā'stviti svadhāśabdena yaddadāti so'yaṃ pitṛyajñaḥ ---|| (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote>According to Sayanacharya, Pitru Yajna, is where पिण्डप्रधानम् ॥ 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 || svadhakara (i.e using the mantras with svadha in the end) or offering anything into the fire with svadha constitutes the Pirtuyajna.

 

Generally तर्पणम् || tarpana (offering of water and pinda or offering of rice) is made to the ancestors with the utterance of Svadha. Offering of तिलः ॥ Tila (sesame) to pitrudevatas is also practiced.   

=== भूतयज्ञ: || Bhuta Yajna  ===

=== भूतयज्ञ: || Bhuta Yajna  ===

<blockquote>भूतयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यद्भतेभ्यो बलिँ् हरति तद्भूतयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते -, इति ||</blockquote><blockquote>bhūtayajñasya lakṣaṇamāha - yadbhatebhyo balim̐ harati tadbhūtayajña: saṃtiṣṭhate -, iti ||</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning: Characteristics of Bhutayajna is now said - that bali offered to Bhutas (other life forms); that completes the bhutayajna.</blockquote><blockquote>वैश्वदेवानुष्ठानादूर्ध्वं बहिर्देशे वायसादिभ्यो भूतेभ्यो यद्बलिप्रदानं सोऽयं भूतयज्ञ: || (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote><blockquote>vaiśvadevānuṣṭhānādūrdhvaṃ bahirdeśe vāyasādibhyo bhūtebhyo yadbalipradānaṃ so'yaṃ bhūtayajña: ||</blockquote><blockquote>वैश्वदेवः || 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 बलिप्रदानम् || Balipradana.</blockquote>Every temple in the past had बलिपीठम् || Bali peetha on which the food (after Vaisvedava offering) is placed on it for feeding the hungry animals and birds.   

<blockquote>भूतयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यद्भूतेभ्यो बलिँ् हरति तद्भूतयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते -, इति ||</blockquote><blockquote>bhūtayajñasya lakṣaṇamāha - yadbhatebhyo balim̐ harati tadbhūtayajña: saṃtiṣṭhate -, iti ||</blockquote>Meaning: Characteristics of Bhutayajna is now said - that bali offered to Bhutas (other life forms); that completes the bhutayajna.<blockquote>वैश्वदेवानुष्ठानादूर्ध्वं बहिर्देशे वायसादिभ्यो भूतेभ्यो यद्बलिप्रदानं सोऽयं भूतयज्ञ: || (Saya. Bhas)<ref name=":12" /></blockquote><blockquote>vaiśvadevānuṣṭhānādūrdhvaṃ bahirdeśe vāyasādibhyo bhūtebhyo yadbalipradānaṃ so'yaṃ bhūtayajña: ||</blockquote>वैश्वदेवः || 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 बलिप्रदानम् || Balipradana.

 

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

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

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

<blockquote>मनुष्ययज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यद्ब्रांह्मणेभ्योऽन्नं ददाति तन्मनुष्ययज्ञ: संतिष्ठते -, इति ||</blockquote><blockquote>manuṣyayajñasya lakṣaṇamāha - yadbrāṃhmaṇebhyo'nnaṃ dadāti tanmanuṣyayajña: saṃtiṣṭhate -, iti ||</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : Characteristics of the Manushyayajna is now said - when अन्नम् ॥ annam (food) is given to ब्राह्मणाः ॥ Brahmanas, that completes the Manushyayajna.</blockquote>This is the fourth yajna and includes providing hospitality, food and water to hungry, uninvited अतिथिः || atithi (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.   

<blockquote>मनुष्ययज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यद्ब्राह्मणेभ्योऽन्नं ददाति तन्मनुष्ययज्ञ: संतिष्ठते -, इति ||</blockquote><blockquote>manuṣyayajñasya lakṣaṇamāha - yadbrāṃhmaṇebhyo'nnaṃ dadāti tanmanuṣyayajña: saṃtiṣṭhate -, iti ||</blockquote>Meaning : Characteristics of the Manushyayajna is now said - when अन्नम् ॥ annam (food) is given to ब्राह्मणाः ॥ Brahmanas, that completes the Manushyayajna.

 

This is the fourth yajna and includes providing hospitality, food and water to hungry, uninvited अतिथिः || atithi (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 Yajna  ===

=== 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><blockquote>brahmayajñasya lakṣaṇamāha - yatsvādhyāyamadhīyītaikāmapyṛcaṃ yaju: sāmaṃ vā tadbrahmayajña: saṃtiṃṣṭhate - , iti ||svasyāsādhāraṇatvena pitṛpitāmahādiparamparayā prāptā vedaśākhā svādhyāyaḥ | tatra vidyamānamṛgādīnāmanyatamamekamapi vākyamadhīyīteti yatso'yaṃ brahmayajñaḥ--- || (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote><blockquote>Meaning : The characteristics of Brahmayajna are now said - when स्वाध्यायः || svadhyaya (regular study) of at least one of the Rig, Yajus and Sama vedas are performed, that completes the Brahmayajna.</blockquote>According to Sayanacharya, स्वाध्यायः || svadhya is that where the vedashaka (veda) is conventionally handed down according to tradition by the forefathers (such as father and grandfather). A study of at least one word in such traditionally handed down veda is said to be Brahmayajna.  

<blockquote>ब्रह्मयज्ञस्य लक्षणमाह - यत्स्वाध्यायमधीयीतैकामप्यृचं यजु: सामं  वा तद्ब्रह्मयज्ञ: संतिष्ठते - , इति ||</blockquote><blockquote>स्वस्यासाधारणत्वेन पितृपितामहादिपरम्परया प्राप्ता वेदशाखा स्वाध्यायः | तत्र विद्यमानमृगादीनामन्यतममेकमपि वाक्यमधीयीतेति यत्सोऽयं ब्रह्मयज्ञः--- || (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote><blockquote>brahmayajñasya lakṣaṇamāha - yatsvādhyāyamadhīyītaikāmapyṛcaṃ yaju: sāmaṃ vā tadbrahmayajña: saṃtiṃṣṭhate - , iti ||svasyāsādhāraṇatvena pitṛpitāmahādiparamparayā prāptā vedaśākhā svādhyāyaḥ | tatra vidyamānamṛgādīnāmanyatamamekamapi vākyamadhīyīteti yatso'yaṃ brahmayajñaḥ--- || (Saya. Bhas)</blockquote>Meaning : The characteristics of Brahmayajna are now said - when स्वाध्यायः || svadhyaya (regular study) of at least one of the Rig, Yajus and Sama vedas are performed, that completes the Brahmayajna.

 

According to Sayanacharya, स्वाध्यायः || svadhyaya is that where the vedashaka (veda) is conventionally handed down according to tradition by the forefathers (such as father and grandfather) to a person. A study of at least one word in such traditionally handed down veda is said to be Brahmayajna.  

This sacrifice is dedicated to the Vedas and their seers (Rishis) in the form of regular study (svadhyaya) of the sacred vedas and the teaching of it to deserving students (adhyapana).

This sacrifice is dedicated to the Vedas and their seers (Rishis) in the form of regular study (svadhyaya) of the sacred vedas 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 (Mahayajnas).  These are the dharmas of a person in Grhasta ashrama.   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. 

These five functions are imperatives on every householder and they are rightly regarded as Mahayajnas (great sacrifices).  These are the dharmas of a person in Grhasta ashrama.    

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 thus the living beings increase. 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).  

== सम्वादः || 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.