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Pakayajnas (Samskrit: पाकयज्ञाः) are a class of yajnas defined based on the offering of cooked items (पाकसाध्यो यज्ञः)<ref name=":1">Vachaspatya (See explanation for word [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8 Pakayajna])</ref> in the specific grhyaagni, at different times of the year and one some occasions (samskaras). Some of these yajnas are performed once while others are recurrent in the year. The [[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]] specifically deal with these yajnas which are the prescribed nityakarmas or obligatory activities of a grhastha. They are yajnas for individual and his extended family. The technical term Pakayajna is used to refer to Grhyayajnas to distinguish them from the Shrauta yajnas.

Pakayajnas (Samskrit: पाकयज्ञाः) are a class of yajnas defined based on the offering of cooked items (पाकसाध्यो यज्ञः)<ref name=":1">Vachaspatya (See explanation for word [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8 Pakayajna])</ref> in the specific grhyaagni, at different times of the year and one some occasions (samskaras). Some of these yajnas are performed once while others are recurrent in the year. The [[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]] specifically deal with these yajnas which are the prescribed nityakarmas or obligatory activities of a grhastha. They are the yajnas for individual and his extended family. The technical term Pakayajna is used to refer to Grhyayajnas to distinguish them from the Shrauta yajnas.

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

This term has been mentioned in Brahmana texts of the Vedas in a similar sense.<ref name=":0">Gopal, Ram. (1959) ''India of Vedic Kalpasutras.'' Delhi : National Publishing House</ref> Aitareya and Shatapatha Brahmana mentions about Pakayajnas as follows<blockquote>...'''पाकयज्ञा''' इळामेवानु ये केच '''पाकयज्ञास्ते''' सर्वेऽग्निष्टोममपियन्ति सायम्प्रातरग्निहोत्रं जुह्वति सायम्प्रातर्व्रतम्प्रयछन्ति स्वाहाकारेणाग्निहोत्रं जुह्वति...। (Aite. Brah. 3.40)<ref>Aiteraya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%A9_(%E0%A4%A4%E0 Panchika 3])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>एतेन वै सर्वान्यज्ञान्प्रणयन्ति ये च '''पाकयज्ञा''' ये चेतरे तस्मादाह प्रणीर्यज्ञानामिति - १.४.२.[१०] (Sat. Brah. 1.4.2.10)<ref>Shatapatha Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A Kanda 1 Adhyaya 4 Brahmana 2])</ref></blockquote>

This term has been mentioned in Brahmana texts of the Vedas in a similar sense.<ref name=":0">Gopal, Ram. (1959) ''India of Vedic Kalpasutras.'' Delhi : National Publishing House</ref> Aitareya and Shatapatha Brahmana mentions about Pakayajnas as follows<blockquote>...'''पाकयज्ञा''' इळामेवानु ये केच '''पाकयज्ञास्ते''' सर्वेऽग्निष्टोममपियन्ति सायम्प्रातरग्निहोत्रं जुह्वति सायम्प्रातर्व्रतम्प्रयछन्ति स्वाहाकारेणाग्निहोत्रं जुह्वति...। (Aite. Brah. 3.40)<ref>Aiteraya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%A9_(%E0%A4%A4%E0 Panchika 3])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>एतेन वै सर्वान्यज्ञान्प्रणयन्ति ये च '''पाकयज्ञा''' ये चेतरे तस्मादाह प्रणीर्यज्ञानामिति - १.४.२.[१०] (Sat. Brah. 1.4.2.10)<ref>Shatapatha Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A Kanda 1 Adhyaya 4 Brahmana 2])</ref></blockquote>

=== मनुः इडा च ॥ Manu and Ida ===

=== मनु इडा च ॥ Manu and Ida ===

Vaidika texts mention the connection of Manu and Ida (the daughter of Manu) with the Pakayajnas. Once Manu came to know that Devas and Asuras had performed Agnyadhana. To ascertain whether it was deposited at the proper time, Manu sent Ida (इडा or इळा) to them. Ida found that both parties had followed the wrong method, She said to Manu : "Your yajna (Agnyadhana) should not be as ineffectual as that of the Devas and Asuras. Therefore I myself shall deposit the Trividhagnis (the three Agnis which are to be set in the proper place) at the proper place." Manu agreed and began his yaga. As a result of it the Devas attained plenty and prosperity.<ref name=":12">Mani, Vettam. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass. (Page 316)</ref>

Vaidika texts mention the connection of Manu and Ida (the daughter of Manu) with the Pakayajnas. Once Manu came to know that Devas and Asuras had performed Agnyadhana. To ascertain whether it was deposited at the proper time, Manu sent Ida (इडा or इळा) to them. Ida found that both parties had followed the wrong method, She said to Manu : "Your yajna (Agnyadhana) should not be as ineffectual as that of the Devas and Asuras. Therefore I myself shall deposit the Trividhagnis (the three Agnis which are to be set in the proper place) at the proper place." Manu agreed and began his yaga. As a result of it the Devas attained plenty and prosperity.<ref name=":12">Mani, Vettam. (1975). ''[https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft Puranic encyclopaedia : A comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature.]'' Delhi:Motilal Banasidass. (Page 316)</ref>

== गृह्याग्निः ॥ Grhyaagni ==

== गृह्याग्निः ॥ Grhyaagni ==

Grhyaagni is the specific fire that is initiated at the time of vivaha samskara and it is obligatory to preserve it till the end of the life of the person or till he takes sanyasa ashrama. The Grhyaagni - the grhya fire, and the associated karmas are found mentioned in the brahmanas.<blockquote>...गृहान्पश्चा'''द्गृह्यस्याग्ने'''रुपविष्टायान्वातब्धाय ऋत्विगन्ततः कंसेन चतुर्गृहीतस्तिस्र...। (Aita. Brah. 8.10)<ref name=":2">Aitareya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%AE_(%E0%A4%85%E0 Panchika 8])</ref></blockquote>Gobhila Grhyasutras mention the procedure of morning and evening ahutis to be performed along with the wife, in grhyagni.<blockquote>स यदेवान्त्यां समिधमभ्यादधाति जायाया वा पाणिं जिघृक्षन्जुहोति तमभिसंयच्छेत् २० स एवास्य गृह्योऽग्निर्भवति २१ तेन चैवास्य प्रातराहुतिर्हुता भवतीति २२ सायमाहुत्युपक्रम एवात ऊर्ध्वं गृह्येऽग्नौ होमो विधीयते २३ (Gobh. Grhy. Sutr. 1.1.20-23)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>Grhyagni is also called

Grhyaagni is the specific fire that is initiated at the time of vivaha samskara and it is obligatory to preserve it till the end of the life of the person or till he takes sanyasa ashrama. This agni is maintained in a circular kunda and is used to initiate the Shrauta agnis (the [[Tretagni (त्रेताग्निः)|tretagni]]). Unlike the Shrautagnis which are divided into three, the Grhyagni is maintained as such and used for domestic karmas, hence it is termed as Ekagni. The Shrautagnis are never used for the domestic purposes.

 

The Grhyaagni - the grhya fire, and the associated karmas are found mentioned in the brahmanas.<blockquote>...गृहान्पश्चा'''द्गृह्यस्याग्ने'''रुपविष्टायान्वातब्धाय ऋत्विगन्ततः कंसेन चतुर्गृहीतस्तिस्र...। (Aita. Brah. 8.10)<ref name=":2">Aitareya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%AE_(%E0%A4%85%E0 Panchika 8])</ref></blockquote>Gobhila Grhyasutras specifically mention the term Grhyagni in the procedure of morning and evening homas to be performed along with the wife, in grhyagni.<blockquote>स यदेवान्त्यां समिधमभ्यादधाति जायाया वा पाणिं जिघृक्षन्जुहोति तमभिसंयच्छेत् २० स एवास्य गृह्योऽग्निर्भवति २१ तेन चैवास्य प्रातराहुतिर्हुता भवतीति २२ सायमाहुत्युपक्रम एवात ऊर्ध्वं गृह्येऽग्नौ होमो विधीयते २३ (Gobh. Grhy. Sutr. 1.1.20-23)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>Grhyagni is also called

* Aupasana agni

* Aupasana agni

* Smarta agni

* Smarta agni

* Laukikagni

* Laukikagni

The grhastha is supposed to perform nityakarmas such as [[Aupasana (औपासनः)|Aupasana]], twice a day, in the grhyagni, a rite replacing the [[Samidadhana (समिदाधानम्)|samidadhanam]] performed during [[Brahmacharyashrama (ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमः)|Brahmacharyashrama]]. This same agni is used for all the later samskaras of the family, such as upanayana, vivaha and even [[Shraddha (श्राद्धम्)|shraddha]]. When the son gets married the father's vivaha agni is used to initiate the son's vivaha homa, thus it is preserved eternally, handed down to generations. This agni is also used to initiate the Shrauta agni or the ([[Tretagni (त्रेताग्निः)|tretagni]] - the three fires) which is exclusively used to perform the [[Shrauta Yajnas (श्रौतयज्ञाः)|Shrauta yajnas]].

The grhastha is supposed to perform nityakarmas such as [[Aupasana (औपासनः)|Aupasana]], twice a day, in the grhyagni, which is rite replacing the [[Samidadhana (समिदाधानम्)|samidadhanam]] performed during [[Brahmacharyashrama (ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमः)|Brahmacharyashrama]]. This same agni is used for all the later samskaras of the family, such as upanayana, vivaha and even [[Shraddha (श्राद्धम्)|shraddha]]. When the son gets married the father's vivaha agni is used to initiate the son's vivaha homa, thus it is preserved eternally, handed down to generations.  

 

== References ==

== References ==

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