Changes

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>

== Origin of Pakayajnas ==

== पाकयज्ञोद्गम॥ Origin of Pakayajnas ==

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>

Once when Ida was in the presence of Manu the Devas invited her openly and the Asuras invited her covertly. Since Ida accepted the invitation of the Devas, all creatures abandoned the Asuras and joined the party of Devas.<blockquote>सर्वेण वै यज्ञेन देवाः सुवर्गं लोकम् आयन् पाकयज्ञेन मनुर् अश्राम्यत् सेडा मनुम् उपावर्तत तां देवासुरा व्यह्वयन्त...।  (Tait. Samh. 1.7.1.3)<ref>Taittriya Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A Kanda 1 Prapathaka 7 Anuvaka 1])</ref></blockquote>Shatapatha Brahmana details another version of the anecdote. Manu desired to create beings after the earth was covered all over with water. He then performed Pakayajna by pouring ghee, curds and other offerings. From this rose Maitravaruna and later on Ida.<blockquote>सोर्चंञ्छ्राम्यंश्चचार प्रजाकामः । तत्रापि पाकयज्ञेनेजे स घृतं दधिमस्त्वामिक्षामित्यप्सु जुहवांचकार ततः संवत्सरे योषित्सम्बभूव सा ह पिब्दमानेवोदेयाय तस्यै ह स्म घृतं पदे संतिष्ठते तया मित्रावरुणौ संजग्माते - १.८.१.[७] (Shat. Brah. 1.8.1.7)<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 8 Brahmana 1])</ref></blockquote>Thus one may infer that Manu was the first to conduct Pakayajnas with a desire to procreate. Thus these yajnas are performed without Ida whereas the Shrautayajnas are performed with her presence.

Once when Ida was in the presence of Manu the Devas invited her openly and the Asuras invited her covertly. Since Ida accepted the invitation of the Devas, all creatures abandoned the Asuras and joined the party of Devas.<blockquote>सर्वेण वै यज्ञेन देवाः सुवर्गं लोकम् आयन् पाकयज्ञेन मनुर् अश्राम्यत् सेडा मनुम् उपावर्तत तां देवासुरा व्यह्वयन्त...।  (Tait. Samh. 1.7.1.3)<ref>Taittriya Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A Kanda 1 Prapathaka 7 Anuvaka 1])</ref></blockquote>Shatapatha Brahmana details another version of the anecdote. Manu desired to create beings after the earth was covered all over with water. He then performed Pakayajna by pouring ghee, curds and other offerings. From this rose Maitravaruna and later on Ida.<blockquote>सोर्चंञ्छ्राम्यंश्चचार प्रजाकामः । तत्रापि पाकयज्ञेनेजे स घृतं दधिमस्त्वामिक्षामित्यप्सु जुहवांचकार ततः संवत्सरे योषित्सम्बभूव सा ह पिब्दमानेवोदेयाय तस्यै ह स्म घृतं पदे संतिष्ठते तया मित्रावरुणौ संजग्माते - १.८.१.[७] (Shat. Brah. 1.8.1.7)<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 8 Brahmana 1])</ref></blockquote>Thus one may infer that Manu was the first to conduct Pakayajnas with a desire to procreate. Thus these yajnas are performed without Ida whereas the Shrautayajnas are performed with her presence.

== Kinds of Pakayajnas ==

== पाकयज्ञभेदाः ॥ Kinds of Pakayajnas ==

As for the list of pakayajnas, different sutras mention different pakayajnas. Ashvalayana Grhyasutras mentions three Pakayajnas<blockquote>त्रयः पाकयज्ञाः २ हुता अग्नौ हूयमाना अनग्नौ प्रहुता ब्राह्मणभोजने ब्रह्मणिहुताः ३ (Ashv. Grhy. Sutr. 1.1.2-3)<ref>Ashvalayana Grhyasutras ([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 Full Text])</ref></blockquote>Paraskara and Shankhayana mentions four Pakayajnas<blockquote>चत्वारः पाकयज्ञा हुतोऽहुतः प्रहुतः प्राशित इति १ (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 1.4.1)<ref name=":3">Paraskara Grhyasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%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 Full Text])</ref><ref>Shankhayana Grhyasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%96%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 Full Text])</ref></blockquote>Some sutras mention them as Pakasamstha (a system, a group) consisting of seven pakayajnas.

As for the list of pakayajnas, different sutras mention different pakayajnas. There are various versions about the number of Pakayajnas and their relationship with Panchamahayajnas, which are also mentioned separately in many grhyasutras. It should be noted that the terms are interchangeably used but the underlying commonality of the procedure is distinct. One may note that Agni is used in some instances to receive the offerings while in other cases it is not so, but the offering is cooked food either as meal to a guest or Brahmana or to the creatures as Baliharana.

 

Ashvalayana Grhyasutras mentions three kinds of Pakayajnas, namely Huta (हुताः) which constitute a process of making offerings into the agni (ghryagni), Prahutah  (प्रहुता) in which there are no offerings into the agni, and Brahmani-huta (ब्रह्मणिहुताः) which consist in feeding of Brahmanas.<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>त्रयः पाकयज्ञाः २ हुता अग्नौ हूयमाना अनग्नौ प्रहुता ब्राह्मणभोजने ब्रह्मणिहुताः ३ (Ashv. Grhy. Sutr. 1.1.2-3)<ref>Ashvalayana Grhyasutras ([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 Full Text])</ref></blockquote>

 

Paraskara and Shankhayana, however, mention four kinds of Pakayajnas in a different context. They are Huta (हुतः), Ahuta (अहुतः), Prahuta (प्रहुतः), Prashita (प्राशितः)<blockquote>चत्वारः पाकयज्ञा हुतोऽहुतः प्रहुतः प्राशित इति १ (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 1.4.1)<ref name=":3">Paraskara Grhyasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%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 Full Text])</ref><ref name=":5">Shankhayana Grhyasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%96%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 Full Text])</ref></blockquote>Shankhayana explains the four kinds, Huta is that in which offering is made into the Agnihotra (here it is the grhyagni), Ahuta means an offering of Balis, Prahuta involves offerings to the Pitrs, Prashita is an offering to Brahmanas (food given to Brahmanas).<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>हुतोऽग्निहोत्रहोमेनाहुतो बलिकर्मणा प्रहुतः पितृकर्मणा प्राशितो ब्राह्मणे हुतः ७ (Shan. Grhy. Sutr. 1.10.7)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote>According to Manusmrti, Ahuta, Huta, Prahuta, Braahmya-huta and Prasita are also the names of the [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]]. <blockquote>अहुतं च हुतं चैव तथा प्रहुतं एव च । ब्राह्म्यं हुतं प्राशितं च पञ्चयज्ञान्प्रचक्षते ।। ३.७३।।  जपोऽहुतो हुतो होमः प्रहुतो भौतिको बलिः । ब्राह्म्यं हुतं द्विजाग्र्यार्चा प्राशितं पितृतर्पणम् । । ३.७४ (Manu. Smrt. 3.73-74)<ref>Manusmrti ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 3])</ref></blockquote>

 

Some sutras mention them as Pakasamstha (an assemblage, a group) consisting of seven pakayajnas.

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|+Kinds of Pakayajnas in Grhyasutras

|+Kinds of Pakayajnas in Grhyasutras

== Features of Pakayajnas ==

== Features of Pakayajnas ==

Pakayajnas are characterized by some typical features or aspects as follows.

Pakayajnas are characterized by some typical features or aspects as follows.

# अथातः पाकयज्ञान्व्याख्यास्यामः ॥ Grhyasutras are the source of information for domestic yajnas

# अथातः पाकयज्ञान्व्याख्यास्यामः ॥ [[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]] are the source of information for domestic yajnas

# गृह्येऽग्नौ सायंप्रातर्होमयो ॥ They involve the use of Grhyagni, a single fire in which the homas are performed early morning and at dusk (evening).

# गृह्येऽग्नौ सायंप्रातर्होमयो ॥ They involve the use of Grhyagni, a single fire in which the homas are performed early morning and at dusk (evening).

# पाकसाध्यो यज्ञः ॥ Ahutis typically consist of cooked foods (Payasa, Charu etc) as the principal  

# पाकसाध्यो यज्ञः ॥ Ahutis typically consist of cooked foods (Payasa, Charu etc) as the principal