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→‎Classsification of Yajnas: added content and reference
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# '''Smarta''' Yajnas or [[Pakayajnas (पाकयज्ञाः)|Grhya Yajnas (पाकयज्ञाः)]] based on Smritis and Dharmashastras.
 
# '''Smarta''' Yajnas or [[Pakayajnas (पाकयज्ञाः)|Grhya Yajnas (पाकयज्ञाः)]] based on Smritis and Dharmashastras.
 
* Yajnas are classified into three types based on the time when they are performed, namely  
 
* Yajnas are classified into three types based on the time when they are performed, namely  
# '''Nitya''' (Daily): is that action which is performed daily. They also include other periodic activities such as Amavasya tarpanam, pitr tarpanam.
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# '''Nitya''' (नित्यम् । Daily): is that action which is performed daily. They also include other periodic activities such as Amavasya tarpanam, pitr tarpanam, [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|panchamahayajnas]]. Shastras prescribe that these yajnas are obligatory for dvija grhasthas and they do neither involve extensive dravyas nor time.
# '''Naimittika''' (Occasional): is attended to on particular occasion like child birth, weddings etc.
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# '''Naimittika''' (नैमित्तिकम् । Occasional): include activities on particular occasions like samskaras at child birth, weddings etc.  
#  '''Kamya''' (Optional) : is that which is performed to attain some special purpose such as begetting children (Putrakamesthi) or establishing victory over other kings (Rajasuya).
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#  '''Kamya''' (काम्यम् । Optional) : is that which is performed to attain some special purpose such as begetting children (Putrakamesthi) or establishing victory over other kings (Rajasuya). Naimittika and Kamya yajnas are not obligatory and depend on the interest and circumstances of the Yajamana.
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* Yajnas are classified based on gunas as mentioned in the Bhagavadgita (17.11-13). Of them the Satvika yajnas are highly regarded.<ref>Pt. Shriveniram Sharma Gauda (2018) ''Yajna Mimamsa.'' Varanasi: Chaukhamba Vidyabhavan</ref>
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<blockquote>अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते । यष्टव्यमेवेति मनः समाधाय स सात्त्विकः ॥१७- ११॥</blockquote><blockquote>अभिसंधाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत् । इज्यते भरतश्रेष्ठ तं यज्ञं विद्धि राजसम् ॥१७- १२॥</blockquote><blockquote>विधिहीनमसृष्टान्नं मन्त्रहीनमदक्षिणम् । श्रद्धाविरहितं यज्ञं तामसं परिचक्षते ॥१७- १३॥</blockquote>
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# '''Satvika Yajna (सात्विकयज्ञः)''' is when the yajna is performed without expectation of any return (निष्कामभावः)
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# '''Rajasika Yajna (राजसिकयज्ञः)''' is when the yajna is performed with a desire in mind (सकामभावः)
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# '''Tamasika Yajna (तामसिकयज्ञः)''' is when a yajna is performed against the prescribed ways given in the shastras (विधिहीनम्)
 
* Another classification of Yajna or yaga based on principal and subsidiary actions of Yajna include
 
* Another classification of Yajna or yaga based on principal and subsidiary actions of Yajna include
# '''Pradhana''' (Principal)
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# '''Pradhana''' (प्रधानम् । Principal)
# '''Anga''' (Subsidiary)
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# '''Anga''' (अङ्गम् । Subsidiary)
 
A ‘Yaga’ is made up of several rituals which has its own principal part (Pradhana). Those that form subsidiary or supplement to this are called ‘Angas’. Some of the rituals may be common to several ‘Yagas’.<ref name=":022">Radhakrishna Bhat, N. ''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/pdf/Vedic_tradition_karnataka.pdf Vedic Ritual Tradition of Karnataka]'', Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref>
 
A ‘Yaga’ is made up of several rituals which has its own principal part (Pradhana). Those that form subsidiary or supplement to this are called ‘Angas’. Some of the rituals may be common to several ‘Yagas’.<ref name=":022">Radhakrishna Bhat, N. ''[http://vedicheritage.gov.in/pdf/Vedic_tradition_karnataka.pdf Vedic Ritual Tradition of Karnataka]'', Vedic Heritage Portal.</ref>
 
* Vedic yajnas/yagas are divided into two<ref name=":122222222">Purkayastha, Dipanjona (2014) Ph. D Thesis from Assam University : ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/41946 A Study of the Asvalayana srauta sutra with reference to the principal yajnas]''</ref>
 
* Vedic yajnas/yagas are divided into two<ref name=":122222222">Purkayastha, Dipanjona (2014) Ph. D Thesis from Assam University : ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/41946 A Study of the Asvalayana srauta sutra with reference to the principal yajnas]''</ref>
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==== श्रौताग्निः॥ Shrautagni or Tretagni ====
 
==== श्रौताग्निः॥ Shrautagni or Tretagni ====
Shrautagni is meant for the Shrautakarmas (shrauta yajnas such as Haviryajnas and Somayajnas). It involves the use of three fires burning in three mounds hence called [[Tretagni (त्रेताग्नयः)|Tretagni]]. From the Aupasanagni, by the procedure of Agnyadhanam, Shrautaagni also called as the Garhapatyagni is kindled and maintained by the grihastha at the time of the vivaha samskara. One of the three sacred fires (tretagni), called "garhapatya" belongs to the master of the household. It must be kept burning in the garhapatya mound which is circular in shape. The section in the Apastamba-sutra dealing with rites performed in it is called "Tretagni-kanda". One who worships all these three Agnis is called a "Tretagni" or "'''Shrautin'''".<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":322">Kannan, P. R. [https://sanskritdocuments.org/sites/prkannan/Balabodha%20Sangraham%20-%203.pdf Balabodha Sangraha - 3] (Topic Efficacies of Agni Upasana) Kanchi Kaamkoti Peetham</ref>
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Shrautagni is meant for the Shrautakarmas (shrauta yajnas such as Haviryajnas and Somayajnas). It involves the use of three fires burning in three mounds hence called [[Tretagni (त्रेताग्निः)|Tretagni]]. From the Aupasanagni, by the procedure of Agnyadhanam, Shrautaagni also called as the Garhapatyagni is kindled and maintained by the grihastha at the time of the vivaha samskara. One of the three sacred fires (tretagni), called "garhapatya" belongs to the master of the household. It must be kept burning in the garhapatya mound which is circular in shape. The section in the Apastamba-sutra dealing with rites performed in it is called "Tretagni-kanda". One who worships all these three Agnis is called a "Tretagni" or "'''Shrautin'''".<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":322">Kannan, P. R. [https://sanskritdocuments.org/sites/prkannan/Balabodha%20Sangraham%20-%203.pdf Balabodha Sangraha - 3] (Topic Efficacies of Agni Upasana) Kanchi Kaamkoti Peetham</ref>
    
One who worships the Shrauta and Grhyagnis, is called an "'''Ahitagni'''". Aupasana (in Smartagni) and Agnihotra (in Shrautagni) are the two Nityakarmas to be performed on a daily basis.     
 
One who worships the Shrauta and Grhyagnis, is called an "'''Ahitagni'''". Aupasana (in Smartagni) and Agnihotra (in Shrautagni) are the two Nityakarmas to be performed on a daily basis.     
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== श्रौतयज्ञाः ॥ Shrauta Yajnas ==
 
== श्रौतयज्ञाः ॥ Shrauta Yajnas ==
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Kalpas are one among the [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|Shad Vedangas]]. [[Shrautasutras (श्रौतसूत्राणि)|Shrautasutras]] of the [[Kalpa Vedanga (कल्पवेदाङ्गम्)|Kalpa Vedanga]] deal with the rules for the execution of the great yajnas based on the Veda mantras. All the four Vedas have their Shrautasutras.<ref name=":122222222" /> 
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Shrauta Yajnas are performed in the shrauta-agnis which consist of three fires called as Tretagni (Garhapatya, Ahvaniya and Dakshinagni). Different sutras mention different shrauta yajnas.   
 
Shrauta Yajnas are performed in the shrauta-agnis which consist of three fires called as Tretagni (Garhapatya, Ahvaniya and Dakshinagni). Different sutras mention different shrauta yajnas.   
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Shabdakalpadruma<ref>Shabdakalpadruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83 See Haviryajnas under Yaga])</ref> the following Shrauta Yajnas are summarized as given in the table below.
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In the Shabdakalpadruma<ref>Shabdakalpadruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83 See Haviryajnas under Yaga])</ref> the following Shrauta Yajnas are summarized as given in the table below.
 
: <blockquote>तत्र श्रौताग्निकृत्य- हविर्यज्ञाः सप्त । यथा । आग्न्याधानं तदेवाग्निहोत्रम् १ दर्शपौर्णमासौ २ पिण्डपितृ-यज्ञः ३ आग्रयणम् ४ चातुर्म्मास्यः ५ निरूढ-पशुबन्धः ६ सौत्रामणिः ७ ।</blockquote>
 
: <blockquote>तत्र श्रौताग्निकृत्य- हविर्यज्ञाः सप्त । यथा । आग्न्याधानं तदेवाग्निहोत्रम् १ दर्शपौर्णमासौ २ पिण्डपितृ-यज्ञः ३ आग्रयणम् ४ चातुर्म्मास्यः ५ निरूढ-पशुबन्धः ६ सौत्रामणिः ७ ।</blockquote>
 
: <blockquote>श्रौताग्निसप्तसंस्थाः । यथा । सोमयागः स एवाग्निष्टोमः १ अत्यग्निष्टोमः २ उक्थ्यः ३ षोडशी ४ वाजपेयः ५ स द्बिविधः संस्था कुरुश्च । अतिरात्रः ६ अप्तूर्य्यामः ७ ।</blockquote>
 
: <blockquote>श्रौताग्निसप्तसंस्थाः । यथा । सोमयागः स एवाग्निष्टोमः १ अत्यग्निष्टोमः २ उक्थ्यः ३ षोडशी ४ वाजपेयः ५ स द्बिविधः संस्था कुरुश्च । अतिरात्रः ६ अप्तूर्य्यामः ७ ।</blockquote>
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The most common of these yajnas is the Agnihotra, where daily havis of milk is given in the three fires, every morning and evening. Apart from Agnihotra, Darsapurnamasa (performed on New and Full Moon days) and Chaturmasya (performed at the beginning of three seasons) are also important and conducted in a few places in the present days.   
 
The most common of these yajnas is the Agnihotra, where daily havis of milk is given in the three fires, every morning and evening. Apart from Agnihotra, Darsapurnamasa (performed on New and Full Moon days) and Chaturmasya (performed at the beginning of three seasons) are also important and conducted in a few places in the present days.   
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=== श्रौतसुत्राणि Shrauta Sutras ===
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== गृह्यकर्माणि ॥ Smartha Karmas ==
Kalpas are one among the [[Shad Vedangas (षड्वेदाङ्गानि)|Shad Vedangas]]. Shrautasutras classified as one among the Kalpas deal with the rules for the execution of the great yajnas which last for many days. All the four Vedas have their Shrautasutras.<ref name=":122222222" />
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{| class="wikitable"
  −
!Vedas
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!Shrautasutras
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|-
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|Rig Veda
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|Avalayana, Sankhyayana
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|-
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|Krishna Yajurveda : Taittriya
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|Baudhayana, Bharadvaja, Apastamba, Hiranyakeshi, Vaikhanasa, Vadula, Kathaka
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|-
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|Krishna Yajurveda : Maitrayani
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|Manava and Varaha
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|-
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|Shukla Yajurveda
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|Katyanana
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|-
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|Samaveda
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|Arsheyakalpa, Kshudrasutra, Jaiminiya, Latyayana and Drahyayana
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|-
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|Atharvaveda
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|Vaitana
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|}
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Besides these above mentioned Shrautasutras, there are many others but their texts are not available at present.
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== गृह्यकर्माणि Smartha Karmas ==
   
Smaarta karmas are based on the procedures directly given in Smritis. Smritis include the Dharmasastras, though are based on the Srutis (vedas) are modified versions.
 
Smaarta karmas are based on the procedures directly given in Smritis. Smritis include the Dharmasastras, though are based on the Srutis (vedas) are modified versions.
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All rites in which the aupasana fire is used and pertain to an individual and his family are "Grhyakarmas". They are related exclusively to the family and are not very elaborate. Even so they are conducive to the good of the world outside also. Grhyasutras deal with such rites. They belong to the Smritis and so are called "Smarta-karmas". The seven Pakayajnas belong to this category.<ref name=":02" />
 
All rites in which the aupasana fire is used and pertain to an individual and his family are "Grhyakarmas". They are related exclusively to the family and are not very elaborate. Even so they are conducive to the good of the world outside also. Grhyasutras deal with such rites. They belong to the Smritis and so are called "Smarta-karmas". The seven Pakayajnas belong to this category.<ref name=":02" />
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The list of seven [[Pakayajnas (पाकयज्ञाः)]] according to Apastamba Grhyasutras as elucidated in the commentary of Haradatta, include
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The list of seven [[Pakayajnas (पाकयज्ञाः)]] according to Apastamba Grhyasutras as elucidated in the commentary of Haradatta, include<blockquote>तत्र च सप्त पाकयज्ञसंस्थाः - औपासनहोमो, वैश्वदेवं, पार्वण, मष्टका, मासिश्राद्धं, सर्पबलिं, रीशानबलिरिति ।<ref>Apastamba Grhyasutras with commentary by Haradatta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AC_%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%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%BF,_%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE,_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A4%9A Anukula Vritti])</ref></blockquote>
 
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तत्र च सप्त पाकयज्ञसंस्थाः - औपासनहोमो, वैश्वदेवं, पार्वण, मष्टका, मासिश्राद्धं, सर्पबलिं, रीशानबलिरिति ।<ref>Apastamba Grhyasutras with commentary by Haradatta ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AC_%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%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%BF,_%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE,_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A4%9A Anukula Vritti])</ref>
   
* औपासनहोमः ॥ ''Aupasanahoma''
 
* औपासनहोमः ॥ ''Aupasanahoma''
 
* वैश्वदेवः ॥ ''Vaishvadeva''
 
* वैश्वदेवः ॥ ''Vaishvadeva''
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== Discussion ==
 
== Discussion ==
Ritual versus knowledge is a much debated topic. Shankara in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras states that the rightful observance of the ''agnihotra'' and other rites are meant for those desirous of attaining Heaven and other enjoyments, and the understanding of the rightful doctrine of the Soul is meant for those desirous of emancipation. Reference needed
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Ritual versus knowledge is a much debated topic. Shankara in his commentary on the Brahma Sutras states that the rightful observance of the ''agnihotra'' and other rites are meant for those desirous of attaining Heaven and other enjoyments, and the understanding of the rightful doctrine of the Soul is meant for those desirous of emancipation. (Reference needed)
    
== Reference ==
 
== Reference ==
 
<references />
 
<references />
 
[[Category:Yajnas]]
 
[[Category:Yajnas]]

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