Changes

Over a long period the transformation of the Yajnas continued with the change in society itself. The main purpose of the Brahmana texts was to describe the procedures for Yajnas in detail, set the rules for the performance, and provide a rationale for their conduct, however they are not clearly organized making it difficult to follow them.<ref name=":3" />   

Over a long period the transformation of the Yajnas continued with the change in society itself. The main purpose of the Brahmana texts was to describe the procedures for Yajnas in detail, set the rules for the performance, and provide a rationale for their conduct, however they are not clearly organized making it difficult to follow them.<ref name=":3" />   

=== श्रौतसुत्राणि ॥ Shrautasutras ===

=== [[Shrautasutras (श्रौतसूत्राणि)|श्रौतसुत्राणि ॥ Shrautasutras]] ===

To remedy this a systematic and business-like code was called for, and this led to the composition of Shrautasutras. The sutras presuppose the Samhitas and Brahmanas but unlike them, they give a succinct systemic account of the Yajnas. Thus, Sutras assumed greater importance over a period of time as they formed the bridge between Brahmanas and the changing society. The Shrautasutra is a functional manual of the priests and it follows faithfully its own Brahmana. As a manual it has taken only those terms of the Brahmana which are essential in the operation of a Yajna.<ref name=":3" />  

To remedy this a systematic and business-like code was called for, and this led to the composition of Shrautasutras. The sutras presuppose the Samhitas and Brahmanas but unlike them, they give a succinct systemic account of the Yajnas. Thus, Sutras assumed greater importance over a period of time as they formed the bridge between Brahmanas and the changing society. The Shrautasutra is a functional manual of the priests and it follows faithfully its own Brahmana. As a manual it has taken only those terms of the Brahmana which are essential in the operation of a Yajna.<ref name=":3" />  

# The wooden vessal called '''chamasa''' used for drinking Soma is spoken of in many instances (Rig. Veda. 1.20.6, 1.110.3, 1.161.1 and 8.82.7)

# The wooden vessal called '''chamasa''' used for drinking Soma is spoken of in many instances (Rig. Veda. 1.20.6, 1.110.3, 1.161.1 and 8.82.7)

# The words '''prayaja''' and '''anuyaja''' occur in Rig veda (10.51.8-9).

# The words '''prayaja''' and '''anuyaja''' occur in Rig veda (10.51.8-9).

Thus, ample evidence of performance of yajnas is found from Rigvedic period.<ref name=":0" />

Thus, ample evidence of performance of yajnas is found from Rigvedic period.<ref name=":0" /> Just as the Vedas, the Yajnas are difficult to be inferred, they mention about the deities, are Apaurusheya (do not have human authors), Nitya (everlasting) and Anadi (eternal). Rigveda's first sukta, the Agni sukta, mentions the word Yajna which indicates their antiquity and presence even before the compilation of the Vedas.<ref name=":1" />

== Yajna Related Definitions ==

== Yajna Related Definitions ==

# '''Naimittika''' (नैमित्तिकम् । Occasional): include activities on particular occasions like samskaras at child birth, weddings etc.  

# '''Naimittika''' (नैमित्तिकम् । Occasional): include activities on particular occasions like samskaras at child birth, weddings etc.  

#  '''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.  

#  '''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.  

* 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>

* Yajnas are classified based on gunas as mentioned in the Bhagavadgita (17.11-13). Of them the Satvika yajnas are highly regarded.<ref name=":1">Pt. Shriveniram Sharma Gauda (2018) ''Yajna Mimamsa.'' Varanasi: Chaukhamba Vidyabhavan</ref>

<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>

<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>

# '''Satvika Yajna (सात्विकयज्ञः)''' is when the yajna is performed without expectation of any return (निष्कामभावः)

# '''Satvika Yajna (सात्विकयज्ञः)''' is when the yajna is performed without expectation of any return (निष्कामभावः)

== Yajnas and Dharma ==

== Yajnas and Dharma ==

According to Vachaspatya<ref>Vachaspatya (See explanation of the 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 Pakasanstha])</ref> Haarita describes the yajnas as a source of imperishable Dharma. <blockquote>पाकयज्ञान्यजेन्नित्यं हविर्यज्ञांश्च नित्यशः । सोमांश्च विधिपूर्वेण य इच्छेद्धर्ममव्ययम्।</blockquote>[[Pakayajnas (पाकयज्ञाः)]] are to be performed everyday, [[Haviryajnas (हविर्यज्ञाः)]] constantly, [[Somayajnas (सोमयज्ञाः)]] are to be performed according to all vidhis (injunctions) prescribed, by one who desires Dharma in an imperishable form.

According to Vachaspatya<ref>Vachaspatya (See explanation of the 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 Pakasanstha])</ref> Haarita describes the yajnas as a source of imperishable Dharma. <blockquote>पाकयज्ञान्यजेन्नित्यं हविर्यज्ञांश्च नित्यशः । सोमांश्च विधिपूर्वेण य इच्छेद्धर्ममव्ययम्।</blockquote>[[Pakayajnas (पाकयज्ञाः)]] are to be performed everyday, [[Haviryajnas (हविर्यज्ञाः)]] constantly, [[Somayajnas (सोमयज्ञाः)]] are to be performed according to all vidhis (injunctions) prescribed, by one who desires Dharma in an imperishable form.

== Essential Elements of a Yajna ==

== Essential Elements of a Yajna ==

Vaidika yajnas have a few essential elements to conduct them. Broadly the following fundamental materials and people are required. A brief description of the requirements of all Yajnas are given below.

Vaidika yajnas have a few essential elements to conduct them. Broadly the following fundamental materials and people are required. A brief description of the requirements of all Yajnas are given below.