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Yajnas have been classified based on their origin of the mantras used, time of performance whether daily or occasionally, their importance as primary or secondary models, whether physical or mental kinds and based on the trigunas among many others factors such as the dravyas, ahutis used. In fact the kinds of yajnas are varied based on the elements that go into the performance of a yajna.  

Yajnas have been classified (Samskrit: यज्ञभेदाः) based on their origin of the mantras used, time of performance whether daily or occasionally, their importance as primary or secondary models, whether physical or mental kinds and based on the trigunas among many others factors such as the dravyas, ahutis used. In fact the kinds of yajnas are varied based on the elements that go into the performance of a yajna.  

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

Yajnas are activities that gave direction to the course of life of a man in ancient Bharat. They influenced the numerous spheres of life and each aspect developed distinct set of yajnas. Thus to attain general or specific results or phalita there developed yajna karmas designed for people of different varnas and ashramas. The Kalpasutra charana texts give us a deep insight into the vidhis and procedures to perform Yajnas even though yajnas existed even in the the Rigvedic period.  

Yajnas are activities that gave direction to the course of life of a man in ancient Bharat. They influenced the numerous spheres of life and each aspect developed distinct set of yajnas. Thus to attain general or specific results or phalita there developed yajna karmas designed for people of different varnas and ashramas. The Kalpasutra charana texts give us a deep insight into the vidhis and procedures to perform Yajnas even though yajnas existed even in the the Rigvedic period.  

The ancient texts themselves have mentioned yajnas have been classified into groups and such a system is called Yajnasamstha.

 

Thus the classification is highly varied based on the authorships of various texts. The ancient texts themselves have mentioned yajnas have been classified into groups and such a system is called Yajnasamstha.  

===Based on Origin===

===Based on Origin===

#'''Smarta''' Yajnas or [[Pakayajnas (पाकयज्ञाः)|Grhya Yajnas (पाकयज्ञाः)]] based on Kalpasutras, Smritis, Puranas, and even Tantras.

#'''Smarta''' Yajnas or [[Pakayajnas (पाकयज्ञाः)|Grhya Yajnas (पाकयज्ञाः)]] based on Kalpasutras, Smritis, Puranas, and even Tantras.

===Based on Time of Performance===

===Based on Time of Performance===

Yajnas classified above as Shrauta and Smarta are again divided into three types based on the time when they are performed.<ref name=":0" />

Yajnas classified above as Shrauta and Smarta are again divided into three types based on the time when they are performed.<ref name=":0">Yudhisthir Mimamsak (1987) ''Shrauta Yajna Mimamsa.  Samskrit and Hindi.'' Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Bhavan</ref>

*'''नित्यकर्म ॥''' '''Nitya karmas''' (Daily)

*'''नित्यकर्म ॥''' '''Nitya karmas''' (Daily)

Nitya karmas are those which are performed daily at prescribed timings. Shastras prescribe that these yajnas are obligatory for dvija grhasthas and do not involve usage of extensive dravyas or time. Apastamba Shrautasutras start with<blockquote>अथातो दर्शपूर्णमासौ व्याख्यास्यामः १ (Apas. Shrau. Sutr. 1.1.1)</blockquote>In his commentary for Apastamba Shrautasutras, Dhurtasvami discusses the various yajnas and their classification. The Phalita or fruits of performing these Nityayajnas are not given (अफला) but it is important to understand that not performing them accrues Papam (प्रत्यवाय । malefic effects).<blockquote>सोमान्तानि तु नित्यानि । (Dhurtsvami Comm. for Apas. Shrau. Sutr. 1.1.1)<ref>Vd. So. Narasimhachar, (1944) ''The Srauta Sutra of Apastamba with the Bhashya of Dhurtaswami and Vrtti of Ramagnichit. (Prashnas 1-5)'' Mysore: Oriental Library Publications (Page 5)</ref></blockquote>Yajnas namely Agnihotra to Somayajnas (Agnihotra, Darsapurnamasa, Chaturmasya, and Somayaga) are nitya in nature.

Nitya karmas are those which are performed daily at prescribed timings. Shastras prescribe that these yajnas are obligatory for dvija grhasthas and do not involve usage of extensive dravyas or time. Apastamba Shrautasutras start with<blockquote>अथातो दर्शपूर्णमासौ व्याख्यास्यामः १ (Apas. Shrau. Sutr. 1.1.1)</blockquote>In his commentary for Apastamba Shrautasutras, Dhurtasvami discusses the various yajnas and their classification. The Phalita or fruits of performing these Nityayajnas are not given (अफला) but it is important to understand that not performing them accrues Papam (प्रत्यवाय । malefic effects).<blockquote>सोमान्तानि तु नित्यानि । (Dhurtsvami Comm. for Apas. Shrau. Sutr. 1.1.1)<ref>Vd. So. Narasimhachar, (1944) ''The Srauta Sutra of Apastamba with the Bhashya of Dhurtaswami and Vrtti of Ramagnichit. (Prashnas 1-5)'' Mysore: Oriental Library Publications (Page 5)</ref></blockquote>Yajnas namely Agnihotra to Somayajnas (Agnihotra, Darsapurnamasa, Chaturmasya, and Somayaga) are nitya in nature.

=== Based on Procedural Aspects ===

=== Based on Procedural Aspects ===

*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> or three<ref name=":0" />

*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> or three<ref name=":0" />

#'''Prakritiyaga''' (Model)

#'''Prakritiyaga''' (Model)

#'''Vikritiyaga''' (Modified)

#'''Vikritiyaga''' (Modified)

#'''Prakrti-Vikriti''' (Combination)

#'''Prakrti-Vikriti''' (Combination)

Vikritiyagas derive their procedures from the respective Prakritiyagas.

Vikritiyagas derive their procedures from the respective Prakritiyagas. Here we are not going into details about the Prakriti-Vikriti combination<ref name=":0" /> of yajnas owing to the indepth discussions that are required.

====प्रकृतियागम् ॥ Prakritiyagas====

====प्रकृतियागम् ॥ Prakritiyagas====

Prakriti yagas have essential features, viz., they describe all the angas of the yajna (like darshapurna masa), they are sources of all the details borrowed by the Vikriti yagas.

Prakriti yagas have essential features, viz., they describe all the angas of the yajna (like darshapurna masa), they are sources of all the details borrowed by the Vikriti yagas for their completion. They do not contain the statements such as "do the same (procedure) in Vikriti as would in the Prakriti". Hence without knowing the Prakriti yajnas Vikriti yajnas cannot be understood.

 

In the Asvalaayana Shrautasutra, there are a number yajnas but five among them are regarded as Prakritiyagas<ref name=":122222222" />. In the present days Prakriti yajnas mentioned in the Vedas are rarely conducted.<ref name=":022" />

In the Asvalaayana Shrautasutra, there are a number yajnas but five among them are regarded as Prakritiyagas<ref name=":122222222" />. In the present days Prakriti yajnas mentioned in the Vedas are rarely conducted.<ref name=":022" />

#होमः ॥ Homa : '''Agnihotra''' is the Prakriti (model) of all Homas

#होमः ॥ Homa : '''Agnihotra''' is the Prakriti (model) of all Homas

#इष्टिः ॥ Isthti : '''Darsapurnamaasa yaga''' is the Prakriti (model) of all Isthis

#इष्टिः ॥ Isthti : '''Darsapurnamaasa yaga''' is the Prakriti (model) of all Isthis (also for all Haviryajnas)

#पशुयागम् ॥ Pasu : '''Nirudha Pasubandha''' is the Prakriti (model) of Pasuyaga

#पशुयागम् ॥ Pasu : '''Nirudha Pasubandha''' is the Prakriti (model) of Pasuyaga

#सोमयागम् ॥ Soma : '''Agnistoma''' is the Prakriti (model) of all the Somayagas.

#सोमयागम् ॥ Soma : '''Agnistoma''' is the Prakriti (model) of all the Somayagas.

#सत्रयागम् ॥ Sattra : '''Gavaamayana''' is the Prakriti (model) of all Satrayagas.

#सत्रयागम् ॥ Sattra : '''Gavaamayana''' is the Prakriti (model) of all Satrayagas.

===विकृतियागम् ॥ Vikritiyagas===

====विकृतियागम् ॥ Vikritiyagas====

The subsidiary rituals follow their respective principal yajnas in the performance of different yajnas. Vikriti Yaganas like Chandika Homa, Veda Samhita Svahakara Yagas, Rudra Yagas are being performed in temples.<ref name=":022" />

In the Vikriti yajnas, the angas are not completely described and they refer back to Prakriti yajnas for the necessary details for the completion of the yajna. The subsidiary rituals follow their respective principal yajnas in the performance of different yajnas. Vikriti Yaganas like Chandika Homa, Veda Samhita Svahakara Yagas, Rudra Yagas are being performed in temples.<ref name=":022" />

 

==यज्ञसंस्थाः ॥ System of Yajnas==

==यज्ञसंस्थाः ॥ System of Yajnas==

The Shrauta and Grhyasutras typically give us an insight into the yajnas of the ancient times, performed as a part of karmakanda. They involve well laid down vidhis and prayaschittas (expiatory actions) in case of deviations from those vidhis. They comprised groups of seven Yajnas mostly to be performed by a grhastha starting from the time of marriage.

The Shrauta and Grhyasutras typically give us an insight into the yajnas of the ancient times, performed as a part of karmakanda. They involve well laid down vidhis and prayaschittas (expiatory actions) in case of deviations from those vidhis. They comprised groups of seven Yajnas mostly to be performed by a grhastha starting from the time of marriage.

These include the seven [[Pakayajnas (पाकयज्ञाः)]], seven [[Haviryajnas (हविर्यज्ञाः)]] and seven [[Somayajnas (सोमर्यज्ञाः)]]. The Grhyasutras explain the procedures of conducting Pakayajnas in the grhyagni (ekagni), the Shrautasutras lay down the vidhis to conduct both the Haviryajnas and Somayajnas in the shrautagni (tretagni).<ref name=":03">Gopal, Ram. (1959) ''India of Vedic Kalpasutras.'' Delhi : National Publishing House</ref>

These include the seven [[Pakayajnas (पाकयज्ञाः)]], seven [[Haviryajnas (हविर्यज्ञाः)]] and seven [[Somayajnas (सोमर्यज्ञाः)]]. The Grhyasutras explain the procedures of conducting Pakayajnas in the grhyagni (ekagni), the Shrautasutras lay down the vidhis to conduct both the Haviryajnas and Somayajnas in the shrautagni (tretagni).<ref name=":03">Gopal, Ram. (1959) ''India of Vedic Kalpasutras.'' Delhi : National Publishing House</ref>

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Yajnas]]

[[Category:Yajnas]]

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