Changes

=== Based on Procedural Aspects ===

=== Based on Procedural Aspects ===

There are many versions about the Prakriti and Vikriti classification of yajnas among the scholarly community. The hetu for classification as Prakriti and Vikriti and their being the model for all other yajnas entails extensive discussion which is beyond the scope of the present article.

There are many versions about the Prakriti and Vikriti classification of yajnas among the scholarly community.

*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)

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.

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 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.

Sayana's Upakramanika for his Kanva-Samhita-bhashya defines Prakriti yagas as describing all the essential features of a yaga in its entirety, viz., 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.  

According to Mimamsa-nyaya prakasha,<ref name=":0" /> the above explanation is given by the statements : यत्र समग्राङ्गोपदेशः सा प्रकृतिः। यतो विकृतिरङ्गानि गृह्णाति सा प्रकृतिः।

According to Mimamsa-nyaya prakasha,<ref name=":0" /> the above explanation is given by the statements : यत्र समग्राङ्गोपदेशः सा प्रकृतिः। यतो विकृतिरङ्गानि गृह्णाति सा प्रकृतिः।

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

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

====विकृतियागम् ॥ Vikritiyagas====

====विकृतियागम् ॥ Vikritiyagas====

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" />

In the Vikriti yajnas, contain the special angas (visesha-angas) are mentioned, leaving the other details and they refer back to Prakriti yajnas for the additional details for the completion of the yajna on the principle of extended application (atidesa). The subsidiary rituals follow their respective principal yajnas in the performance of different yajnas.<ref name=":2">Prof. S. K. Ramachandra Rao's : ''[https://ia801405.us.archive.org/26/items/principlesofyajnavidhiramachandraraos.k._202003_229_P/Principles%20of%20Yajna%20Vidhi%20%20Ramachandra%20Rao%20S.K.%20.pdf Principles of Yajna Vidhi]''</ref>

 

 

 

With Agnistoma as the Prakriti yajna, we have Ukthya, Atyagnistoma, Shodashi, Vajapeya, Atiratra and Aptoryama as alternate Vikriti forms. Among them Atyagnistoma, Vajapeya, and Aptoryama have not been performed for a long time. Some other well-known vikriti yagas include Asvamedha, Rajasuya, Paudarika, Mahavrata, Sarvatomukha, Brhaspati-sava, Abhijit and Angirasa.<ref name=":2" />

 

Yajnas are also classified based on the ashrama of the yajamana. Most famous of these are those performed by the ruling class or rajanyas or kshatriyas. They are Asvamedha, Rajasuya, Sarva-medha, Purusha-medha which are Kamya yajnas performed with specific intent to achieve a result. Vajapeya is permitted for both Brahmanas and Kshatriyas.<ref name=":2" />

=== Based on Karma (Activities) ===

=== Based on Karma (Activities) ===

# स्वाध्याययज्ञः ॥ Svadhyayayajna

# स्वाध्याययज्ञः ॥ Svadhyayayajna

# ज्ञानयज्ञः ॥ Jnanayajna

# ज्ञानयज्ञः ॥ Jnanayajna

Thus the classification is highly varied based on the authorships of various texts.   

Thus the classification is highly varied based on the authorships of various texts as well as the elements of yajna.   

==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.