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Our knowledge of vedic rituals is derived with a varying degree of accuracy from the three sources : the Samhitas, the Brahmanas, and Shrauta and Grhya Sutras.   

Our knowledge of vedic rituals is derived with a varying degree of accuracy from the three sources : the Samhitas, the Brahmanas, and Shrauta and Grhya Sutras.   

=== Samhitas and Brahmanas ===

=== [[Samhita (संहिता)|Samhitas]] and [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmanas]] ===

The earliest reference to vedic rituals is found in the Rigveda Samhita. While names such as yupa, idhma, drona, darvi, juhu of different things of Yajnas find a mention in Rigveda, a large number of mantras do not have any role in procedures of Yajnas. Similarly, Atharvaveda samhita, which contains popular spells, has no practical use in shrauta karmas. But the case of Yajurveda and Samaveda samhitas is quite different. One can clearly see the ritualistic orientation in the very arrangement of these samhitas. The Yajurveda samhita preserved in two shakas - shukla and krishna, reveal their usage in ceremonial purpose, with mantras borrowed from Rigveda samhita. In their application to the rituals these mantras underwent a significant change, where the system of accentuation of the Rigveda mantras is lost in entirety and "ekashruti" or monotone was adopted. The Samaveda samhita is also a liturgical collection, a copy of Rigveda samhita. The Samaveda samhita has been assigned to Udgatr priests who chant the stotras set to a melody chiefly during Somayaga. They have no other role in yajna apart from chanting the stotras. While the Adhvaryu priests have discarded the accents, Udgatr priests adopt a peculiar fashion of recitation with repetitions and interpolations.   

The earliest reference to vedic rituals is found in the Rigveda Samhita. While names such as yupa, idhma, drona, darvi, juhu of different things of Yajnas find a mention in Rigveda, a large number of mantras do not have any role in procedures of Yajnas. Similarly, Atharvaveda samhita, which contains popular spells, has no practical use in shrauta karmas. But the case of Yajurveda and Samaveda samhitas is quite different. One can clearly see the ritualistic orientation in the very arrangement of these samhitas. The Yajurveda samhita preserved in two shakas - shukla and krishna, reveal their usage in ceremonial purpose, with mantras borrowed from Rigveda samhita. In their application to the rituals these mantras underwent a significant change, where the system of accentuation of the Rigveda mantras is lost in entirety and "ekashruti" or monotone was adopted. The Samaveda samhita is also a liturgical collection, a copy of Rigveda samhita. The Samaveda samhita has been assigned to Udgatr priests who chant the stotras set to a melody chiefly during Somayaga. They have no other role in yajna apart from chanting the stotras. While the Adhvaryu priests have discarded the accents, Udgatr priests adopt a peculiar fashion of recitation with repetitions and interpolations.   

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" />   

=== Shrauta Sutras ===

=== 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" />  

=== Grhya Sutras ===

=== गृह्यसूत्राणि ॥ Grhyasutras ===

The Grhya yajnas (domestic rites) are as old as the Shrauta yajnas and they have a common origin. The Shrauta yajnas were known by revelation (Shruti) in contrast to the domestic rites which was derived from memory (Smriti). In manner and form the Grhyasutras depend on and presuppose their respective Shrauta sutras, thus indirectly related to the Brahmanas. The Grhyasutras are less rigid than the Shrautasutras and contain less technical terms. Like the Shrauta karmas the grhyakarmas also underwent many stages of transformation. Many of the Rigveda mantras used in domestic ceremonies have become symbolic with no bearing on the ceremonies. The mantras which accompany the wedding and funeral ritesare found in the 10 Mandala of Rigveda, which many scholars believe to have a late origin. On the other hand, Atharvaveda samhita is one of the main sources of mantras for many domestic rites.<ref name=":3">Sen, Chitrabhanu. (1978) ''A Dictionary of the Vedic Rituals. Based on the Srauta and Grhya Sutras.'' Delhi : Concept Publishing Company</ref>

The Grhya yajnas (domestic rites) are as old as the Shrauta yajnas and they have a common origin. The Shrauta yajnas were known by revelation (Shruti) in contrast to the domestic rites which was derived from memory (Smriti). In manner and form the Grhyasutras depend on and presuppose their respective Shrauta sutras, thus indirectly related to the Brahmanas. The Grhyasutras are less rigid than the Shrautasutras and contain less technical terms. Like the Shrauta karmas the grhyakarmas also underwent many stages of transformation. Many of the Rigveda mantras used in domestic ceremonies have become symbolic with no bearing on the ceremonies. The mantras which accompany the wedding and funeral ritesare found in the 10 Mandala of Rigveda, which many scholars believe to have a late origin. On the other hand, Atharvaveda samhita is one of the main sources of mantras for many domestic rites.<ref name=":3">Sen, Chitrabhanu. (1978) ''A Dictionary of the Vedic Rituals. Based on the Srauta and Grhya Sutras.'' Delhi : Concept Publishing Company</ref>

== Yajnas in Rig Veda ==

== Yajnas in Rig Veda ==

We find that even in the remotest ages when the mantras of the Rig Veda were composed and compiled, the main features of Yajnas have been evolved. To mention a few instances<ref name=":0" />

We find that even in the remotest ages when the mantras of the Rig Veda were composed and compiled, the main features of Yajnas have been evolved. To mention a few instances<ref name=":0" />

# Existence of '''three fires''' ([[Tretagni (त्रेताग्नयः)|Tretagni]]) appears in Rigveda (2.36.4) where Agni is asked to sit down in three places.

# Existence of '''three fires''' ([[Tretagni (त्रेताग्निः)|Tretagni]]) appears in Rigveda (2.36.4) where Agni is asked to sit down in three places.

# Rigveda (1.15.4 and 5.11.2) states that men kindle Agni in three places.

# Rigveda (1.15.4 and 5.11.2) states that men kindle Agni in three places.

# The '''Garhapatya''' fire is expressly named in Rigveda (1.15.12)  

# The '''Garhapatya''' fire is expressly named in Rigveda (1.15.12)  

==== यज्ञः '''॥''' Yajna ====

==== यज्ञः '''॥''' Yajna ====

As discussed previously, Yajna, broadly is a special act of offering dravya to devatas into the fire along with the recitation of prescribed mantras. Example : [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]] are nityakarmas, to be performed daily by grhastas. Mantras recited here are prescribed in Shrauta Sutras and Grhyasutras, for example, Haviryajna procedures are described in Brahmanas and Vedanga Kalpa.   

As discussed previously, Yajna, broadly is a special act of offering dravya to devatas into the fire along with the recitation of prescribed mantras. Example : [[Panchamahayajnas (पञ्चमहायज्ञाः)|Panchamahayajnas]] are nityakarmas, to be performed daily by grhastas. Mantras recited here are prescribed in Shrauta Sutras and Grhyasutras, for example, Haviryajna procedures are described in Brahmanas and [[Kalpa Vedanga (कल्पवेदाङ्गम्)|Vedanga Kalpa]].   

==== यागम् ॥ Yagam ====

==== यागम् ॥ Yagam ====

Yajnas have been classified in different modes. We present here the different classifications of Yajnas based on their origin, time of performance, derivatives and importance.  

Yajnas have been classified in different modes. We present here the different classifications of Yajnas based on their origin, time of performance, derivatives and importance.  

* Yajnas are classified into two based on where their procedures have originated, viz.,  

* Yajnas are classified into two based on where their procedures have originated, viz.,  

# [[Srauta Yajnas (श्रौतयज्ञाः)|Shrauta Yajnas (श्रौतयज्ञाः)]] based on their Vedic (Shruti) origin.

# [[Shrauta Yajnas (श्रौतयज्ञाः)]] based on their Vedic (Shruti) origin.

# '''Smarta''' Yajnas based on Smritis and Dharmashastras.

# '''Smarta''' Yajnas 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  

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.   

=== श्रौतसुत्राणि॥Shrauta Sutras ===

=== श्रौतसुत्राणि ॥ Shrauta Sutras ===

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" />

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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