Vedic Sacrifice, a brief introduction

Sacrifice forms the foremost element in the Vedic culture. Almost the whole of Vedic literature revolves around sacrifice. It is so dominant that one cannot think of the Veda without sacrifice. A sacrifice in very simple terms is the offering of an object through the medium of fire.

Kalpa Sutras, Manual for Vedic sacrifices

Ancient sages such as Ashvalayana, Shankhayana, Drahyayana, Bodhayana, Apastamba, Bharadvaja and others composed many Kalpa Sutras with a view to give a complete and comprehensive method for the performance of Vedic sacrifices as described in the different Vedic shakas (branches). The Kalpa Sutras are considered to be one of the six auxiliaries of the Vedas because without their help it is difficult to understand or perform the numerous rituals prescribed in the different Vedic shakas.

The Kalpa Sutras contain Shrauta Sutras, Grhya Sutras, Dharma Sutras and Shulva Sutras. The Shrauta Sutras describe the great sacrifices while the Grhya Sutras deal with domestic sacrifices such as marriage and Upanayana. The Dharma Sutas deal with social usage and customary law and the Shulva Sutras contain rules for the measurement and construction of fire altars and sacrificial sheds, etc.

Though Shrauta Sutras and Grhya Sutras deal with sacrifices there is a difference between them. The Shrauta Sutras describe the big sacrifices which should be generally performed with the help of three or more sacred fires, while the Grhya Sutras deal with simple domestic ceremonies of daily life which may be performed with the single Grhya fire. The Shrauta rites require the services of a number of priests – as many as sixteen, whereas Grhya rites can be performed by the householder himself. The offering of Soma which figures prominently in Shrauta sacrifices is absolutely unconnected with the Grhya rites.

The Kalpa Sutras are indebted to the Brahmanas which are the commentaries of the Vedas. The Brahmanas interpret the Vedic Samhitas (Mantras) with a ritualistic outlook. But there is a fundamental difference between the Brahmanas and the Kalpa Sutras in regard to their aim and scope. The principle aim of the Brahmanas is to explain the significance of various acts in Vedic sacrifices and to settle ritualistic doctrines, while the Kalpa Sutras are chiefly concerned with giving a succinct and systematic account of the Vedic sacrifices and customs prevalent at the time of their composition. The Kalpa Sutra simply record the ritual and traditions currently in their respective schools and do not concern themselves with their explanation and rationale.

The Kalpa Sutras are attached to different shakas of each Veda and each of them regulates the systematic performance of the rituals for the followers of that particular branch of the Veda. For instance the Ashvalayaniya and Shankhayaniya Shautra Sutra belongs to the Rigvedic shakas; the Mashaka, Latyayaniya, Drahyayaniya to shakas belonging to Samaveda; Vaitanasutra and Kaushikasutra to Atharvaveda, Katyayaniya to Shukla Yajurveda and Apastambiya, Baudhayaniya, Bharadvajiya, Vadhula, Hiranyakeshiya, Vaikhanasa to Krishna Yajurveda.

Origin of Vedic sacrifice

It was from the earliest stage of the kindling of fire that the sacrifice seems to have originated. Agni being first kindled by the priestly families of Atharvan and Angiras who are also credited with the origination of the sacrifice. Rigvedic sacrifice originated with the idea of propitiating the divinities through Agni with the help of the hymns and the offerings so that the progress of the individual as well as the group should become possible. Sacrifice during the first stage was characterized by the worship of the individual divinities with the help of the fire kindled in the household and the hymns composed to propitiate the divinity concerned. The work of composing the hymn and officiating at the sacrifice was apparently done by the same person who came to be referred to as Jaritr, Karu, Vipra in his former capacity and Hotr in the latter one. The earliest offerings were ghrita (ghee) and payas (rice cooked in milk) and later Soma. The process of offering an object into the fire is called Homa and the object of offering is called Havis.

Purpose of Vedic sacrifices

Vedic sacrifices or rites in general whether Shrauta or Grhya are performed with an aim to gain some positive results and fruits. The purpose of Vedic ritual was the gratification of the gods for obtaining the benefits of offspring, increase in cattle wealth, a long life, supremacy and also for warding off the evil effects.

Rituals overshadow worship of divinities

The hymns of the Rigveda are not known to be essentially sacrificial in their origin. In fact, it is generally believed that a large number of hymns cannot be considered to have anything to do with the sacrifice. But during the Brahmana period sacrifices became elaborate, mechanical and began to acquire a rigid character. Metaphorically speaking it can be said that in the days of Rigveda the mantras and sacrifice were the two horses drawing the chariot of the propitiation of the divinities while in the days of Brahmanas the performance of sacrificial rite became the chariot to be drawn by the hymns and the divinities.

When the Vedic ritual developed further the priests felt the need of a collection of verses and formulas to be recited at the performance of sacrifices; and this necessity led to the compilation of certain Rigvedic verses and ritualistic formulas in the form of Yajur Veda. The formulas called Yajus were obviously a priestly creation. The Rigvedic verses borrowed by Yajur Veda for sacrificial purposes were in many cases without any relevance to the ritual. Even the mantras of the Rigveda employed at the Grhya sacrifices (domestic ceremonies) have no bearing on the ceremonies.

Synonyms of Yajna

The term widely used for sacrifice is Yajna. The other terms generally used are Yaga, Kratu, Adhvara and Makha. Though these terms are usually employed as synonyms, sometimes a special meaning is attached to them. Yajna is said to be that type of sacrifice in which there is no Yupa (sacrificial post). Yaga and Kratu are applied to that type in which Yupa is prescribed. Adhvara and Makha are terms which denote mostly the bigger sacrifices.

Types of Yajnas

Vedic sacrifices were of two types, Shrauta Yajnas and Smarta Yajnas. The former is based on the Shrauta Sutras and the latter is based on the Grhya Sutras. On the basis of offerings, Shrauta sacrifices are classified into Pakayajnas wherein cooked offerings are made, Haviryajnas, wherein the offering includes animals and Somayajnas wherein the Soma juice and other offerings are made. The sacrifices are also classified on the basis of the period of performance like Ekaha or a single day sacrifice, Ahina or sacrifice performed for several days and Sattra which is a sacrificial session whose duration varies from twelve days to a year or more. Yet another division of sacrifices are Nitya, Kamya and Naimithika. Nitya sacrifices are obligatory while Naimithika sacrifices are done occasionally like birth of a son, performance of sacred thread ceremony, marriage, Shraddha, etc. Both these sacrifices have to be done by the dvijas (twice-born) because of the scriptural injunction and are performed without any consideration of reward. On the other hand Kamya sacrifices are done with an intention of securing certain rewards like Svarga Loka.

Different kinds of priests

The Vedic sacrifices required a number of priests who did different things during the sacrifice. The Hotr, apparently the oldest of the priests, used to invoke the gods by reciting the Rigvedic hymns. The Adhvaryu did the actual sacrificial performance while the Udgatar chanted the samans musically. Verses from the Rigveda and Samaveda were recited loudly while the hymns from the Yajurveda were muttered in a low voice. A priest known as Brahman used to supervise the whole ritual. Other priests who took part in the sacrificial ceremonies were Purohita, Potr, Prashastr, Upavaktr, Agnidh and others.

Important Vedic sacrifices

The important sacrifices coming under Haviryajnas are Darsapurnamasa, Pindapitrayajna, Agnyadhana, Agnihotra, Caturmasya, Sautramani and Nirudhapashubandha. Sacrifices grouped under Somayajnas are Agnistoma (Jyotistoma), Atyagnistoma, Ukthya, Sodasin, Vajapeya, Atiratra and Aptoryama. Other important Vedic sacrifices include Rajasuya, Ashvamedha, Purushamedha and Sarvamedha.

Animal sacrifice in Yajnas

Anthropologists had long agreed that behind the various sacrificial practices of the ancient world stands the primitive human sacrifice and Vedic sacrifice was not exceptional to this practice in the beginning. According to Aitareya Brahmana, the gods first slew the man (Purusha) as the victim. But when he had been slain, the sacrificial essence in him went to the horse. Then from the horse it went to the ox and from it to the sheep and then to the goat. Then it entered into the earth and through the earth it entered into the rice of which the sacrificial cake is made. Thus the sacrificial cake (Purodasha) contains the sacrificial essence. According to G.U.Thite the animal sacrifice in the first stage was a human being and then successively of other animals and finally of the sacrificial cake which represented the animal.

The story of Shunahshepa mentioned in the Aitareya Brahmana shows that human sacrifice existed during the Vedic period. The Vajasaneyi Samhita of the Shukla Yajur Veda and Shatapata Brahmana refers to the Purushamedha wherein human beings were sacrificed. This rite was celebrated for the attainment of supremacy over all created beings. This rite was performed for 40 days (though five days were called the days of Purushamedha) and eleven sacrificial posts were placed and to each was tied an animal (a barren cow) fit of Agni and Soma. The human victims were placed between the posts. As the actual process of killing was rather troublesome to some of the sensitive minds among the ritualists, we are told in connection with the Purushamedha that those Purushas who are bound to the sacrificial post are to be set free after some ritual actions had been finished.

According to K.R.Potdar, animal sacrifice came to be introduced after the Pitryajna had come into existence. The number of animal sacrifices in Vedic yajnas is calculated to be 29 to 30. Among the seven Haviryajnas, Nirudhapashubandha is an animal sacrifice performed every six months or once in a year. This sacrifice required the services of six priests and a goat was sacrificed. In another sacrifice, Sautramani animals like goat, sheep and a bull were sacrificed for deities like Ashwini, Saraswathi and Indra respectively.

The animal sacrifice is a part of Soma sacrifice and is performed on the day of the Soma pressing and offering. The three animal sacrifices associated with the Soma sacrifice are Agnisomiya, Kratupashu and Anubandhya. While in Agnisomiya a goat is sacrificed, in Anubandhya a cow is immolated. In Ashwamedha sacrifice a horse was sacrificed through immolation. In animal sacrifice the offering of the Vapa (omentum) is very important. It was believed that the animal offered in a sacrifice went to heaven.

Though many scholars argue that animals were not sacrificed in Vedic Yajnas, among the fifty five practices prohibited in the Kali age (Kalivarjyas), include human sacrifice (Purushamedha), horse sacrifice (Ashwamedha), cow sacrifice (Gosava and Gomedha in Yajnas) and slaughtering of cow in honour of guests, pitrs and bridegroom. If these sacrifices had not existed during the Vedic period, the Puranas would not have issued injunctions against these practices in the Kali age. It is said that Madhvacharya (1238-1317 A.D.) felt disgusted with the slaughter of animals in Vedic sacrifices and totally dispensed with living animals as sacrificial victims and replaced it with animal-form, made of rice flour. According to B.N.K.Sharma, the new type of Vedic sacrifices with floor-made animals (Pista Pashu Yajnas) instead of living animals, introduced by Madhvacharya in all probability was partly due to the moral pressure and influence of Jain ideas. This shows that animal sacrifice existed even during 13^th century A.D.

Strange and obscene ceremonies

The Vedic sacrifice Gosava is described in the Tandya-Mahabrahmana, Jaiminiya Brahmana and Taittriya Brahmana. In this sacrifice, the sacrificer has to behave like a cow/bull for one year and as a part of this behaviour he has to unite with his mother, sister and any woman of his own gotra (family). All these things appear to be a part of animalism which is a primitive way of thought. Similarly in the Ashvamedha sacrifice some obscene rituals are prescribed to be performed. For instance, Shatapata Brahmana mentions the ritual of an sexual intercourse between the dead sacrificial horse and the chief queen and also an obscene dialogue between the priests and the queens of the sacrificer. Another ritual performed on the Mahavrata day in the Sattra sacrificial session is the sexual union between a man and a woman, both strangers. According to G.U.Thite, the above mentioned queer and obscene rituals are impossible to be performed by the civilized people and it is doubtful whether these rituals were actually performed. In the view of G.U.Thite while studying the Vedic texts dealing with the Vedic rituals we have to be very cautious in accepting any ritual to be a reality. Just in the case of Puranas, in the case of ritual texts also we have to assume that there were some over enthusiastic authors who were interested in making exaggerations and writing fictitious things. Hence it will be too simplistic to take for granted everything mentioned in the Vedic texts to be realistic or historical.

Opposition to Vedic sacrifices

Even during the early days of the Rigvedic period there was opposition to sacrificial performances. The Panis and the Dasyus were prominent among those who opposed sacrifices. R.N.Dandekar opines that the followers of the Vratya cult, the Brahmacarin cult and the Muni cult (with which Rudra was closely associated) had no faith in the efficacy of the Vedic rituals. According to R.C.Hazra, Rudra was antagonistic to Vedic sacrifices and destroyed it even in the absence of the least provocation from the sacrificers. In order to advance this sinister work of his, Rudra took more care to kill those men of wealth among the Vedic people who encouraged and financed the performance of these generally expensive religious rites. The Ramayana gives accounts of the hostility between the offerers of sacrifices and the Rakshasas who were opposed to the performance of sacrifices. It is interesting to note that the Vedic hymnists invoked Agni to dispel the depredation of the Rakshasas and to destroy them. The Rakshasas were opposed to the efficacy of fire because wild forest fires affect the forest dwelling of the Rakshasas and deprive them of natural goods such as fruits and roots and also scare away animals. The Carvakas vehemently criticized the Vedic rituals and animal sacrifices and called them as meaningless. The priests say that the animals sacrificed in the yajna attain heaven. If so, why did they not send their own parents to heaven by sacrificing them in the yajnas, they questioned? Eminent scholars like M.Hiriyanna, S.Radhakrishnan, R.K.Mookerji, R.D.Ranade and others opine that the Upanishads were opposed to sacrifices. To give a few instances, the Munduka Upanishad (I.2.7) condemns Yajna as leaky vessels. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (3.8.10) says that performing sacrifices, giving charities and doing austerities for years together is of no use without the knowledge of the Brahman. Similarly Bhagavatism placed devotion to God a higher place than performance of sacrifices. For instance in Bhagavata Purana (3:32:2-7) Kapila says that while a person engaged in pravritti dharma, that is worshipping gods and forefathers with sacrificial ceremonies will be born again and again; whereas one who is engaged in nivritti dharma, that is worshipping Hari with devotion and surrendering all his action to Him will merge with the Universal Consciousness. At a later stage we find both Buddhism and Jainism opposing the Vedic sacrifices and its rituals. Basaveshwara the founder of Lingayat sect was also opposed to Yajnas and offering of animals in oblation.

Different interpretation of Yajna

Yajna is derived according to lexicographers from the root ‘Yaj’. Yaj is defined as ‘deva puja’ or its equivalent ‘worship of the deity’. Hence according to M.Yamunacharya worship in the philosophy of Yajna involves offering oneself to the service of the Highest in him, in a spirit of dedication. The Chandogya Upanishad interprets the Yajna in terms of righteousness rather than in terms of ritual. Accordingly Yajna (sacrifice) is obtaining the world of Brahman by means of abstinence (brahmacharya). According to Sahebrao.G.Nigal, Yajna, far from being ritualistic, have social and spiritual significance. The so-called killing in sacrifice is to be understood symbolically. Here Manyu (wrath) is said to be Pashu (animal) to be sacrificed at the altar of fire. Thus the killing of Pashus clearly means the killing of the animal in man. Yajniyavritti is nothing but the spirit of sacrifice or the spirit of dedication in doing great and noble deeds. In Bhagavad Gita, Yajna means the observance of the niyata karma without attachment, without desire for the result and without the feeling that this is done by me and I. Bhagavad Gita refers to several types of Yajnas like Tapoyajna, Yogayajna and Jnanayajna and considers Jnanayajna as superior to dravyayajna which consists of throwing oblations into the fire. According to Vishnu Prasad Bhatt, Upanishads also have their own concept of sacrifice which is meditation upon the Brahman by which one can get perpetual bliss and accordingly can get rid of the cycles of rebirth. While the performance of Brahmanical sacrifices is very much tedious, complicated and mechanical, the Upanishad sacrifices are very simple and are performed within the heart, that is to say here, one is more concerned with the purity of heart than with the vidhis (methods) which are essentially to be found in the sacrifices of the Brahmanas. It is said that the Bhagavata Purana had prophesied that the Kali age is not the age for the sacrifices of the Vedic type and a new type of sacrifice will come into being and that will be in the form of singing in praise of God. Hence in 16^th century A.D., Sri Chaitanya came with a new type of Yajna, the Nama-Yajna that is the congregational singing of the name of the Lord

Vedic sacrifices become redundant and fades into oblivion

According to P.V.Kane even in earlier times it appears that most Brahmins could not perform the daily Agnihotra due to their poor economic conditions. The daily Agnihotra required the maintenance of at least two cows, besides thousands of cow-dung cakes and fuel sticks. Hence sacrifices like Agnihotra, Darshapurnamasa (in which four priests were employed) and the Caturmasyas (where five priests were required), the householder was required to be well-to-do. And Soma sacrifices could be performed only by kings, nobles and the rich. Even sacrifices like Ashwamedha must have been rare though we learn from inscriptions and literary traditions that kings like Pushyamitra Sunga and Samudragupta performed the Ashwamedha and king Kharavela, the Rajasuya sacrifice. The Atharvaveda (xi.7.7-8) regards the Rajasuya, Vajapeya, Ashwamedha, the Sattras and several other sacrifices as utsanna (gone out of vogue). During the centuries of Muslim domination no help from royalty could be expected and so the institution of Vedic sacrifices languished. As even the basic Srauta rite, Agnihotra had practically gone out of general practice and was not relevant to religious life in those times, the Kalivarjya prohibits the performance of certain Srauta and Grhya rites including the Agnihotra. Over a period of time temple worship took the place of Srauta and Smarta practices and certain rituals imitating the character of Srauta rites were incorporated in ceremonies like Chandihoma, Vishnuyaga and worship of Rudra, wherein tantric elements are also present.

Reference

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