Questions tagged [yajna]
yajña, yagna, or yagya (Sanksrit: यज्ञ, "worship, prayer, praise; offering, oblation, sacrifice; fire ceremony") comes from the root yaj, "to worship" — is an outer form of worship in which offerings are made to different deities in a prescribed and systematic manner by qualified priests to supplicate them, so that they would assist the worshiper in achieving certain results in life.
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Who are gratified when the sacrifices are performed by the demigods?
Who are gratified when the sacrifices/yajna are performed by the demigods? Like when humans make sacrifices they gratify demigod (like Indra, Agni, etc.).
I mean Indra is a god that had performed a ...
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When did Lord Vishnu perform Vaishnava Yajna?
From Mahabharata's Vana Prava
The name of that sacrifice worthy of virtuous persons, is Vaishnava. No person save the ancient Vishnu hath performed it before. This mighty sacrifice vies with that ...
2
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1answer
48 views
Yajna kunda made up of Iron
One of the vidwans of a Madwa mutt said in a discourse that homa/yajna kunda should be made properly and can not be of iron like it's done in cities today. He said fire in iron is like in hell and not ...
3
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1answer
68 views
Can substitutes in rituals be permanent fixtures?
It is my understanding that use substitutes is permissible in case of random non-availability of samagri (ingredients, material etc). Some of the answers such as this one and this one provide ...
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Can a son perform amavasya tarpanam in place of his sick father?
Doing tarpanam (water libations) on the day of Amavasya is a well-known fact. My father was doing it very sincerely on all Amavasyas.
But now, since he became very old and has health issues, he is not ...
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2answers
135 views
Alternatives to animal sacrifice during Vedic yajnas, according to Brahmana texts?
I seem to remember having read somewhere that one or more of the ancient Brahmana texts (maybe Shatapatha Brahmana) allow performing Vedic yajnas by providing alternatives to animal sacrifice, like ...
5
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1answer
165 views
Sitting posture during yajna
What is correct way of sitting when performing yajna? I have seen in Yajna, Brahmins seated for hours doing mantra chanting and don't even feel any pain or cramp when they get up. Do they follow ...
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1answer
66 views
How to practise fire worship in modern times?
I tried to worship Pauranic gods like Shiva, Durga, Vishnu but it doesn't click with me. I am from a family of priests but we are modern and practise the rituals on special occasions only. Everywhere ...
5
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1answer
170 views
Who decided that mantras should be used for yajñas that came later?
Were the į¹į¹£is who heard the mantras (found in the samĢ£hitÄ portion of the Vedas) aware that what they heard (or was revealed to them) will be used to conduct yajƱas (sacrifices)?
If not, who decided ...
2
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1answer
92 views
Do rituals require faith to be successful?
According to Adi Shankaracharya, Vedas consist of three parts-
Karma kand (rituals like yajna, nitya karma etc.)
Upasana kand (praying to devas etc.)
Bramha vidya (denunciation of world, sameness of ...
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0answers
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Who is Gaya Avatar of Lord Vishnu?
The Satvata Tantra Part 2 Verse 17 mentions:
Born as Gaya in King Priyavrata's dynasty, the Lord became very famous by the actions of His body, mind and words. Yajna personified, which had the form ...
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Has the current day India become a mlecchadeÅa? Is it still fit for sacrifices?
Commenting on Manusmį¹ti 2.23, MedhÄtithi says:
In fact, the name āmlecchadeÅaā is to be taken literally, in the sense that it is āthe country of mlecchasā; so that if mlecchas happen to conquer a ...
4
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1answer
179 views
How does Hindu scripture explain why it rains in places where yajnas are not performed?
According to Hindu scripture, yajnas produce rain, and when yajnas aren't performed, it doesn't rain:
From food arise all beings; from rain food is produced; from sacrifice comes rain; ...
7
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1answer
246 views
When was the last Ashwamedha yajna conducted?
I have read at few sites that Pushyamitra Shunga (2nd century B.C.) had conducted two Ashwamedha yajnas. Did any king conduct Ashwamedha yagna after Pushyamitra ?
3
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1answer
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Whose translation of AV 7.5.5 is this?
A couple of answers on this site (e.g., this one) cite this translation of AV 7.5.5:
Atharvaved 7:5:5:- All those are foolish who use cow, dog or any other animal in yajnas.
From another answer:
...
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2answers
229 views
What were the reasons for all somayajnas banished?
We don't have any proper literature left on Mahayajna like darshapurnamasa, niruDhapashubandha, jyotishtoma, aptoryaama, vaajapeya, paundrika, rajasuya, ashvamedha etc. There is no one today who can ...
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0answers
91 views
What do the Devas do with offerings of sacrificial blood in Yajnas?
It is known that whatever is offered to the Devas in Yajnas is consumed by them. So things like milk, butter, ghee, soma, meat, liquor etc are all eaten and drank by the Devas.
For example, Vyasa ...
4
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1answer
140 views
Which Yagya To Perform When Wife Is Pregnant?
Iām deeply inspired with Vedic Dharma and Vedas. Agnihotra is what I found way to life.
There are many types of Yajna. So is there any Yajna which is best to perform for the benefits of child in the ...
4
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2answers
242 views
Which yajna was performed by Prajapati Daksha?
Which yajna was it which was performed by Prajapati Daksha in which he didn't invite Lord Shiva and suffered with consecutive events ?
3
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2answers
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Which are seven HotÄ mentioned in Åiva Saį¹ kalpa SÅ«kta?
Åiva Saį¹
kalpa SÅ«kta is a sÅ«kta of six Åloka from 34th chapter of į¹¢ukla Yajurveda. This hymn is dedicated to (a prayer) for having mind of Åiva (auspicious, good) Saį¹
kalpa (thoughts, intentions).
...
5
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1answer
170 views
Are there yajnas that can be done to increase the quality of life and happiness of all people?
In Kaliyuga, there is a lot of adharma, so people are becoming more and more sad and because of adharma, we are causing many species of animals to become extinct. Is there any yajna that I can do for ...
4
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What are sacrifices done on new moon and full moon where a part is thrown for Rakshasas?
Sage valmiki uses many metaphors and writes in a poetic sense while explaining an incident in the Valmiki Ramayana. There are hundreds of usages of Upama and rupaka alankara which is used to explain ...
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Effects of Hawan/Yajna on health [closed]
How does the smoke from hawan/yajna affect the health of the human beings inhaling it? Are there any good effects?
How does its effects compare with those of vehicle exhaust/industrial pollution? I'm ...
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0answers
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How do I find a spiritual Guru for this particular Indra sadhana?
I am in need of a Guru who can help me in performing the Indra Sadhana (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOo5m4azAN8). How to perform the yagna ? Who can help me on this ? How can I prosper ?
I am ...
4
votes
2answers
993 views
What is Bhuta Yajna?
What is the definition of Bhuta Yajna?
Who should do it and how?
What is to sacrifice in this yajna?
Is it part of the daily rituals?
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0answers
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Do these rituals in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad to bear children give fruition in this lifetime?
These rituals in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad are for getting certain types of children to be born:
In case one wishes, 'That a white son be born to me! that he be able to repeat a Veda! that he ...
3
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0answers
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Can Rakshasas do Yajnas?
Can Rakshasas do Vedic Yajnas?
Are there instances where Rakshasas were doing Vedic Yajnas, like in the Ramayana?
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1answer
145 views
Do good people cause rain regardless of Yagnas?
The Tamil poet/saint Auvaiyar says:
http://www.edubilla.com/tamil/moothurai/
ą®ØąÆą®²ąÆą®²ąÆą®ąÆą®ąÆ ą®ą®±ąÆą®¤ąÆą®¤ ą®ØąÆą®°ąÆ ą®µą®¾ą®ÆąÆą®ąÆą®ą®¾ą®²ąÆ ą®µą®“ą®æ ą®ą®ą®æą®ŖąÆ
ą®ŖąÆą®²ąÆą®²ąÆą®ąÆą®ąÆą®®ąÆ ą®ą®ąÆą®ąÆ ą®ŖąÆą®ą®æą®ÆąÆą®®ą®¾ą®®ąÆ - ą®¤ąÆą®²ąÆ ą®ą®²ą®ą®æą®²ąÆ
ą®Øą®²ąÆą®²ą®¾ą®°ąÆ ą®ą®°ąÆą®µą®°ąÆ ą®ą®³ą®°ąÆą®²ąÆ ą®
ą®µą®°ąÆ ...
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Do any commentators interpret “from yajña arises rain” in BG 3.14 allegorically i.e., not involving a physical sacrifice, fire and smoke?
Bg. 3.14
annÄd bhavanti bhÅ«tÄni
parjanyÄd anna-sambhavaįø„
yajƱÄd bhavati parjanyo
yajƱaįø„ karma-samudbhavaįø„
RÄmÄnuja's commentary on this verse points to a verse from Manusmį¹ti which is ...
3
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1answer
215 views
In Kali Yuga, how do devas get havir bhaaga, since yagnas are rarely performed?
In Bhagavad Gita 3.10 & 11, Krishna says:
ą¤øą¤¹ą¤Æą¤ą„ą¤ą¤¾ą¤ ą¤Ŗą„ą¤°ą¤ą¤¾ą¤ ą¤øą„ą¤·ą„ą¤ą„ą¤µą¤¾ ą¤Ŗą„ą¤°ą„ą¤µą¤¾ą¤ ą¤Ŗą„ą¤°ą¤ą¤¾ą¤Ŗą¤¤ą¤æą¤
ą¤
ą¤Øą„ą¤Ø ą¤Ŗą„ą¤°ą¤øą¤µą¤æą¤·ą„ą¤Æą¤§ą„ą¤µą¤®ą„ą¤· ą¤µą„ą¤½ą¤øą„ą¤¤ą„ą¤µą¤æą¤·ą„ą¤ą¤ą¤¾ą¤®ą¤§ą„ą¤ą„
ą¤¦ą„ą¤µą¤¾ą¤Øą„ą¤ą¤¾ą¤µą¤Æą¤¤ą¤¾ą¤Øą„ą¤Ø ą¤¤ą„ ą¤¦ą„ą¤µą¤¾ ą¤ą¤¾ą¤µą¤Æą¤Øą„ą¤¤ą„ ą¤µą¤
ą¤Ŗą¤°ą¤øą„ą¤Ŗą¤°ą¤ ą¤ą¤¾ą¤µą¤Æą¤Øą„ą¤¤ą¤ ...
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0answers
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Apparently good yagnya by Daksha
The author of popular Lingashtakam stotram extolled Shiva as destroyer of Yagnya conducted by Daksha (father in-law) describing it as suyagna that is contradiction in its very terms.
Can we explain ...
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Is this an authentic Hindu yagna?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmWRpP_V5q0
It sounds like a modern composition that imitates authentic Vedic Yagnas.
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How much region can be controlled by performing Rajasuya?
It has been mentioned in Mahabharata that two kings: Yudhistira and Harishchandra performed Rajasuya.
Control of how much region will be gained by performing Rajasuya? Will it cover the whole earth ...
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0answers
116 views
What is pancha angni yajna in agnihotra?
What is pancha kunda in agnihotra?
anvahrya, grahapathy, dakshinaagni and uttravedhi in agnihotra
what is their respective meaning with short description of the offerings made?
Is Vaishwadeva homa a ...
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0answers
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What are the details of Lord Mahadeva's SarvaMedha yajna?
Mahabharata: Santi Parva: [Rajadharmanusasana Parva:] Chapter 20
ą¤Æą¤ą„ą¤ą„ą¤°ą¤æą¤Øą„ą¤¦ą„ą¤°ą„ ą¤µą¤æą¤µą¤æą¤§ą„ą¤°ą¤Øą„ą¤Øą¤µą¤¦ą„ą¤ą¤æ; ą¤°ą„ą¤¦ą„ą¤µą¤¾ą¤Øą„ą¤øą¤°ą„ą¤µą¤¾ą¤Øą¤ą„ą¤Æą¤Æą¤¾ą¤Øą„ą¤®ą¤¹ą„ą¤ą¤¾ą¤ |
ą¤¤ą„ą¤Øą„ą¤Øą„ą¤¦ą„ą¤°ą¤¤ą„ą¤µą¤ ą¤Ŗą„ą¤°ą¤¾ą¤Ŗą„ą¤Æ ą¤µą¤æą¤ą„ą¤°ą¤¾ą¤ą¤¤ą„ą¤½ą¤øą„; ą¤¤ą¤øą„ą¤®ą¤¾ą¤¦ą„ą¤Æą¤ą„ą¤ą„ ą¤øą¤°ą„ą¤µą¤®ą„ą¤µą„ą¤Ŗą¤Æą„ą¤ą„ą¤Æą¤®ą„
||ą„§ą„§||
...
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1answer
226 views
Are there any animal sacrifices specifically for Vishnu?
There are animal sacrifices for Indra, Vayu, Agni, Prajapati and Shiva, etc in the Vedas.
For example, in the Ashvalayana Grihya Sutras:
1 1. Now the spit-ox (sacrificed to Rudra).
In ...
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0answers
142 views
Does Tantrik, avaidik, or agamic animal sacrifice have any scriptural authority?
No one has done a Vedic animal sacrifice for hundreds of years, but the Shakta, Shaiva, and Vamachara traditions, especially in East India, are known to perform lots of avaidik animal sacrifices for ...
4
votes
1answer
330 views
Does Vishnu like animal sacrifices?
The Vedas are traditionally divided into two parts: Karma kanda and Jnana kanda. The Karma kanda consists of Yajnas involving animal sacrifice. Ancient Sri Vaishnava commentators and acharyas say that ...
2
votes
1answer
270 views
Do the Devas and Pitrs like eating meat?
The body of animals killed in Yajnas and Sraddhas go to the world of the Devas as well as the world of Pitrs. The Devas and Pitrs eat the flesh of the animals killed in the yajnas offered by humans.
...
5
votes
1answer
236 views
How are animals killed in the Soma Yajna?
In the Soma yajna, a few animals are killed (I think 3 different animals are killed). My question is, how are they killed? Through beheading, strangulation, etc?
This answer says that the horse is ...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
What is the difference between Yajna and Havana?
While reading Rigveda, I often encounter these two closely related words, so often that the entire scripture seems to depend on these two words only. The problem is that I can't point out the actual ...
2
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0answers
65 views
What is the name of the Yajna which is capable of curing diseases?
Tembe Swami or Vasudevananda Saraswati in his Dwisahastri Teeka says through the following procedures diseases can be cured.
ą¤Ŗą„ą¤°ą„ą¤µą¤ą¤Øą„ą¤®ą¤ą„ą¤¤ą¤ ą¤Ŗą¤¾ą¤Ŗą¤ ą¤µą„ą¤Æą¤¾ą¤§ą„ą¤°ą„ą¤Ŗą„ą¤£ ą¤Ŗą„ą¤”ą¤¤ą„ ą„¤
ą¤¤ą¤ą„ą¤ą¤¾ą¤Øą„ą¤¤ą¤æą¤°ą„ą¤·ą¤§ą„ą¤°ą„ą¤¦ą¤¾ą¤Øą„ą¤°ą„ą¤ą¤Ŗą¤¹ą„ą¤®ą¤øą„ą¤°ą¤¾...
1
vote
1answer
123 views
Which scripture is Devdutt Patnaik referring to when he says “Yagna is not a contract. Devata has no obligation”
While explaining about Yagnas according to the Vedas, I have heard from elders that the Devata is bound by mantra (Devadhinam jagat Sarve mantraadhinam cha Devataa).
However, in an article on his ...
6
votes
1answer
388 views
Indra's name as Shatakratu [duplicate]
Devendra got the seat of heaven only after performing 100 Yajnas. So, he is known as Shatakratu. What was he before and any details of the Yajnas he performed is available in Purana ?
5
votes
1answer
132 views
Who is Samyuka Barhaspatya?
The Shatapatha Brahmana 1.9.1 mentions about a certain priest who went to heaven after performing a particular fire-sacrifice:
Thereupon he pronounces the 'All-hail and blessing' (sam-yos). Now it ...
2
votes
0answers
726 views
Are there any instances where Putra Kameshti Yajna really worked? [closed]
It is believed that if a couple remained childless or doesn't have a male child, performing Putra Kameshti Yajna will result in producing offspring, especially a male offspring. Now, my question is, ...
5
votes
2answers
972 views
Story of a blue-eyed mongoose that came on completion of the Ashvamedha Yajna of king Yudhishthira?
King Yudhishthira performed the Ashvamedha Yajna(horse-sacrifice) under the guidance of Maharishi Vyasa. There is a wonderful story of a blue-eyed mongoose which came at the conclusion of the ...
8
votes
1answer
134 views
Who are the Havirdhanas mentioned in RIgveda?
Rigveda Book 10 Verse 13 is devoted to the Havirdhanas and goes something like this:
I yoke with prayer your ancient inspiration: may the laud rise as on the prince's pathway. All Sons of Immortality ...
1
vote
2answers
439 views
Which scripture does Pillai Lokacharya reference in which Shiva enjoins his devotees to offer human sacrifice?
In Pillai Lokacharya's Prapanna Paritrana, Shiva is said to enjoin his devotees to offer human sacrifice.
Nor again is Rudra any better. For he is to begin with the Destroyer par excellence. Water ...
4
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0answers
117 views
Were horses killed in the ashvamedh performed by Lord rama?
Lord rama performed ashvamedh and that too without a wife, who did the ritual killing, and were animals actually sacrificed?
