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There are two types of knowledge- worldly or conventional and ultramundane or pertaining to the other world. Among these ultramundane knowledge is considered very special and the worldly knowledge is considered ordinary. The ultramundane

Knowledge can help you seek he divine truth. The conventional knowledge helps you seek the divine truth while fulfilling all the worldly duties. Ultramundane knowledge

Cannot be achieved by human perception and imagination , but imagination and perception help one to progress in conventional knowledge. All the knowledge that exists in Vedas gets reflected in the Vedic yadnya or Sacrifice. Whatever is said here is for the Yadnya, it is full of Vedic knowledge.

�The word Yadnya is formed from the root Yaja (sanskrit) which means worshipping God, knowledge and donation.� Those elder than us are like Gods to us; worshipping them is Yadnya. Knowledge should be shared with the people of same age; which is Yadnya. Giving annything to the younger also means Yadnya. The concept of small and big is found not only in human beings bit also in every aspect of life and in every substance. The above mentioned three types of people have a right to get from us in the same way we also have a the right to get from others a per our level and requirement. Thus sacrifice means that the living and non-living things must benefit from each other.

�ShatapathaBrahmana (1/7/45) has described this great sacrifice (Yadnya) as the best of all deeds. It means whatever good deeds exists are Yadnya only. Yadnya can be divided into three parts:� Karma Yadnya (Work)

��������������������������������������� Dnyana Yadnya (knowledge) and

��������������������������������������� Upasana (Worship)

The “Shodasha Samskaras”� or sixteen essential purification ceremonies performed by Hindus only, like : Marriage, Children, Education, Food, Clothing, Housing, Society,Agriculture, Cattle, Music, Mathematics, Geography, Astrology, Medicine, Chemistry, Building a House, Machinery, Arms, Vehicle and War education are concerned with Deed (Karma) . God, life, re-birth, fruits of deeds, nature, destruction of the universe, caste religious orders and continuous, regular study of the Vedas are connected to the knowledge sacrifice. Morality, pity,good behaviour, love devotion , meditation, asceticism and Yoga ( a union with the universal soul by means of contemplation) belong to the Upasana Yadnya. Vedas contain an immeasurable treasure of knowledge. The area covered by Yadnya is very big. I am Presenting here in a very minute form only the Karma Yoga from Atharvaveda.

�The Aryans have put the Yadnya on the topmost level . We can determine from the minor and major sciences that Vedic science can help a man to bring about progress in his imaginative knowledge. The sages had made progress in moral science which has direct connection with Yadnyas through the Vedas. There are a number of types of Yadnyas described in detail in the Brahmanas and the sacred books. But in Atharvaveda 11-7� some Yadnyas have been desribed in a very small way in the following manner: Atharvaveda 11/7

�These hymns contain the explanation of Rajasuya (a sacrifice which only a universal monarch is entitled to perform), Vajapeya (a sacrifice which is the last of the five Srouta sacrifices enjoined in the Vedas, Agnishtoma (a ceremony in which oblations are given in fire),Akshwamegha, Agnihotra (a ceremony consisting of offering oblation to the consecrated fire) , Agnadhyana (same as Agnihotra), Chaturmasya (fast observed by Hindus which lasts for 4 months of rainy season) The gopatha Brahmanas have put the Yadnyas in the following serial order and their detailed explanation is available – Agnyadhan , Purnahuti ( a final oblation) , Agnihotra , Darshapurnamasa, Agrahayana ( the month of Margashirsha), Chaturmasya , Pashubandha , Agnishtoma) , Rajasuya , Vajapeya, Akshwamegha , Purushmegha , Sarvamegha , Dakshinawale , Bahut dakshinavale and Asankhya dakshinavale.

�It is further said that one who knows the rites of these Yadnyas merges with the yadnya� as one soul and he gets divine virtues.

�Explanation of the Yadnyas is as follows:

Agnyadhyana – Gopa. 5/5/8. Agnyadhan should be done till sacrifice is completed.

Agnihotra – it means an oblation made to the fire in the evening and to the sun in the early morning. Shatapatha – 2/2/4/17

Darshapurnamasa – The oblations during the day are called Darshanapurnamasa.

Taittireya Samhita 2/2/5.

Chaturmasya – These Yadnyas are those which are done in last month or in the eighth lunar month of the Hindu calendar. Gopa 3/1/11.

Agrahayana (Navasasyeshti) These Yadnyas are performed in the beginning of the Summer solstice and winter solstice.

Agnishtoma – The Yadnya which is performed every year in the month of spring. There are different types of Yadnyas like: Agnishtoma, Ukya, Vajapeya , Atiraga etc. This Yadnya is considered the best amongst all. Tandaya Brahmana 6/3/8 , Shata 10 (1/2/9)

Pitruyadnya – One who longs for a child and who satisfies his forefathers. Pitruyadnya is essential for those who want children. This is the sacrifice performed for having a son (Putrakameshti). (sha. 6/7/3/7)

�Panchamahayadnya – Panchamahayadnyas are those which always being. (Taitti A 2/10)

�Rajasuya and Ashwamedha Yadnya – This sacrifice is performed at the time of enthronement. All Gods attend Ashwamedha Yadnya. One who performs this Yadnya wins over all directions. Prosperity is kingdom. Nation is Ashwamedha. So emperors should do Ashwamedha Yadnya.

�GomeghaYadnya- Making the earth (Soil) fertile , making new land and searching for new land is the main purpose of this Yadnya. This is called Gomegha Yadnya.

�Vedic Aryans had eternal faith that health , children , controlling rainfall , kingdom , homage and Superme spirit could be attained by performing Yadnyas. A man doesn’t wish anything anymore in his life after he has procured all these accomplishments. He doesn’t have any thirst or desire any more. He experiences the happiness of the mortal world as well as the other world; ultramundane by following this path in life.

�The heavenly world and the human existence are corelated and dependent on each other. Each and every substance of the heavenly world is the backbone , support of the mortal world. All substances exist in the heavenly world and yadnyas take place their too.� Yadnyas happen in the human body just like they happen in the heavenly world. Ther yadnyas in the human body and in the universe are continuously taking place. But differences occur between the two because of changes. So the main purpose of Vedic Yadnyas is to bring about a compromise between the mortal world and the ultramundane.

�Vedas are the most ancient literature in the world. They contain description of Yadnyas. So Yadnyas date back to the Vedic period.� We can say that Yadnya system is the most ancient system of this world. Through this we enjoy happiness and responsibility and demand powers of the mortal world.and the heavenly world.

�Author – Ghanashyam Mathur������������������������������ Transleted by – Sou Lalita Marathe

�Epigraphic officer K.R. 502

Behind Raghunath Hostel

Mala Road , Kota (Rajasthan) 344001.

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