A History of Sanskrit Literature c12.27

c12.27

Among the most important duties of the new householder is the regular daily offering of the five great sacrifices (*mahā-yajna*), which are the sacrifice to the Veda (*brahma-yajna*), or Vedic recitation; the offering to the gods (*deva-yajna*) of melted butter in fire (*homa*); the libation (*tarpaṇa*) to the Manes (*pitṛi-yajna*); offerings (called *bali*) deposited in various places on the ground to demons and all beings (*bhūta-yajna*); and the sacrifice to men (*manushya-yajna*), consisting in hospitality, especially to Brahman mendicants. The first is regarded as by far the highest; the recitation of the *sāvitrī*, in particular, at morning and evening worship, is as meritorious as having studied the Veda. All these five daily sacrifices are still in partial use among orthodox Brahmans.