Hindu Law and Custom (Recht und Sitte) c11.32

c11.32

§ 57. *The five great sacrifices and the Śrāddha.* The regular performance of the five great sacrifices (Mahāyajña, Vi. 59, 19—26 etc.) is one of the most important duties of the Gṛhastha. The sacrifice or the divine service which is connected with the Veda, consists of the recitation of the Veda, the sacrifice to the gods by the offering of butter poured into the fire (homa), the sacrifice to the manes by the libation (tarpaṇa), sacrifice to the demons or all creatures (bhūta) by scattering food as offering (bali), sacrifice to men by entertaining guests, particularly Brahman ascetics. The last four sacrifices are called the Pākayajñas; the sacrifice to the Veda stands high above them and even above the Vidhiyajñas which are performed in the three sacred sacrificial fires; particularly the recital of the Gāyatrī (sāvitrī) at the time of morning and evening prayers produces as much merit as the study of the Veda, and this religious merit can never be destroyed although the reward for good deeds is transitory (Vi. 55, 12-21 etc.). Which Vedic texts should be recited and how the other Mahāyajñas are to be performed—all this depends on the Śākhā of the Veda to which the Brahman concerned belongs; these differences are minutely described in the Gṛhyasūtras, while the Smṛtis as usual give the general norm.