History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v2.c35.3

v2.c35.3

From early Vedic times five daily observances called *mahāyajñas* were prescribed. The Śat. Br. (XI 5. 6. 1.)¹⁶⁶⁴ says '*there are only* five mahāyajñas, they are like great sacrificial sessions, viz. the sacrifice to beings, the sacrifice to men, the sacrifice to the Fathers, the sacrifice to the gods, the sacrifice to *brahman* (Veda)'. These are then briefly defined. In the Tai. Ār. II. 10 we read '*these* five mahāyajñas indeed are spread out continuously, viz. devayajña, pitṛyajña, bhūtayajña, manuṣyayajña, brahmayajña. That is fulfilled as devayajña when one makes an offering in fire, even if it be a mere fuel-stick; when one offers svadhā (śrāddha repast) to the fathers, even if it be mere water, that becomes pitṛyajña; when a man offers a *bali* (a ball of food) to the beings it becomes bhūtayajña, when he gives food to brāhmaṇas that becomes manuṣyayajña. When one studies svādhyāya even if it be a single *ṛk* or *yajus* formula or a *sāman*, it becomes brahmayajña'.¹⁶⁶⁵