History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c93.581

v7.c93.581

²¹⁷⁷ Vedic sacrifices are usually divided for convenience into three varieties, viz. *Iṣṭi* (in which offerings are of milk, clarified butter, rice, barley and other grains), Paśu and Soma and the latter again into Ekāha (lasting for one day like Agniṣṭoma), Ahīna (lasting for more than one day up to 12 days) and Sattra (lasting from 12 days to a year or more) Śabara on PMS IV. 4. 20 states that there are four Mahāyajñas, viz. Agnihotra, Darśapūrṇamāsa, Jyotiṣṭoma, Piṇḍapitṛyajña There are seven Soma sacrifices as stated by Gaut Dh S. VIII. 18. Besides these Śrauta rites, there are other rites prescribed in the gṛhyasūtras, which are offered in gṛhya fire and seven important ones from which are called pākayajñas. Vide H. of Dh. Vol II. pp. 193–194.