Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c8.34

c8.34

Besides the invocation, *āhvāna*, of the deity by the utterance of the proper Mantras, the next requisite of a *Yajña* is what is called *āhuti* or sacrifice of oblations, of something which the worshipper holds dear and valuable. The oblations are offered to Agni or Fire kindled in the altar, *Vedi*, specially prepared for the purpose. Men approached God through Agni who invoked Him on their behalf and is thus called the *Hotā*. The essence of *Yajña* is thus sacrifice or offering as proof of devotion to the Deity.