Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c8.52

c8.52

There were other details of the ceremony, each with its own spiritual value and significance. The *Yāga* was performed in five parts, viz. (1) *Dīkshaṇīya Ishṭi* for the dīksha or initiation of the Yajamāna for purposes of his second spiritual birth as a *dvija* (“twice-born”); (2) *Prāyaṇīya Ishṭi* or *Ātithya Ishṭi* to indicate that God Soma attended the *Ishti* as a guest (*atithi*) and also giving food to the new-born *dvija*; (3) *Pravargya Kriyā* to achieve his spiritual growth; (4) *Paśu-yāga*, the sacrifice of the animal in the worshipper; and (5) *Soma-yāga*, the sacrifice at which Soma is drunk, symbolizing the drink by which the *Dvija* nourishes his soul and attains immortality.