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The rituals are basically related to body. These have
nothing to do for the benefit of mind (?).The Vedic ritual is the oldest
surviving ritual of mankind, it is not primitive but sophisticated and is the
product of a long development. Seventeen priests
are required for performing the ‘Agni’. The course of time is 12 days.
Summary of different rituals given in the table below:
A detailed
description is given below First day The Yajamana and his priests enter into the ritual
enclosure carrying three sacred fires in pots. The ‘Ukha pot’, the main
ritual vessel is prepared from clay. An animal sacrifice (In 1975 it was
symbolically) is performed for Vayu. The five chief priests (adhvaryu,
brahman, hota, udgata, and sadasya) are officially selected. Fire is produced
by friction. An isti is performed and is followed by the consecration of
(diksa) of the Yajamana (a turban is tied around his head, he is protected by
a golden breast plate, he is given a staff and he closes his fists and
deprived of speaking (except for recitations), from bathing etc. The Yajamana
picks up the Ukha pot, which is filled with fire, and takes three steps with
it. Second day The mahavira pot, main ritual vessel of the pravargya, is
prepared from clay. Third day A sacrificial pole is made. To the east of the old
enclosure , in which the three altars have already been made, the
measurements of the mahavedi and of the bird-shaped offering altar are laid
out. Fourth day The new domestic altar replaces the old offering altar
one. The adhvaryu consecrates each brick. The fire from Ukha pot is added to
the installed fire An introductory isti
is performed .The ‘purchased’ Soma
stalks are measured , transport in Somacart on the bullock skin. King
soma is installed on a throne and an isti is performed in honor of him
.Except Yajamana and chanters, sprinkle Soma. The Indra , god’s etc is
invited to attend the forth -coming Soma pressing . The first pavargya and Upasad
are performed. The seeds are sown in the plowed ground and buried several items like tortoise, the
Ukha pot, The hiranmaya Purusha etc...The construction of bird shaped altar
started with a stone at the center. All bricks are consecrated by adhvryu. The Pravargya
and Upsad performed. Fifth day to Seventh day After the morning pravargya and Upasa , the second,
third, fourth layer of the altar is laid on respective days. The evening Pravargya and Upsad follows. Eighth day After the morning Pravargya and Upasad ,the fifth layer
is laid with svayamatranna in the center. The Yajamana wishes the bricks to
turn into cows. Offerings are made to Rudra. The udgata chants around the
bird, and a man pours continuous stream of water around the bird, three times.
The evening Pravargya and Upsad follows. Ninth
day After the morning and evening Pravargya and Upasad , The
implements used in the pravargya are putdown on the new altar in the shape of
a man .The agni from new domestic altar is installed on the new offering
altar. Long continuos oblation of ghee
is made followed by other oblation and offerings. The hall of recitation is
made .The animal sacrifice is performed. Tenth
to Twelfth day The ceremonies from tenth day will continue throughout
out the next two days and nights. The tenth day is known as sutya. Pressing
of soma begins after the hota’s morning recital and Soma oblations are
offered. Some priests including Yajamana crawl in snake like procession on to altar for offering. In the north of
altar the three chant bahispavamana-stothra. Numerous rites are performed
simultaneously .Fires are installed in hearths in the recital hall also.
Eleven animals are sacrificed( 1975 ,only
symbolic).Except Acchavaka Soma juice in the sadas. and hota recites sastra recitation. .Like this
four Soma sequence are performed. Soma offering is made into the offering
fire. During the pressing on
the mid day, gravastut recites Rgveda verses with blind folded cloth
in which Soma was wrapped. .The Yajamana is anointed . The remaining 14 Soma sequences continue through eleventh
day ,night upto the dawn of twelfth
day. On the twelfth day unnetha priest make two Soma offering for Indra
Ancestral rites are performed. The
Yajamana and Yajamanapathni take avabhratha bath followed by a concluding
isti is performed and final goat is sacrificed (1975 ,only symbolic). The
Yajamana installs three fires on his home after returning to the home .He
perform morning and evening Agnihothra for the rest of his life! |
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