Significance of Sacrifice offering
Sacrifice offering in Hinduism encompasses various aspects related to ritualistic offerings made to deities and ancestors. These include items like clarified butter, sour milk, and curds, intended to invoke divine presence and honor the gods. Various texts, including Purana and Dharmashastra, highlight the significance of such offerings in both festival contexts and specific rituals, critiquing violence against animals while emphasizing the importance of purity and intention behind the sacrifices. This practice aims to gain merit and spiritual blessings.
Synonyms: Offering, Gift, Tribute, Donation, Oblation
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Sacrifice offering'
Sacrifice offering in Hinduism encompasses diverse rituals, including gifts to deities, festival offerings, and ritualistic donations, aimed at gaining blessings and merit. It involves presenting items, foods, and animals, following specific purity guidelines.
From: Padma Purana
(1) Sacrifice offerings include ritualistic acts of giving, which are critiqued in the context of violence against animals.[1] (2) Acts of giving during festivals that involve offerings made to deities or ancestors, aimed at gaining merit and blessings.[2] (3) Ritual donations made during religious ceremonies that are particularly significant when conducted at Ganga.[3] (4) Gifts and rituals performed by king Dilipa to honor deities and seek blessings.[4]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The ritualistic offering of goats and other animals in worship, viewed within the Navaratra context as a means of honoring the divine and achieving spiritual goals.[5]
From: Linga Purana
(1) Contributions made during rituals to honor deities, including food and other materials.[6]
From: Skanda Purana
(1) The act of offering to the Supreme Brahman, emphasized as part of worship practices across various continents.[7]
From: Hiranyakesi-grihya-sutra
(1) Items or substances deemed worthy to be presented to deities as part of a ritual sacrifice, aimed at earning blessings for abundance.[8] (2) Ritual foods and libations that are offered to the deities and ancestors during a sacrifice.[9]
From: Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra
(1) Refers to the act of making offerings during a sacrifice, particularly linked to the Agnihotra ritual.[10]
From: Apastamba Dharma-sutra
(1) Rituals involving the presentation of items or actions to deities, which must be approached with specific guidelines of purity.[11]
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) Items presented during the sacrificial ceremony, intended to honor and invoke the presence of gods and manes.[12] (2) The act of offering a sacrifice, particularly with respect to the human head, establishing man as the unique sacrificer.[13] (3) Items offered during the sacrifice, which included clarified butter, sour milk, whey, and curds.[14]