Yaga, Yāga: 23 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
India history
Biology
Languages
1. Pali
2. Marathi
3. Sanskrit
4. Kannada
See also
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Introduction:

Yaga means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India, Marathi, biology. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Dharmashastra (religious law)

Source: Sacred Texts: The Grihya Sutras, Part 2 (SBE30)

Yāga (याग) is defined as a synonym for Yajña (sacrifice) according to the commentary of the Āpastamba-yajña-paribhāṣā-sūtras 1.—“yajña [viz., yāga], sacrifice, is an act by which we surrender something for the sake of the gods. Such an act must rest on a sacred authority (āgama), and serve for man’s salvation (śreyortha). The nature of the gift is of less importance. It may be puroḍāśa, cake; karu, pulse; sāṃnāyya, mixed milk; paśu, an animal; soma, the juice of the Soma-plant, &c.; nay, the smallest offerings of butter, flour, and milk may serve for the purpose of a sacrifice”.

context information

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

1) Yāga (याग) refers to “worship”, according to the Siddhayogeśvarīmata chapter 10.—Accordingly, “[The Goddess spoke]:—I have previously asked you about the Doctrine of the Yoginīs (Siddhayogeśvarīmata), O God, which helps to make mantras effective without any observances or worship (vrata-yāga-vivarjita). However, you have asserted, O God, that success depends on the ancillary mantras; therefore, tell me briefly about how to practise the observances associated with them. [...]”.

2) Yāga (याग) refers to a “worship system”, according to the Brahmayāmala-tantra (or Picumata), an early 7th century Śaiva text consisting of twelve-thousand verses.—For the worship system (yāga) taught in chapter 12, one begins by laying out nine lotuses in a square maṇḍala on a substrate, then visualizing the śaktitantu and installing the mantra-deities. After envisioning an elaborate mantric throne for installation of Bhairava in the central lotus, one engages in the somatic performance of worship. Subsequently, the procedure is replicated in full detail inwardly “by the path of yoga”, seated in the lotus posture. ‘Outer’ ritual thus begins with meditative visualization and is followed by the rite’s recapitulation internally.

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Yāga (याग) refers to “offering oblations”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 19.101cd-105ab, while describing the ritual that protect the king and his kingdom]—“[...] [The Mantrin] should worship [Amṛteśa] to benefit Brahmins, cows, his own protection, and [the king’s] own people, offering abundant oblations (bhūri-yāga) at home on the ninth day [of the light half of the month] Mahānavamī. As said before, [this brings] long life, freedom from disease, and perfect health”.

Source: Semantic Scholar: The Brahmayāmalatantra (dissertation)

Yāga (याग) refers to the “mantra-deity pantheons (of the Brahmayāmala)” according to the Brahmayāmalatantra (or Picumata), an early 6th century Śaiva text consisting of twelve-thousand verses.—Several sections of the text teach the basic yāgas or mantra-deity pantheons of the Brahmayāmala and their associated rites (yāgavidhi/vidhāna). The Nine Yāgas, pantheons centered upon each deity, in turn, of the core maṇḍala—Bhairava (-Bhairavī), the Four Devīs, and Four Dūtīs—are listed by name in the opening of Brahmayāmala III. These have their configurations specified in Brahmayāmala XIII, the “chapter on the Nine Pantheons”. Gṛha-yāga, or the worship performed in a shrine utilizing the Nine Pantheons, appears to be the normative form of daily worship. [...]

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (architecture)

Yāga (याग) refers to “worship” (e.g., ‘a place for worship’), according to the Mohacūrottara (verse 4.234-243).—Accordingly, [while describing the construction of the maṭha]—“[...] The installation of the houses is according to the wishes [of the patron]. There should be a [door for] entry and exit to the north. [The houses] may have one, two, or three floors, or as is pleasing. Externally, [the building] is surrounded by a long hall. In the eastern side of the building is the place for worship (yāga-ālaya). One should install the kitchen and so forth as appropriate. [...]”.

context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

Sports, Arts and Entertainment (wordly enjoyments)

Source: archive.org: Syainika Sastra of Rudradeva with English Translation (art)

Yāga (याग) refers to the “sacrifices”, according to the Śyainika-śāstra: a Sanskrit treatise dealing with the divisions and benefits of Hunting and Hawking, written by Rājā Rudradeva (or Candradeva) in possibly the 13th century.—Accordingly, “[...] If women, with languishing eyes beaming with love, are to be altogether avoided, the birth of a son, who delivers his father from the hell named Put, becomes impossible. If hunting is to be altogether prohibited, how can meat, skin, horn and other articles prescribed for sacrifices (yāga) be obtained? [...]”.

context information

This section covers the skills and profiencies of the Kalas (“performing arts”) and Shastras (“sciences”) involving ancient Indian traditions of sports, games, arts, entertainment, love-making and other means of wordly enjoyments. Traditionally these topics were dealt with in Sanskrit treatises explaing the philosophy and the justification of enjoying the pleasures of the senses.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

1) Yāga (याग) refers to the “seven kinds of sacrifices”, as discussed in chapter 4 of the Indrarātra section of the Sanatkumārasaṃhitā: an encyclopedic Sanskrit text written in over 3500 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as yoga, temple-building, consecration ceremonies, initiation and dhanurveda (martial arts)—[Also see chapter 1 of the Śivarātra section named tithiyāga].—[The following is a description of the chapter yāgavidhi]: [...]

Sanatkumāra proceeds to differentiate seven variations of dīkṣā according to the details of yāga-procedures.

yāga;
stoma;
mahāyāga;
adhvara;
sava;
kratu;
haristoma;

The first variety, called yāga, is for Śūdras and women; it differs from the other six varieties according to the number of kalaśa-pots involved, the dakṣiṇā, etc. (156-20). The second, called stoma, which may be utilized by all classes, is briefly described (21-27a). The last one, although merely mentioned, is praised as “best”.

Those who have undergone dīkṣā-initiation by one or another of these methods should be distinguished by the following names respectively:

samayin,
dīkṣita,
cakravartin,
abhiṣikta,
guru,
ācārya and
bhagavān.

2) Yāga (याग) or Yāgāṅga refers to “eight steps (of the worship of the Lord)” [=yāgāṅgaṃ ... tvanuyāgastadaṣṭamam], as discussed in the twenty-second chapter of the Jayākhyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra Āgama text composed of 4500 verses in 33 chapters dealing with topics such as mantra (formulas), japa (repetitions), dhyāna (meditations), mudrā (gesticulations), nyāsa (concentrations) etc.—Description of the chapter [vaiṣṇava-ācāra]:—[...] Nārada asks to know the various steps of the worship [yāga-aṅga] to the Lord-and is told that worship is to be observed in this order: abhimāna, bhoga, pūjā, nivedita—offering ghee and other eatables (including paśu: 77), saṃpradāna, vahnisaṃtarpaṇa, pitṛyāga, and prāṇāgnihavana (74b-81a). [...]

3) Yāga (याग) refers to a certain procedure of worship-routine involving the elements from dvārapūjā to homa, as discussed in chapter 15 of the Mārkaṇḍeyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2200 Sanskrit verses mainly dealing with temple-building, iconography, pūjā (worship procedures), utsava (festivities) and prāyaścitta (expiatory measures).—Description of chapter [nityārcana]: Routine worship in the temple, properly attended to, has immense rewards (1-3). [...] Various names have been given to different elements of the pūjā-liturgy (38b-46a): [e.g., “ yāga” (from dvārapūjā to homa);] [...]

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Yāga.—(EI 31), a ceremony. Note: yāga is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

Yaga in Yoruba is the name of a plant defined with Adenia lobata in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Adenia rumicifolia Engl. & Harms (among others).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Encyclopédie Méthodique, Botanique (1797)
· Phytothérapie (2005)
· Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2004)
· Fragmenta Botanica (1800)
· Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie (1891)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Yaga, for example extract dosage, side effects, chemical composition, diet and recipes, pregnancy safety, health benefits, have a look at these references.

context information

This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

yāga : (m.) sacrifice; alms-giving.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Yāga, (fr. yaj, *Sk. yāga, cp. yañña & yaja) 1. a (brahmanic) sacrifice, known otherwise as mahāyāga (or pl. °yāgā), and consisting of the 4: assamedha, purisamedha, sammāpāsa, vāja-peyya. Thus mentioned at S. I, 76 & Sn. 303.—2. In Buddhistic sense: gift, alms‹-› giving, charity; expense or expenditure of giving (almost syn. with cāga) A. I, 91 (here given in line with dāna & cāga, with distinction of āmisa° & dhamma°, i.e. the material sacrifice, as under 1, and the spiritual sacrifice or help); with the same contrast of ā° & dh. ° at D. III, 155; It. 98, 102; J. V, 57, 65; DhA. I, 27.—J. IV, 66 (sahassena yāgaṃ yajanto); Miln. 21 (dhamma°); VvA. 155; PvA. 135 (mahā°-saññita yañña), 136 (mahā°).—suyiṭṭha yāga sampadā “well-given is the perfection of charity” ThA. 40 (Ap. v. 7)=230 (id.).

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

yāga (याग).—m S Sacrificing: also offering in general (to a god).

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

yāga (याग).—m Sacrificing. yāgī a masc A sacrificant.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Yāga (याग).—[yaj ghañ kutvam]

1) An offering, a sacrifice, an oblation; इष्टिर्यागः (iṣṭiryāgaḥ) ŚB. on MS.6.8.7.

2) Any ceremony in which oblations are presented, with a direct reference to a deity; प्रत्यक्षदेवतासम्बद्धो हि त्यागो यागः (pratyakṣadevatāsambaddho hi tyāgo yāgaḥ) ŚB. on MS.9.4.47; ऋषिदेवगणस्वधाभुजां श्रुतयागप्रसवैः स पार्थिवः (ṛṣidevagaṇasvadhābhujāṃ śrutayāgaprasavaiḥ sa pārthivaḥ) (anṛṇatvamupeyivān) R.8.3.

3) Presentation, grant.

Derivable forms: yāgaḥ (यागः).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Yāga (याग).—m.

(-gaḥ) A sacrifice, any ceremony in which offerings and oblations are presented. E. yaj to worship, aff. ghaj .

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Yāga (याग).—i. e. yaj + a, m. A sacrifice, Bhāṣāp. 160.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Yāga (याग).—[masculine] sacrifice.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Yāga (याग):—m. (√1. yaj) an offering, oblation, sacrifice

2) any ceremony in which offerings or oblations are presented, [Yājñavalkya; Raghuvaṃśa; Rājataraṅgiṇī] etc.

3) presentation, grant, bestowal, [Hemādri’s Caturvarga-cintāmaṇi]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Yāga (याग):—(gaḥ) 1. m. A sacrifice.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Yāga (याग) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Jāga.

[Sanskrit to German]

Yaga in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Yāga (ಯಾಗ):—

1) [noun] an elaborate religious sacrifice.

2) [noun] a religious service; a worshipping.

3) [noun] a difficult, onerous task.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Relevant text

Search found 112 books and stories containing Yaga, Yāga, Yagas; (plurals include: Yagas, Yāgas, Yagases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Verse 3.7.4 < [Chapter 7 - The Holy Places of Śrī Girirāja]

Verse 3.2.12 < [Chapter 2 - The Great Festival of Śrī Girirāja]

Verse 5.1.15 < [Chapter 1 - Advice to Kaṃsa]

+ 1 more chapters / show preview

Chapter 3(c) - Ritvika (Priest)—Four groups of Priests

Chapter 3(l) - Inter Relation of Somayaga with other Yagas

Chapter 3(a) - Rituals of Somayaga (introduction)

+ 4 more chapters / show preview

Part 1 - The concept of Yajña (sacrifice) < [Chapter 7 - Pañcamahāyajñas]

Treatment of Atithi in Vedas < [Chapter 2 - Ātithyeṣṭi]

Part 2 - Atithi-saparyā in the Brāhmaṇas < [Chapter 2 - Ātithyeṣṭi]

+ 7 more chapters / show preview