The Sacrifices of Rajasuya, Vajapeya and Ashvamedha (study)
by Aparna Dhar | 2016 | 61,606 words
This page relates ‘Use of Sacrificial Utensils or Yajnayudha’ of the study dealing with the Sacrifices such as Rajasuya, Vajapeya and Ashvamedha including their ritualistic and monarchial strata with reference to the Shatapatha-Brahmana. These Brahmanas represent a category of ancient Sanskrit texts dealing with ancient Vedic rituals and ceremonies based on the Vedas.
Use of Sacrificial Utensils or Yajñayudha
In the sacrificial task, some sacrificial utensils are also necessary. In the midst of the description of the sacrifice in the Brāhmaṇa texts, these utensils are mentioned. The utensils which are used in the sacrificial work are commonly termed ‘Yajñāyudha’ in the Vedic texts[1]
The ten Yajňāyudhas are viz.
There is also another obligatory duty which must be mentioned here. This is the application of the Vedic mantras at time of Vedic ritual. Mantra is said to be the soul of Vedic work. Mantra renders completeness to Vedic rite. The Priests invoke gods in the sacrifice by chanting mantras. All the trifling matters of the sacrifice are performed along with the pronunciation of mantras. Likewise, oblations are offered to the fire for the gods pronouncing the mantras. The three types of mantras of Ṛk, Sāman and Yajus are applied during sacrificial performance.