The Sacrifices of Rajasuya, Vajapeya and Ashvamedha (study)
by Aparna Dhar | 2016 | 61,606 words
This page relates ‘Summary of the Vajapeya sacrifice’ 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.
Summary of the Vājapeya sacrifice
[Full title: A Brief note on the sacrifices of the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa (10): Vājapeya]
The Vājapeya is the last of the seven soma sacrifices and usually performed as an independent rite. ‘Vāja’ means strength and ‘Peya’ means drink. Vājapeya is a Soma rite and drinking of soma is a part of it. The Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa says that Vājapeya is similar to annapeya (food and drink).[1] One who offers Vājapeya wins food. The Gods when wish to obtain strength, they drink ‘the drink of strength’ i.e. soma and becomes strong (vājin).
By the Rājasūya one becomes king and by the Vājapeya the emperor. Rājasūya is the sacrifice meant only for the Kṣatriyas, whereas Vājapeya is performed by both the Brāhmiṇs and the Kṣatriyas. An important feature of this yajña is the chariot race. The Yajamāna has to win the race and the victory is celebrated by playing the seventeen (17) drums. In another important ritual the Yajamāna with his wife climbs the tall yupā using a ladder. This is the concept of symbolic walk to heaven. The importance of this ritual will be discussed further in the fourth chapter of this research work.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa–X/3/4/1 “Annaṃ vai vājo’nna prasavīya|”