The Sacrifices of Rajasuya, Vajapeya and Ashvamedha (study)
by Aparna Dhar | 2016 | 61,606 words
This page relates ‘Summary of the Caturmasya 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 Cāturmāsya sacrifice
[Full title: A Brief note on the sacrifices of the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa (15): Cāturmāsya]
The Cāturmāsya sacrifice is the amalgamation of four seasonal sacrifices. It also comes in the category of Haviryajña Saṃsthā. As these four seasonal sacrifices takes place after four months; therefore it is known as Cāturmāsya sacrifice.
These four sections (each containing four months) are termed as Parvas Viz.
- The Vaiśvadeva.
- The Varuṇapraghāsa.
- The Sākamedha.
- The Sunāsirīya.
A Āhitāgni has to perform it either once or periodically every year. One can perform this sacrifice throughout his life. Actually, the Cāturmāsya yajña is an adaptation (vikṛti) of the Darśapaurnamāsa sacrifice. The only variation is in the deities and in offering. The main reward of this sacrifice is to attain heaven.
Here a brief discussion is made on the sacrifices of the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa. Some sacrifices like Rājasūya, Vājapeya, Aśvamedha, Agnicayana, Puruṣamedha, Cāturmāsya and Sautrāmaṇī which are the subject matters of the chapter IV and chapter V will be discussed further on those chapters with the significance of afore mentioned sacrifices.