THE FIVE YAJNAS

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

THE FIVE YAJNAS

The Rishis, the Devas, the Pitris, the Bhutas and the guests expect help from the
householders. Hence, they should perform these five sacrifices daily. Teaching and study of
scriptures is Brahma Yajna; Tarpana or offering of water to the ancestors, and Sraaddha, form Pitri
Yajna: Homa or oblations into the fire is Deva Yajna; Bali or offering of food to all creatures is
Bhuta Yajna; and hospitality to guests is Manushya Yajna or Atithi Yajna.
Brahma Yajna or Rishi Yajna
Every man should study daily the sacred scriptures. He should share the knowledge with
others. This is Brahma Yajna or Rishi Yajna. By so doing, he pays the debt to Rishis.

Deva Yajna

Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad-Gita: “Having, in ancient times, emanated mankind
together with sacrifice, the Lord of Creation said, ‘By this shall ye propagate; be this to you the
fulfiller of desires. With this, nourish ye the shining ones; and may the shining ones nourish ye.
Thus nourishing one another, ye shall reap the highest good. For, nourished by sacrifice, the shining
ones shall bestow on you the enjoyments you desire. A thief verily is he who enjoyeth what is given
by them without returning them anything. The righteous, who eat the remains of the sacrifice, are
freed from all sins; but the unpious who cook for their own sake, they verily eat sin,” (Ch. III-10, 11,
12, 13). Manu says: “Let a man ever engage in the study of the Vedas and in the rites of the Devas;
engaging in the rites of the Vedas, he supports the movable and the immovable kingdoms.” These
sacrifices turn the wheel of life in accordance with the divine will and thus help the evolution of
man and the worlds.

Pitri Yajna
Offering libations, etc., to the forefathers, regularly, is Pitri Yajna.

Bhuta-Yajna
Distribution of food to cows, dogs, birds, fish, etc., is Bhuta Yajna.

Manushya Yajna
Feeding the poor is Manushya Yajna. Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving shelter
to the homeless, comforting the distressed, etc., are all forms of Manushya Yajna. Any kind of
service to the suffering humanity is Manushya Yajna. Feeding a guest is Manushya Yajna.