Significance and Characteristic Features of Yajña (Yagya), Yāga and Iṣṭi - A Review

Abstract

The Vedic texts and their allied works are intimately related to Vedic sacrifices, i.e. Yajñas (Yagya) and Yāgas. Hence, an understanding of the Vedic sacrificial system will definitely help us to understand and esteem, not only the Vedas, but also the Upaniṣads. Yajña is the central subject matter of the entire Veda. The Yajurveda contains the knowledge of doctrines and the methods of performing Yajñas and Yāgas as approaches for global welfare, aspects of which some modern studies have examined for their environmental and health effects and many more. In this article, some general rules to be followed to perform Yajña / Yāga / Iṣṭi, classification of Yajñas, brief account of some well-known Yajñas, havis / food and fruit oblations, Ṛtviks or Priests, Yajñāgni, Yajña implements, several terms commonly used in discussions of Yajña, and other requirements, are discussed. Yajña-Yāgas exerted a great influence on ancient Indian society, either directly or indirectly. Hence, it is considered important to perform Yajñas periodically — traditionally believed to purify the environment supported with many modern findings and to benefit both society and the individual — a practice that still survives in various forms today.