Yajnasambhara (Implements Used in Vedic Sacrifices): Definition, Ritual And Myths

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It gives me great pleasure to introduce this book Yajnasambhara Paribhasa Ritual and Myths. It mainly deals with the sacrificial utensils and other accessories which can be broadly called Yajnasambhara.

Dr. Bhagyashree Bhagwat the author of the book has collected all the possible information available on these accessories from the Vedic texts and has systematically presented them in this book. She has not only given the definitions and myths about these accessories but has described the exact ritualistic use of them.

This information has become more useful because of the photo pictures therein. All this information has been given in an alphabetical order and this enhances the practical utility to the students of Vedic Ritual.

During the last twenty five years we experience a revival in the field of all the aspects of Vedic studies. On the one hand numerous Vedic schools on traditional lines have come into existence and a new generation of Vedic scholars who can recite various branches of Vedic texts has come forward. On the other hand there appears to be a revival in the actual performances of Vedic rituals both Srauta and Smarta. Thus the application of the Vedic texts in the rituals have also found a new inspiration.

There is the further dimension to the Vedic Studies in the form of modern philological approach also. Scholars as well as the performers will be definitely benefited by this book which is a product of sustained hard work.

I wholeheartedly congratulate Dr. Bhagyashree Bhagwat for this long awaited and also thank Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala for publishing the same.

The concept of Yajna had pervaded the society in ancient times. We notice that the RV shows some traces of the ritual. The Yajurveda and the Samaveda are more directly connected to the performance of the Yajna. The expansion is particularly seen in the Brahmana texts. In the Sutra texts further efforts are directed towards the arrangement of the ritual.

Thus even in ancient times ritual was growing.

All these texts deal with Kriyartha of the Veda which is Yajna. Besides the existence of literature related to the Vedic texts the language of the ritual is obscure. Many words have disappeared from the linguistic sphere. So the scattered references about the ritual or explaining the ritual deserve attention.

As the late Dr. C.G. Kashikar has remarked one Cannot understand the secrets of Vedic Mind without the knowledge of sacrificial ritual to get acquainted with the ritual knowledge of the performance is a basic requirement knowing the requisites of the Yajna and ritual terminology is an ardent need.

Knowledge about the requisites provides the key to understand the actual performance.

So here the information of various sacrificial materials and technical terms related to the ritual is collected and explained to keep the purpose in view. The first part gives the general background.

In the part II the entries approximately 575 are arranged in the Devanagari alphabetical order followed by its Roman transliteration and the next bracket indicates the gender of that particular world. Then follows the meaning explanation and the mythical part wherever available.

The study of Yajnasambhara will help to know the basic frame of rituals beginning with Agnihotra, followed by Isti Catumasya Soma Pasu Sautramani etc.

Scholars are looking at it from different angles.