FIVE GREAT DAILY SACRIFICESExplanations by Swami Sivananda Divine Life Society, Rishikesh

There are five great daily sacrifices that are to beperformed by every householder. They are:1. Brahma Yajna or Veda Yajna. Sacrifice to Brahman or the Vedas or the sages. (Teaching and studying scriptures is Brahma Yajna)

2. Deva Yajna. Sacrifice to the celestials.(Homa or oblations into the sacred fire is Deva Yajna)

3. Pitri Yajna. Sacrifice to the manes.(Tarpan or offering of water to the ancestors, and Sraddha, form Pitri Yajna)

4. Bhuta Yajna. Sacrifice to all the creatures.(Offering of food to all creatures is Bhuta Yajna)

5. Manushya Yajna. Sacrifice to man.(Hospitality to guests is Manushya Yajna or Atithi Yajna)

YAGNA PROCEDURE

Yajurveda says: 18.29:

In praise of yagna:

Ayur yagnena kalpatham

May we live long by yagna

Prano yagnena kalpatham

May we breath in by yagna

Apano yagnena kalpatham

May we breath out by yagna

Vyano yagnena kalpatham

May we protect by circulating energy

May we be protected by eye sight

Chakshur yagnena kalpatham

May we be protected by hearing power

Srothram yagnena kalpatham

May we be protected by clarity of mind

Mano yagnena kalpatham

May we our speak be protected by yagna

Vak yagnena kalpatham

May we our speech be protected by yagna

atma yagnena kalpatham

May our soul be protected by yagna

Bramha yagnena kalpatham

May Brahma be pleased by our yagna

Jyothir yagnena kalpatham

May we get light through yagna

Svar yagnena kalpatham

May we get salvation by yagna

Pristham yagnena kalpatham

Yagno yagnena kalpatham May yagna bless us to do yagna