Development of Hinduism

Author(s): M M Ninan
Publisher: M M Ninan

Page 22

1. VEDIC RELIGION
Sacrifices in Vedas
The mode of Vedic worship was essentially sacrifices and chanting of hymns. Prayers were essentially for material gains, wealth, health and progeny.
Specific rituals and sacrifices of the Vedic religion include:
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The Soma cult described in the Rigveda, descended from a common Indo-Iranian practice. Fire rituals, also a common Indo-Iranian practice, cf. Zoroastrianism: • The Agnihotra or oblation to Agni • The Agnicayana, the sophisticated ritual of piling the fire altar. • The Agnistoma or fire sacrifice The Ashvamedha or horse sacrifice The Purushamedha, or sacrifice of the cosmic Purusha, cf. Purusha Sukta The rituals described in the Atharvaveda concerned with demonology and magic.
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The Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice), in India continued until the 4th century AD. Like all cattle breeding tribes in the world, killing cows for food was seldom done except as a sacrifice. Sacrifice was but a regular practice."
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