Glimpses Of World Religions

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Navbharat Sahitya Mandir

Page 16

Hinduism (The religion of the Hindus)
which a householder has to perform at home as well as the sacredthread ceremony and marriage rituals and other duties (samskāras) are found. The description of the four Varnashramas and religious duties thereof as well as the legal matters are prescribed in the Dharmasutras. The five great Sacrifices
These are the supporting pillars of the Vaidic Dharma as a whole. They are popularly known as the ‘Panch Mahayagnas'. These are - (1) Sacrifice in honour of the Deities viz. Devayagna. This
propounds the worship of various gods, regarded as the
manifold embodiments of God illuminating this universe. (2) Bhootyagna : This entails the rearing or nourishments of
animals other than men, being kind to them. (3) Pitruyagna : Keeping memory of the deceased parents,
to keep enkindled the devotion to them in our hearts, as
well as to observe the duties relating to the clan. (4) Brahmayagna : To be engaged in daily studies and to
enliven the intellect thereby. (5) Manushyayagna : Cherishing love for human being to
welcome them respectfully.
One should perform these duties everyday and faithfully believing that it is the only and the best worship of God Almighty. The householder must act accordingly - such is the commandment of the Hindu scriptures. Over and above this ‘Panchyagna' or five-fold sacrifices, the Hindu scriptures have planned some actions which are termed as “Samskaras'. Beginning from the child taking shape in the Embriyo, these Samskaras are spread over until death. These Samskaras covering man's whole life with intellect teach us to remember