Most Ancient Aryan Society

Author(s): Ram Chandra Jain
Publisher: Institute of Bharatalogical Research Sriganganagar Rajasthan

Page 174

( 147 ) to recieve their shares in Yajñas. Devas are referred to as bagnijivhāh'.18 Agni was not only a leader but was the chief of the leaders. 17
Potdar mentions that sacrifice was created by god, on the authority of Rgveda 10. 5. 5.7. Devas are said to be 'rtasya yonim' as well as “agnijivhāḥ' in this hymn. Even if we equate rta with Yajña, which is disputable, even then their qualification of being dependant on Agni clearly explodes this theory. All the gods were not responsible for the origin of Yajña. Angirā-Gaya alone was the originator of Agni and mainly the developer of Agni into a social institution in various Aryan Gaņas, hence, this AngirāGaņa may rightly be credited with the fatherhood of the institution of Yajña.
Yajñu, thus, became the collective activity of various Āryan Gaņas. Members of the Gaņa and Gaņa leaders, the
Ganapatis and Devas, both participated in Yajña is Tribal
bal the ganic activities, the Yajñas. When Activity
Yajña was actually performed, Agni or Indra sat down on the sacred grass by the side of the sacrificers. Soma was drunk and the victim was offered.18 Food was presented to the person of the Deva. The wealth of the Yajña was invariably offered to the leader of the Gaņa so that his vigour and strength may be well augmented.19 This cellective activity was commonly pursued to obtain riches, food, cows, horses, cattle, male progeny, wealth, fame, victory in battles, strength and long life. We, thus, find that Yajña was the tribal activity of the most ancient Aryan Society the Gaņa in military, economic and social spheres.
References 1. K.R. Potdar ; Sacrifice in the Rgveda ; 1953 ; Pages 269, 272. 2. Siddheswar Varma ; Op. cit.; Page 50. 3. Monier Williams ; Op. Cit.; Page 838.