Most Ancient Aryan Society

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

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3. YAJÑA-THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
As Yajna was the tribal activity of the Gana collective as a whole, we do not find independent references to the different spheres of military, economic and Yajfic Economic Activity social activities. They are all blended together. Where we find reference to economic activity, we find references of social and military activities also and so on and so forth. The Ṛgvedic hymns give us a clear picture of the economic activities of the Gana inspite of their association with the other activities. We discuss a few representative hymns here.
Indra grants the accumulated wealth of his Gana to his Gana members. The food and riches of the subdued adversary have been won by the Gana-members with the assistance of Ganapati and thrown into the common hotchpot. Yajña, here, refers to accumulated tribal wealth. Yajna offers adoration to Aświns who in return gives food and riches. Here Aświns claim the whole fruit of the Yajña as Ganapati who reserves his right to give them back to the members. The adorable Tanunapāt proceeds to Yajña and combines with the oblation, bearing (for the sacrificer) infinite abundance of food.a When the Gaṇa society is engaged in any tribal activity, the god or Ganapati provides all the members of his Gana sufficient food so that the fruits of the tribal activity may not suffer. Here the sacrificer in singular represents all the members of the Gana engaged in tribal activity. The Gana members pray mighty Ganapati Agni to help them for the uninterrupted completion of their Yajñic activity which the producer of cows, of sheep, of horses, of food and progeny,