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During sacrificial offerings, there is no temple, and there is no god's image, but only a Védi (a sacrificial altar covered with sacred grass ). Many Brāhmins were invite 1 to do their respective work. The priest who chants the Sāma Vėda, is known as Udgātri, the priest who gives offerings is called a Hotri, and the one perforining the the various religious rites is known as an Adhvaru (priest versed in Yajur Véda) Besides these, there are others who prepare the Vedi (sacrificial altar ), who kill the animal to be sacrificed; and there are several persons who do some other work. Brahmin house-holders were spending large sums of money, and the priests and Brāhmins used to get cows, horses, clothes and sums of money as gifts. The Brāhmins had therefore publicly deciared with beating of drums that sacrificial offering to gods was an excellent expedient for obtaining a desired object for one's enjoyments in this life.
Por the spiritual development of the Soul, the Brāhmins enjoined Tapas ( penance ). It consisted in going to a solitary forest and in restraining and tormenting the body. Big crowds of Tapasas ( hermits ) were seen to be going to forest with that object. These hermits were not free from doing hiṁsā (destruction ) to living beings.
Altariya Upanişad 11-6-4 writes.
Svarga ( heaven ) is established on Vãyu ( wind ); Vayu ( wind ) is established on Prithvi (Earth ); Prithvi is estiblished on Jaia ( water ); Jala (water) on Satya (truth ); Satya (truth) is established on Gupta Mantra (Secret Incantation ) and Yajna Vidhi ( correct rituals of Sacrificial offerings ) depends on Tapas (penance ).
Bhiksă
Bhiksā-Looking from the true doctrine of the Jaina Religion
Consult Mahavira Caritra Page 161. By Śrimad Hemacandrā âcāry Sürīśvara.
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