I shall speak a word on the Pancha Maha Yajnas which are intended to be performed by the householders for purification of heart. The five great Yajnas are:

(1) Deva Yajna is offering oblations to Devatas with recitation of Vedic Mantras.

(2) Rishi Yajna consists of study of Vedas and teaching of Vedas to students and offering of oblations to Rishis.

(3) Pitru Yajna consists of Tarpana or oblations to departed souls and Shraaddha or annual religious rites performed for them.

(4) Bhuta Yajna is distribution of food to crows, cows and other animals. This develops cosmic love and Advaitic Bhava.

(5) Atithi Yajna is giving food to guests and honouring them.

Every householder should perform these five Yajnas. If he fails to do, he will suffer from Pratyaya Dosha (the sin of omission). The fire place, the water pot, the cutting, grinding and sweeping apparatuses are the five places where injury to life is daily being committed. These sins are washed away by the five Maha Yajnas which every Dvija ought to perform; they are intended to satisfy the Bhutas, the Rishis, the men, the gods and the Pitrus.

The Pitrus are forefathers who dwell in the Pitruloka. They possess powers of clairvoyance and clairaudience. When Mantras are recited, they exercise a tremendous influence through their vibrations over the reciter of the Mantras, and his forefathers to whom they are directed. The Pitrus hear the Mantras through their power of clairaudience, and are pleased. They bless those who offer the oblation. In Shraaddha, the essence of food offerings is taken up by Sun's rays to Suryaloka and the departed souls are pleased with the offerings which reach them through the Sun. Even in Germany, many persons perform Tarpana and Shraaddha. They have scientifically investigated the beneficial effects of such oblations. It is the imperative duty of all householders to perform Shraaddha and Tarpana to propitiate the Rishis and Pitrus. It is only deluded souls with perverted intellect who misconstrue these things and neglect to perform the sacred ceremonies and suffer as a consequence.

Courtesy : http://www.dlshq.org/download/yogadaily.htm#_VPID_97

Above all we have Sankirtana Yajna of chanting Hare Krishna Maha Mantra which destroys the sins of omissions of these yajnas. But still there is no harm in performing these yajnas if we get sufficient time as house holders to help other beings around.

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