It may be true that we human beings are the most intelligent of all the creatures on this earth. But does that empower us to behave as if we are the sole owners of this earth? Many religious scriptures declare that this entire world is created for the sake of we human beings. They say that all other creatures have an existence meant for our comforts.
We are realizing more and more that this is a foolish presumption. We are not the owners of this earth. We just share it with all other living beings. It is a different matter though that at times we need to assert our superiority and ignore their right to coexist. But should we not at least be apologetic about our transgression?
But the ancient Indians never thought themselves to be the masters of this earth. They were well aware of their status as co-sharers of this world. We share this world with all other beings. There is a well-known Vedic Mantra which prays for the peace of all bipeds and quadrupeds… SannO astu dwipadE, sancatuShpadE…
At the root of this feeling is the belief of ancient Indians that all that exists is nothing but a form of the very same supreme reality. I will be talking more on these later on, towards the end of this series. For now, let us get busy with our Vedic ritual which we started in the last episode.
We were in the process of organizing a big feast for our divine guests who are going to descend from their heavenly abodes. The venue is set. The host is ready, as also his band of assistants and ministers.
The main thing on the menu, namely the Soma is almost ready. Now we need to prepare the meal. But our guests are not strict vegetarians. They enjoy meat dishes. That calls for an animal sacrifice. But there is a gentle way to do that unavoidable evil. How do they go about doing that?
The texts say that since the guests prefer meat-based food, it is inevitable to kill an animal. But there should be minimal violence to the animal, not just physical but also in words and thoughts. The animal should not be kept in the dark that it is going to be sacrificed. It should be somehow told that it is going to give up its life for a good cause since the arriving guests are going to do good to the world. But the animal does not understand your language nor your concepts. So how do you go about doing it? This is how the Brahmana texts describe the steps.
First you have to erect a pole to which the sacrificial animal is tied. This pole is called Yupa. This Yupa has to be erected just on the side of the main altar as we discussed a few episodes ago. So, the Yajamana with his team, and probably a carpenter, march to the forest looking for a tree to be used for the pole.
There are restrictions on choosing a tree. You can’t fell any tree as you like. Remember the tree also is alive and has a share in this earth? Further, a tree which provides shelter to many birds and animals should not be brought down. So, also a tree that provides shade to passers by or to hermits who take shelter beneath it. After lot of search, the team finally lands on a specific tree.
First thing the Yajamana does is to salute the tree and tell it that its felling has become inevitable for the conduct of the ritual which is going to benefit the world. He tells the tree “Thee do we favor, O divine lord of the forest, for the worship of the Devas.”
Does the tree understand? That does not really matter. His intentions and thoughts matter.
Now you need to cut the tree using an axe. You have no intention to hurt the tree. So, the Yajamana shields the tree with a layer of sacred grass so that the axe blows don’t hit it directly. While axing, he loudly prays “O axe, hurt it not!”!
You are not supposed to completely destroy the tree. You should take only that much as required. A stump sufficient to regrow the tree should be left behind. It should not be so short that it gets trampled by passing carts.
Once the required piece of wood is chopped off, the Yajamana anoints the remaining stump so that it does not get infected or start rotting off. He also prays that the stump would once again grow back by saying “Grow thou out of this, O lord of the forest, with a hundred shoots”!
The carpenter then shapes the lopped piece of wood, and the team brings it to the ritual place. Holes are ritually dug on the side of the main altar as previously marked and these sacrificial poles are erected.
Now for the animal.
The text says that it is deceitful to slaughter the animal without its knowledge that it is going to be offered to the Devas. So, the animal has to be made known the intention of the Yajamana. First the fire in the fire altar near the sacrificial pole is set ablaze. The animal is brought and tied to the pole just next to the fire altar. The Yajamana expresses his helplessness in the entire act by telling the animal “At the impulse of the divine Savitri, I bind thee with the arms of the Asvins, with the hands of Pûshan, thee agreeable to Agni and Soma!”. He is basically saying that he is prompted by various Devas to do this act.
The Yajamana hopes that the animal understands what is going on, and willingly submits itself for being sacrificed.
Yajamana then seeks the permission of the mother, father and other herd members of the sacrificial animal by saying “whatever kin there is of thine, with their approval I slay thee”
He feeds the animal with water. Blesses it. Purifies it with chanting of Mantras.
And while mandated Mantras are chanted and offerings are made into the Fire altar, it is time to slaughter the animal. But who will do that dastardly act? Definitely not the priests, nor the Yajamana. Who else? We will discuss that in the next episode.
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A series discussing the most ancient of the Indian scriptures, nay the world scriptures namely the Vedas. © Dr. King, Swami Satyapriya 2021
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