Yajur Veda : The Book of Ritual
Published Date: 6/17/2023 6:08:00 AM
- The Yajur-Veda or the wisdom of sacrifices is also a liturgical collection and was made to meet the demands of a ceremonial religion. It lays down various "yajurs" (sacred incantations) which were chanted by a particular sect of priests called adhvaryu. They performed the sacrificial rites.
- The Yajur Veda practically served as a guidebook for the priests who execute sacrificial acts and at the same time uttering the prayers and the sacrificial yajurs. Few hymns are also attributed to various gods. However, the core of the Veda is dedicated to the theory of the rituals thereby making it very ritual based.
- Many chants for the purpose of praying and paying respect to the various instruments that are involved in the sacrifices could also be seen in the Veda. Not less than six complete recessions of Yajur Veda, viz. Madyandina, Kanva, Taittiriya, Kathaka, Maitrayani, and Kapishthala are available now.