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TEXT 5
ije ca bhagavantam yajna-kratu-rupam kratubhir uccavacaih sraddhayahrtagnihotra-darsa-purnamasa-caturmasya-pasu-somanam prakrti-vikrtibhir anusavanam caturhotra-vidhina.
SYNONYMS
ijeworshiped; caalso; bhagavantamthe Supreme Personality of Godhead; yajna-kratu-rupamhaving the form of sacrifices without animals and sacrifices with animals; kratubhihby such sacrifices; uccavacaihvery great and very small; sraddhayawith faith; ahrtabeing performed; agni-hotraof the agnihotra-yajna; darsaof the darsa-yajna; purnamasaof the purnamasa-yajna; caturmasyaof the caturmasya-yajna; pasu-somanamof the yajna with animals and the yajna with soma-rasa; prakrtiby full performances; vikrtibhihand by partial performances; anusavanamalmost always; catuh-hotra-vidhinaby the regulative principles of sacrifice directed by four kinds of priests.
TRANSLATION
With great faith King Bharata performed various kinds of sacrifice. He performed the sacrifices known as agni-hotra, darsa, purnamasa, caturmasya, pasu-yajna [wherein a horse is sacrificed] and soma-yajna [wherein a kind of beverage is offered]. Sometimes these sacrifices were performed completely and sometimes partially. In any case, in all the sacrifices the regulations of caturhotra were strictly followed. In this way Bharata Maharaja worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
PURPORT
Animals like hogs and cows were offered in sacrifice to test the proper execution of the sacrifice. Otherwise, there was no purpose in killing the animal. Actually the animal was offered in the sacrificial fire to get a rejuvenated life. Generally an old animal was sacrificed in the fire. and it would come out again in a youthful body. Some of the rituals however, did not require animal sacrifice. In the present age, animal sacrifices are forbidden. As stated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu:
In this age of Kali, five acts are forbidden: the offering of a horse in sacrifice, the offering of a cow in sacrifice, the acceptance of the order of sannyasa, the offering of oblations of flesh to the forefathers, and a mans begetting children in his brothers wife. (Cc. Adi 17.164) Such sacrifices are impossible in this age due to the scarcity of expert brahmanas or rtvijah who are able to take the responsibility. In the absence of these, the sankirtana-yajna is recommended. Yajnaih sankirtana-prayair yajanti hi sumedhasah (Bhag. 11.5.32). After all, sacrifices are executed to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Yajnartha-karma: such activities should be carried out for the Supreme Lords pleasure. In this age of Kali, the Supreme Lord in His incarnation of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu should be worshiped with His associates by performance of sankirtana-yajna, the congregational chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra. This process is accepted by intelligent men. Yajnaih sankirtana-prayair yajanti hi sumedhasah. The word sumedhasah refers to intelligent men who possess very good brain substance.
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