In India, some semi-tribal Hindus, as well as some worshipper-communities of Shaktism (the Mother Goddess) offer sacrifice of goats and buffaloes to the deity, but this practise is by and large quickly vanishing, being condemned by other Hindus as superstitious and as inconsistent with Hindu concepts of compassion and ahimsa. Among the Hindus of Nepal, animal sacrifices are common even today, not only for the mother goddess, but also for almost all deities of the Hindu pantheon. Possibly, the ancient Vedic religion of the Aryans involved ani ...

See also:

Sacrifice, Sacrifice - Theologies of sacrifice, Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Judaism, Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Islam, Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Hinduism, Sacrifice - Animal sacrifice, Sacrifice - Human sacrifice, Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Christianity, Sacrifice - Sacrifice in games

Read more here: » Sacrifice: Encyclopedia II - Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Hinduism

See also:

Sacrifice, Sacrifice - Theologies of sacrifice, Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Judaism, Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Islam, Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Hinduism, Sacrifice - Animal sacrifice, Sacrifice - Human sacrifice, Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Christianity, Sacrifice - Sacrifice in games

Read more here: » Sacrifice: Encyclopedia II - Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Hinduism

sacrifice: Yajna.

1)    Making offerings to a Deity as an expression of homage and devotion.

2)    Giving up something, often one's own possession, advantage or preference, to serve a higher purpose.

The literal meaning of sacrifice is "to make sacred," implying an act of worship. It is the most common translation of the term yajna, from the verb yuj, "to worship." In Hinduism, all of life is a sacrifice - called jivayajna, a giving of oneself - through which comes true spiritual fulfillment. Tyaga, the power of detachment, is an essential quality of true sacrifice.

See: tyaga, yajna.

(See also: Sacrifice, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Sacrifice (from a Middle English verb meaning 'to make sacred', from Old French, from Latin sacrificium : sacer, sacred; sacred + facere, to make) is commonly known as the practice of offering food, or the lives of animals or people to the gods, as an act of propitiation or worship. The term is also used metaphorically to describe selfless good deeds for others. Sacrifice - Theologies of sacrifice. The theology of sacrifice remains an issue, not only for religions that continue to practice ritua ...

Including:

• Sacrifice - Theologies of sacrifice
• Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Judaism
• Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Islam
• Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Hinduism
• Sacrifice - Animal sacrifice
• Sacrifice - Human sacrifice
• Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Christianity
• Sacrifice - Sacrifice in games

Read more here: » Sacrifice: Encyclopedia - Sacrifice

There are five great daily sacrifices that are to be performed by every householder. They are: Brahma Yajna, called also Veda Yajna, sacrifice to Brahman or the Vedas or the sages; Deva Yajna, sacrifice to the celestials; (iii) Pitri Yajna, sacrifice to the manes; Bhuta Yajna, sacrifice to all the creatures; and Manushya Yajna, sacrifice to men.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Pancha Mahayajnas: The Hindu Ritual Pancha Mahayajnas

Hindu Quotes: Desire for Reward

Among the wise, some say that all action should be renounced as evil. Others say that certain kinds of action--self-sacrifice, giving, and self-discipline--should be continued...

.

(See also: Hinduism Archives, Hindu Quotes, Inspirational Quotes, Love Quotes, Friendship Quotes, Life Quotes)

Read more here: » Hindu Quotes: Desire for Reward

Hindu Quotes: Process of Offering

The process of offering is Brahman; that which is offered is Brahman. Brahman offers the sacrifice in the fire of Brahman. Brahman is attained by those who see Brahman in every action.

.

(See also: Hinduism Archives, Hindu Quotes, Inspirational Quotes, Love Quotes, Friendship Quotes, Life Quotes)

Read more here: » Hindu Quotes: Process of Offering

Hindu Quotes: Enjoy Celestial Pleasures

Those who follow the rituals given in the Vedas, who offer sacrifices and take soma, free themselves from evil and attain the vast heaven of the gods, where they enjoy celestial pleasures.

.

(See also: Hinduism Archives, Hindu Quotes, Inspirational Quotes, Love Quotes, Friendship Quotes, Life Quotes)

Read more here: » Hindu Quotes: Enjoy Celestial Pleasures

Hindu Quotes: Be Freed From the Bondage of Karma

Whatever I am offered in devotion with a pure heart--a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water--I partake of that love offering. Whatever you do, make it an offering to me--the food you eat, the sacrifices you make, the help you give, even your suffering. In this way you will be freed from the bondage of karma, and from its results both pleasant and painful. Then, firm in renunciation and yoga, with your heart free, you will come to me.

.

(See also: Hinduism Archives, Hindu Quotes, Inspirational Quotes, Love Quotes, Friendship Quotes, Life Quotes)

Read more here: » Hindu Quotes: Be Freed From the Bondage of Karma

The Ashvamedha, or the horse-sacrifice is one of the most important royal rituals of Vedic religion (1st millennium BC, the last recorded performance dates to the 4th century AD), described in detail in the Yajurveda (books 22–25) and the pertaining commentaries. Ashvamedha - The Vedic Sacrifice. The Ashvamedha could only be conducted by a king. Its object was the acquisition of power and glory, the sovereignty over neighbouring provinces, and general prosperity of the kingdom. The horse to ...

Including:

• Ashvamedha - The Vedic Sacrifice
• Ashvamedha - Vedanta and modern Hinduism

Read more here: » Ashvamedha: Encyclopedia - Ashvamedha

A Havan is a sacred purifying ritual in Hinduism that involves a fire ceremony. It is a ritual of sacrifice made to the Fire god, Agni. After the fire is lit in a Havan Kund, things as fruits, honey, wooden goods et cetera are made to the sacred fire. It is believed that, this sacrifice would bring health, happiness, luck and prosperity. Other related archivesAgni, Fire, Hinduism, ritual, sacrifice

Read more here: » Havan: Encyclopedia - Havan

In Hinduism, Yajna or Yagya यज्ञ(Sanskrit yajñá "worship, prayer, praise; offering, oblation, sacrifice") is a Vedic ritual of sacrifice performed to please the Devas, or sometimes to the Supreme Spirit Brahman. It involves pouring oblations into the divine Agni (the sacrificial fire). Everything that is offered in the divine Agni is believed to reach the Devas. A yajna is typically performed by a hotar, with a number of additional priests playing a supporting role, chanting Vedic verses. Often there will be a ...

Read more here: » Yajna: Encyclopedia - Yajna

In Hinduism, Virabhadra is a super being created by Shiva who eventually blinded Bhaga. The super being was created after Shiva's wife, Sati was not invited to a great sacrifice given by her father Daksa. Sati, being greatly humiliated, went to the banquet and self immolated, by invoking yogic flames. When Shiva heard about his wife's death, he tore a hair out of his head and threw it on the ground. From this hair rose a great warrior and hero -- Virabhadra. Virabhadra and his army destroyed Daksa's sacrifice and killed Daksa.<

Read more here: » Virabhadra: Encyclopedia - Virabhadra

Yagna, also transliterated as yagya or yajna is an ancient Vedic ritual of Hinduism, where sacrifices are made to a particular divinity, or maybe to the SUpreme Spririt Brahman, using fire (Agni) as a medium. The words homam (havan), and yagna are used interchangeably today. However there is a difference between homam and yagna. Yagnas of ancient times probably involved an animal sacrifice at some special occasions, which could have been a cow or a bull,(a hotly debated theory), goat, horse, sheep or buffalo. Yagna in its prese ...

Read more here: » Yagna: Encyclopedia - Yagna

In Hinduism, Bharati (Sanskrit: भारती) is a goddess who presides over sacrifices. She is one of Ganesha's three wives, along with Riddhi and Siddhi, and sometimes identified with Vak and Sarasvati. Shruti (primary scriptures): Vedas | Upanishads | Bhagavad Gita | Itihasa (Ramayana & Mahabharata) | Agamas Smriti (other texts): Tantras | Sutras | Puranas | Brahma Sutras | Hatha Yoga Pra

Read more here: » Bharati: Encyclopedia - Bharati

Atharvan (अथर्वन्, pronounced as "əthərvən"; nominative singular "Atharvā" : अथर्वा, pronounced as "əthərvα:") was a legendary Vedic sage (rishi) of Hinduism who alongwith Angiras is supposed to have authored ("seered") the fourth Atharva Veda. He is also said to have first instituted the fire-sacrifice or yagna. Sometimes he is also reckoned among the seven seers or Saptarishi. His entire clan came to be known as the Atharvanas. Hence the Atharvan is in general also the chief and supervising prie

Read more here: » Atharvan: Encyclopedia - Atharvan

A priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. Priests have been known since the earliest times and in the simplest societies (see shaman and oracle). There are priests in some branches of Christianity, Shintoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and many others, though each culture has a local denomination for the priestly office. Priests are generally regarded as having good contact with the deities of the religion ...

Including:

• Priest - In Judaism
• Priest - In Christianity
• Priest - Catholic & Orthodox
• Priest - Protestant
• Priest - Anglican Communion
• Priest - Quaker
• Priest - Dress

Read more here: » Priest: Encyclopedia - Priest

The word temple has different meanings in the fields of architecture, religion, geography, anatomy, and education. The word is derived from the both more and less specific Latin word templum ("sacred place") - see Roman temple. Temple - Religion. A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites (as in masonry). It is a general term for house of worship. Some religions use this term: Hinduism Bu ...

Including:

• Temple - Religion
• Temple - Architecture
• Temple - List of religious temples

Read more here: » Temple: Encyclopedia - Temple

A rakshasa (Sanskrit: रक्षस, rakṣasa; alternately, raksasa or rakshas) is a demon or evil spirit in Hinduism. A female rakshasa is called a rakshasi, and a female rakshasa in human form is a manusha-rakshasi. The Ramayana describes them as being created from Brahma's foot; elsewhere, they are descended from Pulastya, or from Khasa, or from Nirriti and Nirrita. Many Rakshasa were particularly wicked humans in previous incarnations. Rakshasas are notorious for disturbing sacrifices, desecra ...

Including:

• Rakshasa - In Lord of Light
• Rakshasa - In Dungeons & Dragons
• Rakshasa - In other fiction

Read more here: » Rakshasa: Encyclopedia - Rakshasa

In vedantic interpretations, the Ashvamedha is understood as a ritual to get connected to the "inner Sun". In this tradition, it is claimed that the ashva of the Ashvamedha originally referred to the Sun, and that sacrifices of actual horses represented a degeneration of the spiritual ritual. The Ashvamedha is referred to in the Shatapatha Brahmana as well as in the epics Ramayana (1.10–15) and Mahabharata. When the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata were televised, the description of the nature of the sacrifice was significantly toned down to make it appropriate for television. In Modern Hinduism, there ...

See also:

Ashvamedha, Ashvamedha - The Vedic Sacrifice, Ashvamedha - Vedanta and modern Hinduism

Read more here: » Ashvamedha: Encyclopedia II - Ashvamedha - Vedanta and modern Hinduism