Yajur Veda - Ministry - http://maxpages.com/globalnetwork/Yajur

Though also following many of the hymns of the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda deviates more from
the original text in its collection of the ritual formulas for the priests to use in the sacrifices, which is
what yaja means. It explains how to construct the altars for new and full-moon sacrifices and
other ceremonies. The Yajur Veda has two collections or samhitas called White and Black, the
latter being more obscure in its meanings.

By this time (10th century BC and after) the Aryan conquest has proceeded from the northwest
and Punjab to cover northern India especially the Ganges valley. The caste system was in place,
and as the warriors settled down to ruling over an agricultural society, the role of the priests and
their ceremonies gained influence and justified the Aryan ways to the native workers, who labored
for the farmers, merchants, craftsmen, who in turn were governed by their kings and priests. Land
and wealth were accumulated in the hands of a few ruling families, and with food scarce the
indigenous people were enslaved or had to sell their labor cheap to the ruling classes.

By instituting more elaborate sacrifices for their wealthy patrons, the priests could grow both in
numbers and wealth as well. The famous horse sacrifice was not celebrated often but was used by
a king to show his lordship over potential adversaries, who were invited to acknowledge this
overlordship in the ritual. The parts of the horse symbolize different aspects of the universe so that
tremendous power is invoked. The complicated and obscure rituals were presided over by the
priests, the three symbols of the lotus leaf, the frog (for rain), and the golden man (for the sun)
representing the Aryan dominance over the land and waters of India and the natural powers that
sustain agriculture.

The soma sacrifice was the most important and could last up to twelve years. Since the soma
plant was imported from distant mountains, it had to be purchased. A ritual drama re-enacted this
business and aggressive Aryan history by showing the buyer snatching back the calf, which was
paid for the soma plant after the transaction occurs. The soma plant was then placed in a cart and
welcomed as an honored guest and king at the sacrifice. Animals were slain and cut up in the rites
before their meat was eaten. After various offerings and other ceremonies the soma juice is
poured and toasted to different gods, and finally the text lists the sacrificial fees, usually goats,
cows, gold, clothes, and food.

Coronation ceremonies supported the inauguration of kings. The priests tried to keep themselves
above the warrior caste though by praising soma as king of the Brahmins. Waters were drawn
from various rivers to sprinkle on the king and indicate the area of his kingdom, and he strode in
each direction to signify his sovereignty. The king was anointed by the royal priest, giving some
water to his son, the designated prince, and ritually enacting a raid against a kinsman's cattle, once
again affirming their history of conquest. The booty was taken and divided into three parts for the
priest, those who drank, and the original owner. A ritual dice game was played, which the king
was allowed to win. The king then rode out in his chariot and was publicly worshiped as a divine
ruler.

Agricultural rites were common and regular, and chariot races were no doubt popular at some of
the festivals. The Purusha (person) sacrifice symbolized human sacrifice, which may refer back to
the time when a hunting and pastoral people did not allow their enemies to live because of the
shortage of food. However, in an agricultural society more labor was needed and could produce
surplus food. The Purusha sacrifice recognized 184 professional crafts and guilds.

Finally the highest sacrifice was considered to be the Sarvamedha in which the sacrificer offered
all of his possessions as the fee at the end of the ceremony. The last chapter of the Yajur Veda is
actually the Isha Upanishad expressing the mystical view that the supreme spirit pervades
everything.

This society was highly patriarchal, and the status of women declined, especially as men often
married non-Aryan women. Women did not attend public assemblies and could not inherit
property on their own. Polyandry was discouraged, but polygamy, adultery, and prostitution were
generally accepted except during certain rituals. A sacrificer was not allowed to seek a prostitute
on the first day of the sacrificial fire, nor the wife of another on the second day, nor his own wife
on the third day.

The priests placed themselves at the top of the caste system as they supervised a religion most of
the people could not understand without them. After the Atharva Veda was accepted, each
sacrifice required at least four priests, one on each side of the fire using the Rig, Sama, Yajur, and
Atharva Vedas, plus their assistants. After the wars of conquest were completed and the warrior
caste settled down to rule, the priests were needed to sustain social stability. Yet in these times the
caste system was much more flexible, as it is indicated that one should not ask about the caste of
a learned man. The Brahmins, as the priest caste was called, had three obligations or debts to pay
back in life: they paid back the seers by studying the Vedas, the gods by offering sacrifices, and
their fathers by raising a family.

Like their European ancestors the Aryan warriors considered themselves above laboring for food
and so organized society that food would be provided for them. One ethical duty later found in the
epics was that of taking care of refugees, probably because as marauding raiders they had often
been refugees themselves. The priests assured their livelihood by making sure that penance
through religious ritual was a prime social value.

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Page Updated Wed Jan 24, 2001 8:14pm EST