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ÂPASTAMBA'S YAGÑA-PARIBHÂSHA-SOTRAS.
GENERAL RULES OF THE SACRIFICE.
SÚTRA I. We shall explain the sacrifice.
Commentary. Yagña, sacrifice, is an act by which we surrender something for the sake of the gods. Such an act must rest on a sacred authority (agama), and serve for man's salvation (sreyosrtha). The nature of the gift is of less importance. It may be purodá sa, cake; karu, pulse; så mnâyya, mixed milk; pasu, an animal; soma, the juice of the Soma-plant, &c.; nay, the smallest offerings of butter, flour, and milk may serve for the purpose of a sacrifice.
Ya gña, yâga, yagana, and ishti are considered as synonymes.
SOTRA II. The sacrifice is for the three colours or castes (varna), for Brahmanas and Råganyas, also for the Vaisya.
Commentary. Though the sacrifice is meant for the three castes, here called varna, i.e. colour, the third caste, that of the Vaisya or citizen, is mentioned by itself, while the two castes, the Brâhmanas and Råganyas (the Kshatriyas or nobles), are mentioned together. This is done because there are certain sacrifices (bahuyagamâna), performed by Brâhmanas and Râganyas together, in which Vaisyas take no part. In the Sankiây ana-sútras, I, 1, 3, also
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