Bhishma talks about the Ritwijas to Yudhisthira
After Yudhisthira was crowned as King of Hastinapur, Lord Krishna freed outstanding Bhishma from all of his sufferings prior to his death and asked him to alleviate Yudhisthira from mourning over the dead Kshatriyas by way of advising him on Dharma. Bhishma advised about the magnificence of Ritwijas (family priests performing sacrifice rituals) to Yudhisthira. let us know about it quick.
Yudhishthira asked, “Rajendra! For what purpose did the Ritwijas or Ritvijas appear? Their nature How ought to they be and what are they like? Tell me all about them.”
Bhishma said, “King! those brahmins who verses, the three Vedas named Rig, Sama, and Yajur and who have acquired the understanding of Smriti (sacred laws to be remembered) and Darshan Shastra (philosophy) of all the sages are eligible to be Ritwijas. The principle conduct of these Ritwijas is the rituals of peace, growth, etc. for the king.
One who is continually prepared for the welfare of the
Yajamana, any individual who is patient, loving, kind to other and all, and those who've equal
vision, are worthy of being Ritwija. In whom there is an entire absence
of cruelty, who speak the truth, those who are more simple, who do not take
fees, in whom there is absence treason and of delight and having the traits of
consciousness, honour, tolerance, and complacency are visible, they're referred
to as the priests.
In addition, one who's wise, who possesses the truth, Controls the senses, non-violent to any living beings, the person who stays away from the vices of malice, whose Shastra Gyan (scripture knowledge), morality and family: all these three aspects are very pure and harmless; who's Peaceful and is thrilled with knowledge and science, he is the one who sits on the the seat of Brahma. All these top-notch Ritwijas deserve respect.”
Yudhishthira asked, “Bharat! This yajna-related Dakshina and the Vedavakya is available about this that, ‘it should also be given, It should also be given’ this sentences need to now not be delayed on a restricted object. Consequently, with regard to the money to accept in Dakshina, Scripture says, it is not in accordance with exigencies of Dharma Shastra. In my view, this scripture strength is intense. Because it does no longer study how much donating power do the donor owns. On the other hand, Veda additionally says, that every devotee needs to carry out Yajna. If the poor have interaction in sacrifice rituals as per his commitment and do not give proper Dakshina then that yajna will be full of unfaithful perceptions, if so How can commitment fulfil the deficiency?”
Bhishma said, “Yudhishthira! condemning the Vedas, getting
any incredible position by way of deceitful behaviour and dishonesty does not
result in greatness. That's why your mind ought to not be like this. Dakshina
is a part of the sacrifice rituals. The same expands Vedokta's sacrifices while
restoring the emptiness in them. Barring Dakshina in Yajna in no way it can save the Yajaman.
Wherein there is the question of the power of the rich and the poor, Shastra has a vision there too. Same Dakshina is not kept for both. Wherein there is a rule to offer lots of wealth for the rich, there the poor humans’ power has been measured with a complete vessel, that is, For this, to provide only one full pot in Dakshina. The rituals of Yajna have to be completed in the right way with the aid of all three Varnas like Brahmins etc.
It is the principle of the Vedas that Soma is the king of the brahmins. However, Brahmins desired to sell that too for the sake of Yajna. Wherein there is no compulsive cause for yajna and so forth., there only for vain stomach, it is not advisable to sell the Soma. The Yajaman’s sacrifice rituals are widened by the manner of buying Somaras alongside Yajna Saadhans. In step with religion, the sages expressed these opinions.
Yajnakar Purush, Yajna, and Somaras - while these three are completed reasonably, then the yajna is stated to be finished with virtue. An unjust guy can neither do right to another, nor his own. The glories which are attained by way of the wise brahmins whilst engrossed in fame or for obtaining cash for mere sustenance do no longer give favourable outcomes despite the fact that they may be full of vices like violence and so on. Such is heard in Shrutika Siddhanta. Therefore, even Tapasya is superior to sacrifice, this is the ultimate of the Vedas. Not to do violence to any creatures, to speak the truth, to give up cruelty, preserve the mind and the senses in control, and To keep kindness towards all are considered as austerity by means of patient men. Only weakening the body is not austerity. Declaring the Vedas to be inauthentic, Violating to the Shastras, creating chaos everywhere, all these vices destroy within themselves. Accomplices of Devi sampradaya Yajnas consists of Chitti that is Stuk, Chitta is Ajya (Ghee) and Uttam knowledge is pure. All wickedness is the place of death and simplicity is of the supreme. This is the subject of knowledge and others are only a hoax, what will that hoax be of use?
Ref: Mahabharata book Shanti Parva
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