Report
Shri Shankar Shikshayatan Vedic Research Institute organizsd a National Online Seminar on Monday, 29 June 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The seminar focused on the chapter titled “Prokshana Karma” (The Rite of Ritual Sprinkling) from Pandit Motilal Shastri’s Shatapatha Brahmana Vijnana Bhashya. The seminar examined various philosophical and ritual aspects presented in this commentary on the Shatapatha Brahmana.
Presentations
Dr. Praveen Kumar Dwivedi, Assistant Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Prof. Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) University, Prayagraj, explained that a narrow or limited outlook signifies constriction and is therefore regarded as the cause of suffering. Such a disposition is considered contrary to the spirit of the Yajna. To overcome this limitation, the sacrificer (Yajamana), while reciting the mantra “Devirapo…”, holds the ritual vessel in the left hand and performs the rite of ritual sprinkling (Prokshana) by raising it upward from the southern direction.
He further explained that the water found on the earth is comparatively impure, whereas the water existing in the intermediate region (Antariksha), associated with Indra and infused with the solar life-force (Saura Prana), becomes purified through its association with Vayu (air). This interpretation does not imply that terrestrial water is entirely impure; rather, it emphasizes the superior purity of the celestial waters in relation to earthly water. During the sacrifice, water is lifted from the Prokshani vessel and used in the rite of ritual sprinkling. (Shatapatha Brahmana Vijnana Bhashya, p. 448.)
Dr. Rajkishore Arya, Assistant Professor, Department of Samhita and Sanskrit, Faculty of Ayurveda, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, stated that the Avyaya Tattva (Immutable Principle) possesses five kalas (manifestations): Ananda (Bliss), Vijnana (Knowledge), Manas (Mind), Prana (Life-force), and Vak (Speech). Among these, Ananda and Vijnana unite with the mind to form Vidya (Knowledge), which is identified with Brahman. Conversely, Avidya (Ignorance) is identified with Karma (Action). The Avyaya Purusha is presented as the fundamental basis of creation. (Ibid., p. 407.)
Dr. Neeraja Kumari, Assistant Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Mahant Darshan Das Mahila College, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, explained that the Shatapatha Brahmana Hindi Vijnana Bhashya interprets the five vital airs—Prana, Apana, Vyana, Samana, and Udana—from the perspective of Vedic ritual. Among these, Vyana, situated between Prana and Apana, is symbolically designated as Upanshu-Savana. Apana is identified with Antaryama, while Prana is called Upanshu. Upanshu-Savana is represented by a fixed stone. Prana and Apana are symbolically compared to two stones, and through their interaction, friction is produced upon the Vyana stone. Prana approaches from one side and Apana from the other, while the process of friction takes place at the centre upon Vyana. (Ibid., p. 431.)
Dr. Prakash Ranjan Mishra, Assistant Professor, Department of Vedic Rituals and Purohitya, Shri Ramsundar Sanskrit Vidya Pratishthan Adarsh Sanskrit College, Darbhanga, explained that the rite of purification (Pavitrikarana) is performed to remove the demonic or impure tendencies (Asura-bhava) believed to have entered the sacrificial materials. A blade of Kusha grass is split into two parts by making a slit in its middle. The lower portion is called the root, while the upper portion forms the tip. Both portions are placed in the water contained in the Prokshani vessel, and this Kusha grass is used periodically for the rite of ritual sprinkling throughout the sacrifice. (Ibid., p. 428.)
The seminar was chaired by Prof. Santosh Kumar Shukla, Professor, Institute of Sanskrit and Indic Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. In his presidential address, he explained that Yajnas are broadly classified into two principal categories: Vitana Yajna and Paka Yajna. The former is associated with the Shrauta sacrificial tradition, while the latter belongs to the Smarta tradition. The Grihya Sutras provide a detailed exposition of the Paka Yajnas. He further observed that the entire universe itself may be understood as a continuous Yajna. Nature constantly performs this cosmic sacrifice, and human beings, following the example of the gods, likewise perform their own sacrificial acts as participants in the universal order.
Concluding Session
The seminar commenced with the chanting of Vedic benedictions by Dr. Rajneesh Kumar Pandey, Assistant Professor, Department of Veda, Jaipur Campus, Central Sanskrit University.
The proceedings were coordinated by Dr. Lakshmi Kant Vimal, Research Officer, Shri Shankar Shikshayatan Vedic Research Institute.
The seminar witnessed enthusiastic participation from faculty members, research scholars, and students of Sanskrit from universities and colleges across several states of India. Their active participation contributed significantly to the success of the national seminar.