Report
A National Seminar was organised by the Shri Shankar Shikshayatan on Monday, 31 August 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. through an online platform. The seminar focused on the chapter entitled “Preparation of the Upavesha and Cooking of the Sacrificial Offering” (Upavesha Sampadana and Havih Paripaka) from Shatapatha Brahmana Vijnana Bhashya, authored by Pandit Motilal Shastri.
The seminar was organised around various themes of the Shatapatha Brahmana, with particular attention to their interpretation and exposition in the Vijnana Bhashya.
Prof. Devendra Prasad Mishra, Professor and Head, Department of Veda, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, New Delhi, stated that an innovative interpretation of the statement “Pankto vai yajnah” is found in the Shatapatha Brahmana Vijnana Bhashya. The Year-long Sacrifice (Samvatsara Yajna) consists of five divisions: Agnihotra, Darshapurnamasa, Chaturmasya, Pashubandha, and Somayajna. These are also described in another form as Paka Yajna, Havir Yajna, Mahayajna, Atiyajna, and Shiroyajna. (Shatapatha Brahmana, p. 627)
Prof. Yogendra Bhanu, Professor and Academic Dean, Maharaja Surajmal Brij University, Bharatpur, explained that the fire in which the sacrificial substance is cooked is spread with a wooden implement shaped like a hand. This wooden implement is called the Upavesha. Acharya Sayana, in his commentary on the Shatapatha Brahmana, explains it as the piece of wood used for spreading the burning embers: “Angara-vibhajanartham kastham upaveshah.”
The ritvik or Agnidhra who performs the act of placing the vessel (kapala) recites the Yajurvedic mantra “Dhrishtir asi” while lifting the Upavesha. (Ibid., p. 619)
Dr. Archana Kumari, Associate Professor, Department of Grammar, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, New Delhi, stated that Soma is offered as an oblation into the fire. From the perspective of its seven forms, the statement “Saptasanstho vai Jyotishtomah” is used. These seven forms are Agnishtoma, Atyagnishtoma, Ukthya Soma, Shodashistoma, Atiratra Stoma, Vajapeya Stoma, and Aptoryama Stoma.
She further explained that, corresponding to the seven forms of Agni, food (anna) is also described as being of seven kinds: “Yat saptannani tapasajanayat pita.” (Ibid., p. 629)
Dr. Pawan Kumar Pandey, Assistant Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, explained that the Adhvaryu, while reciting the mantra “Dhishanam asi parvati prithvad ity as tvag vetu,” spreads the black antelope skin and places the drshat (grinding stone) upon it.
The stone holds the grain that is to be ground and is therefore also referred to by the term Dhishana. Since it forms a part of a mountain, it is described as a fragment of a mountain and is designated Parvati in the Shatapatha Brahmana. (Ibid., p. 622)
Prof. Santosh Kumar Shukla, Professor, Institute of Sanskrit and Ancient Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, presided over the programme. He explained that Agni is described in three forms: Amat, Kravyat, and Havyavat. The fire present within the body of a living being is called Amat; the fire that consumes a dead body is Kravyat; and the fire through which the gods receive the sacrificial offering is called Havyavat. He observed that the Hindi Vijnana Bhashya contains a wide range of subjects and emphasised the need to study it carefully and attentively. (Ibid., p. 640)
Dr. Kamalraj Upadhyaya, Professor and Vedacharya, Shri Totadri Kamalanayan Veda Vidyalaya, Parkota, Anupshahr, Bulandshahr, rendered the Vedic Mangala-charana in traditional recitation.
The programme was conducted by Dr. Lakshmi Kant Vimal, Research Officer, Shri Shankar Shikshayatan Vaidik Shodh Sansthan.
The seminar witnessed enthusiastic participation from professors, research scholars, and scholars interested in Sanskrit learning from universities and colleges across several states. Their active participation contributed to the success of the seminar.