# यज्ञ (yajña)

Canonical page: https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/yajna

यज्ञ (yajña) is a Sanskrit word meaning worship, devotion, prayer, or praise, a worshipper, sacrificer, fire, atman, sacrifice personified, the reputed author of the Rigveda x, 130. Its 26 recorded definitions are grouped into 7 contexts, among them The Act of Worship, Devotion, or Sacrifice, Conceptual Aspects, Types, and Practice of Sacrifice, Epithet/Name for Other Deities or Individuals.

- **Root:** यज् (yaj)
- **SLP1:** `yajYa`  **IAST:** yajña  **Devanagari:** यज्ञ
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yajna
- **Declensions:** 48 forms — https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/yajna/declensions.md
- **Other headwords romanised the same way:** याज्ञा (yājñā), याज्ञ (yājña)

## Meanings by context

### The Act of Worship, Devotion, or Sacrifice (10 definitions)
- worship, devotion, prayer, or praise  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (H2) [Printed book page 839,2] यज्ञ (yajña) m. worship, devotion, prayer, praise [ ID=169220 ]
- An act of worship, devotion, offering, oblation, or sacrifice.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > act of worship or devotion, offering, oblation, sacrifice (the former meanings prevailing in Veda, the latter in post-Vedic literature; cf. महा - य् (mahā-y) ° (°) ), RV. &c. &c. [ ID=169221 ]
- 1. Worship in prayer or praise. 2. A sacrificial rite or sacrifice.  
  *Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > यज्ञ (yajña) [Printed book page 238-2 ] यज्ञ (yajña) yaj-ñá, m. worship ( in prayer or praise ); sacrificial rite, sacrifice (to, of, by, —° ). [ ID=14647 ]
- A sacrifice or ceremonial offering.  
  *Wilson Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > यज (yaja) ्ञ (yajña) [Printed book page 678 ] यज (yaja) ्ञ (yajña) m. ( - ज्ञः (-jñaḥ) ) A sacrifice, a ceremony in which oblations are presented. E. यज (yaja) to worship, aff. नङ् (naṅ). [ ID=31165 ]
- 1. Sacrifice. 2. Vishnu.  
  *Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > यज्ञ (yajña) [Printed book page 607-b ] यज्ञ (yajña) ( ज्ञः ) ((jñaḥ)) 1. m. Sacrifice; Vishnu. [ ID=30718 ]
- 1. A sacrifice. 2. Any devotional act generally. 3. A name of Vishnu.  
  *Vaidya Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > यज्ञ (yajña) [Printed book page 589-15 ] यज्ञ (yajña) m. 1. A sacrifice, R. i.26, Bg. ix.20; 2. any devotional act generally; (the five daily acts of devotion enjoined to a Brāhmaṇa are- भूतयज्ञ (yajña) (bhūtayajña), मनुष्ययज्ञ (yajña) (manuṣyayajña), पितृयज्ञ (yajña) (pitṛyajña), देवयज्ञ (yajña) (devayajña) and ब्रह्मयज्ञ (yajña) (brahmayajña); they are collectively called the five ‘great sacrifices’; See महायज्ञ (yajña) (mahāyajña) ); 3. a name of Vishṇu. [ ID=31120 ]
- A sacrifice or religious ceremony involving oblations.  
  *Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > यज् (yaj) ञ (yajña) [Printed book page 582-a ] यज् (yaj) ञ (yajña) m. ( - ज्ञः (-jñaḥ) ) A sacrifice, a ceremony in which oblations are presented. E. यज् (yaj) to worship, aff. नङ् । (naṅ.) [ ID=32366 ]
- 1. Worship, devotion, and prayer. 2. Sacrifice or oblation.  
  *Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > यज्ञ (yajña) [Printed book page 424 ] यज्ञ (yajña) m. worship, devotion, homage, praise, prayer; sacrifice, oblation. [ ID=25570 ]
- 1. Worship or devotion. 2. Sacrifice or offering.  
  *Lanman's Sanskrit Reader Vocabulary*
  > यज्ञ (yajña) [Printed book page 222-a ] yajñá, m. worship, devotion ( so in Veda ); later, esp. act of worship, sacrifice, offering ( these the prevailing mgs ). [ √yaj, 1177a, 201. ] [ ID=3375 ]
- 1. Prayer, devotion, homage, or praise. 2. Worship of or reverence for a deity. 3. A sacrifice, offering, or oblation.  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872)*
  > यज्ञ (yajña) [Printed book page 0802-c ] Yajña, as, m. prayer, devotion, homage, praise, (used in the older language with these meanings; cf. Zend yaśna ); worship of a deity, respect or reverence for a deity, act of worship or devotional act in general, (the five most important acts of de- votion which ought to be performed daily by every twice-born man are bhūta-y°, manuṣya-y°, pitṛ- y°, deva-y°, brahma-y°, q. q. v. v.; cf. mahā-y° ); a sacrifice (this is the most common sense of the word), any offering or oblation, ( cintā-yajña, a sacrifice in thought, mental offering); Sacrifice (per- sonified); a form of Viṣṇu; N. of a son of Ruci by Ākūti; of Indra under Manu Svāyambhuva; (according to native authorities also) N. of Agni; = ātman; Yajña prājāpatya, N. of the reputed author of the hymn Ṛg-veda X. 130. —Yajña- karman, a, n. a sacrificial act, sacrificial rite or ceremony; (ā, ā, a), occupied or engaged in a sacrifice. —Yajña-kalpa, as, ā, am, resembling or like a sacrifice, of the form or nature of an offering. —Yajña-kāma, as, ā, am, Ved. ‘sacrifice-loving,’ desiring sacrifice, eager for worship. —Yajña-kāra, as, ī, am, occupied or engaged in a sacrifice. —Yajña-kāla, as, m. ‘sacrifice-time,’ a season for sacrifice; N. of the last lunar day in each half of a month. —Yajña-kīlaka, as, m. ‘sacrifice-post,’ the post to which the victim is fastened. —Yajña-kuṇḍa, am, n. a hole in the ground for receiving the sacri- ficial fire. —Yajña-kṛt, t,t,t, ‘sacrifice-doing,’ wor- shipping, performing or arranging a sacrifice, em- ployed or occupied in a sacrifice; causing or occa- sioning sacrifices; ( t ), m. an epithet of Viṣṇu; a priest conducting a sacrifice; N. of a king. —Yajña- kṛntatra, am, n. a fragment or portion of a sacri- fice. —Yajña-ketu, us, m., Ved. (perhaps) one who is conversant with sacrifice; having the sacrifice for a mark or sign, the announcer of a sacrifice, (Sāy. = yajñaḥ prajñāpako yasya ); N. of a Rākṣasa (in Rāmāyaṇa VI. 18, 14). —Yajña-kopa, as, m., N. of a Rākṣasa. —Yajña-kratu, us, m. a sacri- ficial rite or ceremony in honour of the gods; a Page0803-a+ 81 complete rite or chief ceremony; a personification of Viṣṇu; (avas), m. pl. the Yajña and Kratu sacrifices. —Yajña-kriyā, f. sacrificial act, any sacri- ficial rite or ceremony. —Yajña-gāthā, f. a sacrificial verse or any memorial verse connected with the ritual of a sacrifice. —Yajña-giri, is, m., N. of a mountain. —Yajña-ghna, as, ī, am, ‘sacrifice- destroying,’ interrupting sacrifices; ( as ), m. a demon who interrupts sacrifices, a malicious or evil-omened demon. —Yajña-chāga, as, m. a goat for sacrifice. —Yajña-jña, as, ā, am, ‘sacrifice-knowing,’ con- versant with sacrifices, understanding the worship of the gods. —Yajña-tati, is, f., Ved. a sacrificial offer- ing, performance of a sacrifice. —Yajña-tanū, ūs, f. a form of worship; epithet of certain Vyāhṛtis; of certain sacrificial bricks (iṣṭakā). —Yajña- tantra-sudhā-nidhi, is, m., N. of a work on Vedic ritual by Sāyaṇācārya. —Yajña-tantra-sūtra, am, n., N. of a Sūtra work. —Yajña-trātṛ, tā, m. ‘sacrifice-protector,’ N. of Viṣṇu. —Yajña-dakṣi- ṇā, f. a sacrificial gift or present, a fee or donation given to the priests engaged in the performance of a ceremony. —Yajña-datta, as, m. ‘sacrifice- given,’ a proper N. (commonly used in examples). —Yajñadattaka, as, m. (a diminutive), dear little Yajña-datta. —Yajñadatta-vadha, as, m. ‘Yajña- datta's death,’ N. of an episode of the Rāmāyaṇa. —Yajñadatta-śarman, ā, m. a proper N. (often used in examples). —Yajña-dīkṣā, f. initiation into sacrifices, admission to sacrificial rites, due perform- ance of the sacrifice (see Manu II. 169). —Yajña- deva, as, m. a proper N. —Yajña-dravya, am, n. any sacrificial utensil, anything used for sacrifice, a sacrificial vessel. —Yajña-druh, -dhruk or -dhruṭ, m. an enemy of sacrifices, a Rākṣasa. —Yajña- dhara, as, ā, am, bringing the sacrifice, bearing an offering; ( as ), m., N. of Viṣṇu. —Yajña-dhīra, as, ā, am, Ved. experienced in or conversant with the worship of the gods; constant in sacrifice. —Yajña-nārāyaṇa, as, m. a proper N. —Yajña- nārāyaṇa-dīkṣita, as, m., N. of a preceptor. —Yajña-nirvāha, as, m. the accomplishment or carrying out of a sacrifice. —Yajña-nirvṛtti, is, f. completion or reward of a sacrifice, fruit of a sacri- ficial offering. —Yajña-niṣkṛt, t, t, t, Ved. arrang- ing the sacrifice. —Yajña-nī, īs, īs, i, Ved. conduct- ing worship, directing the sacrifice; ( īs ), m. a par- taker of the sacrifice, (Sāy. = yajñasya nirvāha- kaḥ. ) —Yajña-nemi, is, m. ‘surrounded by sacri- fices,’ an epithet of Kṛṣṇa. —Yajña-pati, is, m. lord of the sacrifice, (applied to the person who institutes and bears the expence of a sacrificial ceremony); N. of Soma and of Viṣṇu (as gods in whose honour an offering is made); of an author. —Yajña-patnī, f. the wife of the person who institutes a sacrifice, (as taking part in the ceremony.) —Yajña-patha, as, m., Ved. path of worship, way of sacrifice. —Yajña-pad or yajña-pād, Ved. (perhaps) walk- ing on sacrifices, (a feminine form yajña-padī is given.) —Yajña-paribhāṣā, f., N. of a Sūtra work by Āpastambha. —Yajña-parus, us, n., Ved. a joint or part of a sacrifice. —Yajña-paśu, us, m. an animal for sacrifice, victim; a horse. —Yajña-pātra, am, n. a sacrificial vessel. —Yajñapātrīya, as, ā, am, proper or suitable for a sacrificial vessel. —Yajña- pārśva, am, n., N. of a work; ( as ), m., N. of an author (according to some). —Yajña-puṃs pumān, m. ‘soul of sacrifice,’ N. of Viṣṇu. —Yajña-puc- cha, am, n., Ved. the tail, i. e. the last part or con- clusion of a sacrifice. —Yajña-puraś-caraṇa, am, n., N. of a work. —Yajña-puruṣa or yajña-pū- ruṣa, as, m., N. of Viṣṇu. —Yajña-prayāṇa, am, n., N. of the eighty-fifth chapter of the Uttara- kāṇḍa of the Rāmāyaṇa. —Yajña-prī, īs, īs, i, Ved. taking pleasure in sacrifices. —Yajña-phala-da, as, ā, am, yielding the fruit of sacrifices; ( as ), m. ‘recompensing or rewarding for sacrifice,’ an epithet of Viṣṇu. —Yajña-bandhu, us, m., Ved. com- panion of sacrifice. —Yajña-bāhu, us, m. ‘arm of sacrifice,’ N. of Agni; of Priya-vrata. —Yajña- bhaṅga, as, m., N. of the Fifth Act of Vaidya-nātha's Page0803-b+ 81 Citra-yajña-nāṭaka. —Yajña-bhāga, as, m. a part or portion of a sacrifice; (as, ā, am), having a share in a sacrifice, partaking of an offering; ( as ), m. a god, deity. —Yajñabhāga-bhuj, k, k, k, en- joying a share in a sacrifice; ( k ), m. a god, deity. —Yajñabhāgeśvara (°ga-īś°), as, m., N. of Indra. —Yajña-bhājana or yajña-bhāṇḍa, am, n. a sacrificial vessel or utensil. —Yajña-bhāvana, as, ā, am, causing or promoting sacrifice; ( as ), m. an epithet of Viṣṇu. —Yajña-bhāvita, as, ā, am, honoured with sacrifices (said of the gods). —Yajña- bhuj, k, k, k, enjoying sacrifice, taking pleasure in offerings; ( k ), m. a god, deity (especially Viṣṇu). —Yajña-bhūmi, is, f. ‘sacrifice-ground,’ a place for sacrifice. —Yajña-bhūṣaṇa, as, m. ‘sacrifice- ornament,’ white Darbha grass. —Yajña-bhṛt, t, m. ‘sacrifice-bearer,’ an arranger or institutor of a sacri- fice, one who institutes or bears the expence of a sacrifice; an epithet of Viṣṇu. —Yajña-bhoktṛ, tā, m. ‘enjoyer of sacrifice,’ N. of Kṛṣṇa. —Yajña- maṇḍala, am, n. a sacrificial ring or circle, place for sacrifice. —Yajña-manas, ās, ās, as, having the mind or attention set on sacrifices. —Yajña-man- man, ā, ā, a, Ved. intent on sacrifices, delighting in sacrifice, (Sāy. = yajñārtham matimat, yajvan. ) —Yajña-maya, as, ī, am, consisting of sacrifices, containing sacrifice. —Yajña-mahotsava (°hā-ut°), as, m. a great sacrificial feast or ceremony. —Yajña- māli, is, m. a proper N. —Yajña-mukha, am, n., Ved. an introduction to a sacrifice, commencement of a sacrifice. —Yajña-muṣ, ṭ, ṭ, ṭ, ‘sacrifice-steal- ing,’ robbing a sacrifice; (ṭ), m. a demon who lies in wait and carries off a sacrifice. —Yajña-mūrti, is, m. a proper N. —Yajña-meni, Ved. = āyudha (according to the commentator). —Yajña-yaśasa, am, n., Ved. the beauty or splendor of a sacrifice. —Yajña-yogya, as, ā, am, suited or proper for a sacrifice; ( as ), m. Ficus Glomerata. —Yajña-rasa, as, m. ‘juice or fluid of sacrifice,’ the Soma. —Yajña- rāj, ṭ, m. ‘king of the sacrifice,’ the moon, (per- haps for yajva-rāj; cf. yajvanām patiḥ under yajvan. ) —Yajña-ruci, is, m., N. of a Dānava. —Yajña-retas, as, n. ‘seed of sacrifice,’ the Soma. —Yajñarta (°na-ṛta), as, ā, am, Ved. suitable or proper for sacrifice (?); set apart for sacrifice (?). —Yajña-liṅga, as, m. ‘having sacrifice for his attribute,’ N. of Kṛṣṇa. —Yajña-vacas, as, n., Ved. a sacrificial word or speech; ( ās ), m., N. of a preceptor (having Rājastambāyana as his patronymic). —Yajña-vat, ān, atī, at, Ved. having or possessing sacrifice, worshipping. —Yajña-vanas, Ved. loving sacrifice. —Yajña-varāha, as, m. Viṣṇu in the boar-incarnation; [cf. yajña-sūkara. ] —Yajña- vardhana, as, ī, am, Ved. increasing or promoting sacrifice. —Yajña-varman, ā, m., N. of a king. —Yajña-valka, as, m. a proper N. —Yajña-vallī, f. = soma-vallī, Cocculus Cordifolius. —Yajña-vāṭa, as, m. ‘sacrifice-enclosure,’ a place prepared and enclosed for a sacrifice. —Yajña-vāma, as, m. a proper N. —Yajña-vāstu, u, n., Ved. a place for worship or sacrifice, sacrificial ground. —Yajña-vāha, as, ā, am, conducting or accompanying the sacrifice, conveying the sacrifice to the gods; ( as ), m., N. of one of Skanda's attendants. —Yajña-vāhana, as, m. the conductor of a sacrifice, a Brāhman; ‘having sacrifice for a vehicle,’ epithet of Viṣṇu; of Śiva. —Yajña-vāhas, ās, ās, as, Ved. bringing or offer- ing sacrifice, a worshipper, offerer of sacrifice; re- ceiving sacrifice (said of the gods and of the Maruts). —Yajña-vāhin, ī, inī, i, conducting or accompany- ing the sacrifice, conveying the sacrifice to the gods. —Yajña-vid, t, t, t, ‘sacrifice-knowing,’ skilled in sacrifice. —Yajña-vidyā, f. knowledge of sacrifice, skill in sacrifice. —Yajña-vibhraṣṭa, as, ā, am, Ved. one whose sacrifice has failed or is profitless. —Yajña-vīrya, as, m. ‘whose might is sacrifice,’ epithet of Viṣṇu. —Yajña-vṛkṣa, as, m. ‘sacri- fice-tree,’ the banian or Indian fig-tree. —Yajña- vṛddha, as, ā, am, Ved. exalted with sacrifices, delighted with offerings (said of Indra). —Yajña- vṛdh, Ved. pleased with sacrifices or abounding in Page0803-c+ 81 sacrifices. —Yajña-vedi, is, or yajña-vedī, f. an altar for sacrifice, a place prepared for a sacrifice. —Yajña-veśasa, am, n., Ved. interruption of wor- ship or sacrifice, desecration or profanation of sacrifice. —Yajña-voḍhave (voḍhave, dat. c. of voḍhu, used as an inf. of rt. vah ), Ved. to accompany or attend the sacrifice, to convey the offering to the gods. —Yajña-vrata, as, ā, am, Ved. observing the sacrifice, conforming to the ritual or observance of sacrifice. —Yajña-śatru, us, m. an enemy of sacri- fices; N. of a Rākṣasa. —Yajña-śaraṇa, am, n. ‘sacrifice-shed,’ a building or temporary structure under which sacrifices are performed. —Yajña-śālā, f. a sacrificial hall; = agni-śaraṇa, a house or place for keeping the sacrificial fire. —Yajña-śāstra, am, n. the science of sacrifice, ordinances or rules relating to sacrifices. —Yajñaśāstra-vid, t, t, t, knowing the rules or ordinances for sacrifices. —Yajña-śiṣṭa, as, ā, am, (anything) left from a sacrifice or oblation. —Yajña-śiṣṭāśana (°ṭa-aś°), am, n. the eating of the remains of a sacrifice, a repast on the remnants of a sacrifice (Manu III. 118). —Yajña-śīla, as, ā, am, accustomed to perform sacrifices, frequently per- forming sacrifices; ( as ), m., N. of a Brāhman. —Yajña-śeṣa, as, am, m. n. the remains or residue of a sacrifice (Manu III. 285). —Yajña-śrī, īs, īs, i, promoting or favourable to sacrifice, (Sāy. = yajñasya sampad-rūpaḥ); (īs), m., N. of a king. —Yajña-śreṣṭhā, f. Cocculus Cordifolius. —Yajña-saṃśita, as, ā, am, Ved. excited by offerings or sacrifices. —Yajña-saṃsthā, f., Ved. the constitution or basis of a sacrifice, form of a sacrifice. —Yajña-sadana, am, n. a sacrificial hall. —Yajña- sadas, as, n. an assembly or number of people at a sacrifice. —Yajña-samṛddhi, is, f., N. of the eighty-sixth chapter of the Uttara-kāṇḍa of the Rāmāyaṇa. —Yajña-sambhāra, as, m. apparatus or materials for a sacrifice. —Yajña-sādh, t, t, t, Ved. ‘sacrifice-effecting,’ accomplishing sacrifices. —Yajña- sādhana, as, ī, am, ‘sacrifice-effecting,’ accomplish- ing sacrifices; occasioning or causing sacrifices, (used as an epithet of Viṣṇu.) —Yajña-sāra, as, m. ‘essence of sacrifice,’ N. of Viṣṇu; Ficus Glome- rata. —Yajña-sārathi, N. of a Sāman. —Yajña- siddhi, is, f. the completion or accomplishment of a sacrifice, the due performance of a sacrificial cere- mony; obtaining the objects of a sacrifice. —Yajña- sūkara, as, m. Viṣṇu in his incarnation as a boar (= yajña-varāha). —Yajña-sūtra, am, n. a sacred cord worn over the left shoulder and under the right arm at sacrifices, the sacrificial thread or cord, (see yajñopavīta.) — Yajña-sena, as, m., N. of Dru- pada; of a king of Vidarbha; of a Dānava; of Viṣṇu; of various men. —Yajña-soma, as, m., N. of several Brāhmans. —Yajña-sthala, am, n. a place for sacrifice; N. of an Agra-hāra; of a Grāma; of a town. —Yajña-sthāṇu, us, m. a sacrificial post or stake. —Yajña-sthāna, am, n. a place for sacrifice. —Yajña-svāmin, ī, m., N. of a Brāhman. —Yajña- han, ā, -ghnī, a, destroying sacrifice, injuring or vitiating sacrifice, interrupting worship; ( ā ), m., N. of Śiva. —Yajña-hana, as, ā, am, = yajña-han above; ( as ), m., N. of a Rākṣasa. —Yajña-hṛ- daya, as, ā, am, ‘whose heart is sacrifice,’ liking sacrifice above everything else, loving sacrifice. —Yajña-hotṛ, tā, m. an offerer at a sacrifice; invoker of the (gods who are) worthy of worship, (Sāy. = yaṣṭavyānāṃ devānām āhvātṛ ); N. of a son of Manu Uttama. —Yajñāṃśa (°ña-aṃ°), as, m. a part or share of a sacrifice. —Yajñāṃśa-bhuj, k, m. ‘enjoying a share in sacrifices,’ a god, deity. —Yajñāgāra ( °ña-ag° or -āg° ), am, n. a shed for sacrifice. —Yajñāṅga (°ña-aṅ°), am, n. ‘sacrifice- limb,’ a part of a sacrifice, any means or instrument or implement of a sacrifice; ( as ), m. the glomerous fig-tree, Ficus Glomerata; Acacia Catechu; Clero- dendrum Siphonanthus; N. of Viṣṇu or Kṛṣṇa; of Śiva; (ā), f. Cocculus Cordifolius. —Yajñātman (°ña-āt°), ā, m. ‘soul of sacrifice,’ N. of Viṣṇu. —Yajñātma-miśra, as, m., N. of the father of Pārthasārathi-miśra. —Yajñānukāśin (°ña-an°), ī, Page0804-a+ 81 inī, i, Ved. looking at or inspecting sacrifices, (accord- ing to a commentator = yajña-tattva-prakāśana- samartha.) — Yajñānta (°ña-an°), as, m. the con- clusion or termination of a sacrifice; a supplementary sacrifice. —Yajñānta-kṛt, t, m., N. of Viṣṇu. —Yajñāyatana (°ña-āy°), am, n. a place for sacri- fice. —Yajñāyudha (°ña-āy°), am, n., Ved. ‘sacri- fice-instrument,’ any vessel or utensil employed at a sacrifice, (ten are usually enumerated.) —Yajñāyu- dhin, ī, inī, i, Ved. having or furnished with sacri- ficial utensils. —Yajñāri (°ña-ari), is, m. ‘foe of sacrifices,’ epithet of Śiva. —Yajñārtha (°ña-ar°), as, ā, am, serving for a sacrifice; (am), ind. for the sake of sacrifice. —Yajñārha (°ña-ar°), as, ā, am, deserving sacrifice; suitable or fit for sacrifice; (au), m. du. epithet of the two Aśvins. —Yajñāva- yava (°ña-av°), as, m. ‘whose limbs consist of sacrifices,’ epithet of Viṣṇu. —Yajñāvasāna (°ña- av°), am, n., N. of the ninety-third chapter of the Uttara-kāṇḍa of the Rāmāyaṇa. —Yajñāśana (°ña- aś°), as, m. ‘consumer of sacrifices,’ a god, deity. —Yajñā-sāh, ṭ, ṭ, ṭ, Ved. mighty in sacrifice; bearing the sacrifice, (Sāy. = yajñasya voḍhṛ or dhārayitṛ.) — Yajñeśa (°ña-īśa), as, m. ‘lord of worship or of sacrifice,’ epithet of Viṣṇu; of the sun. —Yajñeśvara (°ña-īś°), as, m. ‘lord of worship or of sacrifice,’ epithet of Viṣṇu; N. of an author; (ī), f., N. of a particular magical incantation. —Yajñeśvarārya (°ra-ār°), as, m. a proper N. —Yajñeṣu (°ña-iṣu), us, m. a proper N. —Yaj- ñeṣṭa (°ña-iṣ°), am, n. a species of fragrant grass (= dīrgha-rohiṣaka). —Yajñoḍumbara (°ña- uḍ°), as, m. = uḍumbara, Ficus Glomerata. —Yaj- ñopakaraṇa (°ña-up°), am, n. ‘sacrifice-instrument,’ any utensil or implement useful or necessary for sacri- fice. —Yajñopavīta (°ña-up°), am, n. the solemn investiture of youths of the first three castes, Brāh- mans, Kṣatriyas, and Vaiśyas, with a peculiar thread or cord worn over the left shoulder and hanging down diagonally across the body to the right hip, by which they are considered regenerated and admitted to the twice-born classes, see upa-naya; (in the later language) the sacred thread itself, (originally, it appears, worn at sacrifices and restricted to the first three tribes, as explained above; in modern times assumed by other mixed castes in various parts of India, as by the Vaidyas or medical caste in Bengal; according to Manu II. 44, a Brāhman's thread should be of cotton, a Kṣatriya's of flax or hemp, a Vaiśya's of woollen thread, and the youths should be invested at particular ages, see upa-naya and cf. yajña- sūtra; this thread is commonly called Janeo, which is probably corrupted fr. yajñop°. ) —Yajñopavīta- vat, ān, atī, at, or yajñopavītin, ī, inī, i, invested with the sacred thread; [cf. upavītin. ] —Yajñopā- saka (°ña-up°), as, m. an honourer of sacrifices, one who performs a sacrifice. [ ID=38310 ]

### Conceptual Aspects, Types, and Practice of Sacrifice (4 definitions)
- A sacrifice  
  *Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > यज्ञ (yajña) [Printed book page 0731-a ] यज्ञ (yajña) yajña, i. e. yaj + na, m. A sacri- fice, Man. 1, 22; 23. — Comp. A-, m. time when the sacrifice is over, Man. 3, 120. Ṛṣi-, m. inaudible muttering of prayers, Man. 4, 21; cf. 3, 81. Graha-, m. a sacrifice offered to the planets, Yājñ. 1, 294. Japa-, murmur- ing prayers, Man. 2, 85. Nāma(n)-, m. a nominal sacrifice only (not real), Bhag. 16, 7. Pañca(n)-, m. ( pl. ), the five great sacraments, Man. 3, 67. Pāka-, m. a domestic sacrifice, Man. 2, 86; 11, 118. Prastāva-, m. sacrifice- like treating of a subject, i. e. treating a subject where those who partake of it must propound and prove their views, as at sacrifices every one must give presents, Pañc. ii. d. 176. Mahā-, m. an essential ceremony, a sacrament, Man. 1, 112; 2, 28. Vidhi-, m. a cere- monial act of worshipping, Man. 2, 85. [ ID=11670 ]
- 1. A ritual sacrifice originating in the Treta yuga. 2. Trees suitable for sacrifices, including jackfruit, fig, banyan, peepal, cluster fig, bilva, and sandalwood. 3. Trees unsuitable for sacrifices, including shleshataka, naktamala, wood apple, silk cotton, and trees covered in creepers or bird nests. 4. Performed by Brahmanas on behalf of Shudras for a livelihood. 5. Pleases the gods to bring rain. 6. Personified as a deity with his wife Dakshina and twelve sons called Yamas.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Yajña (III) — origin of, in Treta and dispute on its nature, whether himsā or not; 1 trees fit for; samāna, plakṣa, nyagrodha, aśvattha, udumbara, vikarika, bilva, candaṇa, sarala, devadāru, śāla, khadira; unfit are: śleṣmātaka, nak- tamāla, kapittha, śālmali, nīpa, vibhītaka and those which are enveloped by creepers and are the residence of birds; 2 of Śūdras by Brahmanas for livelihood (vṛtti); 3 performance of, pleases the gods who give rain; 4 personified as God with wife Dakṣiṇā and twelve sons, generally known as Yāmas; 5 born of Viṣṇu and Ākūtī in the Svāyambhuva epoch; of Tuṣitā in Svārociṣa, of Satyā in Uttama, of Havya in Tāmasa and Sambhūti in Raivata; 6 duty of all. 7 [ Footnote: 1) Vā. 57. 86-125.] [ Footnote: 2) Ib. 75. 71-76.] [ Footnote: 3) Ib. 99. 426; 101. 296; 112. 1 and 14.] [ Footnote: 4) Vi. I. 6. 8.] [ Footnote: 5) Ib. I. 7. 21.] [ Footnote: 6) Ib. III. 1. 36-40.] [ Footnote: 7) Ib. III. 8. 22] [ ID=11144 ]
- 1. Japa for Brahmanas, introduced by Indra in Treta Yuga, questioned regarding animal harm, and deemed unfavorable in Kali Yuga. 2. Prohibited by Vena but reintroduced by Vainya in the Vaivasvata epoch. 3. Associated with the origin of the Sruca clan of apsaras. 4. Five daily duties of householders: Veda chanting, homas, shraddha for ancestors, offering rice to bhutas, and balikarma. 5. Performed by the Asuras.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > Yajña (IV) — (Japa) for Brahmanas; 1 introduced by Indra in Tretāyuga; questioned by the sages as to himsā of animals. Vasu, son of Uttānapāda who was appointed arbi- trator said that yajña pleases the gods and tapas, Vairāja leading to Kaivalya. Not favoured in Kaliyuga; 2 prohibited by Vena, but reintroduced by Vainya in the Vaivasvata epoch; 3 Sruca clan of apsaras born of; 4 the five to be done by householders daily, chanting of the Vedas, homas, śrād- dha for pitṛs, gifts of rice, etc. to bhūtas and balikarma; 5 per- formed by the Asuras. 6 Page3-006+ 24 [ Footnote: 1) Br. II. 29. 55.] [ Footnote: 2) Ib. II. 30. 4-42; 31. 64; 32. 47; 34. 6; M. Ch. 143 (whole).] [ Footnote: 3) Br. II. 36. 130; III. 72. 2; 73. 72; IV. 6. 55, 73.] [ Footnote: 4) Br. III. 4. 24; 7. 22.] [ Footnote: 5) M. 10. 34; 52. 14-15.] [ Footnote: 6) Ib. 83. 3, 8; 130. 19.] [ ID=11145 ]
- symbolic of Devi  
  *The Purana Index*
  > [Printed book page 3-008 ] Yajña vidyā — symbolical of Devī. Vi. I. 9. 120. [ ID=11162 ]

### Epithet/Name for Other Deities or Individuals (4 definitions)
- the reputed author of the Rigveda x, 130  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (with प्राजापत्य (prājāpatya) ) N. of the reputed author of Ṛg-veda (Title) x, 130, Anukr. [ ID=169226 ]
- of Indra under Manu Svayambhuva  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > of Indra under Manu Svāyambhuva, ib. [ ID=169228 ]
- a Jayadeva  
  *The Purana Index*
  > [Printed book page 3-005 ] Yajña (II) — a Jayādeva. Br. III. 3. 7; 4. 3; Vā. 66. 7. [ ID=11143 ]
- the son of Brahmadhana  
  *The Purana Index*
  > [Printed book page 3-006 ] Yajña (V) — the son of Brahmadhana. Vā. 67. 28; 69. 132. [ ID=11146 ]

### Yajña as a Specific Mythological Figure/Avatar (3 definitions)
- An epithet of Vishnu  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > N. of a form of Viṣṇu, Pur. [ ID=169227 ]
- of a son of Ruci and Akuti  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > of a son of Ruci and Ākūti, ib. [ ID=169229 ]
- 1. The seventh avatar of Vishnu. 2. Dharma and mantra personified.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > यज्ञ (yajña) [Printed book page 3-004 ] Yajña (I) — the seventh avatār of Viṣṇu; born with Dakṣiṇā as twins to Akūtī and Ruci. Adopted as his son by his grandfather Svāyambhuva Manu. 1 Followed by the Yāma gods, slew the Asuras and Yātudhānas who attacked and sought to devour Svāyambhuva Manu engaged in con- templation of Hari, and ruled the celestial kingdom; 2 wor- shipped for attaining celebrity; 3 to Yajña and Dakṣiṇā were born twelve sons who were known as Yāmas in the period of Svāyambhuva; Yajña also Yāma; 4 constitutes Dharma and Page3-005+ 44 mantra; the Yajva goes to heaven; 5 a soma yajus of paśu, dravya, havis, Ṛtviks, Dakṣiṇa. 6 [ Footnote: 1) Bhā. I. 3. 12; III. 19. 13; IV. 1. 4-5; VI. 8. 15; VIII. 1. 6.] [ Footnote: 2) Ib. VIII. 1. 17-18; X. 6. 22.] [ Footnote: 3) Ib. II. 3. 7; Br. II. 34. 7.] [ Footnote: 4) Vā. 10. 19-20; Br. II. 9. 44ff.] [ Footnote: 5) Vā. 32. 16.] [ Footnote: 6) Ib. 57. 107; 59. 42.] [ ID=11142 ]

### Sacrifice Personified (2 definitions)
- Sacrifice personified  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > Sacrifice personified, MBh.; Hariv. [ ID=169225 ]
- 1. Sacrifice personified. 2. An epithet of Shiva. 3. An epithet of Krishna or Vishnu. 4. An epithet of Mahapurusha.  
  *Index to the Names in the Mahabharata*
  > यज्ञ (yajña) [Printed book page 762-2 ] Yajña (“sacrifice”, personif.): V, 3881 (BR. quote XII, 791, 2316 ( gāthā y°-gītāḥ? )).—Do. 2 = Śiva (1000 names 1—2 ). —Do. 3 = Kṛṣṇa (Viṣṇu): XII, 1510, 13143; XIII, 6997 (1000 names), 7053 (do.).—Do. 4 = Mahāpuruṣa (Mahāpuru- ṣastava). [ ID=12494 ]

### Symbolic/Metaphorical Meanings (2 definitions)
- fire  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > fire, L. [ ID=169223 ]
- atman  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > = आत्मन् (ātman), L. [ ID=169224 ]

### The Worshipper or Sacrificer (1 definition)
- a worshipper, sacrificer  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > a worshipper, sacrificer, Ṛg-veda (Title) iii, 30, 15; 32, 12 [ ID=169222 ]

## Sources

Definitions from Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Index to the Names in the Mahabharata; Lanman's Sanskrit Reader Vocabulary; Macdonell Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872); Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899); Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary; The Purana Index; Vaidya Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Wilson Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary.
Text from the Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, University of Cologne.

The Sanskrit Lexicon app for iPhone, iPad and Mac: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sanskrit-lexicon-dictionary/id6746787546