Question

Here are two verses from the Rigveda invoking Agni, the god of fire, often identified with the sacrificial fire, into which offerings were made so as to reach the other deities: Bring, O strong one, this sacrifice of ours to the gods, O wise one, as a liberal giver. Bestow on us, O priest, abundant food. Agni, obtain, by sacrificing, mighty wealth for us. Procure, O Agni, for ever to him who prays to you (the gift of) nourishment, the wonderful cow. May a son be ours, offspring that continues our line … Verses such as these were composed in a special kind of Sanskrit, known as Vedic Sanskrit. They were taught orally to men belonging to priestly families.

List the objectives of the sacrifice.

Answer 1

The objectives of the sacrifice are as follows:

1. To Reach Other Deities: Using Agni (the god of fire) as a messenger to carry sacrificial offerings directly to other gods.
2. To Secure Food: Requesting the priest and the deity to bestow abundant food and nourishment upon the worshippers.
3. To Gain Wealth: Praying to Agni to obtain “mighty wealth” through the ritual.
4. To Acquire Livestock: Seeking the gift of a “wonderful cow” to support their pastoral livelihood.
5. To Ensure Lineage Continuity: Asking for a son to carry forward the family line and ancestral name.