- Purushamedha
Purushamedha (literally translated, "
human sacrifice ") is a Vedicyajna (ritual) described in theYajurveda (VS 30–31). The verse describes people from all classes and of all descriptions tied to the stake and offered toPrajapati .The
Purusha Sukta describes the process of creation of matter from the cosmic Purusha (universal spirit) which is shown as a human-like entity. The Purusha Medha is an enactment of the sacrifice of Purusha that leads to creation.The ritual in many aspects resembles that of the
Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice), with, according to Griffith (1899)man, the noblest victim, being actually or symbolically sacrificed instead of the Horse, and men and women of various tribes, figures, complexions, characters, and professions being attached to the sacrificial stakes in place of the tame and wild animals enumerated in Book XXIV [VS 24] . These nominal victims were afterwards released uninjured, and, so far as the text of the White Yajurveda goes, the whole ceremony was merely emblematical.
The ceremony evokes the mythical sacrifice of
Purusha , the "Cosmic Man", and the officiating Brahman recites thePurusha sukta (RV 10.90 = AVS 5.19.6 = VS 31.1–16).A parallel may be drawn with the sacrifice of
Isaac byAbraham : this is referred to as "Akedah" (binding), and Isaac was released unharmed.ee also
*
Purusha
*Purusha Sukta
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