Talk:Traditional Bhūtayajña

By Vishal Agarwal

Traditionally, this involves making ceremonial offerings at different points in the house to various deva-s, for instance to Brahman at the center of the house, and in different directions to Indra, Yama, Varuṇa and Soma, and so on. Thereafter, offerings are made to the following:

Let him gently place on the ground some food for dogs, outcastes, dog-eaters, those afflicted with diseases that are punishments of former sins, crows and insects. Manusmṛti 3.92

In many parts of India, Nepal and other countries where people practice Hindu Dharm, reside, women draw a colorful pattern with edible colors (e.g., white rice paste) called kollam or raṅgolī which insects can eat. This too is a way of performing the bhūtayajña. The pattern is drawn in the front yard or in one’s courtyard.