Iṣṭi

By Swami Harshananda

Iṣṭi literally means ‘sacrifice’.

Vedic sacrifices are classified into several groups. A group in which there are four priests:

1. Adhvaryu
2. Āgnidhra
3. Hotṛ
4. Brahman

The material used for oblation is:

1. Ājya - clarified butter
2. Puroḍāśa - rice-cake
3. Caru - porridge

These materials are called as ‘isti’. Darśa and Purṇamāsa are the models for iṣṭi. The word is also used to indicate particular mode of offering oblation different from āhuti and homa.

References

• The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore