Savana

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda

Savana literally means ‘to press out’.

The process of pressing the soma stalks to prepare the soma juice for offering an oblations in Somayāga sacrifice is known as savana. The day on which it is done is called sutyā. The pressing is done three times during this day:

  1. Prātassavana - In the morning
  2. Mādhyandinasavana - At noon
  3. Tṛtīyasavana - In the afternoon

All the above mentioned savana follow the same pattern. These three savanas are referred to even in the Ṛgveda[1] thereby showing that this rite of savana is quite ancient.


References[edit]

  1. Ṛgveda 3.28.1, 4 and 5
  • The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore