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"From the Vedic Samhitas down to the manuals of Vedic schools, it is observed
that the Vedic ritual has undergone considerable modifications as a result of
changing geographical, social and economic conditions. The tradition of solemn
Vedic ritual is fast disappearing and it is becoming more and more difficult to
witness a proper performance of a sacrifice that follows the tradition
faithfully. It is therefore imperative to record whatever is available at
present with a view to providing material necessary for compiling the cultural
history of India.
A considerable amount of literature relating to Vedic ritual has been
preserved down to the present day and the volume of translations of this
literature into European languages is also quite large. But for a reader who has
not specialized in Vedic studies, it is difficult to understand the details of
the sacrificial performance merely by reading the text or even witnessing the
actual performance.
This book is an attempt to explain the most basic ritual called Isti with the
help of the original texts and the photographs of the actual performance of that
sacrifice that took place in Pune, India, in July 1979. The book contains in all
140 photographs showing various stages of the sacrifice with explanation of the
rites. It also provides a Roman transcript of the Sanskrit text of the
Pavitrestiprayoga along with its English translation."
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