View source for The Līlā-avatāra Known as Lord Yajña

Among the innumerable incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Yajña holds a special significance. He is the personification of sacrifice, verifying the Vedic dictum ''yajñau vai viṣṇuḥ'' ("Yajña is indeed Viṣṇu"). Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Lord Yajña is listed as one of the twenty-five principal ''līlā-avatāras'' (pastime incarnations) in the Vedic scriptures, appearing specifically to protect the administration of the universe during the reign of Svāyambhuva Manu.

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=== Classification: Līlā and Manvantara ===

The incarnations of Kṛṣṇa are categorized according to their specific functions and times of appearance. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that Lord Yajña is unique because He falls into two categories simultaneously. He is one of the fourteen ''manvantara-avatāras'' (who appear during the reign of each Manu), but He is also counted among the twenty-five ''līlā-avatāras'', alongside such prominent forms as Matsya, Kūrma, and Varāha.

* [[Vaniquotes:All together these (manvantara-avataras) are fourteen in number, and of these, Yajna and Vamana are also counted among the lila-avataras. All these manvantara incarnations are sometimes called vaibhava-avataras|(1) Yajna, (2) Vibhu, (3) Satyasena, (4) Hari, (5) Vaikuntha, (6) Ajita, (7) Vamana, (8) Sarvabhauma, (9) Rsabha, (10) Visvaksena, (11) Dharmasetu, (12) Sudhama, (13) Yogesvara and (14) Brhadbhanu. All together these (manvantara-avataras) are fourteen in number, and of these, Yajna and Vamana are also counted among the lila-avataras. All these manvantara incarnations are sometimes called vaibhava-avataras.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:These twenty-five Personalities of Godhead (Catuhsana, Narada, Varaha, Matsya, Yajna, Nara-Narayana etc.) are known as lila-avataras. Because they appear in each day of Brahma, or in each kalpa (millennium), they are sometimes known as kalpa-avataras|These twenty-five Personalities of Godhead... are known as lila-avataras. Because they appear in each day of Brahma, or in each kalpa (millennium), they are sometimes known as kalpa-avataras.]]

=== Divine Appearance and Family ===

Lord Yajña appeared as the son of the great sage Ruci and his wife Ākūti. Ākūti was the daughter of the first Manu, Svāyambhuva. Interestingly, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Ākūti gave birth to twins: the male child was the Lord Himself (Yajña), and the female child was Dakṣiṇā, a partial expansion of the goddess of fortune.

* [[Vaniquotes:Of the two children born of Akuti, the male child was directly an incarnation of the SPG, and His name was Yajna, which is another name of Visnu. The female child was a partial incarnation of Laksmi, the goddess of fortune, the eternal consort of Visnu|Of the two children born of Akuti, the male child was directly an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and His name was Yajna, which is another name of Visnu. The female child was a partial incarnation of Laksmi.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The first Manu was Svayambhuva Manu. His two daughters, namely Akuti and Devahuti, gave birth to two sons, named Yajna and Kapila respectively|The first Manu was Svayambhuva Manu. His two daughters, namely Akuti and Devahuti, gave birth to two sons, named Yajna and Kapila respectively.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Svayambhuva Manu very gladly brought home the beautiful boy named Yajna, and Ruci, his son-in-law, kept with him the daughter, Daksina|Svayambhuva Manu very gladly brought home the beautiful boy named Yajna, and Ruci, his son-in-law, kept with him the daughter, Daksina.]]

=== Ruling as Indra ===

A specific pastime of this incarnation was assuming the post of Indra. The position of Indra is usually a post occupied by a powerful living entity (''jīva''). However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that during the time of Svāyambhuva Manu, there was no qualified living entity available to take charge of the heavenly planets. Therefore, the Lord Himself assumed the role of the King of Heaven to ensure the proper management of universal affairs.

* [[Vaniquotes:During that time (of Svayambhuva Manu), the incarnation of the Lord as Yajna took charge of ruling the heavenly planets. The next Manu was Svarocisa|During that time (of Svayambhuva Manu), the incarnation of the Lord as Yajna took charge of ruling the heavenly planets.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:During the life of Svayambhuva Manu, Yajna became the leader of the demigods, Indra|During the life of Svayambhuva Manu, Yajna became the leader of the demigods, Indra.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:During the time of Svayambhuva Manu, these sons all became the demigods collectively named the Tusitas. Marici became the head of the seven rsis, and Yajna became the king of the demigods, Indra|During the time of Svayambhuva Manu, these sons all became the demigods collectively named the Tusitas. Marici became the head of the seven rsis, and Yajna became the king of the demigods, Indra.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He controlled the period during the change of the Svayambhuva Manu and was assisted by demigods such as His son Yama|He controlled the period during the change of the Svayambhuva Manu and was assisted by demigods such as His son Yama.]]

=== Progeny and Philosophy ===

Lord Yajña later married Dakṣiṇā, and together they had twelve sons known as the Tuṣitas. Philosophically, this incarnation reinforces the principle that all actions must be performed for the satisfaction of Viṣṇu (Yajña). As stated in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'', work done for any other purpose is the cause of bondage.

* [[Vaniquotes:The twelve boys born of Yajna and Daksina were named Tosa, Pratosa, Santosa, Bhadra, Santi, Idaspati, Idhma, Kavi, Vibhu, Svahna, Sudeva and Rocana|The twelve boys born of Yajna and Daksina were named Tosa, Pratosa, Santosa, Bhadra, Santi, Idaspati, Idhma, Kavi, Vibhu, Svahna, Sudeva and Rocana.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If one does not act for the satisfaction of Krsna, who is known as Visnu or Yajna, he must be entangled in the reactions of fruitive activities. These reactions are called papa and punya - sinful and pious|If one does not act for the satisfaction of Krsna, who is known as Visnu or Yajna, he must be entangled in the reactions of fruitive activities.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In the Svayambhuva-manvantara, the avatara is named Yajna. In the Svarocisa-manvantara, he is named Vibhu. In the Auttama-manvantara, He is named Satyasena, and in the Tamasa-manvantara, He is named Hari|In the Svayambhuva-manvantara, the avatara is named Yajna. In the Svarocisa-manvantara, he is named Vibhu. In the Auttama-manvantara, He is named Satyasena, and in the Tamasa-manvantara, He is named Hari.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Lord Yajña is a vital manifestation of the Supreme Lord's protective potency. By appearing as the son of Ruci and ruling as Indra, He demonstrated that the Supreme Lord personally intervenes when there is a vacuum in the universal administration. His very name reminds all living entities that the perfection of life lies in dedicating one's activities to the Supreme Person, the enjoyer of all sacrifices.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Yajna - a Lila avatara|Yajna - a Lila avatara]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])
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