ABSTRACT
There was only one occasion on which the Vanaprastha8 could, without scruple, deprive a living creature of existence; it was when they made the famous sacrifice of yagnam, which is still held in great honour among modern Brahmins. A ram is the victim usually offered: but such is the horror with which they regard the shedding of blood, that they either beat the animal to death or strangle it, instead of slaughtering it 1. Latter-day Brahmins, however, are not all agreed about the lawfulness of this sacrifice. The Vaishnavas regard it as an abominable practice, in which they obstinately refuse to participate. They maintain that it is an innovation of much more recent date than their ancient religious laws, and that it is contrary to the most sacred and inviolable rule which forbids murder under any form and for any reason whatever. This doctrine of the Vaishnavas is one of the chief reaSOllEl why they are accused of heresy by other Brahmins 2.
