Topic > Late Vedic and Hindu Traditions - 722

This was an important ritual as fire acts as both substance and deva, as a transformative link between the mundane and divine realms. More importantly, conducting fire sacrifices was essential due to the underlying belief of dharma and karma. Dharma was believed to be the obligation to perform rituals, while karma was the performance and action of rituals. The Brahmanas (priestly class) were expected to conduct these rituals, as it was their duty and to obtain dharma. The importance of Agni, the fire god, and Soma, the plant god, increases during the times of these rituals. One of the types of rituals, Śrauta was a public ritual focusing on the two main deities. Śrauta also involved many priests and requested the