What is Brahmayajña?

 

Shloka 10 of Chapter 10 in Section 1 - Vidyeśvara-saṃhitā in Shiva Purana says that the regular study of the Vedas is called Brahmayajña.

brahmayajñaṃ dvijaḥ kuryāddevānāṃ tṛptaye sakṛt |
brahmayajña iti prokto vedasyā'dhyayanaṃ bhavet || 10 ||

The regular study of the Vedas is called Brahmayajña. A brahmin shall perform this constantly for the propitiation of gods.

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Verse 3.70 of Section VII - Duties of the Householder in the Manusmriti says the same.

adhyāpanaṃ brahmayajñaḥ pitṛyajñastu tarpaṇam |
homo daivo balirbhauto nṛyajño'tithipūjanam || 70 ||

Teaching is the ‘offering to Brahma;’ the Tarpaṇa is the ‘offering to Pitṛs;’ the Homa is ‘offering to Gods;’ the Bali is ‘offering to elementals;’ and the honouring of Guests is ‘offering to men.’

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It is clear from the above that these directions, in Shiva Purana and Manu Smriti were issued for the householders of brahmin community , as studying and Teaching of Vedas were the prescribed duties of brahmin community only.

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If we go back to the Rig Veda, which was the source for all other religious/spiritual scriptures, there is no mention of this word brahmayajña. However, one word equivalent to brahmayajña, ie., brahmasava (ब्रह्मसव) was used in Rig Veda.

sava indicates yajña.

Rig Veda 9.67.24

yat te pavitram arcivad agne tena punīhi naḥ | brahmasavaiḥ punīhi naḥ ||

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In the above Rik of Rig Veda, brahmasava was used to indicate the state of mind of a person, who upon attaining WISDOM/SELF-REALISATION, will be cleansed continuously by the DIVINE ECSTASY, which is also called in Rig Veda as SOMA.

This  brahmasava or brahmayajña is applicable to all HUMAN BEINGS.

We should also remember that a person, who is in the above state is called a brahmacārī (ब्रह्मचारी).