If one has to know about Yajur Veda in simple terms, it basically talks
about the various steps by which religious rituals should be performed.
It is a step-by-step guide about the right way of performing religious
ceremonies and sacred rituals. The word Yajur Veda is a combination of
two words, "Yajus" meaning sacrifice and "Veda"
meaning knowledge. But when one dwells deeper into the meaning of
classical Yajur Veda, one finds that it has much deeper significance
than just being a book of rituals. A part of the four Vedas, Yajurveda
was the main Vedic script used by the priests in ancient India.
Yajur Veda seeks to create a deeper level of consciousness among people.
It sets forth a yogic practice that purifies not just the body, but also
the mind. This helps in awakening the inner consciousness, which opens
up new avenues of learning and understanding of life and existence. The
Vedic scriptures are full of mantras that help in religious rituals. The
Yajur Veda bears resemblance to the Book of the Dead of Egypt. Contrary
to popular belief, it does not help raise the dead, but instead helps
the soul of the deceased to lead a comfortable afterlife.
The Yajur Veda also emphasizes on the same deities as the Rig Veda but
in a different way. The main aim of reciting the sacred hymns is to
awake the inner consciousness and bring together the Cosmic energies
within oneself. This opens up avenues for recreating a universal energy
within the human psyche. This cosmic level of consciousness is very
necessary in order to lead a life that is both meaningful and
satisfying. Once ego and other vices are surrendered to the Divine
force, a person can attain higher forms of happiness. But the biggest
sacrifice is Self-sacrifice, which helps in the attainment of Moksha,
Nirvana or immortality.
