Derived from the root ‘hve’ (‘to call’), āhāva is the technical name of a summons formula pronounced loudly by the hotṛ (chief of the priests representing the Ṛgveda) in a Soma sacrifice before starting the śastra (laudatory recitation). This call serves as a crucial ritual element to signal the beginning of specific liturgical recitations. It is usually in the form of: som chanted three times and savom one time or somsavo 3 times (a corrupt form of shamsava)..
The Soma juice, central to Vedic rituals, is extracted in a ceremony known as savana three times during the day: morning (prātaḥ-savana), noon (mādhyandina-savana), and later in the day (tṛtīya-savana). During each of these three savanas, the āhāva is performed multiple times: four times during the first savana, five times during the second, and four times again during the third. These repetitions underscore the structured nature of Vedic rituals, emphasizing precision and the importance of sequence in maintaining the sanctity and efficacy of the rites.
The formula of reply by the adhvaryu (chief of the priests representing the Yajurveda) is called pratigara. The interplay between āhāva and pratigara represents the collaborative and interdependent roles of the Ṛgveda and Yajurveda priests in Vedic rituals. This exchange ensures the proper performance of the sacrifice, highlighting the intricate and highly coordinated nature of Vedic ceremonial practices.
Importance of Āhāva in Vedic Rituals
Ritual Precision: Āhāva exemplifies the meticulous nature of Vedic rituals, where specific actions and words must be performed precisely to maintain the ritual's sanctity and effectiveness.
Priestly Collaboration: The exchange between āhāva and pratigara underscores the cooperative function of different priests (hotṛ and adhvaryu), each representing different Vedic traditions (Ṛgveda and Yajurveda). This collaboration is essential for the holistic execution of the Soma sacrifice.
Invocation and Summons: The act of calling or summoning through āhāva is symbolic of invoking divine presence and blessings, which are crucial for the success of the ritual.
Rhythmic Structure: The specific number of times āhāva is performed during each savana contributes to the rhythmic and structured nature of the ritual, creating a sacred tempo that aligns with the cosmic order.
Ceremonial Communication: The vocalization of āhāva represents a form of communication within the ritual context, ensuring that all participants are synchronized in their actions and intentions.
Contextual Significance
In the broader context of Vedic religion, the Soma sacrifice is a pivotal ceremony that involves complex rituals and precise recitations. The role of āhāva within this framework is to ensure that the rites are initiated correctly and that the necessary divine and cosmic elements are appropriately invoked. This ritual call and response mechanism helps maintain the flow and order of the ceremony, reflecting the Vedic emphasis on order (ṛta) and the proper execution of sacred duties.
Thus, āhāva is not merely a call; it is a fundamental aspect of the Vedic sacrificial system that upholds the integrity, coordination, and sacred rhythm of the rituals, ensuring that they are conducted in harmony with ancient traditions and divine expectations.