Atidesha, in the context of Vedic sacrifices, holds significant importance as it allows for the extension or transference of details from one ritual to another. This principle is often employed in Vedic sacrifices to streamline the performance of similar rites and ensure consistency across different rituals.
The concept of atidesha involves two key elements: the
prakriti and the vikriti. The prakriti refers to the model or archetype
sacrifice that contains all the intricate details of the ritual, while the
vikriti is the derived or secondary sacrifice that adopts many of its details
from the prakriti.
There are two primary methods through which atidesha is
provided: through vacana (Vedic text) or nama (name). When a Vedic text
explicitly states that the details of a particular sacrifice are to be filled
in from another similar sacrifice that has already been described, it is
atidesha by vacana. On the other hand, when two rites share similar names, the
details of one can be derived from the other. For example, the rites
Masagnihotra and Agnihotra have similar names. In such cases, any details of
Masagnihotra that are not explicitly mentioned or are taken for granted can be
adopted from the more commonly known Agnihotra. This method is known as
atidesha by name.
Overall, atidesha serves as a crucial mechanism in Vedic
sacrifices, facilitating the performance of rituals with precision and ensuring
the continuity and coherence of sacred practices across different rites.