anu varṣaṭkāra

 “Anu Varṣaṭkāra” (अनुवषट्कार) refers to a secondary or subordinate exclamation made during a Vedic sacrifice, performed for deities other than the principal deity of the ritual.

In classical Vedic rituals, particularly the Jyotiṣṭoma sacrifice, offerings

and invocations are made in a structured manner. The ritual contains 

specific verbal expressions called vaṣaṭkāra, which are primary 

exclamations directed toward the principal deity of the sacrifice.

Following this, the anuvaṣaṭkāra is recited as a secondary exclamation

for other deities such as Mitra, Varuna, and others, ensuring that they 

also receive their share of the ritual offerings. In essence, the anuvaṣaṭkāra

ensures inclusivity of the divine in ritual practice, even if the main

focus is on a single deity

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Etymologically, “Anu” means “following, secondary, or subordinate” 

in Sanskrit, while “vaṣaṭkāra” relates to an exclamatory chant or 

offering in a sacrificial context. Thus, Anuvaṣaṭkāra literally translates 

as “following vaṣaṭkāra” or “secondary utterance”

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This term is primarily encountered in Vedic literature and ritual manuals, 

and its use is highly specific to Vedic sacrificial procedures. It represents 

both the hierarchical order of offerings in a ritual and the structured 

verbal acts through which Vedic priests communicate with multiple 

deities during the Soma sacrifice. While primarily ritualistic, this term 

also highlights the linguistic precision and structured nature of 

Sanskrit liturgy, reflecting the meticulous protocols of ancient 

Vedic ceremonies.

In summary, Anu Varṣaṭkāra is a ritualistic secondary exclamation 

for non-principal deities in a Vedic sacrifice, following the primary 

vaṣaṭkāra, and showcases the layered complexity of Vedic ceremonial 

language and practice

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