Atharv Ved does not contain any rules or regulations for the Yagya. In Sat Yug and Tretaa Yug, people used to do only Tap, contemplation and meditation. They did not need any worldly prosperity. These rituals started only in Dwaapar Yug. If they are performed according to the rule given in Ved, they definitely produce positive desired results.

There is a Yaugik explanation fro the ceremony. Five elements, five Subtle senses, five gross senses, two Praan (inhalation and exhalation - Praan and Apaan - see Vaayu), and higher Buddhi or pure intellect with her Lord Jeev (individual soul) are like the eighteen Rishi (seers) who perform Yagya (worship, or sacrifice) in the city of life all the time.

Oblations are constantly offered in the fire of life - this is called Agnihotra. It is to be noted here that there are more than 300 meanings of Agni (fire), but only 40 meanings are prominent and important. Agni means a Braahman - a man of wisdom, the fire or light, the life breath, Praan, heat, leader. The meaning depends on the context where it is used. In Sat Yug Rishi knew the way to maintain perfect health at all levels - physical, mental and spiritual.

When it is said that a man should do his Karm (actions) skillfully, it simply means that any Karm done skillfully bears desired fruits for the doer. The person should sacrifice his lower nature (the ignorant nature covered with A-Vidyaa) to the fire of knowledge.

Three Gun

A human being has three types of qualities - the animal aspect (Taamas), the human aspect (Raajas), and the Divine aspect (Saatwik). When a person has controlled his animal nature within and expresses his human nature through mind, speech and action, he proceeds towards towards being civilized, to be prepared to attain Divinity. The Divine qualities in a person remain hidden as long as the animal and human qualities remain predominant. Tam, Raj and Sat are also called three Gun or the three principles combined in various proportions to make the reality apparent. 

Tam, means darkness, is a veiling quality associated with darkness, ignorance, inertia and doubt. Tam is heavy, slow moving and dense and has the most concrete quality. It is stable and more permanent. The most Taamasik aspect of the human being is the body.

Raajas is an energizing quality associated with movement, desire and action. It is a more dynamic quality than Taamas that why it is more agitated and restless, Its most useful aspect is the potential to direct energy in a specific manner. All human activities are related to this Gun, especially the creative activities. It leads one to enjoy the materials of the world. The most Raajasik aspect of the human being is mind.

Sat Gun is associated with energy, that is balanced, serene, harmonious and highly evolved; related to clarity, brightness, and wisdom. The most Saatwik aspect of a human being is Aatmaa or the spirit within.

On the human level one should aspire to understand and learn to balance the tendencies of the three Gun - to learn to wisely channel the Taamasik (animal), Raajasik (human) as well as to cultivate the Saatwik (Divine) qualities within. Once this Saatwik quality has been cultivated, it becomes easy to see things as they are. Then, the mind remains focused and peaceful and does not agitate by even the big turbulences of life.

A Saatwik person is Saatwik at all levels - physical -eating Saatwik food especially that food which does not arouse sexual feelings in mind. It is important because excessive sexual activity taxes the nervous system and eventually can lead to mental degeneration, emotional disorientation and then to physical illness. It is important to control four primitive instincts - food, sex, sleep, and self-preservation. 

Since they are the primitive instincts, one must be careful while controlling them. One should do it gradually only to ones own capacity. Food affects the other three instincts so food should be the first and foremost priority to control. In the Saatwik mind there is always clarity and decisiveness and Buddhi functions accurately. There are certain Yogic exercises also which help control sexual urges. Wise are those who gradually keep watch and control their animal tendencies and desires.

One can sit quietly for some time and analyze his own thought process. One should seek the way to improve it to think in a helpful and beneficial way so that mind can get used to a particular habit. After practice it regularly, finally a time comes when Taamasik tendencies gradually disappear and Raajasik thoughts arise only under control. When Raajasik thoughts are under control then Saatwik thoughts start becoming predominant.

In the previous Canto (Chapter 1, Canto 1), Aangiras imparted both the lower and higher knowledge to Shaunak. It is with the help of higher knowledge that one attains Moksh. Still this step - to attain the knowledge of Paraa Vidyaa (Absolute Truth), is preparatory to attaining the higher altitudes. Many householders think that this knowledge is required only to Rishi or seekers of One, not to householders, but this is not so.

Kath Upanishad says - "Uttisthita Jaagrit Praapya Varan Nivodhataa" - wake up, gain knowledge and attain the Absolute Truth which is the fate of all human beings.

The word Sanskaar means that which continues without beginning or ends. Action, means and results are three characteristics of the world. Those who are attached to the joys and objects of the world which are always changing, remain miserable.

This Canto deals with the description of lower knowledge - the way of performing meritorious actions and enjoying their fruits. When the person analyzes the fruits received through his actions then he understands the importance of cultivating the higher knowledge.