Fire is worshipped at the time of Yadnas or Sacrifices. Sacrifices are of five kinds. They are:-- Devayadna, Bhutayadna or Brahmayadna, Rishiyadna or Atithiyadna, Pitruyadna and Manushyayadna. The offerings of rice, ghi, firewood, Til or sesamum, Java or barley, etc. are made in these yadnas. It is also worshipped at the time of Shrávani or Upákarma--the ceremony of renewing the sacred thread annually in the month of Shrávan. [784] Among the lower classes fire is worshipped on the Mahálaya or Shráddha day. They throw oblations of food into the fire on that day. The fire produced by rubbing sticks of the Pipal or Shevari tree is considered sacred, and it is essentially necessary that the sacred fire required for the Agnihotra rites should be produced in the manner described above. Agnihotra is a perpetual sacred fire preserved in Agnikunda,--a hole in the ground for receiving and preserving consecrated fire. A Bráhman, who has to accept the Agnihotra, has to preserve in his house the sacred fire day and night after his thread ceremony, and to worship it three times a day after taking his bath. When an Agnihotri dies, his body is burnt by the people who prepare fire by rubbing sticks of Pipal wood together. [785] There are some Bráhmans who keep the fire continuously burning in their houses only for Cháturmás or four months of the year. The fire which is preserved and worshipped for four months is called "Smárta Agni." [786] CHAPTER IX. ANIMAL WORSHIP. The following animals, birds and insects are respected by the Hindus:--The cow, bullock, she-buffalo, horse, elephant, tiger, deer, mouse, goat, ants and alligators; and among the birds the following are held sacred:--Peacock, swan, eagle and kokil or cuckoo. Of all the animals the cow is considered to be the most sacred by Hindus. It is generally worshipped daily in the morning for the whole year, or at least for the Cháturmás or four months beginning from the 11th day of the bright half of Ashádha to the 11th day of the bright half of the month of Kártika; and a special worship is offered to it in the evening on the 12th day of the dark half of Ashvin (October). The cow is believed to be the abode of all the deities and rishis. It is compared with the earth in its sacredness, and it is considered that when it is pleased it is capable of giving everything required for the maintenance of mankind, and for this reason it is styled the Káma Dhenu or the giver of desired objects. It is said that a person who walks round the cow at the time of its delivery obtains the punya or merit of going round the whole earth. The cow is even worshipped by the god Vishnu.