Yūpa

Yūpa sacrificial pillar of the time of Vasishka, 3rd century CE, Isapur, near Mathura. Mathura Museum.

A Yūpa (यूप), or Yūpastambha, was a Vedic sacrificial pillar used in Ancient India.^[1] It is one of the most important elements of the Vedic ritual.^[2]

The execution of a victim (generally an animal), who was tied at the Yūpa, was meant to bring prosperity to everyone.^[1]^[2]

Isapur Yūpa[]

The Isapur Yūpa, now in the Mathura Museum, was found at Isapur (

27°30′41″N 77°41′21″E / 27.5115°N 77.6893°E) in the vicinity of Mathura, and has an inscription in the name of the 3rd century CE Kushan ruler Vāsishka, and mentions the erection of the Yūpa pillar for a sacrificial session.^[3]^[4]

Vāsishka inscription on the Isapur Yūpa.
Translation of the inscription mentioning the usage of the sacrificial pillar.
The word "Yūpaḥ" (

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