Vishnu has been equated to Yajna (sacrifice) as early as in the Vedas. The commenter on the Vedas - Sayana describes Vishnu as the lord of Yajna or the sacrificer himself. Even the Bhagavad Gita associates Vishnu to Yajna (sacrifice). Performing sacrifices is considered equivalent to pleasing Vishnu. The Vishnu Sahasranama (Thousand names of Vishnu) also relates Yajna as a name of Vishnu.