[1] Whether actual human sacrifices beyond symbolism and mock rituals ever took place is unlikely but still debated ever since Colebrooke brought attention to it in 1805.
[2] Since there is no inscriptural or other record of Purushamedha ever being performed, scholars suggest it was a symbolic simulation invented simply to round out sacrificial possibilities.
[1][note 2][3] However, according to Jan Houben, the actual occurrence of human sacrifice would be difficult to prove since the relevant pieces of evidence would be small in number,although the provision made for human sacrifice in the vedas are purely mock and symbolic as stated in the Brahmanas and didn't involve harm to anyone.
This period corresponds to the rise of Sramanic religions such as Buddhism and Jainism, both of which place emphasis on nonviolence (ahimsa) and criticize the animal cruelty performed in the guise of rituals.
This period corresponds to the rise of the Mīmāṃsā school of philosophy, which claimed that the Vedas were the sole authority regarding matters of dharma.
This is a plausible reason to include it in the list of Kali-varjyas, even if it was a purely symbolic and mock ceremony as stated in the Brāhmaṇas.
[citation needed] In November 2000 CE, a modern version of Purushamedha was organised by All World Gayatri Pariwar at Shantikunja Haridvara, marking the completion of 12 year Yugsandhi Mahapurascharana.
In this program, named Srijana Sankalpa Vibhuti Mahayajna, participants had to tie themselves with Yupas and take an oath to dedicate their life to social causes as a sacrifice.