Prapāṭhaka IV, Kāṇḍikā 5

1.^[1] At (the sacrifices) for the obtainment of special wishes, which will be henceforth described,

2. And, according to some (teachers), also at (the sacrifices) described above (the following rites should be performed).

3. He should touch the earth, to the west of the fire, with his two hands turned downwards, with (the verse), 'We partake of the earth’s' (MB. II, 4, 1).

4. In the night-time (he pronounces that Mantra so that it ends with the word) 'goods' (vasu), in the day-time (so that it ends) with 'wealth' (dhanam).

5. With the three verses, 'This praise' (MB. II, 4, 2-4) he should wipe along (with his hands) around (the fire).

6.^[2] Before sacrifices the Virūpākṣa formula (MB. II, 4, 6) (should be recited).

7. And at (ceremonies) which are connected with special wishes, the Prapada formula (MB. II, 4, 5)—(in the following way):

8. He should murmur (the Prapada formula), 'Austerities and splendour,' should perform one suppression of breath, and should, fixing his thoughts on the object (of his wish), emit his breath, when beginning the Virūpākṣa formula.

9.^[3] When undertaking ceremonies for the obtainment of special wishes, let him fast during three (days and) nights,

10.^[4] Or (let him omit) three meals.

11.^[5] At such ceremonies, however, as are repeated regularly, (let him do so only) before their first performance.

12.^[6] He should (simply) fast, however, before such ceremonies as are performed on sacrificial days (i.e. on the first day of the fortnight).

13.^[7] (At a ceremony) which ought to be performed immediately (after the occurrence by which it has been caused), the consecration follows after (the ceremony itself).

14. Let him recite the Prapada formula (Sūtras 7. 8), sitting in the forest on Darbha grass,

15. Of which the panicles are turned towards the east, if he is desirous of holy lustre,

16. To the north, if desirous of sons and of cattle,

17. To both directions, if desirous of both.

18. One who desires that his stock of cattle may increase, should offer a sacrifice of rice and barley with (the verse), 'He who has a thousand arms, the protector of cow-keepers' (MB. II, 4, 7).

19. Having murmured the Kautomata verse (ibid. 8) over fruits of a big tree, he should give them—

20. To a person whose favour he wishes to gain.

21. One (fruit) more (than he gives to that person), an even number (of fruits), he should keep himself.

22. There are the five verses, 'Like a tree' (MB. II, 4, 9-13).

23.^[8] With these firstly a ceremony (is performed) for (obtaining property on) the earth.

24. He should fast one fortnight,

25. Or, if he is not able (to do so, he may drink) once a day rice-water,

26. In which he can see his image.

27.^[9] This observance (forms part) of (all) fortnightly observances.

28.^[10] He then should in the full-moon night plunge up to his navel into a pool which does not dry up, and should sacrifice at the end of (each of those five) verses fried grains with his mouth into the water, with the word Svāhā.

29. Now (follows) another (ceremony with the same five verses).

30. With the first (verse) one who is desirous of the enjoyment (of riches), should worship the sun, within sight of (that) person rich in wealth (from whom he hopes to obtain wealth); then he will obtain wealth.

31. With the second (verse) one who desires that his stock of horses and elephants may increase, should sacrifice fried grains, while the sun has a halo.

32. With the third (verse) one who desires that his flocks may increase, (should sacrifice) sesamum seeds, while the moon (has a halo).

33. Having worshipped the sun with the fourth (verse), let him acquire wealth; then he will come back safe and wealthy.

34. Having worshipped the sun with the fifth (verse) let him return to his house. He will safely return home; he will safely return home.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

5, 1 seq. Comp. Khādira-Gṛhya I, 2, 6 seq.

[2]:

6-8. Khādira-Gṛhya I, 2, 23; Gṛhya-saṃgraha I, 96. It is stated that the recitation of the Virūpākṣa and Prapada formulas and also the parisamūhana (Sūtra 5) should be omitted at the so-called Kṣiprahomas, i.e. at sacrifices performed without the assistance of a yajñavid. See Bloomfield's notes on Gṛhya-saṃgraha I, 92. 96. Regarding the way in which a prāṇāyāma ('suppression of breath') is performed, comp. Vasiṣṭha XXV, 13 (S.B.E. XIV, p. 126).

[3]:

9 seq. Khādira-Gṛhya IV, 1, 1 seq.

[4]:

There are two meals a day. The words of this Sūtra, 'Or three meals,' are explained in the commentary in the following way. He should, if he does not entirely abstain from food through three days, take only three meals during that time, i.e. he should take one meal a day. The commentator adds that some read abhaktāni instead of bhaktāni ('or he should omit three meals'), in which case the result would be the same. I prefer the reading p. 116 bhaktāni, and propose to supply, not, 'he should eat,' but 'he should omit' ('abhojanam,' Sūtra 9). Possibly the meaning is that three successive meals should be omitted; thus also the compiler of the Khādira-Gṛhya seems to have understood this Sūtra.

[5]:

Comp., for instance, below, chap. 6, 1.

[6]:

Comp. below, chaps. 6, 4; 8, 23.

[7]:

My translation of this Sūtra differs from the commentary. There it is said: 'An occurrence which is perceived only when it has happened (sannipatitam eva), and of which the cause by which it is produced is unknown, for instance the appearance of a halo, is called sānnipātika. Such sānnipātika ceremonies are upaṛṣṭāddaikṣa. The dīkṣā is the preparatory consecration (of the sacrificer), for instance by three days of fasting. A ceremony which has its dīkṣā after itself is called upaṛṣṭāddaikṣa.' Similarly the commentary on Khādira-Gṛhya IV, 1, 3 says, 'upaṛṣṭāt sānnipātike naimittike karma kṛtvābhojanam.'

[8]:

The commentary explains pārthivam, 'pṛthivyarthaṃ kriyate, iti pārthivam, grāmakṣetrādyartham;' similarly the commentary on Khādira-Gṛhya IV, 1, 13 says, 'pṛthivīpatitvaprāptyartham idam uktaṃ karma.'

[9]:

Comp. below, chap. 6, 12.

[10]:

Gṛhya-saṃgraha II, 11.