Asvalayana-grihya-sutra

by Hermann Oldenberg | 1886 | 27,388 words

Most of the questions referring to the Grihya-sutra of Ashvalayana will be treated of more conveniently in connection with the different subjects which we shall have to discuss in our General Introduction to the Grihya-sutras. Alternative titles: Āśvalāyana-gṛhya-sūtra (आश्वलायन-गृह्य-सूत्र), Ashvalayana, grhya, Āśvalāyanagṛhyasūtra (आश्वलायनगृह्य...

Adhyāya I, Kaṇḍikā 12

1[1]. At a Caitya sacrifice he should before the Sviṣṭakṛt (offering) offer a Bali to the Caitya.

2[2]. If, however, (the Caitya) is distant, (he should send his Bali) through a leaf-messenger.

3[3]. With the Ṛc, 'Where thou knowest, O tree' (Rig-veda V, 5, 10), let him make two lumps (of food), put them on a carrying-pole, hand them over to the messenger, and say to him, 'Carry this Bali to that (Caitya).'

4. (He gives him the lump) which is destined for the messenger, with (the words), 'This to thee.'

5. If there is anything dangerous between (them and the Caitya), (he gives him) some weapon also.

6[4]. If a navigable river is between (them and the Caitya, he gives him) also something like a raft with (the words), 'Hereby thou shalt cross.'

7[5]. At the Dhanvantari sacrifice let him offer first a Bali to the Purohita, between the Brahman and the fire.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

12, 1. There seems to be no doubt that Professor Stenzler is right in giving to caitya in this chapter its ordinary meaning of religious shrine ('Denkmal'). The text shows that the Kaitya sacrifice was not offered like other sacrifices at the sacrificer's home, but that in some cases the offering would have to be sent, at least symbolically, to distant places. This confirms Professor Stenzler's translation of caitya. Nārāyaṇa  explains caitya by citte bhava, and says, 'If he makes a vow to a certain deity, saying, "If I obtain such and such a desire, I shall offer to thee an Ājya sacrifice, or a Sthālīpāka, or an animal"—and if he then obtains what he had wished for and 'performs that sacrifice to that deity: this is a caitya sacrifice.' I do not know anything that supports this statement as to the meaning of caitya.

[2]:

'He should make of a leaf a messenger and a carrying-pole.' Nārāyaṇa.

[3]:

Comp. Pāraskara III, 11, 10.

[4]:

Pāraskara III, 11, 11,

[5]:

Comp. above, chap. 3, 6.

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