Praśna 1, Kaṇḍikā 1

[The New-moon and the Full-moon Sacrifices]

1. We shall explain the New-moon and the Full-moon sacrifices.

2. One, who is going to perform the New-moon sacrifice, should cause the milk of one or two cows to be milked (for being used) as the curdling agent for the oblation, on the day preceding the day of sacrifice.

3-4. Or, having caused the milk to be milked out in a concealed manner two or three days in advance, he should curdle it with well-preserved curds. The cows should be milked over (the curdled milk), regularly and without break, up to the Upavasatha-day.

5. One should observe fast on that full-moon day on which the moon is full.

6. Or (on that day on the day next to which the moon) will be full.

7. (One should observe fast) on that new-moon day on which (the moon) would not be visible.

8. Or (on that day) on the day next (to which the moon) would not rise.

9. In this connection, this is the general rule: The characteristics, which have been prescribed in connection with the full-moon day or the new-moon day without specific reference, hold good with reference to both of them.

10. In the rites pertaining to the gods, one should wear his sacred cord over the left shoulder and under the right arm.

11. In the rites pertaining to the manes,^[1] one should wear his sacred cord over the right shoulder and under the left arm.

12. One should perform the rites pertaining to the gods observing the rule of the east or of the north (that is, facing either towards the east or towards the north) and turning by the right.

13. (One should perform) the rites pertaining to the manes (in a manner) contrary (to this).

14. One should not turn round, having his back towards the sanctuary of the sacred fires.

15. One should not carry a sacrificial implement round himself or anybody else.

16. In the sanctuary, movements should be made towards the north.

17. Wherever it is directed that “one should offer an oblation (juḥoti),” the Adhvaryu himself should offer on the Āhavanīya fire (an oblation of) clarified butter by means of the Juhū-ladle.

18. If the performer is not mentioned, one should understand the Adhvaryu himself (to be the performer); the Āgnīdhra (to be) the secondary (performer).

19. Whenever it is directed that “one should pray, one should follow through recitation,” the sacrificer himself should do so.

20. Rites are to be performed with one mantra each.

21. The mantras are denoted by their beginnings.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Such as the Piṇḍapitṛyajña, the Mahāpitṛyajña in the Sākameḍha-parvan of the Cāturmāsyas, the Pitṛyajña in the Agniṣṭoma, etc.