Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra
by C. G. Kashikar | 1964 | 166,530 words
The English translation of the Bharadvaja-Srauta-Sutra, representing some of the oldest texts on Hindu rituals and rites of passages, dating to at least the 1st millennium BCE. The term Srautasutra refers to a class of Sanskrit Sutra literature dealing with ceremonies based on the Brahmana divisions of the Veda (Sruti). They include Vedic rituals r...
Praśna 1, Kaṇḍikā 2
1. The end of the former mantra (is known) by the beginning of the next.
2. One should make the beginnings of the rites coincide with the ends of the mantras.
3. When the mantra is short and the rite is lengthy, one should murmur the mantra at the beginning of the rite.
4. Whenever it is directed that “one should offer oblations with two (mantras), one should offer oblations with five (mantras),” one should offer each of those oblations, with the respective mantras.
5, When one has to repeat an action with regard to a specific rite, the mantra should not be repeated.
6. One should offer all oblations on the flared up (fires).
7. After (the sacrificer) has commenced the vow, (the Adhvaryu) should set out (to fetch) a twig.
8. A twig either of a palāśa (Butea frondosa) or of a śamī (Prosopis spicigera) tree.
9. With the formula, “For food thee,”[1] he should cut a twig which has grown towards the north-east or towards the east or towards the north, which has many leaves and many shoots, whose end is not dried up, and which is not hollow.
10. With the formula, “For strength thee,”[2] he should straighten it or touch it by hand from bottom to top.[3]
11. With the verse, “I fetch this twig, lying towards the north-east, consecrated with the formula relating to the food and strength, having many leaves, whose tip is not dry, and which protects the cattle,”[4] he should fetch it.
12. With the formula, “You are winds, you are approachers,”[5] he should drive away by means of it[6] at least six calves (from their mothers).
13. The maximum number of cows (whose calves may be driven away) should be such that with their milk one pitcher could be filled in.[7]
14. He should touch one (of the calves) with the twig.
15. With the same (twig), he should send forth the cows (to the pasture) with the formula, “Let god Savitṛ impel you to the most excellent offering. O invulnerable ones, swell with the share for Indra.”[8]
16. (He should say) “For Mahendra” (in place of “For Indra”), if he has to offer sacrifice to Mahendra.
17. He should touch one (of the cows) with the twig.
18. With the verse, “You are drinking pure water at the drinking place, giving milk for Indra for a hundred years; let Rudra’s weapon spare you,”[9] he should follow (the cows) who have set out (for the pasture).
19. (He should say) “for Mahendra”[10] (in place of “for Indra”), if he has to offer sacrifice to Mahendra.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.1.1.1.
[2]:
Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.1.1.1.
[3]:
Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra 1.1.10 prescribes the entire formula, “For food thee, for strength thee,” in connection with the cutting out of the twig; further it mentions the injunction as is found in Bhāradvāja-śrauta-sūtra as an optional one.
[5]:
Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.l.l.l.
[6]:
Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra 1.2.3 says that he may do so optionally by means of darbha-blades or bunches of the darbha-blades.
[7]:
Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra does not refer to the maximum number of cows.
[8]:
Taittirīya-saṃhitā 1.1.1.1. Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra 1.2.5 adds that he should touch one of the cows which have set out, with the twig or darbha-blades or bunches of darbha-blades.
[9]:
Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.l.l.l; Maitrāyaṇī-saṃhitā IV.1.1.
[10]:
Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra 1.2.8 does not mention this option.