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 13
1. The Adhvaryu should touch the pitcher together with the twig-strainer and restrain his speech.
2. He should remain holding the pitcher.
3. He should recite over the sound of the milking the verse, “They milk the spring, the pitcher having four cavities, the goddess Iḍā, the sweet, winning the heavenly light. O Indra-Agni, do you quicken it (= the milking), the friendly, may it place the sacrificer in immortality.”[1]
4. While the cow is being milked, he should follow the drops of milk with the formula, “The drop has been offered, the drop has been offered, to Agni, to the mighty firmament, to heaven and earth, svāhā.”[2]
5. (The milker) should milk the cow and carry the milk (towards the fire-hall).
6-7. The Adhvaryu should ask him, “Which of the cows hast thou milked? Announce to Indra our powerful oblation.”[3] He should say, “to Mahendra,” if the sacrificer is offering to Mahendra.
8. “This in whom milk for gods and men is deposited.”[4] (Says he,[5] In the place of the word “this”) he should utter her name.
9. “She possesses all life.”[6] So says he with regard to her.
10. With the formula, “May god Savitṛ purify thee with the hundred-streamed and well-purifying strainer,”[7] he should pour the milk into the pitcher over the strainer.
11. While it is being poured, he should follow the drops with the formula “The drop has been offered....”[8]
12. With the same procedure, he should cause the other two cows to be milked.
13. With the formula, “She is all-encompassing,”[9] he should follow the second (cow being milked). With the formula, “She is all-doing,”[9] the third.
14-15. As soon as the three cows have been milked, he should release his speech with the verse, “O cow, do thou yield much milk for Indra and (other) gods. May the oblation swell again. May the milk increase for milking for the sake of the calves and men.”[10] He should recite this verse loudly three times. He should say “for Mahendra,” (in place of “for Indra”) if (the sacrificer) is offering to Mahendra.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Taittirīya-brāhmaṇa III.9.4.16.
[2]:
Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.1.3.1.
[3]:
Taittirīya-brāhmaṇa III.7.4.16.
[4]:
Taittirīya-brāhmaṇa III.7.4.16.
[5]:
After the milker has uttered the name of the cow in the accusative case.
[6]:
Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.1.3.1.
[7]:
Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā 1.3. See Taittirīya-brāhmaṇa III.2.3.6.
[8]:
Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.1.3.1.
[9]:
Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.1.3.1.
[10]:
Taittirīya-brāhmaṇa III.7.4.16-17.