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 6, Kaṇḍikā 11

1. He should address the sacrificer with the formula, “Hail, I shall take out the oblation for the gods, I shall take the sacrificer out of evil,” in the evening, and with the formula, “Hail, I take out the oblation for the gods, I take the sacrificer out of evil,” in the morning.

2. The sacrificer should recite to himself the formula, “Thou art the oblation of gods; may I be free from the fright of death; may peace be to me; may there be safety for me,” and loudly respond to the call with the formula, “Hail, Do you take out the oblation for the gods, take me out of evil.”

3. If the sacrificer is not present, the Adhvaryu should himself respond.

4. He should take out four spoonfuls either complete or a little less; he should tate out the first spoonful with the formula, “I lift thee up for Agni and the earth,” the second with the formula, “I lift thee up for water and plants,” the third with the formula, “I lift thee up for wind and midregion,” and the fourth with the formula, “I lift thee up for the sun and the sky.”[1]

5. The sacrificer should not close his eyes until the offering.[2]

6. After the oblation has been offered, the sacrificer should gaze at it with eyes wide open.[3]

7. The Adhvaryu should touch with the daśahotṛ formula the Agnihotra-milk which has been taken up and touch the spoon and the vessel—with the formula, “Along with the gods coming in the evening. May the gods coming in the evening lead me safely,”[4] in the evening and, “Along with the gods coming in the morning. May the Gods coming in the morning lead me safely,”[4] in the morning.

8. With the formula, “Give me cattle,” he should place (the ladle full of Agnihotra-milk) at the place where he took out that milk, or a little further.

9. He should take a fire-stick of palāśa, one span in length, and carry the Agnihotra-ladle near the flame of the Gārhapatya fire.

10. While going towards the Āhavanīya fire, he should recite the daśahotṛ formula.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra VI.7.7,8 mentions certain options according to the sacrificer’s desires.

[2]:

Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra VI.7.4 adds that he should be standing.

[3]:

cf. Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra VI.10.2. Dhūrtasvāmin renders mahat by ākāśa. Rudradatta explains: hutvā tad eva hutam mahad bhūyiṣṭham abhivīkṣate.

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