Praśna 7, Kaṇḍikā 3

1. He should arrange to the east the yoke-pin with its thick end towards the north, and draw a line ending towards the north by means of the wooden sword on the inner side with the formula,“Thou art the abode of possessions for me.”^[1] Similarly to the south ending towards the east with the formula, “Thou art the resort of the afflicted for me.”^[1] Similarly to the west ending towards the north with the formula, “Do thou protect me when in want.”^[1] Similarly to the north ending towards the east with the formula, “Do thou protect me when afflicted.”^[1]

2. After having stepped forward one step (prakrama) towards the north from the northern shoulder of the altar, he should similarly measure out the cātvāla by means of the yoke-pin without reciting any formula.

3. He should take up the shovel with the Sāvitra formula, and dig around with the formula, “The Rakṣas is enclosed; the evil spirits are enclosed. Here do I cut the neck of the Rakṣas. Here do I cut the neck of one who hates us and whom we hate.”^[2]

4. He should dig out knee-deep or as deep as three long spans (vitasti) and carry the earth with the formula, “May Agni, named Nabhas, know thee. O aṅgiras Agni, do thou, who art in this earth, come with (Agni) named Āyus. I place thee (on the uttaravedi) with whatever name of thine, invincible and worthy of sacrifice.”^[3]

5. He should pour out that earth on the (site fixed for the) uttaravedi with the formula, “Thou art a lioness, thou art a buffalo.”^[4]

6. Similarly be should carry for the second time; similarly for the third time. He should carry it for the second time with (the above-mentioned formula modified as) “...who art in the second earth...;”^[5] for the third time with “... who art in the third earth....”^[5]

7. Having carried it for the fourth time, he should spread out the uttaravedi to the proportion of the yoke-pin with the formula, “Do thou expand wide; may the lord of sacrifice expand for thee.”^[6]

8. With the formula, “Thou art firm,”^[7] he should strike at the earth,and sprinkle it with water by means of the hand with the palm turned downwards with the formula, “Do thou be purified for the gods.”^[7]

9. He should draw a line on the uttaravedi towards the south by means of the wooden sword and pour down with the formula, “O waters, do thou carry off the impurity,” the water which has remained in the prokṣaṇī-ladle.^[8]

10. He should think of him whom he hates.

11. With the formula, “Do thou be decorated for the gods,”^[9] he should spread out sand (upon the uttaravedi).

12. He should prepare the borders of the uttaravedi with the verse, “May the extensive, illuminating one, drink the honey of Soma, giving unbroken life to the lord of the sacrifice. Impelled by the wind, he, who rules by his power, gives progeny in abundance and shines on all sides.”^[10]

13. After having prepared a rectangular uttaranābhi measuring a span in the middle of the uttaravedi.^[11]

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.2.12.1.

[2]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.2.5.1.

[3]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.2.12.1.

[4]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.2.12.2.

[5]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.2.12.1.

[6]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.2.12.2.

[7]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.2.12.2.

[8]:

According to Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra VII.4.5, he should first pour down the remaining water on the uttaravedi towards the north and then draw out a line by means of the wooden sword towards the north.

[9]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.2.12.2.

[10]:

Caraka-kaṭha-saṃhitā XXV.6.

[11]:

See the next sūtra.

Other Dharmashastra Concepts:

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Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Prasna 7, Kandika 3’. Further sources in the context of Dharmashastra might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Raksha, Uttaravedi, Knee-deep, Evil spirit, Water purification, Fourth time, Step forward, Formula for protection.

Concepts being referred within the main category of Hinduism context and sources.

Firm, Protect me, Wooden sword, Savitra formula, Impurity removal.