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 9, Kaṇḍikā 1
[The Expiation-rites]
1. In the case of any violation of a rite, an expiation-rite as prescribed in the Śruti is required to be performed.[1]
2. All the expiation-rites prescribed in connection with one particular deficiency should be performed, for they have different purposes.[2]
3. The expiation consists of the murmuring of a formula, the offering of an oblation, or a sacrifice.[3]
4. The expiations aim at the removal of the deficiency.[4]
5. They are to be performed immediately after the occurrence of the deficiency.[5]
6. As soon as the deficiency is removed, the entire rite should be performed again.[6]
7. Unless specifically mentioned, it should not be performed again.[7]
8. If a sacrificer, who has added fuel to the sacred fires, goes out on a journey,[8] he should offer an oblation on the Gārhapatya fire with the verse, “To thee, the best of Aṅgirases, all folks, with their fair dwel. lings severally, O Agni, have turned to gain tbeir wish.”[9]
9. He should consign the sacred fires into separate kindling woods, and then go out on a journey.[10]
10. He should conclude the Iṣṭi concerned at the place where he ends his journey.[11]
11. If[12] the Āhavanīya fire of one, who has added fuel to the sacred fires, is extinguished, one should carry forth another fire with the verse, “Jātavedas Agni has appeared following the Uṣas first of all; it has appeared following the day; it has appeared following the rays of the sun on all sides; it is spread along the heaven and earth,”[13] pray to that fire with bhuḥ, and offer a spoonful of clarified butter with the verse, “Who, possessing oblations, worships Agni for making offerings to the gods, him O purifying (Agni), do thou make happy, svāhā.”[14]
12. Then he should offer an oblation[15] with the verse, “Viṣṇu strode this....”[16]
13. The sacrificer[17] should mentally murmur the formula pertaining to the observance of the vow.[18]
14. Whichever fire becomes extinguished, this very procedure should be followed except the carrying forth.[19]
15. One should churn out the Gārhapatya fire (and deposit it into the Gārhapatya fire-place).[20]
16. One should deposit the Dakṣiṇa fire by procuring through the same source through which it was procured and deposited at the setting up of the sacred fires.[21]
17. If the sacred fire of one, who has set up the sacred fires, spills out up to the distance of a throw of the yoke-pin, one should collect it[22] with the verse, “This is thine; that is thine; with the third luminary do thou set down thyself. Setting down thyself, do thou be comfortable for thy person in the highest dear abode of gods.”[23]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
= Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra IX.1.1.
[2]:
= IX.1.2.
[4]:
= Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra IX.1.4.
[5]:
= Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra IX.1.5.
[6]:
= Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra IX.l.6.
[7]:
= Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra IX.1.7.
[8]:
cf. Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra IX.1.8.
[9]:
Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.3.14.
[10]:
= Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra IX. 1.9.
[11]:
[12]:
cf. Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra IX.1.11.
[13]:
Taittirīya-saṃhitā IV. 1.2.1.
[14]:
Ṛg-veda 1.12.9.
[15]:
cf. ĀpŚIS X.1.11,12. According to some teachers one should murmur this verse.
[16]:
VII.8.15.
[17]:
= Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra IX.1.13.
[18]:
VI.4.1.
[19]:
= Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra IX.1.14.
[20]:
= Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra IX.1.15.
[21]:
cf. Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra IX.1.16.