Praśna 10, Kaṇḍikā 20

1. the Adhvaryu should move with the formulas, “O lord of the earth, do thou move forward towards all abodes. Let no opponent find thee; let no robber find thee; let not the wicked wolves find thee; let not Viśvāvasu Gandharva injure thee. Do thou become an eagle and fly away towards the house of the sacrificer which has been accomplished by gods. Thou art the producer of happiness for the sacrificer.” ^[1]

2. Having moved towards the east, they should turn by the right.

3. With the verse, “We have reached the path which leads to happiness and which is secure, by which one keeps off all his enemies and obtains wealth,” ^[2] the Adhvaryu and the sacrifices should go forth along the north of king Soma.

4. With the Agnīṣomīya goat ^[3] held by the ear, the sacrificer should gaze at king Soma being carried with the verse, “Homage to the brightness of Mitra and Varuṇa. Do you pay homage to the god. Do you praise the sun, the far-seeing, god-born light, son of the heaven.” ^[4]

5. The fires should be enkindled.

6. Big-fuel should be put on the Āhavanīya fire.

7. The officiating priests belonging to the Adhvaryu’s group should lift up the rājāsandī (= the stool for Soma).

8. It should have its front-bars and side-bars each one aratni long; its feet should reach up to the navel; it should be woven with muñja grass, and made of the wood of udumbara.

9. In this connection this is the general rule: wherever there is a direction in the plural, (all) the officiating priests belonging to the Adhvaryu’s group should do it. When the direction is in the dual, the Pratiprasthātṛ should be the second.

10. With the formula, “Thou belongest to Varuṇa,” the Adhvaryu should lift up (the front portion of) the cart.

11. He should cause the cart to stand with its poles pointing towards the north.

12. He should rest the poles on the prop with the formula, “May Varuṇa prop thee.”

13. With the formula, “Thou belongest to Varuṇa,” he should untie the yoke-halter.

14. With the formula, “Thou art the pillar of Varuṇa; thou art the prop of the pillar of Varuṇa,” ^[5] he should take out the yoke-pin.

15. With the formula, “Varuna’s noose is loosened,” be should loosen the halter.

16. With the formula, “Thou dwellest in the order of Varuṇa,” he should keep the stool to the south of the Āhavanīya fire.

17. The bullock on the right side should remain yoked while that on the left side should be unyoked.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.2.9.1.

[2]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.2.9.1.

[3]:

According to Āpastamba-śrauta-sūtra X.29.5,6 the goat should be red, with or without horns, black-white or red-white, gross, fat and with beard.

[4]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.2.9.1,2.

[5]:

Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.2.9.2,