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 11, Kaṇḍikā 15
1. If he desires to arrange them in the shape of a human figure, he should arrange the other two Mahāvīras here only (that is adjoining the utilised Mahāvīra), and arrange (all the three Mahāvīras) in the shape of the head.
2. Above (the Mahāvīras) the veda of muñja grass with its ends uncut to represent the tuft of hair.
3. Two pieces of gold or two spoonfuls of clarified butter to represent the eyes.
4. Two spoons to represent the two nostrils.
5. The two milking pots to represent the two ears.
6. The prokṣaṇī-ladle to represent the mouth.
7. The vessel for clarified butter to represent the neck.
8. The two stirring sticks to represent the collar-bones.
9. The pair of tongs to represent the two shoulders.
10. The two ladles used for the offering of the rauhiṇa cakes to represent the two arms.
11. Ten fire-sticks of udumbara to represent the fingers.
12. The pole with its upper end towards the east to represent the ribs.
13. Two fans on both the sides to represent the sides.
14. The third fan in the middle to represent the chest.
15. The supporting ladle in the middle to represent the belly.
16. The Adhvaryu should put into it all cords to represent the intestines.
17. The shovel arranged towards the west crosswise to represent the buttocks.
18. The two pegs on both the sides to represent the two thighs.
19. The third peg in the middle to represent the penis.
20. The two rauhiṇa potsherds to represent the two heels.
21. Ten fire-sticks of udumbara to represent the toes.
22. The Adhvaryu should scatter over the figure the remnants of the flour prepared for the rauhiṇa cakes to represent the marrow.
23. He should loosen the veda of muñja grass (with its ends cut) and place it upon the figure to represent the muscles.
24. He should cover the figure with the avakā-plants and fragrant grass to represent the flesh.
25. He should sprinkle it with curds mixed with honey by means of the hand with the palm turned downwards to represent blood.
26. He should cover it with the skin of a black antelope with its neck towards the east and with the hairy side upwards to represent the skin and hair.
27. He should dismantle the saṃrāḍāsandī, and place it upon the figure. He thereby endows the figure with overlordship.