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 12, Kaṇḍikā 4

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1. In the early afternoon, the Pravargya-rite and the Upasadiṣṭi relating to the afternoon should be performed.

2. (In the Upasadiṣṭi) the Adhvaryu should offer the upasad-oblation with the very same formula, “That form of thine, O Agni, which rests in iron....”^[1]

3. This much should be different: the verses which were recited as yājyās in the morning rites should be recited as puronuvākyās in the afternoon-rites, those which were recited as the puronuvākyās should be recited as the yājyās.

4. The officiating priests should beg pardon with the palms of their left hands turned upwards, and those of their right hands turned downwards.

5. At midnight, the sacrificer should consume the milk milked from all the four udders (of his Agnihotra-cow).

6. He should keep awake through this night.

7. In the early morning, the Pravargya-rite and the Upasadiṣṭi relating to the morning should be performed.

8. The Adhvaryu should offer the upasad-oblation in this Upasadiṣṭi with the formula, “That form of thine, O Agni, which rests in silver....”^[2]

9. After the Upasadiṣṭi is completed, the Adhvaryu should measure the Mahāvedi with the verse, “(O Vedi,) I measure thee, exuberant, the milch-cow yielding much milk, not withdrawing quickly. May Indra drink Soma. Let there be comfort for us.”^[3]

10. Having stepped up three steps (prakrama) towards the east in front of the prāgvaṃśa, he should fix up a peg.

11. This is the westernmost peg of the Mahāvedi.

12. From that point he should step up thirty-six steps towards the east, and fix up a peg.

13. This is the peg indicating the spot intended for the pit for the sacrificial post.

14. He should step up fifteen steps towards the south of the westernmost peg and also an equal distance towards the north, and fix up pegs at these two spots.

15. These indicate the buttocks of the Mahāvedi.

16. He should step up twelve steps towards the south of the peg indicating the spot for the pit for the sacrificial post, also an equal distance towards the north, and fix up pegs at these two spots.

17. These indicate the shoulders of the Mahāvedi.

18. After having measured the Mahāvedi crosswise with a Scale, he should encircle the Mahāvedi with a cord.

19. He should extend the pṛṣṭhyā line.

20. The Mahāvedi should then be fashioned by means of the wooden sword (or) a club (or) a rib (or) an axe.