Chapter 24 - Mode of constructing the sacrificial pit and the oblations unto fire

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Nārada said:

1-2. I shall describe the mode of oblation to fire, by which (one) gets all his desires fulfilled. One has to dig a square pit after having measured out with a thread, four times, twenty-four thumbs in length. Leaving a space of the breadth of two thumbs a girdle is to be made (around) the pit.

3. (One seat) of twelve thumbs in length, and eight, two and four thumbs respectively in extent (should be made) in the east.

4. (One) beautiful (seat) of ten, six and four thumbs in extent and with a mouth, two thumbs in width and tapering gradually should be made in the west.

5. It should be of the form of a leaf of the holy fig tree and should enter a little into the pit. A drain, quarter of a thumb in breadth and fifteen thumbs in length (should then be dug).

6. The base (of the drain) at the seat (will be) three thumbs and the fore part six. (This is) the characteristic (of a pit) of one cubit (hand). (The characteristic of a pit) of two cubits is twice (this).

7. I have thus described to you (about) the pit surrounded by three altars. I will now describe (about) the circular pit. A thread is to be fixed in half of the pit, the remaining portion being fixed at an intermediate point.

8-9. Having placed half the rope in the pit, if (the rope) is moved around it would be a circle. After having marked out the centre, (if one makes) a crescent-shaped pit east-west, and away from the northern direction, half (the size) of the pit and half the angular portion, it indicates auspiciousness.

10. (In pits of) circular (shape) the girdles would be of the shape of the petals of a lotus. The ladle for the sake of oblation is to be made of the size of an arm.

11. Then one has to make (ready) a site (of the length) of thirteen thumbs and four (in breadth). A pit of three-fourths (of the site) is dug and a beautiful circle (is made).

12-13. One has to purify (the space) outside the pit evenly, horizontally and upwards (to the extent of) half a thumb (and) one-fourth of a thumb. A beautiful boundary line is to be made with the remaining (space) (around) the pit.

14-15. Or it may be half a thumb more. The mouth would be at the front (having) a width of four or five thumbs. Its central part might be three times two thumbs and beautiful. The extent (on all sides) (might be) of equal (measurement) (and) its central portion is lowered.

16. There must be a hole at the neck portion (of such a size) that the little finger would enter. The other pit should be beautifully made according to one’s liking.

17. The (sacrificial) ladle should have a handle of the length of one hand. A beautiful spoon (having) circumference of two thumbs has to be made.

18-19. Just as the cow’s foot (would) sink in a little mud, so also after having drawn a line (of the length) of a thumb.(known as) vajranāsikā, (one has to draw) first a line with a fine tip, (then) two lines between it and the east (and) then three lines in the middle from the south onwards in order.

20. Having drawn (the lines), (and) consecrating, with the syllable Om, one who knows the mantras, has to make a seat in which the energy of Viṣṇu rests.

21-22. Having adorned the incarnate form (of energy), one has to throw fire after having remembered Hari. Having offered twigs of the size of a span (between the thumb and the fore-finger)and having sprinkled water and having spread around. on the three sides in the east etc. with the darbha grass, the fire from the fuel as well as the ladle for pouring clarified butter, (sruk) and sacrificial ladle (sruva) are to be placed on the ground.

23-26. (One should then place) vessels (for keeping) clarified butter, (and) (caru) (oblation of rice, barley and pulse boiled together), kuśa grass and clarified butter. The prokṣaṇī^[1] vessel being sprinkled with water with the praṇītā^[2] vessel, (and) taken up and filled with water (and) that water being enclosed in the hand with the pavitra (darbha grass) placed in between and having taken the prokṣaṇī vessel towards the east and having placed it in front of the radiant fire (and) having sprinkled (all the vessels) thrice with water and having placed the fuel in front, (and) having meditated on Viṣṇu in the praṇītā vessel, containing a flower and having then filled vessel for (keeping) clarified butter with clarified butter and having placed it in front, the purification of the clarified butter is made by straining and sprinkling clarified butter on the fire.

27. One should take up two kuśa grass with unbroken tips, not being filled in, and of the measure of a span (between the thumb and the fore-finger) with the thumb and the nameless finger (ring-finger) of the palm facing upwards.

28-30. Having taken with them the clarified butter twice and having carried them, (they) must be cast downwards thrice. And again having taken the ladles (sruk and sruva) (and) having sprinkled them with water with them (the kuśa grass) and having heated and wiped them with the darbhas and again having sprinkled (water) and burnt and having placed along with the syllable Om, the aspirant must perform fire oblation commencing with the syllable Om and ending with salutation. (One has to perform) garbhādhāna and other rites as much as it is laid down.

31. One has to do upto the naming ceremony, the undertaking of a vowed observance, observance marking the conclusion of study of the student, (and) investiture of authority in due manner.

32. The aspirant must everywhere do the worship with the syllable Om. One has to do offering unto fire with the auxiliaries befitting one’s means.

33-34. Garbhādhāna^[3] is the first one. Then puṃsavana^[4] is remembered. Then the sīmantonnayana^[5], jātakama^[6], nāma (nāmakaraṇa)^[7], annaprāśana^[8], cūḍākṛti^[9], vratabandha^[10], and many more are the vedic observances. One who has the right to do these rites should perform these in the company of his wife.

35. Having contemplated (on the deity) in the heart and other limbs and worshipping him, one has to offer sixty-four oblations for every one of the rites again.

36. The worshipper has to offer the final oblation with the sacrificial ladle, chanting loudly with sweet intonation the mystic formula ending with the word vauṣaṭ.

37. After having purified the fire ofViṣṇu, the food intended for Viṣṇu has to be boiled. After having worshipped Viṣṇu in the altar and remembering the mystic formulae one has to seek his protection.

38-39. Having worshipped in order his seat and other things along with the enclosures with fragrant flowers and contemplating on the most excellent lord of all deities, and placing the fuel and then the support, the oblations of clarified butter (should be poured) in order (on fires) placed in the south-east, north-east, north-west and south-west.

40. Then having poured portions of the clarified butter in the south and north, one has to offer oblation in the middle reciting the mystic formulae in the order of worship.

41-42. One has to offer oblation with clarified butter to the deity and a tenth part to the limbs. (Having offered) oblations of clarified butter and other things hundred times or thousand times, or of the twigs or of the sesamum, and concluding the worship ending with the oblation and calling the disciples who are pure, and placing the fed beasts in front, (they are) sacrificed by means of weapons.

43-45. Having united the disciples with one’s own self with the fetters of knowledge and action and the consciousness which follows the liṅga^[11] and which is protected along with the liṅga, having been consecrated by means of contemplation, (they) have to be purified by the syllables of Vāyu. Then the creation of the whole egg (the universe), consumed by the fire (and) reduced into a heap of fire is contemplated upon with the syllables of the Fire god. (Then one should sprinkle ashes on the water and meditate on the world.

46. Then one has to assign the creative power which is known as the seed of the earth and which is enveloped by all the subtle principles.

47. Then one has to meditate on the egg produced out of it, (which) is its base and identical with the self. Then one has to meditate on the form of the puruṣa (the Supreme Being) identical with the praṇava (the syllable Om) at its centre (centre of the egg).

48. The liṅga, situated in one’s self, (and) (which) has been purified earlier, is then to be transferred. Then the positions of the different important organs are to be thought of.

49. Then, having remained for one year, the egg is split. The heaven and earth (are placed) in a part. Prajāpati (the creator) (is placed) in between the parts.

50. Having meditated on his form and again having consecrated that child with the praṇava (syllable Om) and having made his body made up of the mystic formulae, (one has to do) the assignment (of limbs to different, deities) as described before.

51-52. Then having placed the hand of Viṣṇu on the head and contemplated on one or many (forms) of Viṣṇu in this way, (and) having muttered mantras (remaining) in meditative posture, (and) seizing the hands with the basic mystic formula, one who knows the mystic formula having covered the eyes with a cloth (has to sprinkle) water with a new cloth.

53. After having performed worship, the preceptor, who knows perfectly well the nature of the god of gods, should make his disciples sit facing the east and with folded palms holding flowers.

54-55. Having been instructed by the preceptor in this way, they (the disciples) also must adore Hari. Having offered the handful of flowers there (and) then having offered worship with flowers without (the recitation of) any mystic formula and. saluted the feet of the preceptor, (the disciples) must give (him) the fee, either all his possession or half of them.

56. The preceptor has to instruct the disciples thoroughly.. Hari must be worshipped by them by (the recitation of his) names. The Lord Viṣvaksena^[12] (whose powers go everywhere), who bears the conch, disc and mace has to be worshipped.

57. (Then that deity) stationed in a circular altar, (and. who is frightening) (is worshipped) with the fore-finger and is requested to leave.

58-59. The entire remnants of offerings to Viṣṇu, must be offered to Viṣvaksena. Then having bowed down and sprinkled (with waters), (their own persons), (the disciples) having placed the fire of the pit on their own person, Viṣvaksena is permitted to leave. One who is desirous of enjoyment gets all things. One who is desirous of release from mundane existence. gets merged in Hari.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Small vessel used at the time of religious rites.

[2]:

Small vessel used at the time of religious rites.

[3]:

One of the purificatory rites performed to ensure conception.

[4]:

One of the putificatory rites performed to get a male child when the embryo has not yet begun to move.

[5]:

The parting of hair, another purificatory rite performed on the eighth month after conception.

[6]:

rite performed soon after the birth of a child.

[7]:

rite performed to name the child.

[8]:

first partaking of food by a child.

[9]:

tonsure at the age of three.

[10]:

Undertaking a religious observance.

[11]:

Situated in one’s own self. representing the Supreme Being

[12]:

A form of that deity to whom the fragments of a sacrifice are offered; also used as an attribute of Viṣṇu. MW. p. 998. col. 1