Chapter 365 - Words relating to the class of brahmins (brahma-varga)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Fire-god said:

1-3. (Words denoting genealogy are) vaṃśa, anvavāya, gotram [gotra], kulam [kula], abhijana and anvaya. Ācārya is that person who expounds the scriptures. The person who instructs the priests in the sacrifice (is called) vratī, yaṣṭa and yajamāna. Upakrama (denotes) the beginning after having known (the course of action). Those having the same preceptors (are called) satīrthyāḥ [satīrthyā/satīrthya?]. The members of an assembly (are called) sabhyas, sāmājikas, sabhāsada and sabhāstāras. (The priests who officiate in a sacrifices are known as) ṛtvijas and yājakas. Adhvaryu is the priest associated with the Yajurveda. Udgātṛ is the priest proficient in the Sāmaveda and Hotṛ in the Ṛgveda.

4. Caṣāla is the wooden ring on the top of a sacrificial post. Sthaṇḍilam [Sthaṇḍila] and catvaram [catvara] are synonyms (denoting the ground made ready for a sacrifice). The transformation that occurs in milk by the addition of curd is known as āmikṣā.

5. Ghee together with curd (is called) pṛṣadājya. (The words) paramānnam [paramānna] and pāyasam [pāyasa] (denote cooked rice mixed with milk). The animal that is killed in a sacrifice after being sanctified with formulae (is called) upākṛta.

6. (The words) paramparākam [paramparāka], śamanam [śamana {=samanam/samana?}] and prokṣaṇam [prokṣaṇa] (convey) the sense of killing. (The words) pūjā, namasyā, apaciti [apiciti?], saparyā, arcā and arhaṇā are synonyms (denoting worship).

7. Varivasyā, śuśrūṣā, paricaryā and upāsanā (are synonyms meaning mode of worship). (The words) niyama and vratam [vrata] (signify religious observance). (They are) not feminine. It consists of the meritorious deeds such as fasting and the like.

8. The first injunction is called mukhya. That which in inferior (subordinate) to that (is known as) anukalpa. Kalpa (the texts laying down injunctions) is known as vidhi and krama. Viveka is the power to distinguish between the world and the spirit.

9. The receiving of instruction in the scriptures after purification is known as upākaraṇam [upākaraṇa]. (An ascetic is denoted by the words) bhikṣu, parivrāṭ, karmandī, pārāśarī and maskarī.

10. (The sages are in general denoted by the words) ṛṣi and satyavacāḥ [satyavacas]. A student who has had the ceremonial bath (is called) snātaka. Those who have conquered the sense-organs (are known as) yatinaḥ [yatin] and yatayaḥ.

11. The daily rite which depends on the body as means (is known as) yama. But niyama is that which depends on external conditions (and is voluntary). The state of brahman (is denoted by the words) brahmabhūuam [brahmabhūua], brahmatvam [brahmatva] and brahmasāyujyam [brahmasāyujya].