Satapatha-brahmana
by Julius Eggeling | 1882 | 730,838 words | ISBN-13: 9788120801134
This is Satapatha Brahmana IV.6.2 English translation of the Sanskrit text, including a glossary of technical terms. This book defines instructions on Vedic rituals and explains the legends behind them. The four Vedas are the highest authortity of the Hindu lifestyle revolving around four castes (viz., Brahmana, Ksatriya, Vaishya and Shudra). Satapatha (also, Śatapatha, shatapatha) translates to “hundred paths”. This page contains the text of the 2nd brahmana of kanda IV, adhyaya 6.
Kanda IV, adhyaya 6, brahmana 2
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
1. Verily, they who sit (sacrificing) for a year, by means of six months go to him that burns yonder:
so it is told on the part of the Sāman, in as much as it is made of the form of that (sun) it is told on the part of the Ṛk[2]; and now in like manner on the part of the Yajus, by means of preparatory rite, when they draw that (graha)[3], they thereby also go to him (the sun).
2. He thus takes it therefrom with (Vāj. S. VIII, 41; Rig-veda I, 50, 1)[4], 'The lights bear on high that divine knower of beings, Sūrya, that all may see him!--Thou art drawn with a support: thee to Sūrya nor splendour!--This is thy womb: thee to Sūrya for splendour!'
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
The great sacrificial session (sattra), called Gavām ayana, or p. 427 cows' walk (or course), usually extends over twelve months (of 30 days), and consists of the following parts:
[2]:
Ta etaṃ ṣaḍbhir māsair yanti, tasmāt parāñco grahā gṛhyante parāñci stotrāṇi parāñci śastrāṇi. Ta etaṃ shaṣṭhe māse gachanti tad etasya rūpaṃ kriyate. Kāṇva text.
[3]:
Viz. the Atigrāhya cup to Sūrya (IV, 5, 4, 2 seq.), which has p. 428 to be drawn on the Vishuvant or middle day of the Gavām ayana; an animal sacrifice to the same deity being also prescribed.
[4]:
The Kāṇva text allows the alternative mantra, Rig-veda I, 50, 3; Vāj. S. VIII, 40, Adṛśram asya ketavaḥ, &c. See IV, 5, 4, 11.