The First Adhyaya (chapter)—Samhita Vidhi

Introduction—Kausika Sutra begins its first adhyaya with the description of Samhita Vidhi, which naturally follows the study of the Samhita. Many rites Santika, Paustika, Abhicarika, Adbhuta etc., are detailed in the Samhita Vidhi. i At the outset, Kausika Sutra states that Vidhi has recourse to amnaya only, which consists of Mantras and Brahmanas. It further states that in the absence of amnaya, one has no other go but to fall back upon one's tradition. As the tradition too has been manifold and thus baffling, the need for Samhita Vidhi is hinted at by the Sutra. A Note on the Contents of the first adhyaya At the beginning, the technical terms relating to Pakayajna are outlined. The main topic covered in this adhyaya relates to Dar sapurnamasa, followed by Paribhasa for the Sutra in general. Later some Mantras are grouped according to Ganas and at last the preparation of Santyudaka, so vital in the Atharvanic rites is described. The contents of the first adhyaya as pointed out in the Kesava Paddhati run thus...

44 pramanam parvane caiva prakrtitvat paroksitel paribhasa ca sarvartha prathame ('dhyaye) samhitavidhau l The different topics covered in the first adhyaya are detailed below. Technical terms relating to Pakayajna Here, the differences in the worship between gods and manes are pointed out. The The performance, be it for gods or manes, is to be done in a low voice. The performer should become Yajnopavitin at the sacrifices sacred to gods, while at those sacred to manes he should become pracinavitin. sacrifices sacred to gods are done facing east or north and the completion of these sacrifices is also in the same direction. The rites for manes are done facing south and the completion of these rites too is in the same direction. It should be borne in mind that at the sacrifices sacred to gods, all acts such as sprinkling etc., are done from left to right, and at the sacrifices dedicated to the manes, all acts are performed from right to left. The sacrificial grass for gods is to be cut at the nodes and near the roots for manes.

45 Apart from these technical terms at the beginning, some general instructions pertaining to sacrifices can also be seen in this chapter as a whole. Darsapurnamasa sacrifices The Sutras, Srauta and Grhya describe a number of periodical sacrifices like the darsapurnamasa, the astaka, Indrayajna etc., and some of them are common to both the Sutras. The sacrifices detailed in the Srautasutras are obligatory on an ahitagni and those described in the Grhyasutras are binding on an Aryan householder. periodical sacrifices were in fact the popular festivals of those times. These Vrata observation Before the performance of the darsapurnamasa, the sacrificer - has to observe fast. "Today is the fast day" thus conceiving, the sacrificer takes food before fasting avoiding honey, salt, meat and blackgram. Reciting 2 mamagne varca... or vratena tvam vratapate... (Atharvaveda 5.3.1 or 7.74.4) he observes Vrata. Darila, in his commentary observes that the acts starting from Vedikar ana upto Say an a are to be done, the previous day.

46 Havir-nirvapa The Paribhojaniyas are strewn on the west of fire and the reddish-hide of a bull with its neck facing east and hair facing upperside is spread on the strewn grass. The Kartr, then makes two pavitras. Reciting tvam bhumim... (AVP 12.5.3) the two pavitras are held in between the hide and grains, and the grains meant for havis, are distributed (scattered) on the hide with the utterance of devasya tva..., three handfuls with the right hand and a fourth silently. The havir-nirvapa for Agni-soma on the full-moon day is done adding agnisomabhyam in the mantra part and the name Indragni is added in the mantra part on the new-moon day. Preparation of Sthalipaka The grains distributed on the hide are sprinkled with water reciting the names of those for whom the grains have been distributed. Setting the consecrated mortar, pestle and the winnowing-basket on the hide, the distributed grains are placed in the mortar and the Yajamana crushes the same reciting thrice... 'haviskrt-a-dravehi'. Crushing till the separation of grains, the same are washed thrice. The caru is placed over the fire with the recitation of agne caruh yajniyah... (Atharvaveda 11.1.16). Uttering Suddhah putah... (Atharvaveda 11.1.17) water is poured in the pot. Reciting brahmana suddhah... (Atharvaveda 11.1.18) rice grains are placed in the pot. Reciting paritvagne puram vayam... (Atharvaveda 7.71.1) the act of carrying

47 fire round the pot is done. The sacrificer should cook the sthalipaka well and the sthalipaka is stirred upwards with the pot-ladle thrice. A seat for Brahman A seat for Brahman is arranged to the south of fire. 3 The Brahman directs the Kartr to strew the grass around and it is done on the southern half and al so on the northern half. The strewn grass is then sprinkled. Purification done to Caru (Sthali paka) and Laying of Fuel on Fire The moment the cooked rice gets ready, it is sprinkled with ghee. It is then removed northwards reciting udvasayagneh... (AVP 5.16.3) and it is placed to the west of the ajya-bowl. The Caru is then sprinkled with ghee and purified. The cooked oblation is looked at reciting adarasrt... (Atharvaveda 1.20). After an offering to Indra, fuel is laid on with each of the three verses beginning with agnirbhumyam... (Atharvaveda 12.1. 19-21). Fuel is offered for the fourth time reciting either a smai ksatrani... (Atharvaveda 7.78.2) or etamidhvam... (Atharvaveda 10.6.35). Fuel is laid on the fire a fifth time uttering yunajmi tva brahmana... (TS 1.6.2.1).

48 Brahman's Occupation of Seat and the Asaniya Brahma Japa The sacrificer strews the paribhojaniya grass on the Vedi itself and reciting The daidhisavyodatas-tisthanyasya sadane sida yo'smatpakatarah... he looks at the seat of Brahman priest. 4 Reciting nirastah paragvasuh saha papmana nirastah so'stu yo'sman dvesti yam ca vayam dvismah... the Brahman takes a kusa blade from his seat and casts it in the southern direction. Touching his seat he mutters, idamahamarvagvasoh sadane sidami. a Kalpaja. Reciting • .' vimrgvarim... (Atharvaveda 12.1.29) both the Kartr and Brahman sit down. The Asaniya Brahma Japa, brhaspatirbrahma... is then recited by the Brahman priest. Sruva Samskara The Sruva is wiped with the paribhojaniya blades of grass and it is heated over the fire reciting nistaptam rak so nistapta aratayah pratyustam raksah pratyusta aratayah. The Sruva is then held at the bottom and the hota mutters Visnorhasto'si... Graha Grahanam` 5 Reciting Om bhuh sam bhutyai tva grhne bhutayah, the first graha grahana is done. Uttering om bhuvah sam pustyai tva grhne pustayah... the second graha grahana is made. A third graha grahana is done with the utterance of om svah

49 sam tva grhne sahasraposaya... A fourth graha-grahana is done reciting om janaccham tva grhne'parimi taposaya... After the graha grahana, offering of ghee is made to Agni reciting agnavagnih... (Atharvaveda 4.39.9), hrda putam... (Atharvaveda hrda 4.39.10) and yajnasya caksuh... (Atharvaveda 2.35.5) separately. Ajyahuti Sampatanayanam The Santa remnants of the ajyahutis of the purastat homa, ajyabhaga, samsthita homa and samrddhi homas are brought in the pot of water on the south of fire. Ajyabhagas Reciting vrsne brhate... (AVP 19.52.6) ajya is offered on the north-east (aparajita kona) for Agni. Uttering (AVP 1.51.3) ajya is offered for Soma on the south east (agneya kona). tvam soma . . . The pradhana havis is offered in between the Purastat homa and ajya bhaga. Making of the oblations of Havis Having spread some ajya as cover in the sruk ladle with the help of Sruva, two portions of the havis are cut with the middle and fore-finger from the middle and upper half.

50 Then the cut-off portions are sprinkled with ghee. The havis also, is sprinkled afresh wherefrom the havis-portions have been cut. Caru offerings for Agni, Agnisoma and Indragni 1 Reciting udenamuttaram naya... (Atharvaveda 6.5) the first caru offering related to Purastat homa is given for Agni, in the middle of fire with the exclamation, 'to Agni Svaha'. In the same way other related offerings are also given. 7 In case there is atidesa of udenamuttaram naya... (Atharvaveda 6.5) the other mantras happen to be asmai ksatram... (Atharvaveda 6. 54.2), a vaidika and three kalpajas. Here offering to Agni and Soma is given reciting the above on the fullmoon day. Uttering indragni rocana divah etc., Caru offering is given to Indra and Agni on the new-moon day. 8 Homas prior to Svistakrt Prior to Svistakrt there are two Parvana homas apart from Samrddhi and Kamya homas. Parvana homas The Parvana homa on the full-moon day is accompanied by Purnapascat... (Atharvaveda 7.80) and on the new-moon day with yatte deva akrnvan bhagadheyam... (Atharvaveda 7.79).

51 Samrddhi 9 homas Akutyai tva svaha is recited at the first samrddhi and oblation is given. In the second Samrddhi, recitation of Kamaya tva svaha is followed by N offering of oblation. In the third, Samrddhe tva is recited and oblation is given. In the fourth Samrddhi homa, akutyai tva kamaya tva samrddhe tva svaha is recited and oblation is offered. In the fifth samrddhi, rca stomam is recited and oblation is given. 10 Kamya homas The sannatis, prthivyamagnaye samanaman... (Atharvaveda 4.39) and prajapate na tvadetanyanya... (Atharvaveda 7.80.3) are recited and offerings of clarified butter are given. Svistakrt oblation Pouring ghee so as to form a layer and apportioning the oblation from the northern most side once (in each case) the apportioned part is wetted twice with ghee. The apportioned oblation is sacrificed on the north-eastern half of the fire reciting a devanamapi... followed by the Sarvaprayascittiya homa. Svistakrt is immediately Skanna and Asmrti homas The hymn yanme skannam... yada smrti (Atharvaveda 7.106) is recited and offerings of clarified butter, in expiation of anything

52 spilt or overlooked in the ceremony, are given (at the time of Skanna and Asmrti homas). Samsthita homas The eight-versed hymn yadadya tva prayati... (Atharvaveda 7.97) is used at the time of Samsthita homas. At the end of the Samsthitahoma, ajyahuti is given with caturgrhita, reciting the last verse of the hymn manasaspate... (Atharvaveda 7.97). Distribution of Barhis to each Deity The Vedistaranadarbhas are taken and are thrice dipped at the roots, middle parts and points in the remnants of ghee reciting prthivyai tva, antariksaya tva and dive tva. Reciting sam barhiraktam... (Atharvaveda 7.98.1) the wetted blade of grass is distributed to the deity concerned. Samsravana, Visnukrama and other rites upto Daksina Reciting samsravabhagah... (AVP 20.34.2) the Samsravana homa is done. Uttering Sruvo'si ghrtadanisitah... (Kathakas 31.14) the Sruva is placed with its danda facing east on the raised platform. With the recitation of vimuncami brahmana jatavedasam... (AVP 13.10.1) laying of fuel on the fire is done. Reciting edho'si... (Atharvaveda 7.89.4) and Samidasi, a second and third laying of fuel on the fire is done.

53 The Kartr washes his face reciting tejo'si and starts uttering Visnoh kramo'si... (Atharvaveda on the three Visnukrama¹¹ 10.5.25). Reciting the five verses, suryasyavrtam... (Atharvaveda 10.5. 37-41) circumambulation from the right side of the fire is 12 Uttering aganma svah... (Atharvaveda 16.9.3) the Sun is looked at by the Kartr, coming out of the agnigraha. done. Reciting indrasya vacasa... (VI 85.2 ) the vessel of water is carried around in every direction on the west of fire. The Yajamana standing on the northern part of Agni sprinkles himself with water reciting apo hi sta mayobhuvah... (Atharvaveda 1.5). Then, placing a blade of grass on the palms of his wife, the Yajamana conducts the water Vessel into her joined hands reciting either samudram vah prahinomi... (Atharvaveda 10.5.23) or idam janasa... (Atharvaveda 1.32.1). The wife also washes 13 her face with her wet right hand reciting virapatnyaham bhuyasam. Fuel stick is placed on the fire with the utterance of vratani vratapataye. The fire is sprinkled with oblations with the utterance of Satyam tvartena... and the Kartr accepts the udgrhitahavissista. The sacrificial fee here is said to be the purnapatra.' 14 Thus the darsapurnamasa sacrifices 15 have been fully detailed in the Kausika Sutra

54 Paribhasa for the Sutra in general Whenever we come If nothing is come across asnati or asayati in the Samhitavidhi, it refers to Sthalipaka. In Pustikarmas the Same 'asnaticodana' indicates the Sthali paka cooked in the milk of a cow having a same coloured calf. Whenever there is 'juhoticodana' it means that the offering is to be done with clarified butter. If there is no mention of any substance in adhana, it is to be done with faggots. indicated in avapana rites, the same is to be carried out with vrihi, yava or tila. If the word 'bhaksayati' is used without any particular reference the substances are either ksira, odana, purodasa or rasa. In case of 'prayacchati' without mention of sadhana, mantha or odana is to be taken. In purvagrahana the hymn ye tri saptah... is to be used. Whenever there is Samskara for udaka, the pot of water is to be consecrated. The accessories 16 for the sacrifice are to be brought, from the place of residence on the eastern or northern direction. The Vanaspatya accessories for the sacrifice are to be brought from that place where cows do not frequent, at the time of sunrise. Rites are to be observed on the eastern or northern part of one's house in forest region. All the rites are to be carried out on the north of water. After winding up the rites and after the customary

55 bath, taking a right turn from the place of water and touching it (water) the Kartr, Karayitr and Brahman reach home. Asya, Bandhya, Aplavana, Yana and Bhaksya have Sampatas. In Vidhikarma, all anusadhanas are to be addressed with Mantras. The sick, be it women or men are to be washed from head to foot. Where there is mention of 'prapadayati', there will be prapadana at first and later the manthaudanas are given. The amulet is placed in madhu-dadhi for three nights starting from the thirteenth day (trayodasi). It is then tied on, on the Pratipad day. After the tying on of the amulet, curd and honey are to be consumed by the Yajamana. The abhimantrana and homa are to be done for anvarabdha. The Samskara for havis is done upon the hide on the west of Agni. Whenever there is mention of 'dung' it is to be of a bull only. The 'hide' in the Vidhikarma should be of a strong animal. Whenever 'asma' is indicated, it should be a round-stone. The Yajamana is made to rinse in aplavana and avasecana rites. A portion of the Sampatavat dravya is either drunk or anointed over the eyes. The Yajamana inhales the smoke of the abhyadheya. All rites are to be done remaining pure.

56 In the nocturnal rites, that have purastat homas the Kartr, on the fore-noon of the same day becomes Yajnopaviti, cleans his home, takes food before fasting, bathes, puts on new cloth and begins the rite. The same in the case of Svastyayanas 17 also. The offering of Bali is carried out in every direction for the Svastyayana yaga devatas and Upasthana is done in each direction. Carma, Patra, Ajya, Dhanya etc., are given as Daksina in all Vidhikarmas to the Priest. The udak akriya is done thrice in the Vidhikarmas. Whatever (subsequent) hymns, similar in nature are read in the Samhitas they are to be used in totality. The 18 accessories in general are Santa only. The substances are to be obtained at all cost. In case of doubt, regarding Mantra, Karma and dravya whatever is at hand are to be taken. Reciting pra yaccha parsum... (Atharvaveda 12.3.31) the sprinkled sickle is handed over to the one who brings the sacrificial grass. Uttering aratiyayoh... (Atharvaveda 10.6.1) the Carma etc., are to be cut and they are sprinkled with yattva sikva... (Atharvaveda 10.6.3). Reciting yadyad krsnam... (Atharvaveda 12.3.13) the pestle, mortar are sprinkled. 20 Citi etc., are Santa herbs. 19 Palasa etc., are holy trees. 21 Pramanda etc., are to be

57 brought old. At the time of 'Sisacodana', lead, ball of foam, ayorajamala (rust of iron) and the head of a lizard or chameleon are to be brought. Curd, ghee, honey and water are deemed 'rasas' Vrihi, yava, godhuma, upavaka, tila, priyangu, syamaka, are the mixed grains. goes upto the subsequent pratikagrahanam. Pratikagrahana The 'udarkas' Thus we 2.2 are to be understood according to the context. find a number of Paribhasa for the Sutra in general, in the first adhyaya. Grouping of Mantras according to Ganas The Vastospatyas are ihaiva dhruvam... (Atharvaveda 3.12), eha yatu... (Atharvaveda 6.73). Yamo mrtyuh... (Atharvaveda 6.93) and satyam brhat... (Atharvaveda 12.1). The Matrnamani are the divyogandharvah... (Atharvaveda 2.2), imam me agne... (Atharvaveda 6.111) and yau te mata... (Atharvaveda 8.6). The Catanas are the stuvanam... (Atharvaveda 1.7), idam havih... (Atharvaveda 1.8), nissalam... (Atharvaveda 2.14), arayaksayanam... (Atharvaveda 2.18.3), Sam no deviprsniparnya... (Atharvaveda 2.25), pasyati tan... (Atharvaveda 4.20), satyaujah... (Atharvaveda 4.36), tvaya purvam... (Atharvaveda 4.37), purastadyukto... (Atharvaveda 5.29) and rak sohanam... (Atharvaveda 8.3-4).

58 Preparation of Holy Water 23 Kausika Sutra gives in detail the hymns contained in the Brhat + 24 25 Santigana and Laghu Santigana. The Atharva Paddhati in its description of the Santyudakam also knows the distinction between Brhat Santigana and Laghu Santigana. At the beginning and at the end of Santi, Savitri and Sam no devi... (Atharvaveda 1.6) are to be recited. Putting on a new garment santyudaka is prepared in a copper vessel. Holding the herbs, the Kartr asks the aharaka whether all these waters are herbs. The aharaka replies in the affirmative. The Kartr seeks the permission of the Brahman for preparing the holy water. The Brahman replies that he should prepare (the same) impelled by Savitri. Afterwards one begins the preparation of Santyudaka. 26 "With the first Santiganal one should prepare holy water" says Gargya, Partha sravasa, Bhagali, Kankayana, Uparibabhrava, Kausika, Jatikayana and Kaurupathi. "Santyudaka is to be prepared with the other Santigana "27 says Yuvakausika. The hymn prthivyai srotraya... (Atharvaveda 6.10) is recited after the Santigana to accompany the pouring out of Santi udaka three times into the Santyudaka itself.

59 Conclusion The periodical sacrifice, Darsapurnamasa, gets the prime of place in this first adhyaya of the Kausika Sutra The Paribhasas for the Kausika Sutra, enable the reader to interpret without difficulty, the different terms that he has to confront in the Sutra. The preparation of Santyudaka, which is very vital in the Atharvanic ceremonies fittingly finds its mention in the first adhyaya itself. The Grouping of Mantras in the first adhyaya, according to Ganas, acquaints the reader with the arrangement of these Mantras. The first six kandikas containing technical terms relating to Pakayajnas, seem to have been added in deference to the Srauta sutras opening with this performance.

60 REFERENCES 1. The wife of the sacrificer also has to observe fast. 2. As for the significance of Fasting Aitareya Brahmana has this passage They say, 'In fact he fasts at the newmoon and full-moon, it is because the gods do not eat the oblation of one who does not keep the vow of fasting. Therefore he fasts with the idea that the gods might eat his oblation' Aitareya Brahmana, VII. 11. 3. braddamanah abhave yajamanah sampresyati | abhavascajnanadasaktairva | Darila, Kaus'. 2.20. 4. Orel se Brahman looks at his own seat. 5. The graha grahana is described by Darila thus - ajyadhanyah supena samskrtamajyam grhitvotthapayati Kausika Sutra 3.11. A fifth graha-grahana is carried out in kingly rites and sor cery, Kausika Sutra 3.15. 6. The sprinkling is however omitted at the time of the offering of Svistakrt oblation. 7. agnisoma savedasa rahati vanatam girah | sam devatram babhuvathuh || yuvametani divi rocananyagnisca somam samkrta adhattam | yuvam sindhu rabhisastairavadhadagnisomavamucyatam grbhitat || agnisomaya ahutim yo vam dasaddhaviskrtim | sa prajaya suviryam visvamayurvyasravatu || 8. indragni rocana divah pari vajesu bhavathah | trdram ceti pra viryam || bhayadrtramuta- manoti vajamindra yo agni sahari saparyat | irajyanta vasavyasya bhureh sahastama mahasa vajayanta || indragni asmandhatam yau prajanam prajavati | sa prajaya savirtha visvamayurvyavavat || gomadviranyavadvasu yadvabhasvavadimahe | indragni tanemahi svaha || (RV_111.12.9; vi.60.1; Atharvaveda x. 1. 21 cd and RV 1.93.3 cd - counted as one verse ; RV VII. 94.9).

61 9. samrddhihomena sampatah | Darila, Kausika Sutra 5.7%; Ath. Paddh. patre sampatananayati | 10. samnatayah prajapatesca kamyah kramasamyogat|, Darila, Kausika Sutra 5.9. 11. The Visnnukrama is to be carried out starting from the back of the Vedi. 12. This verse with the next is to be used, in the Parvan ceremonies, while looking at the Sun according to Darila. Kausika Sutra 6.16. 13. 6.18. virapatnitvam strinam sarvakalpesu abhista | - Darila, Kausika Sutra 14. posanasamartha purnapatram | priyadidhanyadanam | Darila on Kausika Sutra 6.21 . 15. The Dar sa purnamasa sacrifice described in the Kausika Sutra is of the Smarta type and is different from the one dealt with in the Vaitana Sutra. 16. aranyanam ayam niyamah | Darila on Kausika Sutra 7.10. 17. svastidah ( Atharvaveda 1. 21 ), ye te panthanah (Atharvaveda 7.55) ityadini svastyayanani | on Kausika Sutra8.20. .. 18. But in Abhicara rites, the accessories are raudra abhicare raudram amgirasam sambharambha | Cf.Kausika Sutra 47.2. 19 palasodumbaraputudaravah santah | Kausika Sutra 8.15. 20. citi prayascittisamisama ka sarvamsasi yava katala sapalasavasa- simsapa simbala sipunadarbhapamargi krtilostavalmikavapadvarsa pranta vrihiyavah santah | Kausika Sutra 8.16. 21. pramandosi rala lyupadhanasakadhuma jarantah | Kausika Sutra 8.17. 22. sakamksstha parisamapyaptyartham vacanamudrakah | Darila on Kau's. 8.22. 23. santyudaka or holy water is often employed in Atharvanic rites.

62 24. The pratikas are IV.33.1; VI.19.1; 23.1; 24.1; 51.1; 57.3; 59.1; 61.1; 62.1; 93.1%; 107.1%; vii .52.1; 66.1; 67.1; 68.3; 69.1; xi.6.1; the Ath.Paris. 34.26 has the same text. 25. The Pratikas are, i.4.1; 5.1; 6.1; 33.1; iv.13.1; VII.66.1; 67.1; 68.3; 69.1; xi.6.1; Ath. Paris. 34.27 has the same gana. 26. Refers to Brhat Santigana. 27. Refers to Laghu Santigana.