The Fourteenth Adhyaya (chapter)—Sarvapaka Yajna Tantra

Introduction—The last chapter of the Kausika deals with certain topics that seem to have been added after considerable afterthought. This chapter in the main deals with Sarvapaka yajna Tantra, Astaka sacrifice, Introduction to the study of Vedas, Indramaha and the Vedadhyayana vidhi. The different topics as described in this chapter are detailed in the following pages. Sarvapakayajniya Tantra The Making of Vedi and Uttara Vedi : The sacrificial ground is prepared according to the separate arrangement of the three Sacred Fires. The Northern Altar made for the Sacred Fire is located in the Vedi itself. Both extend on their east, are a little broad and elevated at the west. 1 The Vedi should be designed in such a way that it is not spacious (broad). It should have an extension of six samis towards the east and four samis over the sides. It is to be three samis in the middle and four and half at the front. The Uttaravedi is to be prepared infront of the three (fires). This Uttaravedi should be of two Sami measure

eastward and of one and a half sami on the sides. 381 Reciting gri smaste bhuma... (Atharvaveda 12.1.36) one approaches The verse vi mimisva... to measure out the sacrificial hearth. (Atharvaveda 13.1.27) is recited accompanying the measuring out of a Vedi in the shape of a cow. The Vedi is fenced reciting brhaspate pari grhana. the earth is dug out. 2 Reciting yatte bhuma... (Atharvaveda 12.1.35) Uttering yatta unam... (Atharvaveda 12.1.61 °) the hole dug is filled with earth. Reciting tva masyavapani jananam, the dust is evenly spread. is fenced. Reciting brhaspate parigrhana the filled up Uttaravedi While reciting asambadham badhyato manavanam... (Atharvaveda 12.1.2) the Vedi is then made wider. Uttering yasyascatasrah pradisah prthivya... (Atharvaveda 12.1.4) the sacrificial hearth is made four-cornered. 1 Drawing of Lines Reciting devasya tva savituh prasave... (Cf. Atharvaveda 19.51.2; TS i.l.4,2; VS i.10 etc; Maitr. S. i.1.9, etc.) taking a reed, lines are drawn at the place where Agni is to be placed. Reciting indrah sitam... (Atharvaveda iii.17.4) marking of the sacrificial hearth from south to north is done. Marking is done from south to east, after tuming towards the east. The remaining three lines are marked in the middle.

382 Grains and corns are strewn over the drawn-lines and water is sprinkled reciting varsena bhumih... (Atharvaveda 12.1.52°). Reciting yasyamannam... (Atharvaveda 12.1.42) homage to earth is done. Agnipranayana Agnipranayana is done reciting either tvamagne bhagavo... (Cf.Mait. S.ii.13.7), bhadrasreyahsvastya... (Cf Ath. Paddhati) or agre prehi... (Atharvaveda 4.14.5). While uttering visvambhara... (Atharvaveda 22.1.6) the Agni is established over the drawn lines. The fire is then kindled. Strewing of Barhis Reciting the five verses agnirbhumya mosadhisu..., agnirdiva a tapati..., agnivasah prthivyasitajnu.., etamidhvam samahitam jusano..., asmai ksatrani dharayantamagne... (Atharvaveda 12.1.19, 20, 21; 10.6.35; 7.78.2) offering of fuel is carried out. Afterwards the strewing of barhis is done. Seat for Brahman Reciting rsinam prastaro'si... (Atharvaveda 16.2.6) a seat for Brahman is arranged at the south of fire. Uttering ahe daidhi savyodatastisthanya sya sadane sida yo'smatpakatarah... (Cf. TS iii.2.4.4; Katy.Sr.ii.1.22; Vait.Su.1.20; Kausika Sutra3.5) the seat of Brahman is looked at by the Priest (or the Brahman looks at his own seat). He takes a Kusa ladle 3

383 5 6 from the blades of the seat prepared for him and casts it towards the south reciting nirastah paragvasuh with his left hand. He carries out anvalambhana japa and the asaniya Brahma japa He looks at the earth and sky reciting patam ma dyavaprthivi jaghanna. Uttering savita prasavanam... (Atharvaveda 5.24.1) the abhyatana offerings are given. Thus is explained the sarvapa kayajna tantra. al so. Astaka Sacrifices 7 At the time of Astaka, the Astaka sacrifice is performed Kausika prescribes, for the performance of Astaka the oblations of fried grains, Karambha, a large round cake, a Purodasa, boiled-rice, milk-rice, and rice boiled with sesame. The Sutra adds that an animal may be offered if available. • Drawing out the offerings, they are put in the fire with the help of darvi, reciting the five verses prathama ha vyuvasa sa... (Atharvaveda 3.10.1-5). It is understood that offerings are to be given reciting the four verses ayamagansamvatsarah... (Atharvaveda 3.10.8-11). Eight offerings successively are to be given reciting rtubhyastvaa... (Atharvaveda 3.10.10). Uttering indraputra... (Atharvaveda 3.10.13) the eighteenth offering is given. Reciting ahoratrabhyam... (Atharvaveda 6.128.3) a nineteenth offering is given. Should a cow exist, the right hand (leg) (of her) is washed and reciting the two

384 verses idaya spadam... (Atharvaveda 3.10.6-7) a twentieth offering is made. If it is not available, clarified butter is offered. While reciting purna darve... (Atharvaveda 3.10.7°) a twentyfirst offering is made. Here the spoon is to go forth with oblation and to return with the answering blessings. Thus the Yajna is said to rest on twenty one offerings. 8 Introduction to the Study of Vedas Preliminaries: After bringing the people near the 9 preceptor, under the constellation of abhijit, the necessary accessories are collected in the early morning. The faggots of holy trees are placed at the eastern side. After performing the Parisamuhana etc. the pot of water is approached respectfully. Completing the ajyaparicarya, the Purastat homa and Ajyabhaga offerings' are given in the fire. Offerings of curds and grits are given on the west of fire for Agni, Brahma-Prajapati, Bhrgvangiras, Usanas, and Kavya. Clarified butter is offered with the recitation of abhaya (Cf.Ath. Paris. 34.12, and 29) aparajita (Cf.Ath. Paris. 34.13), ganakarma, (Cf.Ath. Paris. 34.24), Visvakarma, (Cf.Ath. Paris.34.23) and ayusya (Cf.Ath. Paris 34.4) ganas. ing ma no deva ahirvadhit..., arasasya sarkotasya... indrasya prathamo ratho..., yaste sarpo vrscikastrstadamsma... namaste astu vidyute..., are' savasmadastu..., yaste prthu Recitstanayitnuh... (Atharvaveda 6.56.1; 7.56.5; 10.4.1; 12.1.46; i.13.1; 26.1; 7.11.1) the homas are set up. !

I 385 The Sruva is placed, curds and grits are eaten, water is sipped and trying to get near the place of water is done. Recitation of Hymns to Students After these preliminaries, the hymn avyacasasca... (Atharvaveda 19.68.1) is muttered and the Savitri, the verse brahma jajna sam... (Atharvaveda 4.1.1) and the trisaptiya... (Atharvaveda 1,1) are made to be recited quarter by quarter verse. The rest of the anuvaka (Atharvaveda 4.1.2-4.5.7) is also muttered. Anadhyayana and Approaching of Rasas It is mentioned that rest is taken without any study till the darsa. When moon is seen in conjunction with Phalguni, two rasas are approached respectfully. Subsequent rites Offering is made into the fire reciting visve deva.. aham rudrebhih..., simhe vyaghre..., yaso havih..., yasasam mendro..., gi ravara garatesu..., yatha somah pratah savane..., ravaragaratesu. yacca varco ak se su..., yena mahanaghnya jaghanam... (Atharvaveda 1.30.i, 4.30.i; 6.38.1%; 39.1%; 58.1%; 69.1; 9.1.11; 14.1.35, 36). Bringing over the dregs of ghee in the rasas, the homas are completed. Honey, ghee and rasa are then given to eat to the students.

386 Instruction to the Preceptor Kausika Sutra advises the teachers not to accept under their fold the disciples coming from others, as they have been already initiated by other teachers. Duration of Vedic Instruction The teacher should instruct the students for a period three days short of four months or five and half months ' in all. Instructions for study One Pada is to be studied during the fore-part of the night and a pada during later part. In between, the student takes time off for sleep. Some are of the opinion that a Pada is studied during the fore-part of the night without taking meal. Study is undertaken according to one's ability during the later-part of the night. Study is not undertaken for three nights during the aparapaksa of Pausa. On the morning of the third day yasmat kosat...10 (Atharvaveda 19.72.1) is recited. Indramaha for Kings Kausika enjoins this Periodical Sacrifice upon Kings. This is done in honour of Indra. Atharva-Parisista (19.1) names this festival as Indra Mahotsava . DRIV ཟ།༢

387 Time for Pravesa and Utthapana Pravesa is carried out on the bright fortnight of Prosthapada, or on the eighth day in the bright half of Asvina. The Utthapana is done under Sravana constellation. When the materials necessary are collected, both the king and the Brahman bathed, draped in new garments and having applied fragrant substances perform upavasa. Then in the morning, the verse Sam no devyah... (Atharvaveda 1.6.1) is to be recited part by part six times without rinsing of mouths. Uttering arvancamindram..., trataram indrah sutrama... (Atharvaveda 4.3.11; 7.86.1; 7.91.1) offering of clarified butter is given in the fire. Afterwards Indra-utthapana is done. Reciting a tvaharsam..., dhruvadyauh... (Atharvaveda 6.87.1; 88.1) it is held carefully from all sides. , Reciting the three hymns abhibhuryajnah... (Atharvaveda 6.97-99) a full homa is offered with the king joining in the act. Rites to be done by King's Servants The servants of the King should be Brahmacarins and should have undertaken 'Diksa' for this very act. They, approaching respectfully Indra, should sacrifice for three or five nights. They stand in worship before Indra at the three advances of the day. Reciting avrta indramaham... i

388 (Atharvaveda 3.15.1) they sacrifice with oblations. While reciting indraksatram... (Atharvaveda 7.84.2) the Brahmins are circumambulated 12 after completion of the offering of oblations. The Avabhrtha 13 Purifying with the apam suktas taking a right turn and touching water all go forward without looking back. The Brahmins are fed with rice. Advantages of the Indramaha The King who performs Indramaha remains a paramount ruler on the earth. He will not face death before old age. His Kingdom will grow stronger day by day. Vedadhyayana Vidhi Beginning of Academic Session The Upakarma is performed in the month of Sravana or Prausthapada and the study should continue for a period of five and half months. The same rule holds good for the study of Chandas also. The cutting of hair and paring of nails is prohibited till the Utsarjana ceremony. Anadhyayana days 14 The Academic session is punctuated by numerous holidays. Interruptions of study were allowed for a variety of causes and circumstances, natural, political or other events.

389 Stoppage due to Natural Phenomena When there is manifestation of fires, when there is gale, when there is lightning or thunder at midnight, when there is rain, when there is whirlwind, when there is inauspicious occurrence over planets in season or out of season, when there is fall of meteors, when there is fall of meteors, when there is earthquake, there will be no study. Study is stopped at the time of arrival of clouds in season or out of season in Stoppage of study in the above cases lasts the Pausa month. for a day only. Standing List of Holidays Study is stopped for three days at the aparapak sa of Margasirsa, Paussa and Magha and at certain other days set apart for religious ceremonies like the three Astakas and at the time of New Moon. Stoppage Due to other Events Kausika prescribes stoppage of study for ten days at the time of birth and death. Though stoppage of study for a day is prescribed for Sutaka, it is advised that one should avoid one's Upadhyaya for three days. The acarya, his son and wife are also to be avoided on this occasion. The colleagues at study and the

390 The 'apradhana gurus' are avoided for a day and night. Sabrahmacari and the King are also avoided for the same length of time. Study to be avoided in Certain Places and Time Study should be avoided at the time of cleaning of teeth, at the time of contact with razor and at Sandhikala. Study should not be undertaken in water, in bed, in an infamous place, in desert, near a dead body, in a street, in a village filled with Candalas, in a polluted place, in the audibility of a Sudra in a place where the rats make noise, in a place where there is lamentation, in a borderplace and in cities. 1 Study should not be undertaken wearing the very same cloth (without being cleaned) with which coition was done. Study should not be undertaken in a lying posture or with raised foot. Study is not to be done at the back of the preceptor. Kausika prescribes that there is no study after midnight. Conclusion This chapter seems to be a later addition. Though the Astaka and Indramaha be grouped under Periodical Sacrifices 1

391 and though one may establish a connection between the Introduction to the study of Vedas and Vedadhyayana Vidhi, the description of Sarvapakayajna Tantra and that too at the end of the Kausika Sutra seems to be quite unaccountable and strange. It would have been proper had this description of Sarvapakayajna Tantra been placed at the beginning of the Kausika. The last chapter overall seems to be a square peg in a round hole!

1 392 REFERENCES 1. ubhe pragayate kimcitprathiyasyo pascadvatatare | Kausika Sutra 137.3. 2. brhaspate pari grhana vedim suga vo devah sadanani santu | asyam barhih prathatam sadhvamtara himsa nah prthivi devyastu || 3. tvabhagne bhrgavo nayantamam giratah sadanam sreya ehi | bisvakarma pura etu prajanannyim panthamanu te disameti || 4. nirastah paragvah saha papmana nirastah so'stu yo smandesti yam ca 4 a au fach: I (Cf. Katy.Sr. ii.1.21; Sat.Br.i.5.1.23; sankh.Sr. 1.6.6; Laty.Sr.ii.4.5; iv.9.16; Gobh. Gr.1.6.14; Kausika Sutra 3.6). 5. idamahamarvagvasoh sadane sida bhyutasya sadane sidami satyasya sadane sidabhistasya sadane sidami purtasya sadane sidami manusadeva barhih svasatham svadhyasadeyamurnamadamanabhisoka | 6. brhaspatirbraddama braddamasadana atisyate brhaspate yajnam gopaya yadvata unnivatah sakeyam | 7. The Astaka has already been touched by Kausika Sutra at 19.28-31. Here it is described with more fulness. This is the celebration of the moon's last quarter, regarded as of special importance. The Grhya sutras differ considerably not only on the time of celebration but about the ways of celebration also. - 8. ekavisamtisamstho yajno vijnayate Kausika Sutra 138.13; Kausika adds at the end of the Kandika dealing with the astakas that the 'Tantra' (essential part ) should be performed in the Astaka, according to Isuphali and Mathara (though some reject this 'act in Astaka).

393 I 9. The accessories are curds, grits, the Palasa staff, a new cloth, clarified butter, holy medicinal herbs and a new pot of water. 10. yasmatkosadvadabharama vedam tasminnantarava dadhma enam I adhitamistam braddamano viryena tena ma devastapasavateha || 11 The Par G.S. alone describes this ceremony apart from Kausika. Here sacrifice is offered not only to Indra but to other deities also related to Indra Par.G.S.II, 15,1-10. 12. Kausika states at this juncture that Samsthita homas are not to be performed according to some acaryas- na samsthitahoma juhuyadityahuracaryah Kausika Sutra 140.19. 13. indrasthavabhrthadindramavabhthaya brajanti | Kausika Sutra140.19. 14. A detailed note is given on the anadhyayana in Radha Kumud Mukerjee's Ancient Indian Education, p.193.