The One Day Sacrifices
vii. 1. 1.
Production of offspring is light. Agni is the light
of the gods; the Viraj is
the light of the metres. The Viraj of speech ends in Agni; it is produced
according to the Viraj. Therefore it is called light. Two Stomas bear the
morning pressing, like expiration and inspiration; two the midday pressing, like
eye and ear; two the third pressing, like speech and support. This sacrifice is
commensurate with man, and is perfect . Whatever desire a man has, he wins by
it, for one wins all by that which is perfect. By means of the Agnistoma
Prajapati created off spring; by means of the Agnistoma he grasped them. When he
grasped them the mule escaped. Following it he took its seed, and placed it in
the ass. Therefore the ass has double seed. They also say, 'He placed it in the
mare.' Therefore the mare has double seed. They also say, 'In the plants he
placed it.' Therefore plants, though not anointed, glisten.' They also say, 'He
placed it in offspring.' Therefore twins are born. Therefore the mule has no
offspring, for his seed has been taken from him. Therefore he is not suitable
for the sacrifice, but is suitable if there is a sacrifice when one gives (to
the priests) all one's goods or a thousand, for he escaped. He who knowing thus
sacrifices with the Agnistoma begets unborn offspring and grasps those that are
born. Therefore they say, 'It is the best of sacrifices .' Prajapati indeed
is the best, for he sacrificed with it first. Prajapati desired, 'May I have
offspring.' He meted out the Trivrt from his mouth. After it the god Agni was
created, the Gayatri metre, the Rathantara Saman, of men the Brahman, of cattle
the goat; therefore are they the chief, for they were produced from the mouth.
From the breast and arms he meted out the Pañcadaça Stoma. After it the god
Indra was created, the Tristubh metre, the Brhat Saman, of men the Rajanya,
of cattle the sheep. There fore they are strong, for they were created from
strength. From the middle he meted out the Saptadaça Stoma. After it the
All-gods as deities were created, the Jagati metre, the Vairupa Saman, of men
the Vaiçya, of cattle cows. Therefore are they to be eaten, for they were
created from the receptacle of food. Therefore are they more numerous than
others, for they were created after the most numerous of the gods. From his feet
he meted out the Ekavinça Stoma. After it the Anustubh metre was created,
the Vairaja Saman, of men the Çudra, of cattle the horse. Therefore the two, the
horse and the Çudra, are dependent on others. Therefore the Çudra is not fit for
the sacrifice, for he was not created after any gods. Therefore they depend on
their feet, for they were created from the feet. The Trivrt is the breaths; the
Pañcadaça the half-months; the Saptadaça Prajapati; these worlds are three; the
Ekavinça is the sun yonder. In this they rest, in this they find support. He who
knows thus rests on this, finds, support in this.
vii. 1. 2.
At the morning pressing he keeps glorifying the Trivrt Stoma by the Gayatri
metre; the Pañcadaça Stoma by the Trivrt, which is splendour; the Saptadaça by
the Pañcadaça which is force and strength; the Ekavinça by the Saptadaça which
is connected with Prajapati and causes begetting. Verily thus Stoma glorifies
Stoma; verily also Stoma leads Stoma forth. As many as are the Stomas, so many
are desires, so many the worlds, so many the lights; verily so many Stomas, so
many desires, so many worlds, so many lights does he win.
vii. 1. 3.
The theologians say, 'He indeed would really sacrifice, who having sacrificed
with the Agnistoma should also sacrifice with the Sarvastoma.' If they omit the
Trivrt Stoma, then his vital airs are omitted, but he who offers the sacrifice
does so with the wish, 'May it be in my vital airs. If they omit the Pañcadaça
Stoma, his strength is omitted, but he who offers the sacrifice does so with the
wish, 'May it be in my strength.' If they omit the Saptadaça Stoma , his
offspring is omitted, but he who offers the sacrifice does so with the wish,
'May it be in my offspring.' If they omit the Ekavinça Stoma, his support is
omitted, but he who offers the sacrifice does so with the wish, 'May it be in my
support.' If they omit the Trinava Stoma, his seasons and the strength of the
Naksatras are omitted, but he who offers the sacrifice does so with the wish,
'May it be in my seasons and the strength of the Naksatras' . If they omit
the Trayastrinça Stoma, his deities are omitted, and he who offers the sacrifice
does so with the wish, 'May it be in my deities.' He who knows the lowest of the
Stomas attaining the first place, obtains him self the first place. The Trivrt
is the lowest of Stomas, the Trivrt occupies the first place. He who know thus
obtains the first place.
THE EXPOSITION OF THE SATTRAS
The Ahina Sacrifices
vii. 1. 4.
The Angirases performed a sacrificial session. They went to the world of
heaven. Of them Havismant and Haviskrt were left behind. They desired, 'May we
two go to the world of heaven.' They two saw this two-night rite, they grasped
it, and sacrificed with it. Then they went to the world of heaven. He, who
knowing thus offers the two-night sacrifice, goes to the world of heaven. They
went with the first day and arrived with the second . The first day is the
Abhiplava, the second the complete (gati). The first day is the
Jyotistoma form of the Agnistoma; with it he wins splendour. The second day is
an Atiratra with all the Stomas, that he may obtain all and win all. On the
first day the Saman is in the Gayatri (metre). The Gayatri is brilliance and
splendour; verily he bestows brilliance and splendour on himself. On the second
day (the Saman) is in the Tristubh metre. The Tristubh is force and strength;
verily he bestows force and strength on himself. The Saman on the first day
is the Rathantara. The Rathantara is this (earth); verily he stands firm on this
(earth). (The Saman) on the second is the Brhat. The Brhat is yonder (sky);
verily he stands firm on yonder (sky). They say, 'Where are the Jagati and the
Anustubh?' On the first day the Saman is that of Vikhanas; verily he does not
leave the Jagati. On the second it is the Sodaçin; verily he does not leave the
Anustubh. Then they say, 'If the days fall in the same half month, then the
strength of one day only will belong to the rite.' The first day takes place on
the night of new moon; the second on the next day, verily the days fall on
separate half-months, and have the several strengths. The first day has
Havismant, the second Haviskrt in the finale, for support.
vii. 1. 5.
This was in the beginning the waters, the ocean. In it Prajapati becoming the
wind moved. He saw her, and becoming a boar he seized her. Her, becoming
Viçvakarma, he wiped. She extended, she became the earth, and hence the earth is
called the earth (lit. 'the extended'). In her Prajapati made effort. He
produced the gods, Vasus, Rudras, and Adityas. The gods said to Prajapati, 'Let
us have offspring.' He said , 'As I have created you by penance, so seek ye
offspring in penance.' He gave to them Agni as a support, saying, 'Strive with
that support.' They strove with Agni as a support. After a year they produced
one cow. They gave it to the Vasus, Rudras, and Adityas, saying 'Guard it.' The
Vasus, Rudras, and Adityas guarded it. It produced for the Vasus, Rudras, and
Adityas (each) three hundred and thirty-three . Thus she became the
thousandth. The gods said to Prajapati, 'Cause sacrifice to be made to us with a
thousand.' He caused sacrifice to be made by the Vasus with the Agnistoma. They
won this world and gave (the thousandth). He caused sacrifice to be made by the
Rudras with the Ukthya. They won the atmosphere and gave (the thousand). He
caused sacrifice to be made by the Adityas with the Atiratra. They won yonder
world, and gave (the thousand). Now the atmosphere was broken. Therefore the
Rudras are murderous, for they have no support. Therefore they say, 'The midmost
day of the three-day night is not fixed; for it was moved.' The Ajya (Çastra) of
the midmost day is in the Tristubh metre. He recites the Samyana hymns, then
recites the Sodaçin, that the day may be made firm and be not loose. Therefore
in the three-night rite, the first day should be an Agnistoma, then an Ukthya,
then an Atiratra, for the separation of these worlds. On each day in succession
he gives three hundred continuously , for the continuance of these worlds. He
should not break the decades lest he should thus destroy the Viraj. Now for the
thousandth Indra and Visnu strove. Indra reflects, 'By this Visnu will
appropriate all the thousand.' They made arrangement as to it, Indra got
two-thirds, Visnu the remaining third; verily the fact is recorded in the verse,
'Ye twain have conquered.' It is the Achavaka who recites this verse. Now
(some say), 'The thousandth is to be given to the Hotr'; what is left over, is
left over for the Hotr; the Hotr is the receiver of what has not been taken.
Then others say, 'It is to be given to the Unnetr.' This is left over of the
thousand, and the Unnetr is the one of the priests who is left over. Then some
say, 'It is to be given to all those who have a place in the Sadas.' Then some
say, 'It should be driven away and allowed to wander at will.' Then some say,
'It is to be given to the Brahman and the Agnidh , two shares to the Brahman
and the third to the Agnidh. For the Brahman is connected with Indra, the Agnidh
with Visnu; (verily the division is) just as they two agreed upon. Then some
say, 'The one which is beautiful and of varied colour is the one to be given.'
Then others say, 'The one which has two colours and on either side is spotted is
the one to be given', for the gaining of a thousand. That indeed is the march of
the thousand (sahásrasyáyana). There are a thousand Stotriyas, a thousand
gifts (to the priests); the world of heaven is measured by a thousand; (verily
it serves) for the winning of the heavenly world.
vii. 1. 6.
Soma found a thousand; Indra discovered it after him. Yama approached them
and said to them, 'May I have a share too in it.' They said to him, 'Be it so.'
Yama saw in one of the (cows) strength. He said to them, 'This one has the
strength of the thousand, this be mine, the rest yours.' They said, 'We all see
that in this one is strength . Let us each have a portion.' So they took
shares in the one. They put her into the waters, saying, 'Come out for Soma.'
She came out in the shape of a red brown cow of one year old, together with
three hundred and thirty three. Therefore let one buy the Soma with a red brown
cow one year old. He, who knowing thus buys the Soma with a red brown cow one
year old, buys the Soma with three hundred and thirty-three and sacrifices
with Soma for which he has paid a good price. They put her into the waters,
saying, 'Come out for Indra.' She came out in the shape of a red draught animal
with good characteristics, destroying foes, together with three hundred and
thirty-three. Therefore one should give a red draught animal with good
characteristics, destroying foes. He who knowing thus gives a red draught animal
with good characteristics, destroying foes, gives her as three hundred and
thirty-three . They put her into the waters' saying, 'Come out for Yama.' She
came out in the shape of an aged, stupid, utterly bad animal, together with
three hundred and thirty-three. Therefore one should offer as the funeral cow
one that is aged, stupid, utterly bad. If a man knowing thus offers a cow that
is aged, stupid, utterly bad, as the funeral cow, she becomes for him in yonder
world three hundred and thirty-three. Speech is the thousandth. Therefore a
boon must be given; for she is a boon, and when she is given she is a thousand.
Therefore one must not accept a boon; for she is a boon; verily he would be
accepting a thousand. Let him say, 'She is a boon', and of another, 'Let this be
mine'; verily he avoids accepting a thousand. She should be spotted on either
side. They say, 'Let her be spotted on one side only; spotted is the thousand on
the other side.' The one for a boon should be beautiful, perfect in form;
for she is a boon; (verily it serves for) prosperity. Leading her round to the
north of the Agnidh's place he makes her smell the wooden tub near the Ahavaniya
fire, saying,
'Smell the tub, O great one, with broad stream rich in milk; Let the drops
enter thee as the streams the ocean; Give me a share in a thousand, with
offspring, with cattle; Let wealth again visit me.'
Verily he unites him with offspring, with cattle, with wealth . He becomes
rich in offspring, in cattle, in wealth, who knows thus. Having gone round the
Agnidh's place with her, he should offer in front, while the cow stands facing
(him), Saying,
Continued...
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Ye twain have conquered; ye are not conquered; Neither of the two of them
hath been defeated; Indra and Visnu when ye contended, Ye did divide the
thousand into three.'
The thousand is divided into three parts at the three-night festival; verily
he makes her possessed of a thousand, he makes her the measure of a thousand
. He offers to her forms; verily he unites her with her forms. Rising up he
mutters in her ear,
'O Ida, Ranti, Aditi, Sarasvati, Priya, Preyasi, Mahi, Viçruti, These, O
inviolable one, are thy names; Proclaim me among the gods as a doer of good
deeds.'
Verily she proclaims him among the gods, and the gods take note of him.
vii. 1. 7.
By the thousandth the sacrifice goes to the world of heaven. She makes him go
to the world of heaven. 'Do thou make me go to the world of heaven', he says;
verily she makes him go to the world of heaven. 'Do thou make me go to the world
of light', he says; verily she makes him go to the world of light. 'Do thou make
me go to all holy worlds', he says; verily she makes him go to all holy worlds
. 'Do thou make me go to a secure place, with offspring and cattle, let
wealth again visit me', (he says); verily she establishes him with offspring and
cattle in wealth. Rich in offspring, cattle, and wealth he becomes who knows
thus. He should give her to the Agnidh, or the Brahman, or the Hotr or the
Udgatr, or the Adhvaryu. In giving her, he gives a thousand. A thousand he
accepts who not knowing accepts her. He should accept her, (saying), 'Thou
art one, not a thousand. Thee as one I accept, not a thousand; come to me as
one, not as a thousand'; verily he who knows thus accepts her as one, not as a
thousand. 'Thou art gentle, resting well, auspicious; come to me as gentle, well
resting, auspicious,' he says; verily she becoming gentle, well resting,
auspicious, comes to him, and harms him not. The theologians say, 'Does the
thousandth follow the thousand? or the thou sand the thousandth?' If he were to
let her go to the east, the thousandth would follow the thousand; now the
thousand has no understanding, and would not recognize the world of heaven. He
lets her go to the west; the thousand follow after her. She knowing goes to the
world of heaven. He lets her go towards the sacrificer. Quickly a thousand
springs up. The (thousandth) is the last to be taken, but the first to go to the
gods.
vii. 1. 8.
Atri gave offspring to Aurva who was desirous of children. She deemed herself
empty, without strength, weak, worn out. He saw the four night rite; he grasped
it, and sacrificed with it. Then indeed were four sons born for him, a good
Hotr, a good Udgatr, a good Adhvaryu, a good councillor. He, who knowing thus
offers the four-night rite, has four sons born for him, a good Hotr, a good
Udgatr, a good Adhvaryu, a good councillor. The Pavamana (Stomas) which are
twenty-fourfold are splendour ; the increasing Stomas are prosperity. Atri
who had faith as his deity and offered sacrifices was not visited by the four
strengths, brilliance, power, splendour, food. He saw these four Soma libations
with the four Stomas; he grasped them and sacrificed with them. He won
brilliance with the first, power with the second, splendour with the third, food
with the fourth. He, who knowing thus, grasps the four Soma libations with the
four Stomas and sacrifices with them, wins brilliance with the first, power with
the second, splendour with the third, food with the fourth. With the success
which Atri had, the sacrificer prospers.
vii. 1. 9.
Jamadagni desiring prosperity, sacrificed with the four-night rite. He
prospered therein, and accordingly the two descendants of Jamadagni are not seen
as grey-haired. That prosperity is his who knowing thus offers the four-night
rite. On the Upasads offerings of the sacrificial cake are made. The sacrificial
cake is cattle; verily he wins cattle. The sacrificial cake is food; verily he
wins food. An eater of food and owner of cattle he becomes who knowing thus
offers the four-day rite.
vii. 1. 10.
The year was alone in the world. He desired, 'May I create the seasons.' He
saw this five-night rite; he grasped it and sacrificed with it. Then indeed he
created the seasons. He who- knowing thus offers the five-night rite gains
offspring. The seasons being created were not distinguished. They saw this
five-night rite. They grasped it and sacrificed with it. Then they were
distinguished . He who knowing thus offers the five-night rite is
distinguished from the enemy that hates him. Sarvaseni Çauceya desired, 'May I
be rich in cattle.' He grasped this five-night rite and sacrificed with it. Then
indeed he obtained a thousand cattle. He who knowing thus offers the five-night
rite obtains a thousand cattle. Babara Pravahani desired, 'May I be a speaker of
speech.' He grasped the five-night rite and sacrificed with it. Then indeed
he became a speaker of speech. He, who knowing thus offers the five-night rite,
becomes a speaker of speech, and men call him 'lord of speech'. The four-night
rite is incomplete; the six-night rite is redundant, the correct sacrifice is
the five-night rite. He who knowing thus sacrifices with the five-night rite
sacrifices with the correct sacrifice. The (sacrifices) last five nights; the
year consists of five seasons ; verily he stands firm in the year with its
five seasons. Again the Pankti has five elements, the sacrifice is fivefold;
verily he wins the sacrifice. There is an Agnistoma characterized by the Trivrt
(Stoma); verily he wins brilliance. There is a Pañcadaça (Stoma); verily he wins
power. There is a Saptadaça (Stoma), for the obtainment of food; verily also he
gains offspring by reason of it. There is an Agnistoma with the Pañcadaça
(Stoma), for the gaining of Prajapati; (it has) the characteristics of the
Mahavrata, for the gaining of food. There is a Viçvajit Atiratra, with all the
Prstha (Stotras), for the winning of all.
The Horse Sacrifice (continued)
vii. i. 11.
On the instigation of god Savitr, I take thee with the arms of the Açvins,
with the hands of Pusan. This bond of order they grasped At their
assemblies in ages gone by, the sages; Therewith the gods mastered the
pressed (juice), In the Saman of order declaring the stream. Thou art
surrounding; thou art the world; thou art the restrainer; thou art the
supporter; do thou go, with the cry of 'Hail!' to Agni Vaiçvanara, the
extending. Thou art the restrainer, the ruler on earth; thou art the
restrainer who dost restrain; thou art the supporter who dost support. For
ploughing thee! For comfort thee! For wealth thee! For increase thee! For
earth thee! For the atmosphere thee! For sky thee! For being thee! For not
being thee! For the waters thee! For the plants thee! For all creatures
thee!
vii. 1. 12.
Many through thy dam, powerful through thy sire, thou art a horse, thou art
a steed, thou art a runner, thou art a male, thou art a strong horse, thou art a
racer, thou art powerful, thou art a stallion, thou art heroic hearted; 'goer'
is thy name; do thou follow the course of the Adityas. To Agni hail! Hail
to Indra and Agni! Hail to Prajapati! Hail to the All-gods! Hail to all the
deities! Here is support, hail! Here is keeping apart, hail! Here is joy,
hail! Here is delight, hail! Thou art becoming; to being thee, to what is
becoming thee, to what shall be thee! To all beings thee! O gods that guard
the quarters, do ye guard for the gods for sacrifice this horse duly
besprinkled.
vii. 1. 13.
To the going hail! To the advancing hail! To the running hail! To
him after be hath run hail! To the crying of 'shoo' hail! To him over whom
is cried 'shoo' hail! To him who hath moved hail! To him who hath moved
forward hail! To him springing forward hail! To him jumping away
hail! To him who advanceth hail! To him who advanceth forward hail! To
all hail!
vii. 1. 14.
To Agni hail! To Soma hail! To Vayu hail! To the joy of the waters
hail! To Savitr hail! To Sarasvati hail! To Indra hail! To Brhaspati
hail! To Mitra hail! To Varuna hail! To all hail!
vii. 1. 15.
To earth hail! To atmosphere hail! To sky hail! To the sun
hail! To the moon hail! To the Naksatras hail! To the eastern quarter
hail! To the southern quarter hail! To the western quarter hail! To the
northern quarter hail! To the zenith hail! To the quarters hail! To the
intermediate quarters hail! To the half-years hail! To the autumns
hail! To the days and nights hail! To the half-months hail! To the
months hail! To the seasons hail! To the year hail! To all hail!
vii. 1. 16.
To Agni hail! To Soma hail! To Savitr hail! To Sarasvati hail! To
Pusan hail! To Brhaspati hail! To the joy of the waters hail! To Vayu
hail! To Mitra hail! To Varuna hail! To all hail!
vii. 1. 17.
To earth hail! To atmosphere hail! To sky hail! To Agni hail! To
Soma hail! To the sun hail! To the moon hail! To the day hail! To
the night hail! To the straight hail! To the good hail! To fair
dwelling hail! To hunger hail! To satisfaction hail! To disease
hail! To snow hail! To ice hail! To heat hail! To the wild
hail! To heaven hail! To the world hail! To all hail!
vii. 1. 18.
Thou hast come into being by the toil; the work of the gods thou art the
way of holy order. With the Vasus, the gods, as deity, with the Gayatri metre I
yoke thee, with the spring season as oblation I consecrate thee. With the
Rudras, the gods, as deity, with the Tristubh metro, I yoke thee; with the
summer season as oblation I consecrate thee. With the Adityas, the gods, as
deity, with the Jagati metre, I yoke thee; with the rainy season as oblation I
consecrate thee. With the All-gods as deity, with the Anustubh metro, I
yoke thee ; with the autumn season as oblation I consecrate thee. With
the Angirases, the gods, as deity, with the Pankti metre, I yoke thee; with the
winter and cool seasons as oblation I consecrate thee. I have mounted upon
consecration, the wife of holy order, with the Gayatri metro and holy power;
holy order have I placed upon truth; truth have I placed upon holy order.
The great. The protecting. i-m Here is support, hail! Here is keeping
apart, hail Here is joy, hail! Here is delight, hail!
vii. 1. 19.
To the sounding of 'Im' hail! To him over whom 'Im' is sounded hail! To
him neighing hail! To him neighing down hail! To him snorting hail! To
him snorting forth hail! To the smell hail! To what is smelt hail! To
expiration hail! To cross-breathing hail! To inspiration hail! To him
being bound hail! To him after being bound hail! To him being untied
hail! To him untied hail! To him about to run hail! To him having run
hail! To him about to rest hail! To him having rested hail! To him
about to go to rest hail! To him going to rest hail! To him having gone to
rest hail! To him about to sit down hail! To him sitting down hail! To
him having sat down hail! To him about to stand hail! To him who is
standing hail! To him who hath stood hail! To him about to go down
hail! To him going down hail! To him having gone down hail! To him
about to lie hail! To him lying hail! To him who hath lain hail! To him
about to close the eyes hail! To him closing the eyes hail! To him having
closed the eyes hail! To him about to sleep hail! To him who hath slept
hail! To him about to wake hail! To him awakening hail! To him who hath
awakened hail! To him about to become awake hail! To him becoming awake
hail! To him who hath become awake hail! To him about to hear hail! To
him hearing hail! To him who hath heard hail! To him about to look hail!
To him who is looking hail! To him who hath looked hail! To him who
is about to go out hail! To him going out hail! To him who hath gone out
hail! To him about to roll about hail! To him rolling about hail! To
him who hath rolled about hail! To him about to get up hail! To him
getting up hail! To him who hath got up hail! To him about to shake
himself hail! To him shaking himself hail! To him who hath shaken himself
hail! To him about to step out hail! To him stepping out hail! To him
who hath stopped out hail! To him who is about to rush hail! To him who is
rushing hail! To him who hath rushed hail! To him about to scratch
hail! To him scratching hail! To him having scratched hail! To him
about to rub hail! To him rubbing hail! To him who hath rubbed
hail! What he eateth, to that hail! What he drinketh, to that hail! To
what he evacuateth, to that hail! To the dung he maketh hail! To seed
hail! To offspring hail! To begetting hail! To all hail!
vii. 1. 20.
To Agni hail! To Vayu hail! To Surya hail! Thou art holy order, thou
art the holy order of holy order; thou art truth, thou art the truth of
truth! Thou art the path of holy order, the shadow of the gods, the name of
immortality; thou art truth, thou art Prajapati. When on him as on a steed
in swift movements, The folk of the sky vie with the sun; Choosing the
waters the sage becometh pure, Like a beast the busy guardian that goeth
around.
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