Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra
by C. G. Kashikar | 1964 | 166,530 words
The English translation of the Bharadvaja-Srauta-Sutra, representing some of the oldest texts on Hindu rituals and rites of passages, dating to at least the 1st millennium BCE. The term Srautasutra refers to a class of Sanskrit Sutra literature dealing with ceremonies based on the Brahmana divisions of the Veda (Sruti). They include Vedic rituals r...
Praśna 1, Kaṇḍikā 15
1. One should not cover it with an earthen (lid.). If he has to cover it with an earthen (lid), he should do so after having inserted a darbha-blade or a piece of wood in between.
2. After having covered it, the Adhvaryu should place it not directly on the ground with the formula, “O Viṣṇu, do thou guard the oblation.”[1]
3. With the same procedure as above,[2] he should drive away the calves for the morning milking.
4. Or, in the afternoon itself be should drive away the calves for both the milkings.
5. After having arranged the potsherds, he should cause the morning milking to be done just like the evening milking.[3]
6. This much is different; He should place the strainer with its end towards the north.
7. He should not curdle it.
8. One, who has not performed a Soma-sacrifice, should not offer sāṃnāyya. So is it said.[4]
9. There is the view of some teachers that he should offer sāṃnāyya.
10. Some teachers regard sāṃnāyya as pertaining to Indra; some to Mahendra.
11. Those offering to Mahendra are the following: One who has learned the scripture, a village-leader, a Rājanya, one belonging to Aurva gotra, one belonging to Gautama gotra, and one belonging to Bhāradvāja gotra.
12. After having set up the sacred fires, they should offer sacrifice to Mahendra from the very beginning.
13. Those who are different from these offer to Indra.
14. One who, while he is offering to Indra, desires to offer sacrifice to Mahendra, should continue to offer sacrifice to Indra for a year, and then offer a cake on eight potsherds to vratapati Agni.
15. Then he should begin to offer a sacrifice to Mahendra if he so desires. So is it said.[5]
16. Therefore, one, who has performed a Soma-sacrifice, should offer sacrifice to Mahendra. So is it said.[6]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Taittirīya-saṃhitā I.1.3.2.
[2]:
I.2.12ff.
[3]:
I.11.10ff.
[4]:
Taittirīya-saṃhitā 11.5.5.1.
[5]:
The source of this passage is not known.
[6]:
The source of this passage is not known.