Prasna I, Adhyâya 7, Kandikâ 15
PRASNA I, ADHYÂYA 7, KANDIKÂ 15.
1. The sacred fires (shall be) approached from the north, 1
2. (And be) left in the same manner.
3. The contrary (proceeding should be adopted at sacrifices offered) to the manes. 3
4. Let him wash that which has been touched with (his) foot.
5. Let him touch water, in case he touches his body or the hem (of his garment). 5
6: Likewise (let him touch water) after cutting, splitting, digging or removing (anything, or offering oblations) to the manes, to the Râkshasas, to Nirriti, to Rudra, (and after performing sacrifices) intended as spells (against enemies).
7. Let him not turn round himself a sacrificial implement (the use of) which is accompanied by the recitation of mantras. 7
8. (For) the sacrificial implements (are) more nearly (connected with the sacrifice), 8
9. The priests, more remotely.
10. The sacrificer and his wife are even nearer than the priests. 10
11. After the sacrificial implements (follows) the clarified butter, after the clarified butter the sacrificial viands, after the sacrificial viands the animal to be slain, after the animal the Soma, after the Soma the sacred fires. 11
12. If there is work for them, the priests shall not turn away from the sacred fires. 12
13. If he faces the east, let him turn towards his right shoulder, 13
14. If he faces the west, towards the left. 14
15. The entrance to the sacrificial (enclosure lies) between the Kâtvâla and the Utkara, 15
16. (When one comes) from the Kâtvâla, (it lies between) the Âhavanîya fire and the Utkara. 16
17. The officiating (priests), the sacrificer, and his wife shall enter by that (road),
18. As long as the sacrificial rite is not completed.
19. When it has been finished (they shall) pass to and fro on the side where there is no Utkara (i.e. on the western side of the enclosure).
20. Let him not put on the fire logs or Samidhs which have not been sprinkled (with water),
21. The Brahman (priest) and the sacrificer shall enter in front of the Âhavanîya fire.
22. Some (declare that they shall enter) behind the Âhavanîya fire.
23. The seat of the Brahman (priest is situated) to the south of the Âhavanîya fire, (that) of the sacrificer to the west of him. 23
24. (The seat) of the Hotri (priest is situated) to the north of the northern Sroni (of the Vedi), 24
25. (That) of the Âgnîdhra priest near the Utkara,
26. (That) of the (sacrificer's) wife behind the Gârhapatya fire.
27. He scatters Darbha grass on these (seats) as often as (they are used).
28. A vessel filled with water, for the purpose of sipping, shall be appropriated to (the use of) each (person).
29. He who has been initiated (to the performance of a sacrifice shall) keep the (following) vows:
30. Let him not proclaim the guilt of other men; let him not become angry; let him not weep; let him not look at urine and ordure.
31. If he has looked at any unclean (substance), he mutters (the verse), 'Unrestrained is the internal 31
organ, wretched (my) eye-sight; the sun is the chief of the (heavenly) lights; O Dîkshâ, do not forsake me!'
Footnotes
- 192:1
- 192:3
- 193:5
- 193:7
- 193:8
- 193:10
- 193:11
Kâtyâyana Srauta Sûtra I, 8, 31. 'If the space on the p. 184 Uttaravedi and the rest is confined, the Soma is made ready immediately after the fire, after that the meat and so forth, after that the grain for the sacrificial cakes, then the clarified butter, and after that the spoons called sruva, sruk, and so forth.'--Govinda.
- 194:12
- 194:13
- 194:14
- 194:15
- 194:16
I read with the MSS. of the text 'kâtvâlâd âhavanîyotkarau.' The two copies of the commentary give kâtvâlah âhavanîyotkarau. Govinda says that the words antarena tîrtham must be understood. For the position of the Kâtvâla and the Utkara, see Professor Haug's map, where the road of the priests is also marked, though somewhat differently.
- 195:23
- 195:24
- 195:31