Friday, August 31, 2012

The Vedas –Part 39
















1.1.1.1             Mantra 6: The Ekadaçaratra

The seasons, desirous of offspring, could not procure offspring. They desired, 'May we create offspring, may we win offspring, may we procure offspring, may we possess offspring.' They saw this (rite) of eleven nights; they grasped it, and sacrificed with it. Then indeed did they create offspring, win offspring, procure offspring, and possess offspring. They became the seasons, and that is why the seasonal periods are seasonal periods. They are the children of the seasons, and therefore [1] they are said to be connected with the seasons. Those, who knowing thus perform (the rite) of eleven nights, create offspring, win offspring, procure offspring, and possess offspring. There is an Atiratra with the form of light; verily they place light before them, to reveal the world of heaven. There is a Prsthva Sadaha; the seasons are six, the Prsthas are six; verily by the Prsthas they mount upon the seasons, by the seasons upon the year; verily in the year they find support. There is a Caturvinça; the Gayatri has twenty-four syllables [2], splendour is connected with the Gayatri; verily in the Gayatri and in splendour they find support. There is a Catucçatvarinça; the Tristubh has forty-four syllables, the Tristubh is power; verily in the Tristubh and in power they find support. There is an Astacatvarinça; the Jagati has forty-eight syllables, cattle are connected with the Jagati; verily in the Jagati and in cattle they find support. (The rite) is of eleven nights, the seasons are five, the seasonal periods are five; verily in the seasons, in the seasonal periods, and in the year they find support and win offspring. There are Atiratras on either side, to secure offspring.

1.1.1.2             Mantra 7: Various Arrangements of the Cups

He should draw the cup for Indra and Vayu first if he desire, 'May my offspring accord in order of seniority.' Offspring are in accord according to the arrangement of the sacrifice, and if the sacrifice is disarranged, they are at discord. Verily he makes his offspring in accord in order of seniority; the younger does not overstep the older. He should draw the cup for Indra and Vayu first for one who is ill. For he who is ill is separated from breath, the cup for Indra and Vayu is breath; verily he unites him with breath. They should draw the cup for Mitra and Varuna first if when they are consecrated one die [1]. From expiration and inspiration are they separated of whom when consecrated one dies, Mitra and Varuna are expiration and inspiration; verily at the commencement they grasp expiration and inspiration. He should draw the Açvina cup first who is infirm. The Açvins are of the gods those who are infirm, late as it were came they to the front. The Açvins are the gods of him who is infirm; they lead him to the front. He who desires support having attained prosperity should draw the Çukra Cup first. The Çukra is yonder sun, this is the end; a man when he has reached the end [2] of prosperity stops; verily from the end he grasps the end, and becomes not worse. He who practises witchcraft should draw the Manthin cup first. The Manthin vessel is a vessel of misfortune; verily he causes death to seize on him; swiftly does he reach misfortune. He should draw the Agrayana cup first whose father and grandfather are holy, and who yet does not possess holiness. From speech and power is he separated whose father and grandfather are holy [3], and who yet does not possess holiness. The Agrayana (cup) is the breast as it were and the speech as it were of the sacrifice; verily with speech and with power he unites him, then he becomes not worse. He against whom witchcraft is practised should draw the Ukthya cup first. The Ukthya vessel is the power of all vessels; verily he yokes him with all power. He should take as Puroruc (the verse) 'O Sarasvati, lead us to prosperity.' Sarasvati is speech [4]; verily with speech he yokes him. 'May we go not through thee to joyless fields', he says. The joyless fields are those of death; verily he goes not to the fields of death. He should draw full cups for one who is ill. Pain afflicts the breaths of him who is ill, the cups are breaths; verily he frees his breaths from pain, and even if his life is gone, yet he lives. He should draw full cups if rain does not fall. Pain afflicts the breaths of the people if rain does not fall, the cups are breaths; verily he frees the breaths of the people from pain, and rain soon falls.

1.1.1.3             Mantra 8: The Order of the Cups

(The cup) for Indra and Vayu is connected with the Gayatri, the opening day is connected with the Gayatri, and therefore on the opening day (the cup) for Indra and Vayu is drawn; verily he draws it in its own abode. The Çukra is connected with the Tristubh, the second day is connected with the Tristubh, and therefore on the second day the Çukra is drawn; verily he draws it in its own abode. The Agrayana is connected with the Jagati, the third day is connected with the Jagati, and therefore on the third day the Agrayana is drawn; verily he draws it in its own abode. In that it completes the metres, it completes the sacrifice [1]; in that the Agrayana is drawn on the next day, where they have seen the sacrifice, thence does he again employ it. The second three nights begin with the Jagati, the Agrayana is connected with the Jagati; in that the Agrayana is drawn on the fourth day, he draws it in its own abode; verily also they revolve round their own metre. (The cup) for Indra and Vayu is connected with the Rathantara (Saman), the fifth day is connected with the Rathantara, and therefore on the fifth day [2] (the cup) for Indra and Vayu is drawn; verily he draws it in its own abode. The Çukra is connected with the Brhati, the sixth day is connected with the Brhati, and therefore on the sixth day the Çukra is drawn; verily he draws it in its own abode. In that it completes the metres, it completes for the second time the sacrifice; in that the Çukra is drawn on the next day, where they have seen the sacrifice, thence does he again employ it. The third three nights begin with the Tristubh, the Çukra is connected with the Tristubh [3]; in that the Çukra is drawn on its seventh day, he draws it in its own abode, and they revolve round their own metre. The Agrayana, is speech, the eighth day is speech, and therefore on the eighth day the Agrayana is drawn; verily he draws it in its own abode. (The cup) for Indra and Vayu is breath, the ninth day is breath, and therefore on the ninth day (the cup) for Indra and Vayu. is drawn; verily he draws it in its own abode. In that [4] it completes the metres, it completes for the third time the sacrifice; in that (the cup) for Indra and Vayu is drawn on the next day, where they have seen the sacrifice, thence does he again employ it, and they revolve round their own metre. They go by a trackless way leaving the path who start with anything except (the cup) for Indra and Vayu. The tenth day is the end of the sacrifice, (the cup) for Indra and Vayu is drawn on the tenth day; verily having reached the end of the sacrifice [5], they proceed from the trackless way to the path, and it is as when men go pushing on with a strong (team). The metres set their wishes on one another's world, and the gods then interchanged them. The fourth day is the abode of (the cup) for Indra and Vayu, the Agrayana is drawn on this (day); therefore (the cup) for Indra and Vayu is drawn on the ninth day, the abode of the Agrayana. The fifth day is the abode of the Çukra [6], (the cup) for Indra and Vayu is drawn on this (day); therefore the Çukra is drawn on the seventh day, the abode of (the cup) for Indra and Vayu. The sixth day is the abode of the Agrayana, the Çukra is drawn on this (day); therefore the Agrayana is drawn on the eighth day, the abode of the Çukra. Verily thus does he exchange the metres, and he who knows thus obtains interchange with the richer; verily also he causes concord in the sacrifice for the gods. Therefore one gives this to another.

1.1.1.4             Mantra 9: The First Eleven Days

Prajapati desired, 'May I be propagated.' He saw this (rite) of twelve nights; he grasped it, and sacrificed with it. Then indeed was he propagated. He who desires, 'May I be propagated', should sacrifice with (the rite) of twelve nights; verily he is propagated. The theologians say, 'The sacrifices have Agnistomas at the beginning; why then is Atiratra first employed?' The two Atiratras are the eyes of the sacrifice, the two Agnistomas the pupils; if [1] they were to employ the Agnistoma first, they would put the pupils outside; therefore the Atiratra is employed first; verily having inserted the eyes of the sacrifice they put the pupils in them. He, who knows the Gayatri to have sides of light, goes to the world of heaven with light and radiance. The sides are the Agnistomas, the eight Ukthyas in between are the body; verily the Gayatri has sides of light. He who knows thus goes to the world of heaven with light and radiance [2]. The twelve nights' (rite) is Prajapati in twelve divisions. The two sides are the Atiratras, the eight Ukthyas within are the body; Prajapati in such guise touches truth with the Sattra, truth is the breaths; verily he touches the breaths. Those who perform the Sattra perform it with the breath of all people, and therefore they ask, 'Are these performers of a Sattra?' Dear to people and noble is he who knows thus.

1.1.1.5             Mantra 10: The Twelfth Day

This (rite) with a Vaiçvanara on one side (only) was not able to win the world of heaven; it was stretched upwards and the gods piled round this Vaiçvanara, to overcome the world of heaven. The seasons made Prajapati sacrifice with it, and in them because of it he prospered. He prospers among the priests who knowing thus sacrifices with (the rite) of twelve days. They were desirous of obtaining (their desires) from him. He gave to the spring the sap [1], to the hot season barley, to the rains plants, to autumn rice, beans and sesamum to winter and the cool season. Prajapati made Indra sacrifice with it. Then indeed did Indra become Indra; therefore they say, 'It is the sacrifice of the inferior', for he by it first sacrificed. He eats a corpse who accepts a present at a Sattra; a human corpse or the corpse of a horse. Food is the cow; in that he does not purify the vessel in which they carry food, filth is produced from it [2]. One should sacrifice by oneself, for Prajapati prospered by himself. One should be consecrated for twelve nights; the year consists of twelve months, Prajapati is the year, he is Prajapati, he is born indeed who is born from fervour. The twelve Upasads are these four sets of three nights; with the first three he prepares the sacrifice, with the second three he grasps the sacrifice [3], with the third three he cleanses the vessels, and with the fourth three he purifies himself within. He who eats his victim, eats his flesh, who eats his sacrificial cake, eats his brains, who eats his fried grain, eats his excrement, who eats his ghee, eats his marrow, who eats his Soma, eats his sweat, and also he eats the excrements from his head, who accepts (a present) at the twelve-day (rite). Therefore one should not cause one to sacrifice with the twelve-day (rite), to avert evil.

1.1.1.6             Mantra 11: The Offerings to the Numbers in Sequence

To one hail!
To two hail!
To three hail!
To four hail!
To five hail!
To six hail!
To seven hail!
To eight hail!
To nine hail!
To ten hail!
To eleven hail!
To twelve hail!
To thirteen hail!
To fourteen hail!
To fifteen hail!
To sixteen hail!
To seventeen hail!
To eighteen hail!
To nineteen hail!
To twenty-nine hail!
To thirty-nine hail!
To forty-nine hail!
To fifty-nine hail!
To sixty-nine hail!
To seventy-nine hail!
To eighty-nine hail!
To ninety-nine hail!
To a hundred hail!
To two hundred hail!
To all hail!


1.1.1.7             Mantra 12: The Offerings to the Uneven Numbers

To one hail!
To three hail!
To five hail!
To seven hail!
To nine hail!
To eleven hail!
To thirteen hail!
To fifteen hail!
To seventeen hail!
To nineteen hail!
To twenty-nine hail!
To thirty-nine hail!
To forty-nine hail!
To fifty-nine hail!
To sixty-nine hail!
To seventy-nine hail!
To eighty-nine hail!
To ninety-nine hail!
To a hundred hail!
To all hail!


1.1.1.8             Mantra 13: The Offerings to the Even Numbers

To two hail!
To four hail!
To six hail!
To eight hail!
To ton hail!
To twelve hail!
To fourteen hail!
To sixteen hail!
To eighteen hail!
To twenty hail!
To ninety-eight hail!
To a hundred hail!
To all hail!


1.1.1.9             Mantra 14: The Offerings to the Numbers 3, 5

To three hail!
To five hail!
To seven hail!
(Then as in 12 down to) To all hail!


1.1.1.10          Mantra 15: The Offerings to the Numbers 4, 8

To four hail!
To eight hail!
To twelve hail!
To sixteen hail!
To twenty hail!
To ninety-six hail!
To a hundred hail!
To all hail!


1.1.1.11          Mantra 16: The Offerings to the Numbers 5, 10

To' five hail!
To ten hail!
To fifteen hail!
To twenty hail!
To ninety-five hail!
To a hundred hail!
To all hail!


1.1.1.12          Mantra 17: The Offerings to the Numbers 10, 20

To ten hail!
To twenty hail!
To thirty hail!
To forty hail!
To fifty hail!
To sixty hail!
To seventy hail!
To eighty hail!
To ninety hail!
To a hundred hail!
To all hail!


1.1.1.13          Mantra 18: The Offerings to the Numbers 20, 40

To twenty hail!
To forty hail!
To sixty hail!
To eighty hail!
To a hundred hail!
To all hail!


1.1.1.14          Mantra 19: The Offerings to the Numbers 50, 100

To fifty hail!
To a hundred hail!
To two hundred hail!
To three hundred hail!
To four hundred hail!
To five hundred hail!
To six hundred hail!
To seven hundred hail!
To eight hundred hail!
To nine hundred hail!
To a thousand hail!
To all hail!


1.1.1.15          Mantra 20: The Offerings to the Numbers 100, 1000

To a hundred hail!
To a thousand hail!
To ten thousand hail!
To a hundred thousand hail!
To ten hundred thousand hail!
To ten million hail!
To a hundred million hail!
To a thousand million hail!
To ten thousand million hail!
To a hundred thousand million hail!
To ten hundred thousand million hail!
To dawn hail!
To the dawning hail!
To him that will rise hail!
To the rising hail!
To the risen hail!
To heaven hail!
To the world hail!
To all hail!


1.1.2            Prapathaka 9: The Sattras

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1.1.2.1             Mantra 1: The Last Day of the Dvadaçaha

They go swiftly in that it is the tenth day. In that it is the tenth day they loosen their sins. He who among men going swiftly falls in with a trackless way, he who strikes a post, and he who stumbles, are left out. So he, who on this tenth day, the Avivakya, comes to grief, is left out. If one points out (an error) to one who comes to grief, he seizes hold of him and comes out successfully, and then the one who pointed out (his error) is left out [1]. Therefore on the tenth day, the Avivakya, one should not point out (errors) to one who comes to grief. Or rather they say, 'By that which was successful in the sacrifice the gods went to the world of heaven, and overcame the Asuras by what was unsuccessful.' What is successful in the sacrifice belongs to the sacrificer, what is unsuccessful to his enemy. Now he, who comes to grief on the tenth day, the Avivakya, produces overmuch. Those who are outside as spectators [2] should point out (his error). If there be none there, then (the error) should be pointed out from within the Sadas. If there be none there, then it should be pointed out by the Grhapati. At any rate it should be pointed out. They sing the verses of the serpent queen on that day. The queen of what creeps is this (earth). Whatever on this (earth) they praise, whatever they have praised, through that is this (earth) the serpent queen. Now whatever they have praised with speech and what they will praise thereafter, (it is done thinking), 'Having won both and obtained them, let us stop.' They sing these (verses) with the mind. Neither a horse chariot nor a mule chariot can in one moment encompass this (earth), but mind can in one moment encompass it, mind can overcome it. Then they repeat the Brahman. The Rc verses are limited, the Samans are limited, and the Yajuses are limited, but of the Brahman there is no end, and that he should declare to the one who responds. That is the response.

1.1.2.2             Mantra 2: The Praise of the Sacrificer with the Dvadaçaha

The theologians say, 'By the first day of the twelve-day rite what is it that the sacrificer takes from the priests?' 'Brilliance and power' is (the answer). 'What by the second?' 'The breaths and food.' 'What by the third?' 'These three worlds.' 'What by the fourth?' 'Four-footed cattle.' 'What by the fifth?' 'The Pankti with its elements.' 'What by the sixth?' 'The six seasons.' 'What by the seventh?' 'The Çakvari with its seven feet.' 'What by the eighth?' 'The Gayatri with its eight syllables.' 'What by the ninth?' 'The Trivrt Stoma.' 'What by the tenth?' 'The Viraj with its ten syllables.' 'What by the eleventh?' 'The Tristubh with its eleven syllables.' 'What by the twelfth?' 'The Jagati with its twelve syllables.' So much is there as that. So much as that he takes from them.

1.1.2.3             Mantra 3: The Trayodaçaratra

(The rite) of thirteen nights is a complete (rite of) twelve days, for the opening and concluding days are the same. There are three Atiratras, three are these worlds, for the obtaining of these worlds. The first Atiratra is the expiration, the second cross-breathing, the third inspiration; verily they find support in expiration, inspiration, out-breathing, and food, and reach their full life, who knowing thus perform (the rite) of thirteen nights. They say, '(The rite) of twelve days is the sequence of speech. They would cleave it if they put an Atiratra in the middle, and the speech of the householder would be liable to fail.' They perform the Mahavrata after the Chandomas; verily they maintain the sequence of speech, and the speech of the householder is not likely to fail. The Chandomas are cattle, the Mahavrata food; in that they perform the Mahavrata after the Chandomas, they find support in cattle and in food.

1.1.2.4             Mantra 4: The Caturdaçaratra

The Adityas desired, 'May we be prosperous in both worlds.' They saw this (rite) of fourteen nights; they grasped it, and sacrificed with it. Then indeed they prospered in both worlds, this and yonder. Those, who knowing thus perform (the rite) of fourteen nights, prosper in both worlds, this and yonder. (The rite) is of fourteen nights, there are seven domesticated plants and seven wild; (verily it serves) to win both. In that the Prsthas are performed in succession [1], they conquer by them yonder world. In that the Prsthas are reversed, they conquer by them this world. There are two Trayastrinça Stomas in the middle; verily they attain sovereignty. (These two) are overlords; verily they become overlords of their peers. There are Atiratras on either side, for security.

1.1.2.5             Mantra 5: The Second Caturdaçaratra

Prajapati went to the world of heaven. The gods followed him, and the Adityas and the cattle followed them. The gods said, 'The cattle on which we have lived have followed us.' They arranged this (rite) of fourteen nights away for them. The Adityas mounted the world of heaven with the Prsthas; they arranged the cattle in this world with the two Tryahas. By means of the Prsthas the Adityas prospered in yonder world, the cattle in this world by the Tryahas [1]. Those who, knowing thus, perform (the rite of) fourteen nights, prosper in both worlds, in this and in yonder; by the Prsthas they prosper in yonder world and by the Tryahas in this world. The three days are the Jyotis, Go, and Ayus. The Jyotis is this (earth), the Go the atmosphere, the Ayus yonder (sky); verily they mount upon these worlds. If the Prsthas were on one side, there would be a lack of balance; the Prsthas are in the middle, for balance [2]. The Prsthas are force and strength; verily they place force and strength in the middle. They proceed with the Brhat and the Rathantara (Samans). The Rathantara is this (earth), the Brhat yonder (sky); verily with them do they proceed; verily also in them they find support. These indeed are the quick paths of the sacrifice; verily by them do they proceed to the world of heaven. They mount the world of heaven turning away (from earth), who perform the Prsthas in succession. The Tryaha is reversed, for the return (from heaven), and for support. Having prospered in either world they cease (the rite). The (nights) are fourteen. As for ten of them, the Viraj is ten-syllabled, the Viraj is food; verily by the Viraj they win food. As for four, the quarters are four; verily they find support in the quarters. There are Atiratras on either side, for security.

1.1.2.6             Mantra 6: The Pañcadaçaratra

Indra was on a level with the gods, he was not distinguished from them. He ran up to Prajapati; he gave him this (rite) of fifteen nights. He grasped it, and sacrificed with it. Then indeed he became distinguished from the other gods. Those who knowing thus perform (the rite) of fifteen nights attain distinction from the evil enemy. The three days are Jyotis, Go, and Ayus. The Jyotis is this (earth), the Go the atmosphere [1], the Ayus yonder (sky); verily they find support in these worlds. There can be no Sattra where there is no Chandoma; in that there axe Chandomas, there is the Sattra. The gods they win by the Prsthas, the cattle by the Chandomas. The Prsthas are force and strength, the strength, and in cattle, they Chandomas cattle; verily in force and find support. (The rite) is of fifteen nights; the bolt is fifteenfold; verily they hurl the bolt at their enemies. There are Atiratras on either side, for securing power.

1.1.2.7             Mantra 7: The Second Pañcadaçaratra

Indra was as it were loose and unfixed. He was afraid of the Asuras. He ran up to Prajapati; he gave him this (rite) of fifteen nights as a bolt. With it he overcame and conquered the Asuras and attained prosperity. By the Agnistut he burned away the evil, by (the rite) of fifteen nights he placed force, might, power, and strength in himself. Those, who knowing thus perform (the rite) of fifteen nights overcome and conquer their enemies and attain prosperity. By the Agnistut they burn away the evil [1], by (the rite) of fifteen nights they place force, might, power, and strength in themselves. These (nights) are full of cattle. Fifteen indeed are the nights of the half-month, the year is made up of half-months, cattle are born throughout the year; therefore (these nights) are full of cattle. These (nights) are heavenly. Fifteen indeed are the nights of the half-month, the year is made up of half-months, the world of heaven is the year; verily (these nights) are heavenly. There are the three days, Jyotis, Ayus, and Go. The Jyotis is this (earth), the Go the atmosphere [2], the Ayus yonder (sky); verily they mount upon these worlds. If the Prsthas were on one side, there would be a lack of balance; the Prsthas are in the middle, for balance. The Prsthas are force and strength; verily they place force and strength in the middle. They proceed with the Brhat and the Rathantara (Samans). The Rathantara is this (earth), the Brhat yonder (sky); verily with them do they proceed; verily also in them they find support. These indeed are the quick paths of the sacrifice; verily by them do they proceed to the world of heaven [3]. They mount the world of heaven turning away (from earth), who perform the Prsthas in succession. The Tryaha is reversed, for the return (from heaven), and for support. Having prospered in either world they cease (the rite). These (nights) are fifteen. As for ten of them, the Viraj is ten-syllabled, the Viraj is food; verily by the Viraj they win food. As for five, the quarters are five; verily they find support in the quarters. There are Atiratras on either side, for securing power, strength, offspring, and cattle.

1.1.2.8             Mantra 8: The Saptadaçaratra

Prajapati desired, 'May I be an eater of food.' He saw this (rite of) seventeen nights; he grasped it, and sacrificed with it. Then indeed he became an eater of food. Those, who knowing thus perform (the rite) of seventeen nights, become eaters of food. There is a period of five days; the seasons are five in the year; verily in the seasons and the year they find sup port. Again the Pankti is of five elements, the sacrifice is fivefold; verily they win the sacrifice. There can be no Sattra where there is no Chandoma; in that there are Chandomas, there is the sacrifice. The gods they win by the Prsthas, the cattle by the Chandomas. The Prsthas are force and strength, the Chandomas cattle; verily in force and strength, and in cattle, they find support. (The rite is) of seventeen nights; Prajapati is seventeenfold; (verily it serves) to obtain Prajapati. There are Atiratras on either side, for securing food.

1.1.2.9             Mantra 9: The Vinçatiratra

The Viraj dividing itself stayed among the gods with the holy power (Brahman), among the Asuras with food. The gods desired, 'May we acquire both the holy power (Brahman) and food! They saw (the rite of) these twenty nights. Then indeed they acquired both the holy power (Brahman) and food, and became resplendent and eaters of food. Those, who knowing thus perform (the rite of) these nights, acquire both the holy power (Brahman) and food [1], and become resplendent and eaters of food. They (make up) two Virajs; verily separately in them they find support. Man is twentyfold, ten fingers and ten toes; verily obtaining the greatness of man they cease (the rite). There are Tryahas consisting of Jyotis, Go, and Ayus. The Jyotis is this (earth), the Go the atmosphere, the Ayus yonder (sky); verily they mount upon these worlds. The Tryahas go in order; verily in order they mount the world of heaven [2]. If the Prsthas were on one side there would be a lack of balance; the Prsthas are in the middle, for balance. The Prsthas are force and strength; verily they place force and strength in the middle. They proceed with the Brhat and the Rathantara (Samans). The Rathantara is this (earth), the Brhat yonder (sky); verily with them do they proceed, verily also in them they find support. These indeed are the quick paths of the sacrifice; verily by them do they proceed to the world of heaven. They mount the world of heaven turning away (from earth), who perform the Prsthas in succession. The Tryaha is re versed, for the return (from heaven), and for support. Having prospered in either world they cease (the rite). There are Atiratras on either side, for securing splendour and food.

1.1.2.10          Mantra 10: The Ekavinçatiratra

Yonder sun was in this world. The gods surrounded it with the Prsthas and removed it to the world of heaven. They surrounded it from below with the Para (Samans), and placed it with the Divakirtya (Saman) in the world of heaven. They surrounded it from above with the Para (Samans), and with the Prsthas they descended (from heaven). Yonder sun indeed in yonder world is surrounded by the Para (Samans) on both sides. In that there are Prsthas the sacrificers go by them to the world of heaven; they surround it from below with the Para (Samans), and by the Divakirtya (Saman) find support [1] in the world of heaven. They surround it from above with the Para (Samans), and descend with the Prsthas. If there were not Paras above, they would depart away from the world of heaven; if there were none below, they would. burn creatures. There are Parahsamans on both sides of the Divakirtya; verily they surround them on both sides in the world of heaven. The Divakirtya is the sacrificers, the Parahsamans the year; the Parahsamans are on both sides of the Divakirtya; verily on both sides [2] they find support in the year. The Divakirtya is the back, the Parahsamans the two sides; the Parahsamans are on both sides of the Divakirtya; therefore the sides are on both sides of the back. (In the rite) the greatest number of libations are made, the greatest number of Çastras recited; verily in the middle of the sacrifice they tie a knot not to slip. There are seven libations; seven are the breaths in the head; verily they place breaths in the sacrificers. In that the Prsthas are in succession, they mount upon yonder world with them. If they were not to descend to this world [3], the sacrificers would either go mad or perish. In that the Prsthas are reversed they descend to this world with them; verily also they find support in this world, for sanity. Indra was unsettled. He ran up to Prajapati; he gave him this (rite) of twenty-one nights; he grasped it, and sacrificed with it. Then indeed he became settled. Those, who sacrifice much and are unsettled [41, should perform (the rite) of twenty-one nights. There are twelve months, five seasons, three worlds here, and yonder sun as the twenty-first. So many are the worlds of the gods; verily in them in order they find support. Yonder sun did not shine. He ran up to Prajapati; he gave him this (rite) of twenty-one nights; he grasped it, and sacrificed with it. Then in deed did he shine. Those, who knowing thus perform (the rite) of twenty one nights, shine also. (The rite) is of twenty-one nights, the Ekavinça (Stoma) is radiance; verily they attain radiance, and support also, for the Ekavinça is support. There are Atiratras on either side, for securing splendour.

1.1.2.11          Mantra 11: The Apti Mantras

a Let the sacrifice come forward
From yonder over to me,
The sacrifice which the Rsis have brought forward.
b May the fault in the sacrifice settle on him who hateth us,
Making his body godless, strengthless,
Distorted and inert;
May it rest with him who hateth us.
c O sacrifice, come to me
With the brilliance of the sacrifice.
I summon the Brahmans, the priests, the gods,
With the brilliance of thee, the sacrifice, O offering.
d With the sacrifice I summon the cooked food [1] to thee, O offering.
I gather for thee good deeds, offspring, and cattle.
e The Praisas, the kindling-(verses), the butter sprinklings, the shares of the ghee,
The call, the reply, I prepare for thee,
The fore- and after-sacrifices, the Svisakrt, the Ida.
The prayers, I win, the light.
f By Agni, by Indra, by Soma,
By Sarasvati, by Visnu, by the gods,
By the Yajya and the Anuvakya, I summon for thee, O offering.
I take for thee the sacrifice with the Vasat cry.
g The chant, the Çastra, the response,
The libation, the Ida, the prayers, I win, the light.
I summon for thee the sacrifices of the wives, O offering,
I take thy I offering and sacrificial utterance.
h Cattle, the pressed (Soma), the sacrificial cakes,
The pressings, the sacrifice,
The gods with Indra, I summon for thee, O offering,
Lead by Agni, with Soma, and them all.


1.1.2.12          Mantra 12: The Paryapti Mantras

The past, the present, the future, Vasat, hail, reverence!
The Rc, the Saman, the Yajus, Vasat, hail, reverence!
The Gayatri, the Tristubh, the Jagati, Vasat, hail, reverence!
The earth, the atmosphere, the sky, Vasat, hail, reverence!
Agni, Vayu, Surya, Vasat, hail, reverence!
Expiration, cross-breathing, inspiration, Vasat, hail, reverence!
Food, ploughing, rain, Vasat, hail, reverence!
Father, son, grandson, Vasat, hail, reverence!
Bhuh, Bhuvah, Suvar, Vasat, hail, reverence!


1.1.2.13          Mantra 13: The Abhu Mantras

a May a house be mine, may offspring be mine;
May the strong sacrifice come to me.
May the divine and holy waters come to me;
May the abundance of a thousandfold (wealth) fail me not.
b May the cup be mine; may the Puroruc be mine;
May the chant and the Çastra come to me in union.
May the Adityas, the Rudras, the Vasus, be present at the rite;
May the abundance of a thousandfold (wealth) fail me not.
c May the Agnistoma, come to me, and the Ukthya;
May the nocturnal Atiratra come to me.
May the (draughts) which have stood over night, well offered, come to me;
May the abundance of a thousandfold (wealth) fail me not.


1.1.2.14          Mantra 14: The Anubhu Mantras

By fire he surmounted fervour, by speech holy power, by a gem forms, by Indra the gods, by the wind the breaths, by the sun the sky, by the moon the Naksatras, by Yama the Pitrs, by the king men, by fruit the flavours, by the boa constrictor serpents, by the tiger wild beasts, by the eagle birds, by the stallion horses, by the bull kine, by the he-goat goats, by the ram sheep, by rice food, by barley plants, by the banyan trees, by the Udumbara strength, by the Gayatri the metres, by the Trivrt the Stomas, by the Brahmana speech.

1.1.2.15          Mantra 15: The Mantras for the Vaiçvadeva Libation

Hail! (To) meditation (I offer).
To that meditated upon hail!
Hail! (To) that which we meditate on (I offer).
To mind hail! Hail! (To) mind (I offer).
To Prajapati hail! To Ka hail! To Who hail!' To Whoever (katamásmai) hail!
To Aditi hail! To Aditi the great hail! To Aditi the gentle hail!
To Sarasvati hail! To Sarasvati the mighty hail! To Sarasvati, the purifying hail!
To Pusan hail! To Pusan guardian of travellers hail! To Pusan watcher of men hail!
To Tvastr hail! To Tvastr the seminal hail! To Tvastr the multiform hail!
To Visnu hail! To Visnu the Nikhuryapa hail! To Visnu the Nibhuyapa hail!


1.1.2.16          Mantra 16: The Mantras for the Offering of the Members

To the teeth hail!
To the jaws hail!
To the lips hail!
To the mouth hail!
To the nostrils hail!
To the eyes hail!
To the ears hail!
The eyelashes above the lower eyelashes-(to them) hail!
The eyelashes below the upper eyelashes-(to them) hail!,
To the head hail!
To the brows hail!
To the forehead hail!
To the (upper part of the) head hail!
To the brain hail!
To the hairs hail!
To the part that bears (the yoke) hail!
To the cervical vertebrae hail!
To the neck bones hail!
To the spinal column hail!
To the vertical column hail!
To the flank hail!
To the sides hail! [1]
To the shoulders hail!
To the upper forefeet hail!
To the lower forefeet hail!
To the legs hail!
To the hips hail!
To the thighs hail!
To the knees hail!
To the legs hail!
To the buttocks hail!
To the mane hail!
To the tail hail!
To the testicles hail
To the member hail!
To the seed hail!
To offspring hail!
To begetting hail!
To the feet hail!
To the hoofs hail!
To the hairs (of the body) hail!
To the skin hail!
To the blood hail!
To the flesh hail!
To the sinews hail!
To the bones hail!
To the marrow hail!
To the limbs hail!
To the trunk hail!
To all hail!


1.1.2.17          Mantra 17: The Mantras for the Offering to the Forms

To the glossy and variegated one hail!
To the glossy-thighed one hail!
To the white-footed hail!
To the white-humped one hail!
To the one with white openings hail!
To the white-backed one hail!
To the white-shouldered one hail!
To the flower-cared one hail!
To the white-lipped one hail!
To the white-browed one hail!
To the one with white buttocks hail!
To the white shining one hail!
To the glossy hail!
To the marked one hail!
To the black-kneed hail!
To the black-speckled hail!
To the red-speckled hail!
To the ruddy-speckled hail!
To such hail!
To what sort hail!
To one like this hail!
To a like one hail!
To a different one hail!
To a fair-like one hail!
To form hail!
To all hail!


1.1.2.18          Mantra 18: The Mantras for the Offering to the Colors

To the black hail!
To the white hail!
To the tawny hail!
To the spotted hail!
To the ruddy hail!
To the yellow hail!
To the brown hail!
To the ichneumon(-coloured) hail!
To the red hail!
To the purple hail!
To the dark brown hail!
To the dark blue hail;
To the dead black hail!
To the fair-shaped hail!
To the one of like form hail!
To the one of different form hail!
To the one of the same form hail!
To the one of matching form hail!
To the tawny hail!
To the pale red hail!
To the speckled hail!
To the speckled-thighed hail!
To all hail!


1.1.2.19          Mantra 19: The Mantras for the Offering to the Plants

To the plants hail!
To the roots hail!
To the panicles hail!
To the joints hail!
To the twigs hail!
To the flowers hail!
To the fruits hail!
To those that are used hail!
To those that are not used hail!
To those that have fallen off hail!
To those that are lying (on the ground) hail!
To all hail!


1.1.2.20          Mantra 20: The Mantras for the Offering to the Trees

To the trees hail!
To the roots hail!
To the panicles hail!
To the corona hail!
To the branches hail!
To the leaves hail!
To the flowers hail!
To the fruits hail!
To those that are used hail!
To those that are not used hail!
To those that have fallen off hail!
To those that are lying (on the ground) hail!
To' the one that is left hail!
To the one that is left over hail!
To the one that is left around hail!
To the one that is left along hail!
To the one left out hail!
To the one deprived (of leaves) hail!
To the one not deprived hail!
To the one deprived around hail!
To the one deprived along hail!
To the one deprived altogether hail
To all hail!


1.1.3            Prapathaka 10: The Sattras (continued)

Enter text here

1.1.3.1             Mantra 1: The Caturvinçatiratra

Brhaspati desired, 'May the gods have faith in me, and may I become their Purohita.' He saw this (rite) of twenty-four nights; he grasped it, and sacrificed with it. Then the gods had faith in him, and he became their Purohita. In those who knowing thus perform the twenty four night (rite) men have faith, and they become their Purohitas. There are the three days Jyotis, Go, and Ayus. The Jyotis is this (earth), the Go the atmosphere, and the Ayus yonder (sky) [1]; verily they mount upon these worlds. The three days occur in order; verily in order do they mount upon the world of heaven. There can be no Sattra where there is no Chandoma; in that there are Chandomas, there is the Sattra. The gods they win by the Prsthas, the cattle by the Chandomas. The Prsthas are force and strength, the Chandomas cattle; verily in force and strength, and in cattle they find support. They proceed with the Brhat and the Rathantara (Samans). The Rathantara, is this (earth), the Brhat yonder (sky); verily with them do they [2] proceed; verily also in them they find support. These indeed are the quick paths of the sacrifice; verily by them do they proceed to the world of heaven. (The rite is one) of twenty-four nights. Twenty four half-months make up the year; the year is the world of heaven; verily they find support in the year, the world of heaven. Now the Gayatri is of twenty-four syllables; the Gayatri is splendour; verily by the Gayatri they win splendour. There are Atiratras on either side, to secure splendour.

1.1.3.2             Mantra 2: The Second Caturvinçatiratra

As are men, so were the gods in the beginning. They desired, 'Let us strike off the misfortune, the evil of death, and reach the conclave of the gods.' They saw this twenty-four night (rite); they grasped it, and sacrificed with it. Then they struck off the misfortune, the evil of death, and reached the conclave of the gods. Those who knowing thus perform the twenty-four night (rite) strike off the misfortune, the evil, and win prosperity, for the conclave of the gods is in the case of man [1] prosperity. The Atiratra is light, for the lighting up of the world of heaven. There is a Prsthva Sadaha. The year consists of six seasons, and, entering it, the months, the half-months and the seasons reached the conclave of the gods. Those who knowing thus perform the twenty-four night rite, entering the year, reach a better station. There are three Trayastrinças before, and three Trayastrinças behind; verily with Trayastrinças on either hand they strike off the evil of misfortune and in the middle reach the conclave of the gods [2], for the conclave of the gods is the Prsthas. There is uniformity in that there are three Trayastrinças in succession, and a break in the uniformity in that there is in the middle one which is not defined. The Prsthas go onwards, the Chandomas go onwards; with both forms they go to the world of heaven. There can be no Sattra where there is no Chandoma; in that there are Chandomas, there is the Sattra. The gods they win by the Prsthas, the cattle by the Chandomas. The Prsthas are force and strength, the Chandomas cattle [3]; verily in force and strength and in cattle they find support. There are three Trayastrinças before, and three Trayastrinças behind; in the middle there are the Prsthas. The Trayastrinças are the breast, the Prsthas the breath; verily thus the sacrificers don a protection for the breath, to avoid injury. They proceed with the Brhat and the Rathantara. The Rathantara is this (world), the Brhat yonder (world); verily they proceed with them; verily also in them they find support. These indeed are the quick paths of the sacrifice; verily by them do they [4] proceed to the world of heaven. They mount the world of heaven turning away (from earth) who perform the Prsthas in succession. The six-day (rite) is reversed for the return (from the heaven), and for support. Having prospered in either world they cease (the rite). They go from a Trivrt to a Trivrt, for the attainment of the Stomas, for pre eminence. There is an Agnistoma in the Jyotis form. This dwelling is this (world); verily by reason thereof they depart not from this dwelling. (The rite is one) of twenty-four nights. Twenty-four half-months make up the year, the year is the world of heaven; verily they find support in the year, the world of heaven. Now the Gayatri is of twenty-four syllables; the Gayatri is splendour; verily by the Gayatri they win splendour. There are Atiratras on either side, to secure splendour.

1.1.3.3             Mantra 3: The Trinçadratra

This (earth) was bare and hairless. It desired, 'Let me be propagated with plants and trees.' It saw these thirty nights. Then indeed it was propagated with plants and trees. Those who desire offspring and cattle should perform (the rite of) these (nights); they are propagated with offspring and cattle. This (earth) was hungry. It saw this Viraj, and placing it within itself it won food, plants [1], trees, offspring, cattle. Thereby it grew, it attained victoriousness and greatness. Those, who knowing thus perform (the rite of) these (nights), placing the Viraj in themselves, win food, grow great with offspring and cattle, and attain victoriousness and might. There is a Jyotistoma Atiratra, for the revealing of the world of heaven. There is a Prsthya Sadaha. The seasons are six, the Prsthas are six; verily by the Prsthas they reach the seasons, with the seasons the year; verily; the year [2] they find support. From the Trayastrinças they go to the Trayastrinça, for the continuity of the sacrifice. Now the Trayastrinça is Prajapati; verily they seize hold of Prajapati, for support. There is a Trinava, for victory. There is an Ekavinça, for support; verily they place radiance in themselves. There is a praise of Agni with the Trivrt; verily they bum away evil with it. Now the Trivrt is brilliance; verily they place brilliance in themselves. There is a praise of Indra with the Pañcadaça; verily they win power (indriyá) [3]. There is a Saptadaça, for the winning of food; verily by it they are propagated. There is an Ekavinça, for support; verily they place radiance in themselves. There is a Caturvinça. Twenty-four half-months make up the year, the year is the world of heaven; verily they find support in the year, the world of heaven. Now there is the chief (day), and those who knowing thus perform (the rite of) these (nights) become the chief. From the Caturvinça they go to the Prsthas. Verily having found support in the year [4] they attain the gods. From the Trayastrinça they go to the Trayastrinça. The gods are three and thirty; verily in the gods they find support. There is a Trinava. The Trinava is these worlds; verily in these worlds they find support. There are two Ekavinças, for support; verily they place radiance in themselves. There are many Sodaçins, and therefore there are many males among offspring. In that these Stomas are intermingled, therefore this (earth) is covered with mingled plants and trees [5]. Those who knowing thus perform (the rite of) these (nights) have both offspring and cattle. These go imperfect to the world of heaven, for they resort to various Stomas; in that the Stomas are arranged in order, they go in order to the world of heaven, and there is order in both these worlds. These (nights) are thirty in number, the Viraj has thirty syllables; verily by the Viraj they win food. There are Atiratras on either hand, to secure food.

1.1.3.4             Mantra 4: The Dvatrinçadratra

Prajapati went to the world of heaven. But with whatever metre the gods yoked him, they achieved not him. They saw (the rite of) these thirty-two nights. The Anustubh has thirty-two syllables, Prajapati is connected with the Anustubh; verily having gained Prajapati by his own metre they mounted on him and went to the world of heaven. Those who knowing thus perform (the rite of) these thirty-two (nights)--the Anustubh has thirty-two syllables, Prajapati is connected with the Anustubh-gaining Prajapati by his own metre, go to prosperity [1], for the world of heaven for man is prosperity. These (nights) are thirty-two, the Anustubh has thirty-two syllables, the Anustubh is speech; verily they gain all speech; all become speakers of speech, for all attain prosperity. There are the three days, Jyotis, Go, and Ayus. The Jyotis is this (earth), the Go the atmosphere, and the Ayus yonder (sky); verily they mount upon these worlds. The three days occur in order; verily in order do they mount upon the world of heaven. They proceed with the Brhat and Rathantara (Samans) [2]. The Rathantara is this (earth), the Brhat yonder (sky); verily with them do they proceed; verily also in them they find support. These indeed are the quick paths of the sacrifice; verily by them do they proceed to the world of heaven. Those who perform the three days in succession mount upon the world of heaven turning away (from earth). There is a three day period reversed, for returning (from heaven), and also for support. Having prospered in both worlds they cease (the rite). These (nights) are thirty-two. As for thirty of them, the Viraj has thirty syllables, the Viraj is food; verily by the Viraj they win food. As for the (remaining) two, they are days and nights, and by both forms they go to the world of heaven. There are Atiratras on either side, for security.

1.1.3.5             Mantra 5: The Trayastrinçadratra

There are two Sattras of the gods, that of twelve days and that of thirty-three days. Those, who knowing thus perform (the rite of) thirty-three days, mount openly upon the deities. As a great man who has reached (the goal) seeks (more), so he does. If he fail he becomes worse; if he fail not, he remains the same. Those, who knowing thus perform (the rite of) thirty-three days, are distinguished from the evil enemy. The gods in the beginning seized these (nights), sharing the days [1]. One took one day, one another, and with them all equally prospered. Those, who knowing thus perform (the rite) of thirty-three days, all equally prosper, all gain the rank of village chief. There are five day periods; the year has five seasons; verily they rest on the seasons, the year. Again the Pankti has five syllables, the sacrifice is fivefold; verily they win the sacrifice. There are three (days with the) Açvina (Çastra); three are these worlds; verily in these [2] worlds they find support. Again three are the powers of the sacrifice; verily they win them. There is a Viçvajit (day), for the winning of food. It has all the Prsthas, for the conquest of all. The twelve-day (rite) is speech. If they were to perform the twelve-day (rite) before (what has already gone), they would perform speech imperfectly, and their speech would be likely to fail. They perform the twelve-day (rite) afterwards; verily they perform speech perfectly, and therefore we utter speech from above. Intermediately indeed [3] by means of a ten-nights' (rite) did Prajapati create offspring. In that there is a ten-nights' (rite), the sacrificers create offspring. Udanka Çaulbayana has declared the ten-night rite to be the prosperity of the Sattra. In that there is a ten-nights' rite, (it serves) for the prosperity of the Sattra. Verily also whatever is wrongly done in the former days, it serves to atone. These nights form two rows, the sacrificers are the Viçvajit, the first are sixteen with the Atiratra, the second are sixteen with the Atiratra. To those, who knowing thus perform (the rite) of thirty-three days, are born children in two rows. There are Atiratras on either side, for security.

1.1.3.6             Mantra 6: The Sadtrinçadratra

The Adityas desired, 'Let us go to the world of heaven.' They discerned not the world of heaven, they went not to the world of heaven. They saw this (rite) of thirty-six nights; they grasped it, and sacrificed with it. Then indeed did they discern the world of heaven, and went to the world of heaven. Those, who knowing thus perform (the rite) of thirty six nights, discern the world of heaven, and go to the world of heaven. The Atiratra is light [1]; verily they put light before them, to reveal the world of heaven. There are Sadahas; six are the seasons; verily in the seasons they find support. There are four (Sadahas); four are the quarters; verily in the quarters they find support. There can be no Sattra where there is no Chandoma; in that there are Chandomas, there is the Sattra. The gods they win by the Prsthas, the cattle by the Chandomas. The Prsthas are force and strength, the Chandomas cattle; verily in force [2] and strength they find support. (The rite has) thirty-six nights; the Brhati has thirty-six syllables, cattle are connected with the Brhati; verily by the Brhati they win cattle. The Brhati obtained the sovereignty over the metres. They obtain sovereignty who knowing thus perform (the rite) of thirty-six nights; verily they go to the world of heaven. There are Atiratras on either side, for the securing of the world of heaven.

1.1.3.7             Mantra 7: The Ekonapañcaçadratra

Vasistha, his sons slain, desired, 'May I win offspring, and defeat the Sauddsas.' He saw this (rite) of forty-nine nights; he grasped it, and sacrificed with it. Then indeed did he win offspring and defeated the Sauddsas. Those, who knowing thus perform (the rite) of forty-nine nights, win offspring and defeat their enemies. There are three Agnistomas with the Trivrt; verily they sharpen the point of the bolt. There are ten Pañcadaças; the bolt is fifteenfold [1]; verily they take away the bolt from their rivals. The tenth day has a Sodaçin; verily they place strength in the bolt. There axe twelve Saptadaças, to win food; verily also they are propagated by them. There is a Prsthya Sadaha. Six are the seasons, six the Prsthas; verily by the Prsthas they mount upon the seasons, by the seasons upon the year; verily in the year they find support. There are twelve Ekavinças, for support; verily they place radiance in themselves [2]. There are many Sodaçins, for conquest. There are six (days) with the Açvina (Çastra), six are the seasons; verily they rest on the seasons. These nights are deficient and redundant. They are deficient in that they are fifty less one, redundant in that they are (one) more than forty-eight. Both from the deficient, indeed, and from the redundant Prajapati was propagated. Those who desire offspring and cattle should perform (the rite of) these nights; verily are they propagated with offspring and cattle. This sacrifice is connected with the Viraj because it is one of forty-nine (nights). Those, who knowing thus perform (the rite) of forty-nine nights, attain the Viraj, and become eaters of food. There are Atiratras on either side, for the securing of food.

1.1.3.8             Mantra 8: The Time for the Consecration

Those who are about to consecrate themselves for the year (rite) should consecrate themselves on the Ekastaka. The Ekastaka is the wife of the year; on that night he dwells with her; verily they consecrate themselves grasping openly the year. Those who consecrate themselves on the Ekastaka consecrate themselves in the troubled part of the year, for then are the two months called the end. Those who consecrate themselves on the Ekastaka consecrate themselves on the torn part of the year, for them are the two seasons called the end. They should consecrate themselves on the full moon in Phalguni. The full moon in Phalguni is the beginning of the year [1]; verily they consecrate them selves grasping the year at its beginning. To that there is this one objection that the Visuvant day falls in the cloudy season. They should consecrate themselves on the full moon in Citra. The full moon in Citra, is the beginning of the year; verily they consecrate themselves grasping the year at the beginning. In that there is no objection at all. They should consecrate themselves on the fourth day before the full moon. Then the buying (of the Soma) falls for them on the Ekastaka; verily they do not waste the Ekastaka. In their case [2] the pressing-(day) falls on the first half (of the month), the months end in the first half, they complete (the rite) in the first half, and when they complete the rite the plants and trees come out after them. And after them follows the fair report, 'These sacrificers have succeeded', and therefore all succeed.

1.1.3.9             Mantra 9: The Consecration and the Upasad Days

They go to the world of heaven who perform the Sattra. They kindle themselves with the Diksas, and cook themselves with the Upasads. With two they cut off their hair, with two their skin, with two their blood, with two their flesh, with two their bones, with two their marrow. In the Sattra the self is the sacrificial gift; verily taking the self as the gift they go to the world of heaven. They cut off the top-knot, for prosperity, (thinking), 'More swiftly may we attain the world of heaven.'

1.1.3.10          Mantra 10: The Prayaniya Day

The theologians say, 'The Atiratra is the highest of the forms of sacrifice. Why do they perform it first?' Now in doing so they really perform in order first the Agnistoma, then the Ukthya, then the Sodaçin, then the Atiratra, all the forms of sacrifice, and seizing and holding them, they keep drinking the Soma. They perform the Jyotistoma first; the Jyotistoma is the beginning of the Stomas; verily they commence the Stomas from the beginning [1]. The Stomas being sung together make up the Viraj, and two verses are redundant; the Gostoma has one too many, and the Ayustoma one too few. The Jyotistoma is the world of heaven, the Viraj is strength; verily by it they go to the world of heaven. 'The Rathantara is used in the day, the Rathantara at night', say the theologians, 'what is used to avoid repetition?' The great Saman of Sobhari is used as the Brahmasaman at the third pressing; it they place in the middle, to separate them; verily there is no repetition.

1.1.3.11          Mantra 11: The Days of the Months

They first perform the Jyotistoma; verily by it they find support in this world. They perform secondly the Gostoma; verily by it they find support in the atmosphere. They perform thirdly the Ayustoma; verily by it they find support in yonder world. The Jyotis is this (earth), the Go the atmosphere, and the Ayus yonder (sky). In that they perform these Stomas, the performers of the Sattra keep finding support in these worlds. These, (Stomas) being sung together make up the Viraj [1], and two verses are redundant; the Gostoma has one too many, and the Ayustoma one too few. The Jyotistoma is the world of heaven, the Viraj is strength; verily they win strength. They experience not misery through hunger, and are not hungry, for the performers of Sattras are as it were afflicted with hunger. The two Agnistomas on either side are the rims, the Ukthyas in the middle the nave, and that is the circling wheel of the gods. In that they go [2] by that Sadaha, they mount the wheel of the gods, for safety. They obtain prosperity. They go with the Sadaha; there are six seasons; verily in the seasons they find support. The go with a Jyotistoma on either hand; verily on either hand they find support in the world of heaven. There are two Sadahas, they make up twelve days. Man is of twelve parts, two thighs, two arms, the trunk and the head, four members, and the breasts as the eleventh and twelfth [3]. Therefore (the days) follow man. There are three Sadahas, they make up eighteen days, nine and nine. Nine are the breaths in man; verily they follow the breaths. There are four Sadahas, they make up twenty-four days. The year consists of twenty-four half-months; verily they follow the year. 'The year is not fixed', they say. 'It is greater than a support.' The Brahmana of the month is that of the year also verily they go finding support in each month.

1.1.3.12          Mantra 12: The Mantras for the Apavya Offering

a Let the ram aid thee with cooked food, the dark-necked with goats, the cotton-tree with increase, the Parna-tree with the holy power (Brahman), the fig-tree with the sacrifice, the banyan with the beakers, the Udumbara with strength, the Gayatri with the metres, the Trivrt with the Stomas. b Ye are helpers; let the helpers help thee. Deal among dear things, best among things to be sought, treasure lord of treasures, thee we hail, O my radiant one.

1.1.3.13          Mantra 13: The Mantras for the Offerings to the Waters

To (the waters of) wells hail!
To those of the pools hail!
To those of the clefts hail!
To those of holes hail!
To those which are dug for hail!
To those of lakes hail!
To those of morasses hail!
To those of ponds hail!
To those of tanks hail!
To those of marshes hail!
To those of rain hail!
To those without rain hail!
To those of hail hail!
To those of rime hail!
To those which glide hail!
To those which are stagnant hail!
To those of the streams hail!
To those of the rivers hail!
To those of the ocean hail!
To all hail!


1.1.3.14          Mantra 14: The Mantras for the Offerings to the Waters

To waters hail!
To those that flow hail!
To those that flow around hail
To those that flow all about hail!
To those that flow swiftly hail!
To those that flow quickly hail!
To those that flow wildly hail!
To those that flow terribly hail!
To the waters of earth hail!
To those of the atmosphere hail!
To those of the sky hail!
To all hail!


1.1.3.15          Mantra 15: The Mantras for the Smiting of the Dog

a Him who is fain to injure the steed
Varuna punisheth.
Away the man, away the dog!
b I and thou, Vrtra-slayer,
Have been united to win spoils;
Even the foe, O hero with the bolt,
Must think of us;
Good are Indra's gifts.
c Thou hast surpassed in might, O Indra, on the earth
The regions comprehend not thy greatness;
For with thine own strength thou didst slay Vrtra;
No foe hath found the end of thee in fight.


1.1.3.16          Mantra 16: The Mantras for the Yavyahoma

Homage to the king!
Homage to Varuna!
Homage to the horse!
Homage to Prajapati!
Homage to the overlord!
Thou art an overlord; make me an overlord; may I be overlord of creatures.
Place me, place in me.
To him that is driven near hail!
To him that is taken hold of hail!
To him that is sacrificed hail!


1.1.3.17          Mantra 17: The Gavya Mantras

a Let the healing wind blow upon our cows,
Let them feed on strengthening herbs;
Let them drink waters full of life and fatness;
Rudra, be gracious to the food that hath feet.
b Those which are of one, of various hues, or of like hue
Those whose names Agni knoweth by sacrifice;
Those which the Angirases made here by devotion,
To those, O Parjanya, grant abundant protection.
c Those who offered to the gods their bodies;
Those whose every form Soma knoweth;
O Indra [1], place them in our pastures,
Swelling with milk and rich in offspring.
d Prajapati, bestowing these on me,
In harmony with all the gods and Pitrs,
Hath brought them, auspicious, to our pastures.
May we possess their offspring.
e Here is support, hail!
f Here is keeping apart, hail!
y Here is joy, hail!
h Here is delight, hail!'
i The great.
k The protecting.


1.1.3.18          Mantra 18: The Riddle

a What was the first conception?
What was the great age?
What was the tawny one?
What was the smooth one?
b The sky was the first conception.
The horse was the great age.
The night was the tawny one.
The sheep was the smooth one.
c Who moveth alone?
Who too is born again?
What is a remedy for the cold?
What is the great enveloper?
d The sun moveth alone [1].
The moon is born again.
Fire is the remedy for the cold.
Earth is the great enveloper.
e I ask thee of the furthest end of the earth.
I ask thee of the navel of the world.
I ask thee of the seed of the strong horse.
I ask thee of speech's highest realm.
f They call the altar-ground the furthest end of the earth.
They call the sacrifice the navel of the world.
They call Soma the seed of the strong horse.
(They call) the Brahman the highest realm of speech.


1.1.3.19          Mantra 19: The Queen and the Dead Horse

a O Amba! O Ambali! O Ambika!
b No one leadest me.
The wicked horse is sleeping.
c O fair one, clad in fair raiment in the world of heaven be ye two covered....
{...several verses omitted from original translation...}
1 When the deer eateth grain,
He deemeth not his flock fat.
When the Çadra woman is the loved of the Aryan,
She seeketh not wealth for prosperity....
{...several verses omitted from original translation...}
q Dadhikravan have I sung,
The swift strong horse.
May he make our mouths fragrant;
May he lengthen our days.
r Ye waters are healing;
Further us to strength,
To see great joy.
s The most auspicious flavour that is yours
Accord to us here
Like eager mothers.
t To him may we come with satisfaction,
To whose dwelling ye quicken us,
O waters, and propagate us.


1.1.3.20          Mantra 20: The Treatment of the Living Horse

a Bhuh! Bhuvah! Svar!
b Let the Vasus anoint thee with the Gayatri metre. Let the Rudras anoint thee with the Tristubh metre. Let the Adityas anoint thee with the Jagati metre.
c As the wind hath gone to the waters,
Indra's dear body,
By that path, O praiser,
Bring back to us the horse.
d O thou that hast barley, that hast grain, (bring) renown for me;
e For barley, for milk, this food eat, O ye gods; this food eat, O Prajapati.
f They yoke the tawny ruddy one,
Which goeth round them that stand;
The lights shine in the sky.
g They yoke his dear steeds
On either side of the chariot,
Dark, strong, bearing heroes.
A Making a banner for that which hath none,
Form for the formless, O ye men,
Thou wert born with the dawns.







Om Tat Sat

(Continued ..)


My humble salutations to Swamyjis, Philosophic scholars , dharmicscriptures dot org
for the collection)