translated With a Popular Commentary by Ralph T.H. Griffith
Benares: E.J. Lazarus and Co.
1899
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Contents:
• PREFACE
• BOOK I.
o New and Full Moon sacrifices
o Removal of the calves
o The milking
o Purification of the milk
o The Vow of Abstinence
o Preparation of the rice
o Rice-cake offered to Agni
o Rice-cake to Agni-Soma
o Bringing forward the sacrificial waters
o Purification of the waters
o Spreading the black-antelope's skin
o Pounding the rice
o Putting potsherds on the fire
o Placing the nether press-stone on the skin
o Division of the dough: one lump for Agni and one for Agni-Soma
o Exorcism of the fiend Araru
o Drawing of lines on three sides of the altar
o Exorcism of evil spirits
o Girding the Sacrificer's wife as his associate
• BOOK II.
o Sprinkling of fuel, altar, and sacred grass
o Placing of the Prastara or Grass-bunch on the covering grass
o Laying the enclosing-sticks round the sacrificial fire
o Kindling the fire
o Exorcism of fiends
o Spreading of the Prastara
o Laying down the three offering-spoons
o Election of Agni as Hotar
o Prayers for the protection of the sacrifice
o Anointing the enclosing-sticks
o Throwing the sticks into the fire
o The Sacrificer's wife unties the Veda or sacred Grass-bunch
o Holy water poured on the altar
o Portion of oblation allotted to Râkshasas
o The three Vishnu-strides
o Completion of the Vow of Abstinence
o Pindapitriyajña or Obsequial Offerings to Ancestral Manes
o Line drawn to keep off evil spirits
o Threads, wool, or hair as raiment for the Manes
o Formula recited by the Sacrificer's wife to obtain a son
o Water poured on the obsequial cakes
• BOOK III.
o Agnyâdhâna or Establishment of Sacrificial Fires
o The Âhavanîya Fire
o The Dakshinâgni or Southern Fire
o Agnihotra, morning and evening milk-oblations
o The Gârhapatya Fire
o Worship of Agni
o Address to the Cows
o The Sâvitrî
o Worship of the Gârhapatya and Âhavanîya Fires
o Worship of Agni Purîshya
o Four-monthly Sacrifices
o Purificatory Baptism of the Sacrificer and his Wife
o The Sâkamedha Offerings
o Worship, with oblation, of Rudra Tryambaka
o Ceremonial Shaving of the Sacrificer's head
• BOOK IV.
o Soma Sacrifice
o Apsu-Dîkshâ, Consecration by Water, Baptism
o Andgrabhana or Uplifting Ceremonies
o Putting on the Sacrificial Girdle
o Tying on a black-buck's horn
o Preparation of Vow-food
o Hiranyavatî-âhuti, Offering with Gold
o Reverence to the Soma purchasing Cow
o Purchase of Soma plants
o Introduction of Soma
• BOOK V.
o Âtithya, or Ceremonial Reception of Soma
o Tânûnaptra, or Invocation of Agni Tanûnapât
o Minor Consecration
o Âpyâyana, Sprinkling of the Soma plants
o Upasads, Reverential Services
o Marking out the lines of the Soma altar
o Providing earth for the High Altar
o Anointing of the four corners of the Altar place
o Construction of Havirdhânas or Soma cart sheds
o Construction of the Priests’ Shed, the Pressing-place, and Dhishnyas
o Preparation of the Uparavas or sound-holes
o Erection of the Udumbara Poet in the Priests’ Shed
o Enclosing of the Priests’ Shed with mats
o Consecration of the Dhishnyas
o Laying fire on the Âgnîdhra hearth
o Deposition of Pressing-stones, Soma trough, and Soma vessels
o Deposition of the Soma plant on a black-antelope's skin
o Animal Sacrifice
o Preparation of the Yûpa or Sacrificial Stake
• BOOK VI.
o Erection of the Stake
o Binding and Slaughtering of the Victim
o Roasting and offering of the omentum and flesh
o Symbolical re-uniting of the separated portions
o Dismissal of the re-united Victim to Heaven
o Soma Sacrifice
o The Vasatîvarî water, to be used in the Soma-pressing
o Taking the Soma plants from the cart and laying them on the pressing-stones
o The Morning Pressing
o The Upâmsu Press stone
o The Nigrâbhyâ Water
o Beating the Soma
• BOOK VII.
o Grahagrahana, Drawing Cups of Soma
o Upâmsu Graha
o Antaryâma Graha
o Aindra-Vâyava Graha
o Maitrâ-Varuna Graha
o Âsvina Graha
o Sukra Graha
o Manthin Graha
o Âgrayana Graha
o Ukthya Graha
o Dhruvâ Graha
o Viprud-Homa, or Drop Oblation
o Avakâsa Formulas
o Ritu Grahas, Libations to the Seasons
o Aindrâgna Cup
o Vaisvadeva Cup
o The Midday Pressing
o Marutvatîya Cups
o Mâhendra Graha, Cup for Mahendra
o Dâkshina-Homa, Oblation in the Southern Fire
o Address to the Guerdon-Cows
• BOOK VIII.
o The Third or Evening Pressing
o Âditya Graha or Libation to the Âdityas
o Sâvitra Graha, or Libation to Savitar
o Mahâvaisvadeva Cup, or Libation to the Great All-Gods
o Pâtnîvata Cup, or Libation to Soma
o Pâtnîvata Cup, or Libation to Agni
o Hâriyojana Cup, a Libation to Indra
o Splinters of the Sacrificial Stake thrown on the fire
o Samishtayajus Ceremonies
o Avabhritha, or Purifying Bath
o Offering of the Vasâ, or Sacrificial Cow
o Offering of the Embryo Calf
o Additional Soma Sacrifices
o Shodasî
o Dvâdasâha
o Atigrâhyas
o Gavâmayana
o Gargatrirâtra
o Mahâvratîya Graha
o Adâbhya Graha
o Sattrotthâna, or Rising from a Sacrificial Session
o Rectifying and Expiatory Formulas
• BOOK IX.
o The Vâjapeya, or Draught of Strength
o Cups of Soma
o Cup of Surâ
o Chariot-race
o Sprinkling and harnessing the horses
o Beating the Drum
o Address to the Horses
o Twelve Oblations, one for each Month
o Six Oblations, one for each Season
o Enthronement of the Sacrificer
o Vâjaprasavanîya, or Strength furthering, Oblations
o Ujjitis, or Victory Formulas
o The Râjasûya, or King's Inauguration
o Preliminary Oblations
o Apâmârga, or Exorcising, Oblation
o Oblations to the Eight Devasûs or Furthering Gods
o Presentation of the King to the People
• BOOK X.
o The Abhisheka, Aspersion, or Consecration
o Collection of the Consecrating Waters
o Spreading the Tiger-skin
o Robing with the Consecration Garments
o Presentation of the Three Arrows
o Formulas announcing and introducing the King
o Ascending the Quarters
o Sprinkling with Holy Water
o The Capture of the Cows
o Rathavimochanîya, or Car-unharnessing, Oblations
o The Throwing of the Dice
o The Dasapeya Libations
o Samsrip, or,Creeping, Oblation
o The Sautrâmanî
• BOOK XI.
o Agnichayana, Building of the Fire Altar
o Taking up the Spade
o Address to the Victims
o The Clay Lump, representing Agni
o Digging round the Clay Lump
o The Lotus-leaf
o Forming the Fire-pan
o Address to the Fire-pan
o Placing the Fire-pan on the Âhavanîya Fire
o Address to Agni Purîshya
• BOOK XII.
o Raising the Ukhya, or Fire-pan, Agni, and setting it on a seat
o The Sling in which the Ukhya Agni is to be carried about
o The Vishnu-strides
o The Vâtsapra Rite
o Vanîvâ hanam, or Driving Hither and Thither of Agni
o Construction of the Gârhapatya Hearth
o Preparation of the Ground
o Laying the Bricks
o Throwing the Ukhya Agni on the Hearth
o The Altar of Nirriti
o Preparation of the Site of the Fire Altar
o Ploughing the Ground
o Watering and Sowing
o Address to the Plants
o The first Layer of Bricks
o Spreading Sand on the Altar
o Address to the Fires
• BOOK XIII.
• The Lotus Leaf
• The Piece of Gold
• The Golden Man
• The Porous Brick
• The Dûrvâ Grass
• The Dviyajus Bricks
• The Retahsich Bricks
• The Ritavyâ Bricks
• The Ashâdhâ or Invincible Brick
• The Tortoise
• The Pestle and Mortar
• The Fire-pan
• The Victims’ Heads
• The Gold Splinters
• Worship of the Unfinished Altar
• Apasyâ Bricks
• Chhandasyâ Bricks
• Prânabhrit Bricks
• The Second Layer
• Âsvinî Bricks
• Ritavyâs
• Vaisvadevis
• Prânabhritas
• Vayasyâs
• The Third Layer
• Central Porous Brick
• Disyâs
• Visvajyotis
• Ritavyâs (Nabhas and Nabhasya)
• Ritavyâs (Isha and Ûrja)
• Prânabhritas
• Chhandasyâs
• Vâlakhilyâs
• The Fourth Layer
• Stomas
• Spritas
• Ritavyâs
• Srishtis
• The Fifth Layer
• Asapatnâs
• Virâjas
• Stoma-bhâgâs
• Nâkasadas
• Pañchachûdâs
• Chhandasyâs
• Gârhapatya Hearth
• Punaschiti
• Ritavyâs
• Visvajyotis
• Lokamprinâs
• Vikarnî
• Porous Brick
• Scattering Bits of Gold on the Altar
• BOOK XIV [MISSING]
• BOOK XV [MISSING]
• BOOK XVI.
o The Satarudriya
• BOOK XVII.
o Taking Possession of the Altar
o Frog, Avakâ, and Bamboo-shoot
o Mounting the Altar
o Oblation to Agni on the chief Porous Brick
o Sprinkling the Altar with curds, honey and butter
o Oblations in the Hall Door Fire
o Prayer to Indra as. God of Battles
o Erection of the Variegated Stone
o Mounting the Altar
o Oblation of Milk from a Black Cow with a White Calf
o Laying three Logs on the Fire
o Oblations to Agni
o Offering of Seven Rice Cakes to the Mutate
o Eulogy of Ghrita
• BOOK XVIII.
o Consecration Service for Agni as King
o Vasordhârâ, or Stream of Riches
o Ardhendra, or Half-Indra, Oblations
o Three sets of Grahas
o Yajñakratus, or Sacrificial Rites
o Enumeration of Stomas or Hymns of Praise
o Age Libations
o Name Libation
o Kalpa, or Success, Libation
o Vâjaprasavîya, or Strength-furthering, Libations
o Râshtrabhrit, or Kingdom supporting, Libation
o Oblations on the Head of the War-chariot
o Wind Oblations
o Lustrous Oblations
o Arkâsvamedha-santati Oblations
o Agniyojana, or Equipment of Agni
o Samishtayajus, or Final Sacrificial, Oblations
o Homage to the completed Fire Altar
o Symbolical Meaning of the Construction of the Fire Altar
• BOOK XIX.
o The Sautrâmanî
o Milk Libations to the Asvins, Sarasvatî, and Indra
o Purification of the Sacrificer
o The Identification of the Sautrâmanî with Soma Sacrifice
o Transubstantiation of the Surâ or Wine
o Libations of Surâ in the Southern Fire
o Oblation and Prayer to the Fathers
o The Hundred-holed Jar of Surâ
o Oblations to the Fathers
o Residue drunk by the Sacrificer
o Formulas addressed to the Somavat Fathers
o Formulas addressed to the Barhishads
o Formulas addressed to the Agnishvâttas
o Prayer to Fathers of all Classes
o Address to Agni
o Address to Indra
o Verses illustrative of Separation and Rejection
o Thirty-two Oblations of Fat or Marrow
o Re-creation of Indra
• BOOK XX.
o The Âsandî or Sacrificer's Seat
o Sprinkling of the Sacrificer with Libation-fat
o The Sacrificer's Benediction on all Parts of his Body
o Further Self-benedictory Formulas
o The Avabhritha or Purificatory Ceremony
o Prayers for Remission of Sin
o Laying Fuel on the Âhavanîya Fire
o Mixing Surâ with Soma
o Offering of a Rice Cake to Indra
o The Thirty-third Oblation of Fat or Marrow
o Inhaling the Odour of the Remains of the Oblation
o Âprî Hymn
o Invitation of Indra to the Sacrifice
o Further Address to Indra
o Praise of the Asvins and Sarasvatî
o Prayer to Agni
o Praise of Sarasvatî
o Invitation to Indra and the Asvins
• BOOK XXI.
o Offering of a Rice Cake and prayer to Varuna
o Prayer to Agni as Mediator
o Prayer and Oblation to Aditi
o Oblations to Mitra and Varuna as Rain-Gods
o A Propitiatory Hymn in honour of Indra
o Benedictions on Indra
o Directions to the Hotar to worship various Deities and Sacred Objects
o Benedictions on Indra
o Conclusion of the Santrâmanî Ceremony
• BOOK XXII.
o The Asvamedha or Horse-Sacrifice
o Investing the Sacrificer with the Gold Ornament
o Address to the Ornament
o Girding and Sprinkling of the Horse
o Symbolical Slaughter of a Dog
o Offering of Oblations to Ten Deities
o Homage to the Horse
o Prayers and Oblations to Savitar
o Inviting Verses to Agni
o Eulogy of the Horse
o Protection invoked for the Horse
o Oblations and Homage to Prajâpati and Other Deities
o The King's Prayer for Blessings on his Kingdom
o Homage and Oblations to Gods and deified Objects
o Homage to the Genii of Numbers
• BOOK XXIII.
o Ceremonies after return of the Horse
o Offering of two Mahiman Libations
o Harnessing the Horse
o Bathing the Horse
o Anointing and Decking the Horse
o A Brahmodyam
o Binding the Horse to the Stake
o Slaughter of the Horse
o Circumambulation of the Horse
o Ceremony performed by the Chief Queen
o Marking the lines of dissection
o A Brahmodyam
o Mahiman Libation to Prajâpati
• BOOK XXIV.
o Enumeration of Animals to be tied up
• BOOK XXV.
o Continuation of the Horse Sacrifice
o Oblations of the roasted flesh
o Inviting and Offering Verses to Prajâpati
o Inviting and Offering Verses to the All-Gods
o The Eulogy of the Horse
o Conclusion of the Sacrifice
• BOOK XXVI.
o Supplementary Texts and Formulas connected with various sacrifices
• BOOK XXVII.
o Supplementary Texts and Formulas continued
• BOOK XXVIII.
o Texts and Formulas of the Sautrâmanî Ceremony, supplementary to Books XIX-XXI.
o An Âprî hymn
• BOOK XXIX.
o Supplementary Texts and Formulas of the Asvamedha or Horse-Sacrifice
o Praise of the Home as identified with the Sun
o An Âprî hymn
o Eulogy of the Bow and Implements of War
o Supplement to the List of Victims in Book XXIV
• BOOK XXX.
o The Purushamedha or Human Sacrifice
o Enumeration of Victims. men and women, to be dedicated to various Deities and Abstractions
• BOOK XXXI.
o The Purushamedha continued
o The Purushasûkta
o Glorification of the First Performer of the Purushamedha
• BOOK XXXII.
o Texts and Formulas of the Sarvamedha or Sacrifice for Universal Success and Prosperity
o Eulogy of the Sacrificer
o Prayer for Wisdom and Glory
• BOOK XXXIII.
o Continuation of the Sarvamedha Formulas
o A Litany addressed to Agni
o Glorification of Indra
o Glorification, with Libations, of Sûrya
o Unconnected verses in praise of various Deities
• BOOK XXXIV.
o The Sivasankalpa Upanishad
o Miscellaneous Texts suitable for the General Sacrifice
o Prayer to Bhaga
o Praise of Pûshan
o Investiture with a Golden Ornament
o Prayer to Brahmanaspati
• BOOK XXXV.
o Formulas, connected with the Pitriyajña or Sacrifice to the Fathers or Ancestral Manes, to be used at funeral ceremonies
o Purificatory and benedictive Formulas
• BOOK XXXVI.
o Preliminary Formulas of the Pravargya Ceremony
• BOOK XXXVII.
o Formulas to be used at the performance of the Pravargya
o Fumigation of, and addresses to, the three Caldrons
o Circumambulation of the Mahâvîra
o The Rauhina Oblation
• BOOK XXXVIII.
o Continuation of the Pravargya Formulas
o Calling and milking of the Cow
o Anointing of the Mahâvîra
o Address to Agni represented by the Mahâvîra
o Remains of the contents drunk by Sacrificer and Priests
• BOOK XXXIX.
o Expiatory Formulas to remedy any defect in the performance of the Pravargya Ceremony
o Various Deities represented by the Mahâvîra
o Names of seven Maruts or Storm-Gods
o Propitiation of various Deities
o The Object of the Pravargya
• BOOK XL.
o The Îsâvâsyam or Îsopanishad
o Îs, Lord, Soul of All, the only Absolute Reality
o Renunciation and Religious Works or Karma
o The Âtmâ or Self
o Sambhûti and Asambhûti
o Sambhava and Asambhava
o Sambhûti and Vinâsa
o Nescience and Science
o The Prayer of the dying Devotee
o Excursus on the Îsopanishad
• APPENDICES:—
• Index of Hymns and Verses reproduced from the Rigveda and the Atharva-veda
• Index of Names, Etc.
• Corrigenda