Madhuvidya

SR No.: 006525
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S D Laddu, T N Dharmadhikari, Madhvi Kolhatkar, Pratibha Pingle
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 762
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Philosophy
File Size: 17 MB

Page 123

VISHVA BANDHU COM. VOL.
( VIJ
A:cording to the Kaus. Sūtra 65.20, AV 10 10 and 12.4 are recited when a vasa5 is sprinkled with water and given to a Brahmaņa for sacrifice. According to H.P. Schmidt, KZ 78. 38-39, 1963, this vasi is not a common cow but bas a characteristic by which she is predestined to be given away to a learned Brahmaņa and then to be sacrificed by him. According to Schmidt this characteristic (Eigenschaft) is stated in 10.10.23. He translates the verse as follows: "All trembled at the embryo as it was born of the (cow), who gives birth to a (cow) who herself does not give birth. For it is said of her: 'the vaša has given birth'; (the embryo) is formed with byoons (durch Gedichte geformt)-it is indeed her origin." According to Schmidt one obtains the following complete sense from the mantra : the va$a to be offered is sterile, her birth is accompanied by a sign (Zeichen) which makes all beings tremble and causes them to adore her (cf verse I námes te jáyamanayai jataya utá te námah). The embryo is formed by brahmani which, in this context, can only mean that the embryo, even before its birth, is predestined for the carriers of the brahman, i.e. the brahmanaḥ.
Perhaps, this interpretation is not likely. The verse does not make any mention of the characteristic (Eigenschaft) which predestines the newly born calf to be given away to a Brahmana. for, this may not be the meaning of brahmabhih klptáḥ-, nor of a sign (Zeichen) which accompanies the birth of the sterile cow and makes the bcings tremble.
On the other hand one may feel certain that the verse says four things quite clearly :
i. all (onlookers) tremble at the sight of the garbha whilo
it is born ; ii. the mother of the garbha is asasá; iii. the reason (hi) of the trembling is given by what the
onlookers say about her : "the vaśd has given birth'; iv. the gárbha is formed (or made complete ?) by bráhman.
5. According to Whitney the name vada used for the cow throughout the hymn (AV 10.10) implies non-pregnancy.
Madhu Vidya/98