Dhammapada

SR No.: 007674
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Max Muller
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1881
Total Pages: 2540
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 45 MB

Page 1037

I KANDA, 7 ADHYAYA, 3 BRAHMANA, 18. 205
the form of the evening libation; and this is why the invitatory and offering-formulas on this occasion are made closely to correspond to each other.
17. They are both trishtubh verses; for the svishtakrit is, as it were, the residue (or site, vâstu) of the sacrifice, and the residue (or, a vacant site) is without energy'. Now the trishtubh means manly power2, energy: hence he thereby imparts manly power, energy to that residue, the svishtakrit. This is why they are both trishtubh verses.
18. Or they are both anushiubh verses. The anushubh is residue (or site, vâstu), and the svishtakrit also is residue: hence he thereby puts a residue to a residue. And, verily, one who knows this, and whose (invitatory and offering-formulas) are two anushubh verses, his homestead (vâstu) is prosperous, and he himself prospers in regard to progeny and cattle.
1 Aviryam; cf. II, 1, 2, 9, where the (sarîra) empty body (of Pragâpati) is called a vâstu ayagñiyam aviryam. See also above, I, 7, 3, 7, where we met with vâstu in the sense of 'remainder, that which remains,' as Sâyana also seems to take it here.
2 Indriyam, literally 'Indra's power.' The trish/ubh often (e. g. Rig-veda X, 130, 5) appears specially related to Indra; and the hymns addressed to him are almost entirely in this metre. Taitt. S. VII, 1, 1, 4 it is said to have been created by Pragâpati from his own chest and arms, immediately after Indra, and together with the Brihat-sâman, the Râganya, and the ram; and that these are therefore vîryâvant, having been created out of vîrya (i. e. the seats of 'manly power').
3 For this symbolical explanation see Taitt. S. VII, 1, 1, 5, where the anushubh is said to have been created by Pragâpati, by his fourth and last creative act, from his feet, together with the Vairâgasâman, the Sudra, and the horse; the two last named being, therefore, styled 'bhūta-sankrâmin (? subservient to creatures).' I do not find it stated anywhere, what anush/ubh verses may optionally be taken for the anuvâkyâ and yâgyâ of the svish/akrit.
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