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 869

I KÂNDA, 2 ADHYAYA, I BRÂHMANA, 13.
37
12. He now puts on the one that is (to stand) on the right (i.e. south of the first), with the text (Vag. S. I, 18 d): ‘For all the regions I put thee on!' What fourth (world) there is or is not beyond these (three) worlds, by that indeed he thereby chases away the spiteful enemy. Uncertain, no doubt, is what fourth (world) there is or is not beyond these three) worlds, and uncertain also are all those regions ; for this reason he says, 'For all the regions I put thee on !' The remaining potsherds he puts on either silently, or with the text (Vâg. S. I, 18 e): ‘Layerforming are yel heap-forming are ye !
13. He then covers them over with (hot) coals, whilst muttering the text (Vág. S. I, 18f): "May ye be heated with the heat of the Bhrigus and
1 Viz. dividing them in the manner explained at p. 34, note 1, and beginning (south-east, and moving around from left to right (i.e. following the course of the sun). Mr. Ralph Griffith (Translation of the Ramayan, I, p. 90) has compared this Hindu rite of pradakshina or dakshinikarana with the Gaelic deasil, as described in the following passage of Sir W. Scott's The Two Drovers : «“But it is little I would care for the food that nourishes me, or the fire that warms me, or for God's blessed sun itself, if aught but weel should happen to the grandson of my father. So let me walk the deasil round you, that you may go safe out into the far foreign land, and come safe home." Robin Oig stopped, half embarrassed, half laughing, and signing to those near that he only complied with the old woman to soothe her humour. In the meantime she traced around him, with wavering steps, the propitiation, which some have thought has been derived from the Druidical mythology. It consists, as is well known, in the person, who makes the deasil, walking three times round the person who is the object of the ceremony, taking care to move according to the course of the sun.' Cf. note at p. 45. Note also the etymological connection between dakshina and deiseil (Old Ir. dessel, from dess, Gael. deas, south or right side). For the corresponding rite (dextratio) at the Roman marriage ceremonies see Rossbach, Römische Ehe, pp. 315, 316; Weber, Ind. Stud. V, p. 221.
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