Satapatha Bramhana Part 02

SR No.: 007678
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Julius Eggeling
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1885
Total Pages: 2521
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 44 MB

Page 183

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SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
29. The gods kindled them again, as one would (light the fire where he is going to stay. Therefore they are kindled at every Soma feast. Wherefore the duties of the Agnidh should be discharged by one who is accomplished. Now he who is known and learned in sacred lorel is truly accomplished : hence they take to the Agnidh his Dakshinâ first ?, since it is from thence (from the Agnidh's fire) that the gods gained immortality. And if weakness were to come upon one of those that are consecrated, let (the Adhvaryu) say, ' Lead him to the Agnidhra !'thinking that is unscathed, there he will not meet with affliction 8.' And because the All-gods gained immortality from there, therefore it is sacred to the All-gods.
SECOND BRÂHMANA. 1. The Dhishnya-hearths 4, forsooth, are no other
Or, as Sâyana takes it, he who is known (as well-conducted) and a repeater (reader) of the Veda.'
• See IV, 3, 4, 19 seq. • Or, 'that (fire) will not suffer evil' (ârtim na labheta, Sâyana).
• There are altogether eight dhishnyas, two of which, viz. the Âgnidhra and the Margaliya, are raised north and south of the back part of the cart-shed (havirdhâna) respectively; while the other six are raised inside the Sadas along the east side of it, viz. five of them north of the spine,' belonging (from south to north) to the Hotri, Brahmanâkhamsi, Potri, Neshtri, and Akhâvâka respectively; and one south of the spine, exactly south-east of the Udumbara post, for the Maiträvaruna (or Prasastri) priest. These six priests, together with the Agnidhra, are called the 'seven Hotris.' The Âgnîdhra and Mârgâliya have square sheds with four posts erected over them, open on the east side and on the side facing the cart-shed. The Agnîdhra hearth is thrown up first, and the Mârgâlîya last of all; and the Maitrâvaruna's immediately after that of the Hotri. For the formulas by which they are consecrated, see Våg. S. V, 31, 32.
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