Questions of King Milinda Part 01

SR No.: 007681
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T W Rhys Davids
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1890
Total Pages: 2695
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 47 MB

Page 1089

84
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
nyagrodha tree is supported, and by the friend (mitra) the Raganya (nobleman or king) is supported: therefore a friendly Râganya sprinkles with (the water of a vessel) made of the foot of a nyagrodha.
14. There is an asvattha (ficus religiosa) one: therewith a Vaisya sprinkles. Because Indra on that (former) occasion called upon the Maruts staying on the Asvattha tree', therefore a Vaisya sprinkles with an asvattha (vessel). These are the consecration vessels.
15. He then prepares two strainers (pavitra), with (Vâg. S. X, 6), 'Purifiers ye are, Vishnu's own;'-the significance is the same (as before 2). He weaves gold (threads) into them. With them he purifies those consecration waters. As to why he weaves gold (threads) in;-gold is immortal life: that immortal life he lays into these (waters), and hence he weaves gold (threads) in.
16. He purifies with, 'By the impulse of Savitri I purify you with a flawless purifier, with the rays of the sun.' The significance is the same (as before 3). 'Not downfallen thou art, the friend of Speech, born of heat,'' unimpaired by the Rakshas' he means to say when he says, 'not downfallen;'-' the friend of Speech' -as long as there is water in the vital airs, so long (man) speaks with speech: therefore he says, 'the friend of Speech.'
1 See above, p. 34, note 1. The Maruts are constantly identified with the Vis, or people (peasants, &c.) generally, whilst Indra is taken as the divine representative of the ruling class (the king and nobleman).
2 See I, 1, 3, 1 (párt i, p. 19). See I, 1, 3, 6 (part i, p. 21).
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