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 1160

VI KÂNDA, 1 ADHYAYA, 2 BRÂHMANA, 31.
155
it is thereof that the whole Agni is built up. Now this earth is four-cornered, for the quarters are her corners : hence the bricks are four-cornered ; for all the bricks are after the manner of this earth.
30. As to this they say, 'But if he (Agni) thus consists of one brick, how then (comes he to be) a fivebricked ? one ?' Now surely the first brick of clay is this earth,—whatever made of clay he places on that (altar) that is that one brick. And when he puts thereon the heads of the animal victims 3, that is the animal-brick. And when he puts on the gold plate and man“, when he scatters gold shavings thereon, that is the golden brick. And when he puts on two spoonfuls (of ghee)", when he puts on the mortar and pestle ®, and fire-sticks, that is the wood-brick. And when he puts on a lotus-leaf (petal), a tortoise ?, sour curds, honey, ghee, and whatever other food he puts on, that is the fifth brick, the food. Thus, then, it is a five-bricked (Agni).
31. As to this they say, 'On which side is the head of the brick?'-'Where he touches it and says a prayer,' so say some, 'on one end of the naturally perforated (brick) : alone indeed should he
1 Viz. by means of the clay bricks, and the loose soil put between the layers.
• Sâyana only refers here to the fact that the sacrifice (yagña) is called 'pânkta,''the fivefold.' • See VII, 5, 2, I seq.
• See VII, 4, 1, 15 seq. * See VII, 4, 1, 32 seq.
• See VII, 5, 1, 12 seq. " See VII, 5, 1, 1 seq.
• Apparently some kind of porous stone. Three such perforated stones or bricks' are used in the construction of the firealtar; viz. one which is laid on the gold man in the centre of the bottom layer (a saman relating to bhus, the earth, being pronounced
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