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 2581

X KÂNDA, 2 ADHYAYA, 3 BRAHMANA, 2. 307
Having fixed upon (the place for) the sacrificial ground, he enters the Patnisâla1 by the front (east) door, and having thrown up (the ground) for the Gârhapatya, he sprinkles it with water. From the raised (site) of the Gârhapatya he strides seven steps eastward. From there he measures off a fathom towards the east, and having, in the middle thereof, thrown up (the ground) for the Âhavaniya, he sprinkles it with water. From the front part of the fathom he strides three steps eastward that is the end of the Vedi 3.
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2. Now, there are here, including the fathom (as one), eleven steps between the end of the Vedi and the (original) Gârhapatya;-the Trishtubh consists
That is, the wife's hall,'-the sacrificial hall or shed, usually called Prâkînavamsa or Prâgvamsa, measuring 20 cubits by 10 (part ii, p. 3, note 2), in which the original fires and vedi of ish/is are enclosed at the Soma-sacrifice; see the plan, part ii, p. 475.
A fathom (vyâma) is the space between the tips of the two middle fingers of a man standing with outstretched arms, this being considered the man's height. In this paragraph, the author roughly recapitulates the main dimensions of the sacrificial ground used for ishas, which will also be required for the present purpose. The dimensions here supplied will give about the distance of eight steps between (the centres of) the Gârhapatya and Âhavanîya fires required by I, 7, 3, 23. In the middle of the space of a fathom here alluded to as the easternmost space of the hall, the (original square) Âhavanîya is laid down, but this ultimately makes way for the new circular Gârhapatya hearth built of bricks and having the whole of this 'fathom' for its diameter.
That is, the hindmost (western) point of the (easterly line of the) Mahâvedi of the Soma-sacrifice, where the peg, called 'antahpâtya,' is driven in, being three steps east from the post of the front door of the Prâkînavamsa (and hence three steps from the future circular Gârhapatya hearth built of bricks).
⚫ Literally, these are (ten) steps, having the fathom as an eleventh (space or step).
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