Grihya Sutras

SR No.: 007685
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hermann Oldenberg
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1886
Total Pages: 2642
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 49 MB

Page 1310

NOTES. I, 166, 12.
253
Ådityas. This might even explain the destruction of the eighth Aditya, considering that the eighth day of each parvan, owing to its uncertainty, might be represented as exposed to decay and destruction. This would explain such passages as,
IV, 7, 5. yágishtham saptá dhama-bhih.
Agni, most worthy of sacrifice in the seven stations.
IX, 102, 2. yagñásya saptá dhama-bhih.
In the seven stations of the sacrifice.
The seven threads of the sacrifice may have the same origin:
II, 5, 2. a yásmin saptá rasmáyah tatah yagñásya netári, manushvát daívyam ashtamám.
In whom, as the leader of the sacrifice, the seven threads are stretched out, the eighth divine being is manlike (?).
The sacrifice itself is called, X, 124, 1, saptá-tantu, having seven threads.
X, 122, 3. saptá dhấmâni pari-yán ámartyah.
Agni, the immortal, who goes round the seven stations. X, 8, 4. ushah-ushah hí vaso (íti) ágram éshi tvám yamáyoh abhavah vi-bhavà, ritaya saptá dadhishe padani ganayan mitrám tanvě svayai.
For thou, Vasu (Agni), comest first every morning, thou art the illuminator of the twins (day and night). Thou holdest the seven places for the sacrifice, creating Mitra (the sun) for thy own body.
X, 5, 6. saptá maryadâh kaváyah tatakshuh tấsâm ékâm it abhí amhuráh gât.
The sages established the seven divisions, but mischief befell one of them.
I, 22, 16. átak devah avantu nah yátah víshnuh vi-kakramé prithivyah saptá dhama-bhih.
May the gods protect us from whence Vishnu strode forth, by the seven stations of the earth!
Even the names of the seven or eight Adityas are not definitely known, at least not from the hymns of the Rigveda. In II, 27, 1, we have a list of six names: Mitrá, Aryamán, Bhága, Váruna, Dáksha, Amsah. These with Aditi would give us seven. In VI, 50, 1, we have Áditi,
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