________________
204
GRIHYA-SÚTRA OF HIRANYAKESIN..
Prasna I, PATALA 8, SECTION 27. 1. If he will have a house built, he should during the northerly course of the sun, in the time of the increasing moon, under the constellation Rohint and under the three constellations designated as Uttara (Uttara-Phalguni, Uttara-Ashâdhà, Uttara-Proshthapadâh) put wood on the fire, perform the rites down to the Vyâhriti oblations, and should sacrifice with (the verses), · This, O Varuna' (&c. ; see 1, 2, 8, 16, down to the end of the Satra). Then he serves food to the Brâhmanas and causes them to say, 'An auspicious day! Hail! Good luck !' he puts on a garment that has not yet been washed, touches water, takes a shovel with (the formula), 'On the impulse of the god Savitri' (Taitt. Samh. I, 3, 1, 1), draws lines thrice from the left to the right round (the places where the pits for the posts shall be dug) with (the formula), ' A line has been drawn' (Taitt. Samh. I, 3, 1, 1), digs the pits (in which the posts shall be erected) as it is fit, and casts the earth (dug out of those pits) towards the inside (of the buildingground).
2. He erects the southern door-post with the verse), 'Here I erect a firm house ; it stands in peace, streaming ghee. Thus may we walk in thee, O house, blessed with heroes, with all heroes, with unharmed heroes ;'
3. The northern (door-post) with (the verse), 'Stand here firmly, O house, rich in horses and cows, rich in delight; rich in sap, overflowing with milk be set up, for the sake of great happiness.'
Digilized by Google
