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SATAPATHA-BRÂHMANA.
of his hair and beard he may eat of what he likes, or whatever comes to hand; for hereafter his food consists of fast-milk (vrata) only. But, if he does not care to eat, he need not eat anything.
2. Thereupon they enclose a place 1 north of the hall, and place a vessel of water in it. Beside this the barber takes up his position. He (the sacrificer) then shaves his hair and beard, and cuts his nails. For impure, indeed, is that part of man where water does not reach him. Now at the hair and beard, and at the nails the water does not reach him : hence when he shaves his hair and beard, and cuts his nails, he does so in order that he may be consecrated after becoming pure.
3. Now some shave themselves all over, in order that they may be consecrated after becoming pure all over ; but let him not do this. For even by shaving the hair of his head and his beard, and by cutting his nails, he becomes pure: let him therefore shave only the hair of his head and his beard, and cut his nails.
4. In the first place he cuts his nails, first of the right hand—for in human (practice) those of the left hand (are cut) first, but with the gods in this manner. First (he cuts those of the thumbs-for in human (practice) those of the little fingers (are cut) first, but with the gods in this manner.
5. He first passes (the comb) through his right whisker-for in human (practice they comb) first the left whisker, but with the gods in this manner.
6. His right whisker he moistens first, with the text, ‘May these divine waters be propitious
1 It is to be square and covered in on all sides with mats, and with a door on the east side. Kâty. VII, 1, 25 scholl.
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