Kauṣītaki (Śāṅkhāyana) Brāhmaṇa 17.1

17.1.1

ānuṣṭubho vā eṣa vajro yat ṣoḍaśī /

This thunderbolt made of the Anuṣṭubh is the Ṣoḍaśin.

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.2

tad yat ṣoḍaśinam upayanti /

As to why they undertake the Ṣoḍaśin:

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.3

ānuṣṭubhena eva tad vajreṇa yajamānasya pāpmānam apaghnanti / (soma: sodaśin & atiratra)

by that thunderbolt made of the Anuṣṭubh they strike away the evil of the sacrificer.

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.4

sa vai harivān bhavati /

It is accompanied by bay steeds (harivān).

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.5

prāṇo vai hariḥ /

The breath is the bay steed (hariḥ);

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.6

sa hi harati /

for it carries (harati).

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.7

tasmādd harivān bhavati / (soma: sodaśin & atiratra)

Therefore it is accompanied by bay steeds.

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.8

tad asau vai ṣoḍaśī yo asau tapati /

That Ṣoḍaśin, indeed, is he who shines yonder.

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.9

etam eva tat prīṇāti /

Thus he propitiates him.

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.10

atho ṣoḍaśam vā etat stotram ṣoḍaśam śastram / (soma: sodaśin & atiratra)

Moreover, this is the sixteenth chant, the sixteenth recitation;

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.11

tasmāt ṣoḍaśī ity ākhyāyate /

therefore it is called the Ṣoḍaśin.

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.12

tad yat ṣoḍaśinam upayanti /

As to why they undertake the Ṣoḍaśin:

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.13

ṣoḍaśa kalam vā idam sarvam / (soma: sodaśin & atiratra)

all this [universe] consists of sixteen parts;

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.14

asya eva sarvasya āptyai /

[it is] for the attainment of this all.

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.15

atho indro vai ṣoḍaśī /

Now, Indra is indeed the Ṣoḍaśin.

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.16

tasmādd harivān bhavati / (soma: sodaśin & atiratra)

Therefore it contains [the word] "harivat" (accompanied by bay horses).

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.17

hari stavo hi indraḥ /

For Indra is praised with bay horses.

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.18

indra juṣasva pra vahā yāhi śūra harī iha iti / (soma: sodaśin & atiratra)

[It begins:] "Indra, rejoice, drive forth, come hither, hero, with your two bays."

of the bay steeds’ these (verses) have twenty-five syllables and one by one have nine syllables added. The self is twenty-fivefold, what is added is offspring and cattle; verily thus he adds to himself in offspring, cattle, servants, and proper food. These make up thirty-four; whatever is of thirty-four syllables, that metre is the Svarāj; verily thereby he obtains self rule. Repeated together they make up five Anuṣṭubh verses and a ten-syllable quarter verse is left over, two syllables for each verse. ‘Of such a one as thou, O thou of much light’, this Gāyatrī verse he recites next, for the completion of these syllables; moreover along with it they make up a strophe of six Anuṣṭubh verses; therefore he recites it, for completion. To match it some make an antistrophe; but as to this they say ‘The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; there is none other to be a counterpart of him; if he were to make a counterpart and one were to say of him, “The rival who is hateful will reject him”, so would it be. Therefore he should not trouble about a counterpart.’

xvii. 1. The Ṣoḍaçin is a thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh; in that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, they smite away the evil of the sacrificer with the thunderbolt composed of the Anuṣṭubh. It refers to the 'bay steeds'; the bay is breath, for it draws; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds'. The Ṣoḍaçin is he yonder that gives heat; verily thus they delight him. There is a sixteenth Stotra, a sixteenth Çastra; therefore is it called the Ṣoḍaçin. In that they undertake the Ṣoḍaçin, and all this (universe) is of sixteen parts, verily (it serves) to obtain all this. Moreover, the Ṣoḍaçin is Indra; therefore it refers to the 'bay steeds', for Indra's bay steeds are praised. 'O Indra rejoice, bring forward, come hither, O hero,

17.1.19

tāḥ pañcaviṃśaty akṣarāḥ /

They have twenty-five syllables.

17.1.20

eka ekā navabhir nabavhir akṣarair upasṛṣṭāḥ /

Each one is joined with nine syllables.

17.1.21

ātmā vai pañcaviṃśaḥ /

The body is indeed twenty-fivefold.

17.1.22

prajā paśava upasargaḥ / (soma: sodaśin & atiratra)

Offspring and cattle are an appendage.

17.1.23

prajayā eva tat paśubhiḥ preṣyair anna adyena ity ātmānam upasṛjate / (soma: sodaśin & atiratra)

Thereby he joins the self with offspring, cattle, servants, and food.

17.1.24

tāś catustriṃśad akṣarāḥ sampadyante /

They amount to thirty-four syllables.

17.1.25

svarāḍ vai tac chandaḥ /

That meter is indeed the Svarāj.

17.1.26

yat kiṃca catustriṃśad akṣaram svārājyam anena āpnoti / (soma: sodaśin & atiratra)

Whatever has thirty-four syllables, he obtains self-rule by it.

17.1.27

tāḥ saṃśastāḥ pañca anbuṣṭubhaḥ sampadyante /

Recited together, they amount to five Anuṣṭubhs.

17.1.28

daśa akṣaram ca padam udaiti /

And a verse-quarter of ten syllables is left over,

17.1.29

eka ekasyai dve dve / (soma: sodaśin & atiratra)

two [syllables] for each [verse].