Kauṣītaki (Śāṅkhāyana) Brāhmaṇa 25.8

25.8.1

yuñjate mana uta yuñjate dhiya iti sāvitram uta sūryasya raśmibhiḥ samucyasi iti sūryavat /

'They yoke the mind and they yoke the thoughts' is [the hymn] to Savitṛ; with 'and with the rays of the sun thou unitest' it contains [the word] sun.

xxv. 9. ‘That of Savitṛ we choose’ and ‘To-day for us, O god Savitṛ’ are the normal strophe and antistrophe of the Vaiçvadeva; the explanation of these two has been given. ‘They yoke their minds, they also yoke their thoughts’ is (the hymn) to Savitṛ, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘Thou dost shine forth with the rays of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘They two, sky and earth, all weal producing’ is (the hymn) to sky and earth, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The god, the bright sun, between the goddesses in accord with law’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Why hath the best, the youngest come to us?’ is (the hymn) to the Ṛbhus with the symbol (of the day) in ‘He discerned’ in ‘What time he discerned the four beakers they had made.’ ‘I hail the gods of great fame, for security’ is (the hymn) for the All-gods, containing (the words) ‘sun’ and ‘light’ in ‘Those who obtained a share of the light of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘To Vaiçvānara, the praise, increasing holy order’ is (the hymn) for Vaiçvānara, containing (the words) ‘shining’, ‘radiance’, and ‘light’ in ‘Shining with radiance, with light in greatness’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Forward the Maruts, devoted, with gleaming lances’ is (the hymn) to the Maruts, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The shining rays of the sun’;

25.8.2

tad etasya ahno rūpam / (soma: viṣuvat)

That is the characteristic mark of this day.

xxv. 9. ‘That of Savitṛ we choose’ and ‘To-day for us, O god Savitṛ’ are the normal strophe and antistrophe of the Vaiçvadeva; the explanation of these two has been given. ‘They yoke their minds, they also yoke their thoughts’ is (the hymn) to Savitṛ, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘Thou dost shine forth with the rays of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘They two, sky and earth, all weal producing’ is (the hymn) to sky and earth, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The god, the bright sun, between the goddesses in accord with law’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Why hath the best, the youngest come to us?’ is (the hymn) to the Ṛbhus with the symbol (of the day) in ‘He discerned’ in ‘What time he discerned the four beakers they had made.’ ‘I hail the gods of great fame, for security’ is (the hymn) for the All-gods, containing (the words) ‘sun’ and ‘light’ in ‘Those who obtained a share of the light of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘To Vaiçvānara, the praise, increasing holy order’ is (the hymn) for Vaiçvānara, containing (the words) ‘shining’, ‘radiance’, and ‘light’ in ‘Shining with radiance, with light in greatness’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Forward the Maruts, devoted, with gleaming lances’ is (the hymn) to the Maruts, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The shining rays of the sun’;

25.8.3

te hi dyāvā pṛthivī viśva śambhuvā iti dyāvā pṛthivīyam devo devī dharmaṇā sūryaḥ śucit iti sūryavat / (soma: viṣuvat)

'Verily those two, Heaven and Earth, all-beneficent' is [the hymn] to Heaven and Earth; with 'a god [and] a goddess, by law, the bright sun' it contains [the word] sun.

xxv. 9. ‘That of Savitṛ we choose’ and ‘To-day for us, O god Savitṛ’ are the normal strophe and antistrophe of the Vaiçvadeva; the explanation of these two has been given. ‘They yoke their minds, they also yoke their thoughts’ is (the hymn) to Savitṛ, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘Thou dost shine forth with the rays of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘They two, sky and earth, all weal producing’ is (the hymn) to sky and earth, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The god, the bright sun, between the goddesses in accord with law’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Why hath the best, the youngest come to us?’ is (the hymn) to the Ṛbhus with the symbol (of the day) in ‘He discerned’ in ‘What time he discerned the four beakers they had made.’ ‘I hail the gods of great fame, for security’ is (the hymn) for the All-gods, containing (the words) ‘sun’ and ‘light’ in ‘Those who obtained a share of the light of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘To Vaiçvānara, the praise, increasing holy order’ is (the hymn) for Vaiçvānara, containing (the words) ‘shining’, ‘radiance’, and ‘light’ in ‘Shining with radiance, with light in greatness’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Forward the Maruts, devoted, with gleaming lances’ is (the hymn) to the Maruts, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The shining rays of the sun’;

25.8.4

tad etasya ahno rūpam /

That is the characteristic mark of this day.

xxv. 9. ‘That of Savitṛ we choose’ and ‘To-day for us, O god Savitṛ’ are the normal strophe and antistrophe of the Vaiçvadeva; the explanation of these two has been given. ‘They yoke their minds, they also yoke their thoughts’ is (the hymn) to Savitṛ, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘Thou dost shine forth with the rays of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘They two, sky and earth, all weal producing’ is (the hymn) to sky and earth, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The god, the bright sun, between the goddesses in accord with law’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Why hath the best, the youngest come to us?’ is (the hymn) to the Ṛbhus with the symbol (of the day) in ‘He discerned’ in ‘What time he discerned the four beakers they had made.’ ‘I hail the gods of great fame, for security’ is (the hymn) for the All-gods, containing (the words) ‘sun’ and ‘light’ in ‘Those who obtained a share of the light of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘To Vaiçvānara, the praise, increasing holy order’ is (the hymn) for Vaiçvānara, containing (the words) ‘shining’, ‘radiance’, and ‘light’ in ‘Shining with radiance, with light in greatness’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Forward the Maruts, devoted, with gleaming lances’ is (the hymn) to the Maruts, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The shining rays of the sun’;

25.8.7

kim u śreṣṭhaḥ kim yaviṣṭho na ājagann ity ārbhavam /

'Has the eldest, has the youngest come to us?' is [the hymn] to the Ṛbhus.

xxv. 9. ‘That of Savitṛ we choose’ and ‘To-day for us, O god Savitṛ’ are the normal strophe and antistrophe of the Vaiçvadeva; the explanation of these two has been given. ‘They yoke their minds, they also yoke their thoughts’ is (the hymn) to Savitṛ, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘Thou dost shine forth with the rays of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘They two, sky and earth, all weal producing’ is (the hymn) to sky and earth, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The god, the bright sun, between the goddesses in accord with law’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Why hath the best, the youngest come to us?’ is (the hymn) to the Ṛbhus with the symbol (of the day) in ‘He discerned’ in ‘What time he discerned the four beakers they had made.’ ‘I hail the gods of great fame, for security’ is (the hymn) for the All-gods, containing (the words) ‘sun’ and ‘light’ in ‘Those who obtained a share of the light of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘To Vaiçvānara, the praise, increasing holy order’ is (the hymn) for Vaiçvānara, containing (the words) ‘shining’, ‘radiance’, and ‘light’ in ‘Shining with radiance, with light in greatness’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Forward the Maruts, devoted, with gleaming lances’ is (the hymn) to the Maruts, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The shining rays of the sun’;

25.8.6

yad āvākhyac camasān caturaḥ kṛtān ity avākhyad ity etena rūpeṇa / (soma: viṣuvat)

With 'When he surveyed the four cups made', through [the word] 'he surveyed', it has that characteristic mark.

xxv. 9. ‘That of Savitṛ we choose’ and ‘To-day for us, O god Savitṛ’ are the normal strophe and antistrophe of the Vaiçvadeva; the explanation of these two has been given. ‘They yoke their minds, they also yoke their thoughts’ is (the hymn) to Savitṛ, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘Thou dost shine forth with the rays of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘They two, sky and earth, all weal producing’ is (the hymn) to sky and earth, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The god, the bright sun, between the goddesses in accord with law’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Why hath the best, the youngest come to us?’ is (the hymn) to the Ṛbhus with the symbol (of the day) in ‘He discerned’ in ‘What time he discerned the four beakers they had made.’ ‘I hail the gods of great fame, for security’ is (the hymn) for the All-gods, containing (the words) ‘sun’ and ‘light’ in ‘Those who obtained a share of the light of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘To Vaiçvānara, the praise, increasing holy order’ is (the hymn) for Vaiçvānara, containing (the words) ‘shining’, ‘radiance’, and ‘light’ in ‘Shining with radiance, with light in greatness’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Forward the Maruts, devoted, with gleaming lances’ is (the hymn) to the Maruts, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The shining rays of the sun’;

25.8.7_2

devān huve bṛhat śravasaḥ svastaya iti vaiśvadevam ye sūryasya jyotiṣo bhāgam ānaśur iti sūryavaj jyotiṣmat /

'I call upon the gods of wide renown for welfare' is [the hymn] to All the Gods; with 'Who attained a share in the light of the sun' it contains [the word] sun and contains light.

25.8.8

tad etasya ahno rūpam / (soma: viṣuvat)

That is the characteristic mark of this day.

xxv. 9. ‘That of Savitṛ we choose’ and ‘To-day for us, O god Savitṛ’ are the normal strophe and antistrophe of the Vaiçvadeva; the explanation of these two has been given. ‘They yoke their minds, they also yoke their thoughts’ is (the hymn) to Savitṛ, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘Thou dost shine forth with the rays of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘They two, sky and earth, all weal producing’ is (the hymn) to sky and earth, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The god, the bright sun, between the goddesses in accord with law’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Why hath the best, the youngest come to us?’ is (the hymn) to the Ṛbhus with the symbol (of the day) in ‘He discerned’ in ‘What time he discerned the four beakers they had made.’ ‘I hail the gods of great fame, for security’ is (the hymn) for the All-gods, containing (the words) ‘sun’ and ‘light’ in ‘Those who obtained a share of the light of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘To Vaiçvānara, the praise, increasing holy order’ is (the hymn) for Vaiçvānara, containing (the words) ‘shining’, ‘radiance’, and ‘light’ in ‘Shining with radiance, with light in greatness’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Forward the Maruts, devoted, with gleaming lances’ is (the hymn) to the Maruts, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The shining rays of the sun’;

25.8.9

vaiśvānarāya dhiṣaṇām ṛtā vṛdha iti vaiśvānarīyam rurucānam bhānunā jyotiṣā mahām iti rucitavad bhānumaj jyotiṣmat / (soma: viṣuvat)

'To Vaiśvānara a prayer, to the increaser of Ṛta' is [the hymn] to Vaiśvānara; with 'shining with splendour, of great light' it contains [a word for] shining, contains lustre, and contains light.

xxv. 9. ‘That of Savitṛ we choose’ and ‘To-day for us, O god Savitṛ’ are the normal strophe and antistrophe of the Vaiçvadeva; the explanation of these two has been given. ‘They yoke their minds, they also yoke their thoughts’ is (the hymn) to Savitṛ, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘Thou dost shine forth with the rays of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘They two, sky and earth, all weal producing’ is (the hymn) to sky and earth, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The god, the bright sun, between the goddesses in accord with law’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Why hath the best, the youngest come to us?’ is (the hymn) to the Ṛbhus with the symbol (of the day) in ‘He discerned’ in ‘What time he discerned the four beakers they had made.’ ‘I hail the gods of great fame, for security’ is (the hymn) for the All-gods, containing (the words) ‘sun’ and ‘light’ in ‘Those who obtained a share of the light of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘To Vaiçvānara, the praise, increasing holy order’ is (the hymn) for Vaiçvānara, containing (the words) ‘shining’, ‘radiance’, and ‘light’ in ‘Shining with radiance, with light in greatness’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Forward the Maruts, devoted, with gleaming lances’ is (the hymn) to the Maruts, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The shining rays of the sun’;

25.8.10

tad etasya ahno rūpam /

That is the characteristic mark of this day.

xxv. 9. ‘That of Savitṛ we choose’ and ‘To-day for us, O god Savitṛ’ are the normal strophe and antistrophe of the Vaiçvadeva; the explanation of these two has been given. ‘They yoke their minds, they also yoke their thoughts’ is (the hymn) to Savitṛ, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘Thou dost shine forth with the rays of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘They two, sky and earth, all weal producing’ is (the hymn) to sky and earth, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The god, the bright sun, between the goddesses in accord with law’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Why hath the best, the youngest come to us?’ is (the hymn) to the Ṛbhus with the symbol (of the day) in ‘He discerned’ in ‘What time he discerned the four beakers they had made.’ ‘I hail the gods of great fame, for security’ is (the hymn) for the All-gods, containing (the words) ‘sun’ and ‘light’ in ‘Those who obtained a share of the light of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘To Vaiçvānara, the praise, increasing holy order’ is (the hymn) for Vaiçvānara, containing (the words) ‘shining’, ‘radiance’, and ‘light’ in ‘Shining with radiance, with light in greatness’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Forward the Maruts, devoted, with gleaming lances’ is (the hymn) to the Maruts, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The shining rays of the sun’;

25.8.11

prayajyavo maruto bhrājad ṛṣṭaya iti mārutam virokiṇaḥ sūryasya iva raśmaya iti sūryavat / (soma: viṣuvat)

'The worshipful Maruts with shining spears' is [the hymn] to the Maruts; with 'shining forth like the rays of the sun' it contains [the word] sun.

xxv. 9. ‘That of Savitṛ we choose’ and ‘To-day for us, O god Savitṛ’ are the normal strophe and antistrophe of the Vaiçvadeva; the explanation of these two has been given. ‘They yoke their minds, they also yoke their thoughts’ is (the hymn) to Savitṛ, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘Thou dost shine forth with the rays of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘They two, sky and earth, all weal producing’ is (the hymn) to sky and earth, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The god, the bright sun, between the goddesses in accord with law’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Why hath the best, the youngest come to us?’ is (the hymn) to the Ṛbhus with the symbol (of the day) in ‘He discerned’ in ‘What time he discerned the four beakers they had made.’ ‘I hail the gods of great fame, for security’ is (the hymn) for the All-gods, containing (the words) ‘sun’ and ‘light’ in ‘Those who obtained a share of the light of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘To Vaiçvānara, the praise, increasing holy order’ is (the hymn) for Vaiçvānara, containing (the words) ‘shining’, ‘radiance’, and ‘light’ in ‘Shining with radiance, with light in greatness’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘Forward the Maruts, devoted, with gleaming lances’ is (the hymn) to the Maruts, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘The shining rays of the sun’;

25.8.12

tad etasya ahno rūpam /

That is the characteristic mark of this day.

this is a symbol of this day. ‘To him who sitteth on the altar, with a dear abode, of fair radiance’ is (the hymn) to Jātavedas, with the symbol (of this day) in ‘The light, the car, of bright hue destroying the darkness.’ These are the hymns of the Āgnimāruta (Çastra). These are the hymns of this day. It is an Agniṣṭoma. The Agniṣṭoma is light; he who here gives heat is light; verily thus they make light successful with light; immortality they obtain who perform the Viṣuvant day.

25.8.13

vediṣade priya dhāmāya sudyuta iti jāta vedasīyam /

'To the one seated on the altar, of dear abode, brilliant' is [the hymn] to Jātavedas.

this is a symbol of this day. ‘To him who sitteth on the altar, with a dear abode, of fair radiance’ is (the hymn) to Jātavedas, with the symbol (of this day) in ‘The light, the car, of bright hue destroying the darkness.’ These are the hymns of the Āgnimāruta (Çastra). These are the hymns of this day. It is an Agniṣṭoma. The Agniṣṭoma is light; he who here gives heat is light; verily thus they make light successful with light; immortality they obtain who perform the Viṣuvant day.

25.8.14

jyotī ratham śukra varṇam tam ohanam ity etena rūpeṇa /

Through 'having a chariot of light, of bright color, dispelling darkness' it has this characteristic mark.

this is a symbol of this day. ‘To him who sitteth on the altar, with a dear abode, of fair radiance’ is (the hymn) to Jātavedas, with the symbol (of this day) in ‘The light, the car, of bright hue destroying the darkness.’ These are the hymns of the Āgnimāruta (Çastra). These are the hymns of this day. It is an Agniṣṭoma. The Agniṣṭoma is light; he who here gives heat is light; verily thus they make light successful with light; immortality they obtain who perform the Viṣuvant day.

25.8.15

ity āgnimāruta sūktāni / (soma: viṣuvat)

These are the hymns of the Agnimāruta recitation.

this is a symbol of this day. ‘To him who sitteth on the altar, with a dear abode, of fair radiance’ is (the hymn) to Jātavedas, with the symbol (of this day) in ‘The light, the car, of bright hue destroying the darkness.’ These are the hymns of the Āgnimāruta (Çastra). These are the hymns of this day. It is an Agniṣṭoma. The Agniṣṭoma is light; he who here gives heat is light; verily thus they make light successful with light; immortality they obtain who perform the Viṣuvant day.

25.8.16

ity etasya ahnaḥ sūktāni /

These are the hymns of this day.

this is a symbol of this day. ‘To him who sitteth on the altar, with a dear abode, of fair radiance’ is (the hymn) to Jātavedas, with the symbol (of this day) in ‘The light, the car, of bright hue destroying the darkness.’ These are the hymns of the Āgnimāruta (Çastra). These are the hymns of this day. It is an Agniṣṭoma. The Agniṣṭoma is light; he who here gives heat is light; verily thus they make light successful with light; immortality they obtain who perform the Viṣuvant day.

25.8.17

tad agniṣṭomaḥ saṃtiṣṭhate /

Thus the Agniṣṭoma is concluded.

this is a symbol of this day. ‘To him who sitteth on the altar, with a dear abode, of fair radiance’ is (the hymn) to Jātavedas, with the symbol (of this day) in ‘The light, the car, of bright hue destroying the darkness.’ These are the hymns of the Āgnimāruta (Çastra). These are the hymns of this day. It is an Agniṣṭoma. The Agniṣṭoma is light; he who here gives heat is light; verily thus they make light successful with light; immortality they obtain who perform the Viṣuvant day.

25.8.18

jyotir vā agniṣṭomaḥ /

Light indeed is the Agniṣṭoma.

this is a symbol of this day. ‘To him who sitteth on the altar, with a dear abode, of fair radiance’ is (the hymn) to Jātavedas, with the symbol (of this day) in ‘The light, the car, of bright hue destroying the darkness.’ These are the hymns of the Āgnimāruta (Çastra). These are the hymns of this day. It is an Agniṣṭoma. The Agniṣṭoma is light; he who here gives heat is light; verily thus they make light successful with light; immortality they obtain who perform the Viṣuvant day.

25.8.19

jyotir eṣa ya eṣa tapati / (soma: viṣuvat)

Light is this one who shines here.

this is a symbol of this day. ‘To him who sitteth on the altar, with a dear abode, of fair radiance’ is (the hymn) to Jātavedas, with the symbol (of this day) in ‘The light, the car, of bright hue destroying the darkness.’ These are the hymns of the Āgnimāruta (Çastra). These are the hymns of this day. It is an Agniṣṭoma. The Agniṣṭoma is light; he who here gives heat is light; verily thus they make light successful with light; immortality they obtain who perform the Viṣuvant day.

25.8.20

jyotiṣy eva taj jyotiḥ pratiṣṭhāpayanti /

They establish that light in light itself.

this is a symbol of this day. ‘To him who sitteth on the altar, with a dear abode, of fair radiance’ is (the hymn) to Jātavedas, with the symbol (of this day) in ‘The light, the car, of bright hue destroying the darkness.’ These are the hymns of the Āgnimāruta (Çastra). These are the hymns of this day. It is an Agniṣṭoma. The Agniṣṭoma is light; he who here gives heat is light; verily thus they make light successful with light; immortality they obtain who perform the Viṣuvant day.

25.8.21

te amṛtatvam āpnuvanti ye vaiṣuvatam ahar upayanti / (soma: viṣuvat)

They obtain immortality who undertake the Viṣuvat day.

this is a symbol of this day. ‘To him who sitteth on the altar, with a dear abode, of fair radiance’ is (the hymn) to Jātavedas, with the symbol (of this day) in ‘The light, the car, of bright hue destroying the darkness.’ These are the hymns of the Āgnimāruta (Çastra). These are the hymns of this day. It is an Agniṣṭoma. The Agniṣṭoma is light; he who here gives heat is light; verily thus they make light successful with light; immortality they obtain who perform the Viṣuvant day.

25.8.22

uprād ity asyās tam ayād etad ahaḥ saṃsthāpayiṣeyuḥ / (soma: viṣuvat)

They should conclude this day before the setting of the sun.

xxv. 10. Before the setting of the sun should they seek to complete (the rite of) this day; the day has its morning litany, to be recited by day. They should seek to complete with this day including its morning litany and the offerings to the wives (with the gods) before the setting of the sun. ‘Agni, I deem father, Agni friend’, with this (verse) the Hotṛ begins the morning litany on this day, with the symbol of the ‘rich waters’ verse in ‘friend (āpim)’. It contains (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘In the sky the bright, worthy of sacrifice, of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. As to this Kauṣītaki used to say, ‘The morning litany is Prajāpati, and is not connected with the darkness; verily in due order should he commence it; that is its prosperity; so in due order are offered the Upāṅçu and the Antaryāma (cups); that is their prosperity.’ The Āprī hymn is by Vasiṣṭha, containing (the word) ‘sun’ in ‘Overspread thyself with the rays of the sun’; this is a symbol of this day. ‘The Hotṛ for this day should be white, with red eyes’ some say; with this day they seek to obtain him who yonder gives heat; this is as if one should approach a superior with a gift. But the rule is ‘Just as it may happen to be’. With the Çastra alone should he seek to produce the symbol of this day. A victim to the sun should be offered (in addition) to the usual victim for the pressing. It is offered inaudibly; if a man should utter aloud (the recitation) for it, then if one were to say of him, ‘He will become afflicted with skin disease, a leper’ it would be so. Four victims only are offered inaudibly; that to the sun, that to Savitṛ, that to Prajāpati, and that whose divinity is speech; the others are offered aloud. Then they perform three Svarasāman (days) reversed; the explanation of these has been given.