Kauṣītaki (Śāṅkhāyana) Brāhmaṇa 28.6

28.6.1

praty asmai pipīṣata ity acchāvāka unnīyamānāya anvāha /

The acchāvāka recites, "To him who desires to drink," for [the Soma] being drawn.

xxviii. 7. ‘To him athirst’ the Achāvāka recites for (the goblet) being

28.6.2

tā vai catasro bhavanti /

They are indeed four [verses].

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.3

catuṣṭayam vā idam sarvam /

Fourfold, indeed, is this all;

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.4

asya eva sarvasya āptyai / (soma: hotraka śastrāṇi(prātaḥ savanam))

[it is] for the attainment of this all.

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.5

aindrīr anvāha /

He recites [verses] addressed to Indra;

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.6

aindro hi yajña kratuḥ /

for the sacrificial rite belongs to Indra.

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.7

tā vā anuṣṭubho bhavanti saṃśaṃsāyai /

They are indeed anuṣṭubh verses, for continuous recitation.

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.8

bṛhaty uttamā bhavati / (soma: hotraka śastrāṇi(prātaḥ savanam))

The last is a bṛhatī verse.

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.9

śrīr vai bṛhatī /

The bṛhatī, indeed, is prosperity;

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.10

śriyām eva tad antataḥ pratitiṣṭhati /

in prosperity, indeed, he thereby firmly establishes himself at the end.

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.11

prātar yāvabhir ā gatam ity aindrāgnyā yajati / (soma: hotraka śastrāṇi(prātaḥ savanam))

With [a verse] addressed to Indra and Agni, "Come with the morning travelers," he offers the offering verse;

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.12

aindrāgnam hy asya uktham bhavati /

for his hymn belongs to Indra and Agni.

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.13

gāyatryā gāyatram prātaḥ savanam /

With a gāyatrī [he recites, for] the morning pressing belongs to the gāyatrī.

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.14

anuvaṣaṭ karoty āhutīnām eva śāntyai / (soma: hotraka śastrāṇi(prātaḥ savanam))

He makes the secondary vaṣaṭ-call for the appeasement of the oblations,

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.15

āhutīnām pratiṣṭhityai /

for the firm establishment of the oblations.

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.16

anavānam prātaḥ savane yajeyur iti ha sma āha paiṅgyaḥ / (soma: hotraka śastrāṇi(prātaḥ savanam))

"They should recite the offering verse without taking breath at the morning pressing," Paiṅgya used to say,

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.17

kṣipram devebhyo haviḥ prayacchāma iti /

"so that we may deliver the oblation swiftly to the gods."

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.18

ardharcaśa iti kauṣītakiḥ / (soma: hotraka śastrāṇi(prātaḥ savanam))

"By half-verses," said Kauṣītaki;

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.19

etad vai chandasām parva yad ardharcaḥ /

"for this is the joint of the meters: the half-verse.

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.20

parvaśa eva tad devebhyo haviḥ prayacchati / (soma: hotraka śastrāṇi(prātaḥ savanam))

Joint by joint he thereby delivers the oblation to the gods."

filled; these are four; all this (universe) is fourfold; verily (it serves) to obtain all this (universe). They are Anuṣṭubh verses, for reciting together. The last is a Bṛhatī; the Bṛhatī is prosperity; verily thus at the last he finds support in prosperity. 'Come with those that move at dawn,' with (this verse) to Indra and Agni he offers, for his litany is addressed to Indra and Agni. It is in Gāyatrī; the morning pressing is in Gāyatrī. He says the second vaṣaṭ, for the healing of the libations, for the support of the libations. 'Without taking in breath should they say the offering verses at the morning pressing,' Paiṅgya used to say, (thinking) 'Swiftly shall we give the oblation to the gods.' 'By half verses' Kauṣītaki (used to say). The half verse is the joint of the metres; verily thus by joints they give the oblation to the gods.

28.6.21

atha ata ṛtu praiṣāṇām eva mīmāṃsā /

Now follows the inquiry into the season-calls.

xxviii. 8. Then comes the consideration of the Praiṣas for the season (sacrifices). Kaṇva it was who saw the Praiṣas for the seasonal (sacrifices); and Medhātithi the offering verses; Medhātithi is a descendant of Kaṇva. With this the two smote away evil. He who desires 'May I smite away death, the evil,' should sacrifice with these.

28.6.22

kaṇvo ha etān ṛtu praiṣān dadarśa /

Kaṇva saw these season-calls;

xxviii. 8. Then comes the consideration of the Praiṣas for the season (sacrifices). Kaṇva it was who saw the Praiṣas for the seasonal (sacrifices); and Medhātithi the offering verses; Medhātithi is a descendant of Kaṇva. With this the two smote away evil. He who desires 'May I smite away death, the evil,' should sacrifice with these.

28.6.23

medhātithir yājyāḥ / (soma: hotraka śastrāṇi(prātaḥ savanam))

Medhātithi [saw] the offering verses.

xxviii. 8. Then comes the consideration of the Praiṣas for the season (sacrifices). Kaṇva it was who saw the Praiṣas for the seasonal (sacrifices); and Medhātithi the offering verses; Medhātithi is a descendant of Kaṇva. With this the two smote away evil. He who desires 'May I smite away death, the evil,' should sacrifice with these.

28.6.24

kāṇvo ha vai medhātithiḥ /

Medhātithi was indeed a descendant of Kaṇva.

xxviii. 8. Then comes the consideration of the Praiṣas for the season (sacrifices). Kaṇva it was who saw the Praiṣas for the seasonal (sacrifices); and Medhātithi the offering verses; Medhātithi is a descendant of Kaṇva. With this the two smote away evil. He who desires 'May I smite away death, the evil,' should sacrifice with these.

28.6.25

tena tau mṛtyum pāpmānam apajighnāte /

By means of that, the two struck away death and evil.

xxviii. 8. Then comes the consideration of the Praiṣas for the season (sacrifices). Kaṇva it was who saw the Praiṣas for the seasonal (sacrifices); and Medhātithi the offering verses; Medhātithi is a descendant of Kaṇva. With this the two smote away evil. He who desires 'May I smite away death, the evil,' should sacrifice with these.

28.6.26

sa ya icchen mṛtyum pāpmānam apahanyām iti / (soma: etābhir jayet /27

If one should desire, "May I strike away death and evil," [he should conquer with these].

xxviii. 8. Then comes the consideration of the Praiṣas for the season (sacrifices). Kaṇva it was who saw the Praiṣas for the seasonal (sacrifices); and Medhātithi the offering verses; Medhātithi is a descendant of Kaṇva. With this the two smote away evil. He who desires 'May I smite away death, the evil,' should sacrifice with these.

28.6.28

puruṣo vai yajñaḥ /

The sacrifice is the Man.

xxviii. 9. The sacrifice is a man; the Ājya is his speech; speech is one only; therefore he recites the Ājya with one deity only. The Praüga is the breaths; the breaths are many; therefore many deities are celebrated at the Praüga. The Maitrāvaruṇa and the Achāvāka are the two arms; these are twofold; therefore they recite (verses) for two deities at the morning pressing. The Brāhmaṇācchaṅsin is the middle as this navel suture; therefore the Brāhmaṇācchaṅsin at the morning pressing recites (verses) to one deity. The midday (pressing) is the body; it is one only; therefore at the midday the Hotrā reciters recite (verses) to one deity; and the Hotṛ himself the Niṣkevalya. The Maitrāvaruṇa and the Achāvāka are the two thighs; these are twofold; therefore they recite at the third pressing (verses) to one deity. The Brāhmaṇācchaṅsin is the middle as this organ of generation; therefrom two forms arise, female and male; therefore the Brāhmaṇācchaṅsin at the third pressing recites (verses) to two deities. The Brāhmaṇācchaṅsin recites most (verses); the Brāhmaṇācchaṅsin is the body; therefore this middle of the body is the thickest.

28.6.29

tasya vāg eva ājyam /

His speech is the ājya recitation;

28.6.30

sā vā ekā eva bhavati / (hotraka śastrāṇi(prātaḥ savanam))

and that is indeed one.

28.6.31

tasmād eka devatyam ājyam śaṃsati /

Therefore he recites the ājya recitation addressed to a single deity.

28.6.32

prāṇāḥ praugam /

The vital breaths are the prauga recitation.

28.6.33

te vā ime bahavaḥ prāṇāḥ /

These vital breaths are many;

28.6.34

tasmād bahvyo devatāḥ prauge śasyante / (soma: hotraka śastrāṇi(prātaḥ savanam))

therefore many deities are recited in the prauga recitation.