Kauṣītaki (Śāṅkhāyana) Brāhmaṇa 28
English (machine translation) 28
- Language
- English
Contents
- 28.1 — 13 parts
- 28.2 — 23 parts
- 28.3 — 38 parts
- 28.4 — 18 parts
- 28.5 — 35 parts
- 28.6 — 33 parts
- 28.7 — 18 parts
- 28.8 — 20 parts
28.1.1
For Prajāpati created the sacrifice.
28.1.2
With that [sacrifice] created, the gods sacrificed.
28.1.3
Having sacrificed with it, they obtained all desires.
28.1.4
For its sake, they laid aside the success-bringing [portion],
28.1.5
namely, these ritual calls and nigadas.
28.1.6
Then the seers sacrificed with the rest of the sacrifice.
28.1.7
They realized:
28.1.8
"Indeed, we are sacrificing with an incomplete sacrifice; we do not attain all desires."
28.1.9
They toiled.
28.1.10
They saw these ritual calls and nigadas.
28.1.11
Having sacrificed with that [sacrifice] accompanied by ritual calls and accompanied by nigadas, they obtained all desires.
28.1.12
Indeed, for this purpose are the ritual calls and nigadas:
28.1.13
"Whatever of the sacrifice was not attained through the ṛc-verses, all that we shall attain through these."
28.2.1
Viśvāmitra saw these ritual calls,
28.2.2
and also the ritual calls for the sacrificial cakes;
28.2.3
then the other seers [saw] the others.
28.2.4
Concerning this they say: "Why does only the Maitrāvaruṇa issue the ritual calls for all?"
28.2.5
These deities indeed ran a race for the ritual calls.
28.2.6
Mitra and Varuṇa won it.
28.2.7
Therefore only the Maitrāvaruṇa issues the ritual calls for all.
28.2.8
He indeed issues the ritual calls standing.
28.2.9
Standing, indeed, one has the greatest virility;
28.2.10
standing, one speaks most audibly.
28.2.11
"May I utter powerful, audible speech among the gods," [he reflects].
28.2.12
He should recite bent over as if curved.
28.2.13
"Thus Parjanya becomes prone to rain," so Kauṣītaki used to say.
28.2.14
Formerly, indeed, the Asuras and Rakṣases used to tear away the oblations.
28.2.15
Then Vāmadeva saw these fitting [verses]: "Agni is our hotṛ at the sacrifice..."
28.2.16
With them, they carried fire around.
28.2.17
Thereupon they repelled those Rakṣases and destructive spirits.
28.2.18
With: "Enjoy the most expansive...", he recites a fitting verse containing the word "enjoyed" (juṣṭa);
28.2.19
"May I utter speech that is enjoyed and fitting among the gods," [he reflects].
28.2.20
"Place this sacrifice of ours among the immortals..."
28.2.21
With these [verses] he makes the drops savory for Agni.
28.2.22
These indeed are their invitatory verses, these the offering verses;
28.2.23
therefore they are fitting.
28.3.1
He recites an invitatory verse by Viśvāmitra for the Sviṣṭakṛt cake offering; the explanation of that has been told.
28.3.2
At each pressing he recites invitatory verses by Viśvāmitra for the sacrificial cakes.
28.3.3
Viśvāmitra saw these ritual calls for the sacrificial cakes, for conformity.
28.3.4
He recites two fitting verses by Madhucchandas as invitatory verses for the first of the [draughts] for two deities.
28.3.5
Madhucchandas saw these ritual calls for two deities, for conformity.
28.3.6
For the subsequent two, he recites two fitting verses, one by Gṛtsamada and one by Medhātithi.
28.3.7
At the morning pressing, he recites [verses] by Medhātithi for the [cups] being drawn up.
28.3.8
Medhātithi announced Soma to Indra at the morning pressing.
28.3.9
They contain the word "favor" (āvat) and contain the word "bay steed" (harivat), conforming to the invitatory verse.
28.3.10
They are dedicated to Indra;
28.3.11
for the sacrificial rite belongs to Indra.
28.3.12
They are in the Gāyatrī metre;
28.3.13
the morning pressing belongs to the Gāyatrī.
28.3.14
He recites nine [verses].
28.3.15
Indeed, they draw up nine goblets here.
28.3.16
Some, however, recite six at the morning pressing for the [cups] being drawn up;
28.3.17
the Acchāvāka himself [recites] the seventh.
28.3.18
[There are] seven each at the two subsequent pressings.
28.3.19
[Some say], saying: 'Seven indeed, sitting eastward, pronounce the vaṣaṭ-call.'
28.3.20
He should indeed recite [them] strictly according to the hymn.
28.3.19_2
For these become the invitatory verses of the hotṛ.
28.3.22
For behind the hotṛ's goblet they draw up these goblets.
28.3.23
Then the hotrakas make their offerings together.
28.3.24
Thereby they completely release the sacrificer for freedom from debt.
28.3.25
With 'We invoke Mitra' [RV 1.23.4], addressed to Mitrāvaruṇā, the Maitrāvaruṇa [sacrifices] with his own deity,
28.3.26
in order not to leave the fore-part of the sacrifice inferior.
28.3.27
With 'Indra, the bull, do we...' [RV 3.40.1], addressed to Indra, the Brāhmaṇācchaṃsin [sacrifices];
28.3.28
for the sacrificial rite belongs to Indra.
28.3.29
With 'The Maruts, in whose dwelling...' [RV 1.86.1], addressed to the Maruts, the Potṛ [sacrifices].
28.3.30
When the Maruts purified Indra,
28.3.31
then Indra caused them to share in the drinking of soma.
28.3.32
Therefore that Potṛ sacrifices with [a verse] addressed to the Maruts at the beginning and at the end.
28.3.33
With 'O Agni, bring the wives here' [RV 1.22.9], addressed to Agni Patnīvant and containing Tvaṣṭṛ, the Neṣṭṛ [sacrifices].
28.3.34
For Tvaṣṭṛ belongs to the wives among the gods; the Neṣṭṛ [belongs to the wives] among the priests.
28.3.35
Therefore that Neṣṭṛ sacrifices with [a verse] addressed to Agni Patnīvant and containing Tvaṣṭṛ at the beginning and at the end.
28.3.36
With 'For him who has oxen for food, who has barren cows for food' [RV 8.43.11], addressed to Agni, the Āgnīdhra [sacrifices];
28.3.37
for he kindles Agni.
28.3.38
Therefore that Āgnīdhra sacrifices with [a verse] addressed to Agni at the beginning and at the end.
28.4.1
Now when Nābhānediṣṭha Mānava sought an invitation among the Aṅgirases,
28.4.2
he proclaimed this office of the Acchāvāka.
28.4.3
He indeed arrived when the iḍā had already been invoked.
28.4.4
Therefore they do not choose him [initially].
28.4.5
He arrived from that north-eastern intermediate quarter.
28.4.6
Therefore, sitting in that direction, the Acchāvāka seeks an invitation.
28.4.7
Regarding this they say: 'Why do they bring round a piece of sacrificial cake for the Acchāvāka?'
28.4.8
Alīkayu Vācaspata was the Brahman [priest] at the consecrations and Upasads of the Naimiṣīyas.
28.4.9
When the soma was pressed, he acted as Acchāvāka.
28.4.10
They said:
28.4.11
'Formerly they used to bring round this Brahman's portion for him;
28.4.12
for whom should we bring it round now?'
28.4.13
'Bring it round for him alone,' they said.
28.4.14
They brought it round for him.
28.4.15
It is that very Brahman's portion.
28.4.16
Moreover, the other goblets share in the iḍā.
28.4.17
Therefore they bring round a piece of sacrificial cake for the Acchāvāka,
28.4.18
in order that his goblet not be without iḍā.
28.5.1
Then the adhvaryu says to him: 'Acchāvāka, speak what is to be spoken by you.'
28.5.2
Thereby he says to him: 'Acchāvāka, seek an invitation.'
28.5.3
With 'Unto your Agni for help...' [RV 5.25.1], the Acchāvāka recites [verses] addressed to Agni.
28.5.4
The morning pressing belongs to Agni.
28.5.5
They are in the Anuṣṭubh metre.
28.5.6
That Anuṣṭubh is indeed Gāyatrī.
28.5.7
The Gāyatrī is Agni's metre.
28.5.8
They are three [verses].
28.5.9
For Agni is threefold: the embers, the flame, and the smoke.
28.5.10
At the third utterance of the last [verse], he joins the nigada formula with the praṇava:
28.5.11
'O sacrificer, hotṛ, adhvaryu, agnīdh, brahman, potṛ, neṣṭṛ, and upavaktṛ!'
28.5.12
The Praśāstṛ is the upavaktṛ.
28.5.13
Moreover, it is expressed by a ṛc:
28.5.14
'The upavaktṛ of the people' [RV 8.92.24].
28.5.15
'Refresh yourselves with sap; conquer with vigor!'
28.5.16
Sap is food, vigor is food;
28.5.17
thereby he says to them: 'Anoint yourselves with food.'
28.5.18
'May your kin submit; may your non-kin submit!'
28.5.19
Both what is kin and what is not kin,
28.5.20
thereby he says to them: 'May that submit to you.'
28.5.21
Moreover, it is expressed by a ṛc:
28.5.22
'Crush the kin and the non-kin enemies' [RV 6.44.17].
28.5.23
"[Let] your rivals [fall] down, overthrown on their way."
28.5.24
"May your rivals be struck down in battle," he thereby says to them.
28.5.25
"May you conquer the attacking [army]; may you conquer with the attacking [army]."
28.5.26
The attacking [one] is an army.
28.5.27
"Conquer army with army," he thereby says to them.
28.5.28
"May Indra hear you; may Agni hear you."
28.5.29
"May Indra hear us; may Agni hear [us]," he thereby speaks a blessing.
28.5.30
"Having set forth, proclaim the Soma to Indra and Agni; invite us, O Brahmins, [being] Brahmins!"
28.5.31
Thereby he seeks invitation among all [of them].
28.5.32
The hotṛ invites him.
28.5.33
For he is the chief among them.
28.5.34
"The one whom the chief invites,
28.5.35
he indeed is invited," he used to say.
28.6.1
The acchāvāka recites, "To him who desires to drink," for [the Soma] being drawn.
28.6.2
They are indeed four [verses].
28.6.3
Fourfold, indeed, is this all;
28.6.4
[it is] for the attainment of this all.
28.6.5
He recites [verses] addressed to Indra;
28.6.6
for the sacrificial rite belongs to Indra.
28.6.7
They are indeed anuṣṭubh verses, for continuous recitation.
28.6.8
The last is a bṛhatī verse.
28.6.9
The bṛhatī, indeed, is prosperity;
28.6.10
in prosperity, indeed, he thereby firmly establishes himself at the end.
28.6.11
With [a verse] addressed to Indra and Agni, "Come with the morning travelers," he offers the offering verse;
28.6.12
for his hymn belongs to Indra and Agni.
28.6.13
With a gāyatrī [he recites, for] the morning pressing belongs to the gāyatrī.
28.6.14
He makes the secondary vaṣaṭ-call for the appeasement of the oblations,
28.6.15
for the firm establishment of the oblations.
28.6.16
"They should recite the offering verse without taking breath at the morning pressing," Paiṅgya used to say,
28.6.17
"so that we may deliver the oblation swiftly to the gods."
28.6.18
"By half-verses," said Kauṣītaki;
28.6.19
"for this is the joint of the meters: the half-verse.
28.6.20
Joint by joint he thereby delivers the oblation to the gods."
28.6.21
Now follows the inquiry into the season-calls.
28.6.22
Kaṇva saw these season-calls;
28.6.23
Medhātithi [saw] the offering verses.
28.6.24
Medhātithi was indeed a descendant of Kaṇva.
28.6.25
By means of that, the two struck away death and evil.
28.6.26
If one should desire, "May I strike away death and evil," [he should conquer with these].
28.6.28
The sacrifice is the Man.
28.6.29
His speech is the ājya recitation;
28.6.30
and that is indeed one.
28.6.31
Therefore he recites the ājya recitation addressed to a single deity.
28.6.32
The vital breaths are the prauga recitation.
28.6.33
These vital breaths are many;
28.6.34
therefore many deities are recited in the prauga recitation.
28.7.1
The two arms are the maitrāvaruṇa and the acchāvāka.
28.7.2
They are indeed twofold;
28.7.3
therefore the two recite [verses] addressed to dual deities at the morning pressing.
28.7.4
This weaver's seam in the middle is the brāhmaṇācchaṃsin.
28.7.5
Therefore the brāhmaṇācchaṃsin recites [verses] addressed to a single deity at the morning pressing.
28.7.6
The torso is the midday [pressing];
28.7.7
and that is indeed one.
28.7.8
Therefore at midday those reciting along with the hotṛ recite [verses] addressed to a single deity,
28.7.9
and the hotṛ [recites] the niṣkevalya recitation.
28.7.10
The two thighs are the maitrāvaruṇa and the acchāvāka.
28.7.11
They are indeed twofold;
28.7.12
therefore the two recite [verses] addressed to dual deities at the third pressing.
28.7.13
This penis in the middle is the brāhmaṇācchaṃsin;
28.7.14
therefore two forms are born: female and male.
28.7.15
Therefore the brāhmaṇācchaṃsī recites [verses] addressed to two deities at the third pressing.
28.7.16
The brāhmaṇācchaṃsī recites the most [verses].
28.7.17
For the brāhmaṇācchaṃsī is the middle.
28.7.18
Therefore this middle of the body is thickest.
28.8.1
Now, that [the verses] contain [the word] ‘ā’ as stotriya and anurūpa [verses], that is the characteristic of the first day.
28.8.2
The two stotriya [pragāthas] of the maitrāvaruṇa and the acchāvāka are composed by Viśvāmitra.
28.8.3
The two nine-verse concluding sections are composed by Vasiṣṭha.
28.8.4
They thus make the two ends similar.
28.8.5
Having recited the stotriya [verses], they make the tomorrow's stotriya [verses] into the anurūpa [verses],
28.8.6
for the continuity of the ahīna [sacrifice], for the characteristic form of the ahīna.
28.8.7
They thereby make day correspond to day.
28.8.8
For a day corresponds to a day.
28.8.9
On this they say: 'Why is recitation made following the chanted praise? Why do they over-recite the stoma?'
28.8.10
That indeed is not chanted which is not recited after.
28.8.11
That stoma does not go to the gods which they do not over-recite.
28.8.12
Therefore recitation is made following the chanted praise; therefore they over-recite the stoma.
28.8.13
The recitations have four callings-on.
28.8.14
Ukthas are indeed cattle.
28.8.15
Cattle are fourfold;
28.8.16
also, [they are] four-footed, for the attainment of cattle.
28.8.17
The offering verses of the ukthas belong to the one-day rite.
28.8.18
The one-day rite is a firm foundation, verily for a firm foundation.
28.8.19
They make the secondary vaṣaṭ-call, verily for the appeasement of the oblations,
28.8.20
for the establishing of the oblations, for the establishing of the oblations.
Translations (1)
- Rigveda Brahmanas: The Aitareya and Kauṣītaki Brāhmaṇas of the Rigveda (HOS 25) — Arthur Berriedale Keith 1920, English
Linked texts (1)
- Kauṣītakibrāhmaṇa — Kauṣītaki, Sanskrit