Kauṣītaki (Śāṅkhāyana) Brāhmaṇa 28.4

English (machine translation) 28.4

Now when Nābhānediṣṭha Mānava sought an invitation among the Aṅgirases,

he proclaimed this office of the Acchāvāka.

He indeed arrived when the iḍā had already been invoked.

Therefore they do not choose him [initially].

He arrived from that north-eastern intermediate quarter.

Therefore, sitting in that direction, the Acchāvāka seeks an invitation.

Regarding this they say: 'Why do they bring round a piece of sacrificial cake for the Acchāvāka?'

Alīkayu Vācaspata was the Brahman [priest] at the consecrations and Upasads of the Naimiṣīyas.

When the soma was pressed, he acted as Acchāvāka.

They said:

'Formerly they used to bring round this Brahman's portion for him;

for whom should we bring it round now?'

'Bring it round for him alone,' they said.

They brought it round for him.

It is that very Brahman's portion.

Moreover, the other goblets share in the iḍā.

Therefore they bring round a piece of sacrificial cake for the Acchāvāka,

in order that his goblet not be without iḍā.

Translations (1)