Kauṣītaki (Śāṅkhāyana) Brāhmaṇa 6.5

English (machine translation) 6.5

Language: English

On this they say: 'Since by the verse the hotṛ becomes the hotṛ, by the formula the adhvaryu becomes the adhvaryu, [and] by the chant the udgātṛ becomes the udgātṛ, by what does the brahman become the brahman?'

6.5.3

That very bright sap which he drew out from the threefold knowledge—

6.5.4

by that does the brahman become the brahman.

6.5.5

On this they say: 'What kind of knower, of what metre, should one choose as the brahman?'

6.5.6

'An adhvaryu,' say some,

6.5.7

'for he knows the field of movements.'

6.5.8

'A chanter (chandoga),' say some,

6.5.9

'for in this way his havis-sacrifices are prepared with the three Vedas.'

6.5.10

'A Ṛgvedin (bahvṛca),' however, is the settled rule.

6.5.11

The other two Vedas revolve around this [one].

6.5.12

Here the most numerous priestly functions (hotrā) are situated.

6.5.13

With verses the draughts are drawn;

6.5.14

upon verses the chants are sung;

6.5.15

therefore he should indeed be a Ṛgvedin.

6.5.16

On this they say: 'How much of the sacrifice does the brahman prepare, [and] how much do the other officiating priests?'

6.5.17

'Half,' he should say.

6.5.18

Two indeed are the tracks of the sacrifice:

6.5.19

the one is prepared with speech;

6.5.20

the other with the mind.

6.5.21

That which is prepared with speech,

6.5.22

that the other officiating priests prepare;

6.5.23

now, that which [is prepared] with the mind, that the brahman [prepares].

6.5.24

Therefore, as long as they act with verse, formula, [or] chant,

6.5.25

so long should the brahman sit silent;

6.5.26

for thus he prepares half of the sacrifice.

6.5.27

Then, when they say to him:

6.5.28

'Brahman, we shall proceed,' 'Brahman, we shall lead forward,' 'Brahman, we shall set out,' or 'Brahman, we shall praise,'

6.5.29

he should give the impulse with just this much: 'Om.'

6.5.30

For this one syllable is equivalent to the entire threefold knowledge;

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