Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa ("of a hundred paths") 2.5.3

2.5.3.1

varuṇapraghāsairvai prajāpatiḥ | prajā varuṇapāśātprāmuñcattā syānamīvā akilviṣāḥ prajāḥ prājāyantāthaitaiḥ sākamedhairetairvai devā vṛtramaghnannetairveva vyajayanta yeyameṣāṃ vijitistāṃ tatho evaiṣa etaiḥ pāpmānaṃ dviṣantam bhrātṛvyaṃ hanti tatho eva vijayate tasmādvā eṣa etaiścaturthe māsi yajate sa vai dvyahamanūcīnāhaṃ yajate

Verily, by means of the Varunapraghâsâh Pragâpati delivered the creatures from Varuna's noose; and those creatures of his were born without disease and blemish. Now with these Sâkamedha offerings,--therewith indeed the gods slew Vritra, therewith they gained that supreme authority which they now wield; and so does he now therewith slay his wicked, spiteful enemy and gain the victory: this is why he performs these offerings in the fourth month (after the Varunapraghâsâh). He performs them on two successive days.

2.5.3.2

sa pūrvedyuḥ | agnaye 'nīkavate 'ṣṭākapālaṃ puroḍāśaṃ nirvapatyagniṃ ha vai devā anīkaṃ kṛtvopapreyurvṛtraṃ haniṣyantaḥ sa tejo 'gnirnāvyathata tatho evaiṣa etatpāpmānaṃ dviṣantam bhrātṛvyaṃ haniṣyannagnimevānīkaṃ kṛtvopapraiti sa tejo 'gnirna vyathate tasmādagnaye 'nīkavate

On the first day he offers a cake on eight potsherds to Agni Anîkavat. For it was after shaping Agni into a sharp point, that the gods rushed forward, intent on slaying Vritra; and that sharp point, Agni, swerved not. And so does he (the Sacrificer) now rush forward, after shaping Agni into a sharp point, intent on slaying his wicked, spiteful enemy; and that sharp point, Agni, swerves not: this is why he sacrifices to Agni Anîkavat.

2.5.3.3

atha marudbhyaḥ sāṃtapanebhyaḥ | madhyandine caruṃ nirvapati maruto ha vai sāṃtapanā madyandine vṛtraṃ saṃtepuḥ sa saṃtapto 'nanneva prāṇanparidīrṇaḥ śiśye tatho evaitasya pāpmānaṃ dviṣantam bhrātṛvyam marutaḥ sāṃtapanāḥ saṃtapanti tasmānmarudbhyaḥ sāṃtapanebhyaḥ

Thereupon, at midday, he offers a potful of boiled grain (karu) to the Maruts, the Scorchers (Sântapanâh), for at midday indeed the scorching winds scorched Vritra; and thus scorched he lay panting and gasping, being rent all over. And so do the scorching winds scorch his (the Sacrificer's) wicked, spiteful enemy: hence (he sacrifices) to the Maruts, the Scorchers.

2.5.3.4

atha marudbhyo gṛhamedhibhyaḥ | śākhayā vatsānapākatya pavitravati saṃdohya taṃ caruṃ śrapayati caruru hyeva sa yatra kva ca taṇḍulānāvapanti tanmedho devā dadhire prātarvṛtraṃ haniṣyantastatho evaiṣa etatpāpmānaṃ dviṣantam bhrātṛvyaṃ haniṣyanmegho dhatte tadyatkṣīraudano bhavati megho vai payo meghastaṇḍulāstamubhayam meghamātmandhatte tasmātkṣīraudano bhavati

Thereupon, (in the evening, he offers a potful of boiled grain) to the Maruts, the Householders (Grihamedhinah). That pap he cooks after driving away the calves (from the cows) with the (palâsa-) branch, and having (all the cows) milked into the pot containing the strainers. Now, whenever (in preparing the pap) they use (whole) rice-grains, then that is a karu: this nourishment the gods took when they were about to slay Vritra on the morrow; and so does he (the Sacrificer) now take that nourishment, being about to slay his wicked, spiteful enemy. The reason, then, why it is milk-pap, is that milk is nourishment, and rice-grains are nourishment, and that he thus puts into him (âtman) that twofold nourishment. For this reason it is a rice-pap (prepared) with milk.

2.5.3.5

tasyāvṛt | saiva stīrṇā vedirbhavati yā marudbhyaḥ sāṃtapanebhyastasyāmeva stīrṇāyāṃ vedau paridhīṃśca śakalāṃścopanidadhati tathā saṃdohya caruṃ śrapayati śrapayitvābhighāryodvāsayati

The practice, in regard to this (pap, is as follows). The same altar covered (with sacrificial grass) which served for the (oblation to) the Maruts, the Scorchers, is (now used). Near this covered altar they lay down the enclosing-sticks and pieces of wood. Having had (the cows) milked in the same way (as before), he (the Adhvaryu) cooks the pap; and having cooked it and basted it with butter, he removes it from the fire.

2.5.3.6

atha dve piśīle vā pātryau vā nirṇenijati | tayorenaṃ dvedhoddharanti tayormadhye sarpirāsecane kṛtvā sarpirāsiñcati sruvaṃ ca srucaṃ ca sammārṣṭyathaitā odanāvādāyodaiti sruvaṃ ca srucaṃ cādāyodaiti sa imāmeva stīrṇāṃ vedimabhimṛśya paridhīnparidhāya yāvataḥ śakalān kāmayate tāvato 'bhyādadhātyathaitā odanāvāsādayati sruvaṃ ca srucaṃ cāsādayatyupaviśati hotā hotṛṣadane sruvaṃ ca srucaṃ cādadāna āha

They then rinse either two plates or two dishes, and put that (pap) thereon in two equal parts. Having then made a hollow in each (pap), he (the Adhvaryu) pours clarified butter therein, and wipes both the dipping-spoon and the offering-spoon. Thereupon he takes the two dishes of pap, and walks up (to the altar); and again, he takes the dipping and offering spoons, and walks up; and having touched the covered altar, and laid the enclosing-sticks round (the fire), he puts on as many pieces of firewood as he thinks fit. He then deposits those two dishes of pap, and the dipping and offering spoons, in their places (outside the altar). The Hotri sits down on the Hotri's seat. Taking the dipping and offering spoons, he (the Adhvaryu) says,--

2.5.3.7

agnaye 'nubrrūhīti | āgneyamājyabhāgaṃ sa dakṣiṇasyaudanasya sarpirāsecanāccaturājyasyāvadāyātikrāmatyatikramyāśrāvyāhāgniṃ yajeti vaṣaṭkṛte juhoti

'Pronounce the invitatory prayer to Agni!' with reference to Agni's butter-portion. He then takes four 'cuttings' of butter from the hollow of the southern pap, and steps over (to the south side of the fire). Having stepped over, and called for the (Âgnîdhra's) 'Sraushat,' he says (to the Hotri), 'Pronounce the offering-prayer to Agni!' and pours out the oblation, as soon as the Vashat has been uttered.

2.5.3.8

athāha somāyānubrūhīti | saumyamājyabhāgaṃ sa uttarasyaudanasya sarpirāsecanāccaturājyasyāvadāyātikrāmatyatikramyāśrāvyāha somaṃ yajeti vaṣaṭkṛte juhoti

He then says, 'Pronounce the invitatory prayer to Soma!' with reference to Soma's butter-portion. He then takes four cuttings of butter from the hollow of the northern pap, and steps over. Having stepped over and called for the 'Sraushat,' he says, 'Pronounce the offering-prayer to Soma!' and pours out the oblation, as soon as the Vashat has been uttered.

2.5.3.9

athāha marudbhyo gṛhamedhibhyo 'nubrūhīti | sa dakṣiṇasyaudanasya sarpirāsecanāttata ājyamupastṛṇīte tasya dviravadyatyathopariṣṭādājyasyābhighārayatyatikrāmatyatikramyāśrāvyāha maruto gṛhamedhino yajeti vaṣaṭkṛte juhoti

He then says, 'Pronounce the invitatory prayer to the Maruts, the Householders!' He makes an 'under-layer' of butter (in the offering-spoon) from the hollow of the southern pap, takes two cuttings from the latter, pours some butter thereon, and steps across. Having stepped across and called for the 'Sraushat,' he says, 'Pronounce the offering-prayer to the Maruts, the Householders!' and pours out the oblation as soon as the Vashat has been uttered.

2.5.3.10

athāhāgnaye sviṣṭakṛte 'nubrūhīti | sa uttarasyaudanasya sarpirāsecanāttata ājyamupastṛṇīte tasya dviravadyatyathopariṣṭādājyasyābhighārayatyatikrāmatyatikramyāśrāvyāhāgniṃ sviṣṭakṛtaṃ yajeti vaṣaṭkṛte juhotyatheḍāmevāvadyati na prāśitramupahūya mārjayanta etannvekamayanam

He then says, 'Pronounce the invitatory prayer to Agni Svishtakrit!' He makes an under-layer of butter from the hollow of the northern pap, takes two cuttings from the latter, pours some butter thereon, and steps across. Having stepped across and called for the 'Sraushat,' he says, 'Pronounce the offering-prayer to Agni Svishtakrit!' and pours out the oblation as soon as the Vashat has been uttered. Thereupon he cuts off the Idâ, but no fore-portion. Having invoked (the Idâ), they cleanse themselves. This is one mode of performance.

2.5.3.11

athedaṃ dvitīyam | saiva stīrṇā vedirbhavati yā marudbhyaḥ sāṃtapanebhyastasyāmeva stīrṇāyāṃ vedau paridhīṃśca śakalāṃścopanidadhati tathā saṃdohya caruṃ śrapayati nedeva prativeśamājyamadhiśrayati śrapayitvābhighāryodvāsyānakti sthālyāmājyamudvāsayati sruvaṃ ca srucaṃ ca sammārṣṭyathaitaṃ sokhameva carumādāyodaiti sthālyāmājyamādāyodaiti sruvaṃ ca srucaṃ cādāyodaiti sa imāmeva stīrṇ āṃ vedimabhimṛśya paridhīnparidhāya yāvataḥ śakalān kāmayate tāvato 'bhyādadhātyathaitaṃ sokhameva carumāsādayati sthālyāmājyamāsādayati sruvaṃ ca srucaṃ cāsādayatyupaviśati hotā hotṛṣadane sruvaṃ ca srucaṃ cādadāna āha

Then there is this other. The same altar covered (with sacrificial grass) which has served for the Maruts, the Scorchers, is (used now). Near this covered altar they lay down the enclosing-sticks and pieces of firewood; and having had (the cows) milked in the same way (as before) he cooks the rice-pap. The butter he puts on so as to be no mere accessory Having cooked (the pap) and basted it, and removed it (from the fire), he anoints it. He then removes the butter in the pot (from the fire), and wipes the dipping and offering spoons. Thereupon, taking the dish with the pap, he walks up (to the altar); and again, taking the butter in the pot, he walks up; and again, taking the dipping and offering spoons, he walks up (to the altar). He then touches that covered altar, lays the enclosing-sticks round (the Âhavanîya fire), and puts on as many pieces of wood as he thinks fit. He then deposits successively (in their respective places) the dish with the pap, the pot with butter, and the dipping and offering spoons. The Hotri sits down in the Hotri's seat. Taking the dipping and offering spoons, he (the Adhvaryu) says,--

2.5.3.12

agnaye 'nubrūhīti | āgneyamājyabhāgaṃ sa sthālyai caturājyasyāvadāyātikrāmatyatikramyāśrāvyāhāgniṃ yajeti vaṣaṭkṛte juhoti

'Pronounce the invitatory prayer to Agni!' with a view to (offering) Agni's butter-portion. He then takes four 'cuttings' of butter from the pot and steps across (to the offering-place on the south side of the fire). Having stepped across and called for the (Âgnîdhra's) Sraushat, he says (to the Hotri), 'Pronounce the offering-prayer to Agni!' and pours out the oblation, as soon as the Vashat has been uttered.

2.5.3.13

athāha somāyānubrūhīti | saumyamājyabhāgaṃ sa sthālyā eva caturājyasyāvadāyātikrāmatyatikramyāśrāvyāha somaṃ yajeti vaṣaṭkṛte juhoti

He then says, 'Pronounce the invitatory prayer to Soma!' with a view to Soma's butter-portion. He then takes four cuttings of butter from the pot, and steps across. Having stepped across, and called for the Sraushat, he says, 'Pronounce the offering-formula to Soma!' and pours out the oblation, as soon as the Vashat has been uttered.

2.5.3.14

athāha marudbhyo gṛhamedhibhyo 'nubrūhīti | sa upastṛṇīta ājyamathāsya carordviravadyatyathopariṣṭādājyasyābhighārayati pratyanaktyavadāne atikrāmatyatikramyāśrāvyāha maruto gṛhamedhino yajeti vaṣaṭkṛte juhoti

Thereupon he says, 'Pronounce the invitatory prayer to the Maruts, the Householders!' He then makes an 'under-layer' of butter (in the guhû), takes two cuttings from that pap, pours some butter thereon, re-anoints (replenishes with butter the parts of the sacrificial dish from which he has made) the two cuttings, and steps across (to the offering-place). Having stepped across and called for the Sraushat, he says, 'Pronounce the offering-prayer to the Maruts, the Householders!' and pours out the oblation, as soon as the Vashat has been uttered.

2.5.3.15

athāhāgnaye sviṣṭakṛte 'nubrūhīti | sa upastṛṇīta ājyamathāsya caroḥ sakṛdavadyatyathopariṣṭāddvirājyasyābhighārayati na pratyanaktyavadānamatikrāmatyatikramyāśrāvyāhāgnim\ sviṣṭakṛtam- yajeti vaṣaṭkṛte juhoti

Thereupon he says, 'Pronounce the invitatory prayer to Agni Svishtakrit!' He then makes an under-layer of butter, takes one cutting from the pap, pours twice butter thereon, without, however, re-anointing the (place of the) cutting; and steps across. Having stepped across, and called for the Sraushat, he says, 'Pronounce the offering-prayer to Agni Svishtakrit!' and pours out the oblation, as soon as the Vashat has been uttered.
16, He then cuts off the Idâ, but no fore-portion. Having invoked (the Idâ), they (the priests) eat it. As many members of (the sacrificer's) household as are entitled to partake of the remains of sacrificial food may eat (of the pap); or the officiating priests may eat it; or, if there be abundant pap, other Brâhmans also may eat of it. The pot having then been covered, before it is quite emptied, they put it away in a safe place, for the 'full-spoon ceremony.' Thereupon they let the calves together with their mothers; and thus the cattle take that nourishment. That night he performs the Agnihotra with rice-gruel. In the morning they milk a cow, which suckles an adopted calf, for the purpose of the offering to the fathers.

2.5.3.16

atheḍāmevāvadyati na prāśitram | upahūya prāśnanti yāvanto gṛhyā haviruciṣṭāśāḥ syustāvantaḥ prāśnīyuratho apyṛtvijaḥ prāśnīyuratho apyanye brāhmaṇāḥ prāśnīyuryadi bahurodana syādathaitāmaniraśitāṃ kumbhīmapidhāya nidadhati pūrṇadarvāya mātṛbhirvatsāntsamavārjanti tadu paśavo meghamātmandadhate yavāgvaitāṃ rātrimagnihotraṃ juhoti nivānyām prātarduhanti pitṛyajñāya

2.5.3.17

atha prātarhute vāhute vā | yatarathā kāmayeta so 'syā aniraśitāyai kumbhyai darvyopahanti pūrṇā darvi parāpata sapūrṇā punarāpata vasneva vikrīṇāvahā iṣamūrjaṃ śatakrataviti yathā puro 'nuvākyaivamepaitayaivainametasmai bhāgāya hvayati

Thereupon, in the morning, either after or before the performance of the Agnihotra--whichever he pleases--he cuts out (the remaining rice-pap) with the darvi-spoon from the un-emptied pot, with the text (Vâg. S. III, 49), 'Full, O spoon, fly away, well filled fly back to us! O thou (Indra), of a hundredfold powers, let us two barter food and drink, like wares!' In like manner as an invitatory prayer (is used at offerings) so does he by this (verse) invite him (Indra) to that share.

2.5.3.18

atharṣabhamāhvayitavai brūyāt | sa yadi ruyātsa vaṣaṭkāra ityu haika āhustasminvaṣaṭkāre juhuyādityatho indramevaitatsvena rūpeṇa hvayati vṛtrasya badhāyaitadvā indrasya rūpa yadṛṣabhastatsvenaivainametadrūpeṇa hvayati vṛtrasya badhāya sa yadi ruyādā ma indro yajñamagantsendro me yajña iti ha vidyādyadyu na ruyādbrāhmaṇa eva dakṣiṇata āsīno brūyājjuhudhīti saivaindrī vāk

Let him then tell (the Sacrificer) to make a bull roar. 'If it roars,' say some, 'then that (sound) is the Vashat; let him offer after that Vashat.' And in this way indeed he calls Indra in his own form to the slaying of Vritra; for the bull is indeed Indra's form: hence he thereby calls Indra in his own form to the slaying of Vritra. If it roars, then one may know that Indra has come to his sacrifice, that his sacrifice is with Indra. And should it not roar, let the priest, seated on the south side (viz. the Brahman), say, 'Sacrifice!'--this, indeed, is Indra's voice.

2.5.3.19

sa juhoti | dehi me dadāmi te ni me dhehi ni te dadhe nihāraṃ ca harāsi me nihāraṃ niharāṇi te svāheti

He offers with the text (Vâg. S. III, 50), 'Give unto me, (and) I give unto thee. Bestow (gifts) on me, (and) I bestow on thee! And mayest thou give me guerdon, (and) I will give thee guerdon! Svâhâ!'

2.5.3.20

atha marudbhyaḥ krīḍibhyaḥ | saptakapālam puroḍāśaṃ nirvapati maruto ha vai krīḍino vṛtraṃ haniṣyantamindramāgataṃ tamabhitaḥ paricikrīḍurmahayantastatho evaitam pāpmānaṃ dviṣantam bhrātṛvyaṃ haniṣyantamabhitaḥ parikrīḍante mahayantastasmānmarudbhyaḥ krīḍibhyo 'thāto mahāhaviṣa eva tadyathā mahāhaviṣastatho tasya

He then offers a cake on seven potsherds to the sportive (Krîdinah) Maruts. For when Indra went forward in order to slay Vritra, the sportive Maruts were sporting around him singing his praises; and even so do they sport around this (Sacrificer), singing his praises, now that he is about to slay his wicked, spiteful enemy: this is why (he sacrifices) to the sportive Maruts. Thereupon (follows the performance) of the Great Oblation (Mahâ-havis): this (performance) is in accordance with that of the great (seasonable) oblation.