Gobhilagrihyasutra 3.3

On the full-moon day of Praushthapada (or) under (the Nakshatra) Hasta the Upâkarana (or opening ceremony of the annual term of Veda-study, is performed).

After (the teacher) has sacrificed with the Vyâhritis, he recites the Sâvitrî to the students as at the Upanayana;

And (he chants) the Sâvitrî with its Sâman melody,

And (the Bârhaspatya Sâman, with the text), 'Soma, the king, Varuna' (Sâma-veda I, 91).

After they have recited (the first verses) of the Khandas book, from its beginning, they may do what they like.

They eat fried barley-grains with (the verse), 'That which is accompanied by grains and by a karambha (i.e. curds with flour)' (Sâma-veda I, 2 10).

They partake of curds with (the verse), 'I have praised Dadhikrâvan' (Sâma-veda I, 358).

After they have sipped water, (the teacher) should cause them to repeat the first (?) verses, and to sing the first (?) Sâmans, of the different sections (?).

On the day sacred to Savitri they wait.

And at (the beginning of) the northerly course of the sun (they wait) one night with one day before and one day after it,

(Or they interrupt their study for) a period of three nights before and afterwards, according to some (teachers).

And both times water libations are offered to the Âkâryas.

Some perform the Upâkarana on the full-moon day of Srâvana and wait (with studying) the time (from that day) till the day sacred to Savitri (Sûtra 9).

On the full-moon day of Taisha they leave off (studying the Veda).

They should go out of the village in an easterly or northerly direction, should go to water which reaches higher than to their secret parts, should touch water (in the way prescribed above, I, 2), and should satiate the metres, the Rishis, and teachers (by libations of water).

After this second Upâkarana, until the (chief) Upâkarana (has been performed) again for the Vedic texts, an interruption of the study (of the Veda takes place), if clouds rise.

If lightning (is observed), or if it thunders, or if it is drizzling, (he shall not study) until the same time next day.

On the falling of a meteor, or after an earthquake, or an eclipse of the sun or of the moon (the study is interrupted until the same time next day),

And if a whirlwind occurs.

Let them not study on the Ashtakâ days, and on the days of the new moon,

And on the days of the full moon—

In the three months Kârttika, Phâlguna, and Âshâdha.

And (the study is interrupted) for one day and one night,

If a fellow-pupil has died,

Or the sovereign of his country;

Three days, if his teacher (has died);

One day and one night, if somebody (has died) who has reverentially approached.

If singing, or the sound of a musical instrument, or weeping is heard, or if it is storming, (the study of the Veda is discontinued) as long as that (reason of the interruption) lasts.

As regards other (cases in which the reading of the Veda should ne discontinued), the practice of the Sishtas (should be followed).

In the case of a prodigy an expiation (has to be performed) by the householder (or) by his wife.

If a spar of the roof or the middle (post of the house) breaks, or if the water-barrel bursts, let him sacrifice (Âgya oblations) with the Vyâhritis.

If he has seen bad dreams, let him murmur this verse, 'To-day, O god Savitri' (Sâma-veda I, 141).

Now (follows) another (expiation).

If he has touched a piled-up (fire-altar) or a sacrificial post, or if he has humming in his ears, or if his eye palpitates, or if the sun rises or sets while he is sleeping, or if his organs of sense have been defiled by something bad, let him sacrifice two Âgya oblations with the two verses, 'May my strength return to me' (Mantra-Brâhmana I, 6, 33. 34).

Or (let him sacrifice) two pieces of wood anointed with Âgya.

Or let him murmur (those two verses) at light offences.