The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c21.8

v1.c21.8

sunrise, the sacrifice (is performed) after sunset (and) after or before sunrise. He should make an oblation of rice-food fit for sacrifice after washing it, if raw, with his hand (but) with a brass bowl if it is (not rice but) curds or milk, or with the rice-pot. With the words ‘Hail to Fire’ (he makes oblation) in the middle (of the fire, at eve); secondly in the north-eastern (part of the fire); in the morning, with the words, ‘Hail to Sun’ (he makes the first oblation). The wiping round and other (acts) except sprinkling (of water round the fire) are here left out. Some say ‘let the wife make the oblations,’ for this fire is the house-fire and the wife is the house (home). When (the meal) is prepared, evening and morning, she (the wife) must say (‘It is) ready,’ (and he) must say aloud ‘Om’¹, but softly ‘May it not fail; to thee² be reverence.’ Of rice-food fit for sacrifice he should make (oblations) to Prajāpati; and to (the form of the Fire-god called) Svishtakrit (i.e. good sacrificer) make a *bali* (offering), depositing it outside or inside (the fire-place) in four places: (one) at the water-barrel; (another) at the middle door; (another) at the couch or privy; and (finally, one) at the heap of sweepings; sprinkle each (offering or the ground with water) both (before and afterwards) and pour out what is left with the water toward the south. Of chaff, water, and scum of boiled rice (let him make a *bali* offering) when a donation has been made. The gods to whom the *bali* offerings belong are Earth, Wind, Prajāpati, the All-gods, Water, Herbs, Trees, Space, Love or Wrath, the hosts of Rakshasas, the Fathers, and Rudra. He should make the offering in silence; he should make it of any food (but) make it only once in case (a meal) is prepared at different times; and if (prepared) at different places (then he should make the offering of) what belongs to the house-holder (himself). But of all food he should offer (some) in the fire and give the best to a priest; this he should do himself. He should offer the offerings himself from rice (-harvest) to barley (-harvest) or from barley (-harvest) to rice (-harvest); (yea,) he himself should offer them³.