A History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature, so far as it illustrates the Primitive Religion of the Brahmans c10.60

c10.60

¹ Âśv.-Grihya, i. 22. सदस्यं सप्तदशं कौषीतकिनः समामनंति स कर्मणामुपद्रष्टा भवतीति। सप्तदशग्रहणमृत्विग्धर्मो भवतीति ज्ञापनार्थम्॥ This is confirmed by the Kaushîtaki-brâhmana. Other authorities admit several Sadasyas. (शाखांतरेऽनेके दृष्टाः) For the Sattra sacrifices a seventeenth priest, called the Grihapati, lord of the house, is admitted. He is not considered as the Yajamâna, but seems to be the actual sacrificer. (गृहपतिसंज्ञकेन केवलयजमानपदार्थकारिणा सप्तदशेन पुरुषेण सहिताः Nârâyana on Âśv. Śrauta-sûtra, iv. 1.) In the Aitareya-brâhmana (vii. 1.), where the division of the animal among the various priests is described, we have the sixteen Ritvij, and besides one Sadasya, three Grihapatis (probably the sacri-