The Orion, or Researches into the Antiquity of the Vedas c7.43

c7.43

"Those who are about to consecrate themselves for the year (sacrifice) should do so on the Ekâṣṭakâ (day). The Ekâṣṭakâ is the wife of the year; and he [i. e., the year] lives in her [i. e., the Ekâṣṭaka] for that night. (Therefore they) practically sacrifice (by) beginning the year.* Those that sacrifice on the Ekâṣṭakâ, sacrifice to the distressed (period) of the year. It is the season (dual) whose name comes last. Those, that sacrifice on the Ekâṣṭakâ, sacrifice to the reversed* (period) of the year. It is the season (dual) whose name comes last. They should consecrate themselves for the sacrifice on the Phalgunî full moon. The Phalgunî full-moon is the mouth of the year. They sacrifice (by) beginning the year from the very mouth. It has only one fault, *viz.*, that the Viṣhûvân [*i.e.*, the equator or the central day] falls in the rains. They should consecrate themselves for the sacrifice on the Chitrâ full-moon. The Chitrâ full-moon is the mouth of the year. They sacrifice (by) beginning the year from the very mouth. It has no fault whatsoever. They should consecrate themselves for the sacrifice four days before the full-moon. Their *Krava* [*i.e.*, the purchase of soma] falls on the Ekâṣhṭakâ. Thereby they do not render the Ekâṣhṭakâ void [*i.e.*, of no consequence]. Their *Sutya* [*i.e.*, the extraction of soma juice] falls in the first [*i.e.*, the bright] half (of the month). Their months [*i.e.*, the monthly sacrifices] fall in the first half. They rise [*i.e.*, finish their sacrifice] in the first half. On their rising, herbs and plants rise after them. After them rises the good fame that these sacrifices have prospered. Thereon all prosper."