The Orion, or Researches into the Antiquity of the Vedas c7.55

c7.55

But even this is given up for a still better time, and it is finally stated that persons desirous of consecrating themselves for the *satra* should do so "four days *before* the full moon." The full-moon here mentioned is not, however, specifically defined, and consequently it forms the subject of one of the Jaimini's Adhikaraṇas.* As no specific full-moon is mentioned it may mean either *any* full-moon-day, or the Chitrâ full-moon which is mentioned next before in the same passage, or it may refer to the Mâgha full-moon as the Ekâṣṭakâ is mentioned immediately afterwards in connection with it. Jaimini decides that it is the full-moon in the month of Mâgha, for it is stated immediately after, that those who commence the sacrifice on this full-moon will purchase their Soma on the Ekâṣṭakâ. This Ekâṣṭakâ can evidently be no other than the one mentioned in the beginning of the passage, and the object of the arrangement last suggested is to utilise somehow or other the important day of the Ekâṣṭakâ, which was at first recommended for the commencement of the sacrifice itself, but which had to be given up on account of the three-fold objection stated above. The full-moon must, therefore, be the one next preceding this Ekâṣṭakâ. Again the full-moon day is said to be such that when the sacrifice is finished the herbs and the plants spring up, which, as remarked by Shabara, can happen only in the Vasanta season.