The Orion, or Researches into the Antiquity of the Vedas c8.20

c8.20

∗ A MS. of Bhâskara Bhatta's Bhâshya on the Taittirîya Sanhitâ has been recently discovered at Mysore and through the kindness of Sir Sheshâdri Iyar, the Dewan of Mysore, I have been able to procure a copy of the Bhâshya on the passage here discussed. Bhâskara Bhatta after commenting on the first part of the passage which states that the sacrifice should be commenced on the Ekâshtakâ day, makes the following observation as regards the alternative next proposed :-एवं दूषयित्वा पक्षान्तरं परिगृह्णाति । फल्गुनीपूर्णमास इत्यादि । फल्गुन्या युक्तः पूर्णमासः फल्गुनीपूर्णमासः । मुखं वा इति । अत्र केचिदाहुः फाल्गुनादिः संवत्सर इति । तन्मते मुखत एव संवत्सरं परिगृह्य दीक्षा कृता भवति । As regards the third alternative proposed, viz. the Chitrâ full-moon Bhâskara Bhatta observes further on :-अतः पक्षान्तरं परिगृह्णाति । चित्रापूर्णमास इत्यादिगतं । चैत्रादिः संवत्सर इति येषां मतं तत इदानीमुच्यते । Finally Bhâskara Bhatta follows Jaimini and Shabara in the interpretation of the last part of the passage and concludes by observing the best time for the sacrifice is 4 days previous to the full-moon in Mâgha.