The History of Indian Literature c8.332

c8.332

As I have already remarked, when speaking of the Saṃhitá, the first nine *káṇḍas* of the Bráhmaṇa refer to the first eighteen books of the Saṃhitá; they quote the separate verses in the same order[^asterisk] word for word, explaining them dogmatically, and establishing their connection with the ritual. The tenth *káṇḍa*, which bears the name of *Agni-rahasya* ("the mystery of fire"), contains mystical legends and investigations as to the significance, &c., of the various ceremonies connected with the preparation of the sacred fires, without referring to any particular portions of the Saṃhitá. This is the case likewise in the eleventh *káṇḍa*, called from its extent *Ashṭádhyáyí*, which contains a recapitulation of the entire ritual already discussed, with supplements thereto, especially legends bearing upon it, together with special particulars concerning the study of the sacred works and the provisions made for this purpose. The twelfth *káṇḍa*, called *Madhyama*, "the middle one," treats of *práyaśchittas* or propitiatory ceremonies for untoward events, either previous to the sacrifice, during, or after it; and it is only in its last portion, where the Sautrámaṇí is discussed, that it refers to certain of the formulas contained in the Saṃhitá (xix.–xxi.) and relating to this ceremony. The thirteenth *káṇḍa*, called *Aśvamedha*, treats at some length of the horse sacrifice; and then with extreme brevity of the human sacrifice, the universal sacrifice, and the sacrifice to the Manes; touching upon the relative portions of the Saṃhitá (xxii.–xxxv.) but very seldom, and even then very slightly. The fourteenth *káṇḍa*, called *Áraṇyaka*, treats in its first three *adhyáyas*