A History of Indian Literature v1.c8.s6.16

v1.c8.s6.16

The Vājasaneyi-Saṃhitā consists of 40 sections, of which, however, the last 15 (perhaps even the last 22) are of later date. The first 25 sections contain the prayers for the most important great sacrifices. The first two sections give the prayers for the New and Full Moon sacrifices (Darśapūrṇamāsa) with the oblation to the Fathers (Piṇḍapitryajña) belonging to them. In the third section follow the prayers for the daily fire-cult, the laying of the fire, and the fire-sacrifices which have to be offered every morning and evening (Agnihotra), and the Sacrifices of the Seasons (Cāturmāsya) which take place every four months. The prayers for the Soma-sacrifice in general,[^1) including the animal-sacrifice belonging to it, are to be found in sections IV to VIII. Among the Soma-sacrifices there are such as last *one* day, and such as last several days. To the one-day sacrifices belongs the Vājapeya or "Drink of Strength," a sacrifice offered originally probably only by warriors and kings, which was connected with a chariot-race, and at which, besides Soma, brandy (surā) also was offered, a drink otherwise proscribed according to brahmanical law.[^2) Intended exclusively for kings is the "King's inauguration sacrifice" or Rājasūya, a sacrificial feast connected with many a popular usage: a symbolical military expedition, a play at dice, and all sorts of magic rites. The prayers for these two kinds of Soma-sacrifices are contained in sections IX and X. Then in sections XI to XVIII follow the numerous prayers and sacrificial formulæ for the Agnicayana or the "Building of