Hindu Administrative Institutions c7.s4.8

c7.s4.8

The *rājasūya* is given in the *Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa*.¹ To Indra and Agni oblations are given for the former is fiery spirit and the latter is vigour and energy. In the fourth *Brāhmaṇa* different offerings are mentioned. Three horses, the warrior and the charioteer, these are five breaths.² The fire brand is mentioned as encountering the arrays or battles to beat off the enemy³ and even slay him. In the fifth *Brāhmaṇa* is given the *triṣanyukta* offering. In the first *Brāhmaṇa* of the third *adhyāya* the *ratnahavis* is offered. The third *Brāhmaṇa* of the third *adhyāya* is the *abhiṣechana* or consecration ceremony. This word literally means the ‘sprinkling’, and corresponds to the anointment of the present day. It is performed for five days. In the fourth *Brāhmaṇa* different kinds of water symbolical of vigour are collected. These are for sprinkling in front and from behind and afterwards to be rubbed all over the body of the king.⁴