History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c38.9

v3.c38.9

All ancient smṛtis say that Vaiśvadeva is to be performed twice, once in the morning and then in the evening. *Vide* Āśv. gṛ. I. 2. 1, Vas. Dh. S. XI. 3, Manu III. 121, Viṣṇu Dh. S. 59. 13, Gobhila II. 34. But in later times it came to be performed only once in the morning and the *saṃkalpa* includes both in one statement.¹⁷⁶⁷ The verses 'juṣṭo damūnā' (Rg. V. 4. 5) and 'ehyagna' (Rg. I. 76. 2) are used in invoking Agni, then the verse 'catvāri śṛṅgā' (Rg. IV. 58. 3) and several ordinary verses describing the characteristics of Agni are employed for the dhyāna (contemplation) of Agni. From the food cooked for one's meal, a portion is taken out in another vessel, and covered with clarified butter; it is then divided into three parts. Then one places one's left hand on one's heart and with the right hand takes up from one portion of the food morsels equal to a ripe myrobalan fruit, presses it with one's right thumb and offers it with the right hand to Sūrya, Prajāpati, Soma Vanaspati, Agni-ṣoma, Indrāgni, Dyāvāpṛthivī, Dhanvantari, Indra, Viśve Devas, Brahmā. Then holy ashes are taken from the fire with the mantra 'mā nastoke' (Rg. I. 114. 8) and ashes are applied to the forehead, the throat, the navel, the right and left shoulders and the head with certain mantras and a concluding prayer is offered to Agni to bestow intelligence, memory, fame &c. as set out below.¹⁷⁶⁸