History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c40.24.2

v3.c40.24.2

All this has been prescribed from very ancient times and has continued to this day. Yāj. I. 106 calls this sipping of water āpośana (taking in of water) and its purpose is to make food beneficial like amṛta (nectar) and to cover it as if with a garment. He then offers five morsels on which ghee is sprinkled to the five modes of *prāṇa* preceded by the word ‘*om*’ and ¹⁸²⁹ followed by ‘*svāhā*’. These five *prāṇāhutis* are mentioned in the Chāndogya Up. V. 19-23, where *prāṇas* are enumerated in the order *prāṇa*, *vyāna*, *apāna*, *samāna* and *udāna*. The Vedāntasūtra III. 3. 40-41 explains that the Chāndogya passage applies only when one sits down to dinner and not when one goes without it. Medieval digests quoting Bṛhat-Parāśara added a sixth offering to Brahman after the *prāṇāhutis* and this is done in modern times. While the *āhutis* to *prāṇa* are being offered complete silence (absence of all sound including even ‘*hum*’) is to be observed. Baud. Dh. S. (II. 7. 6) insists on complete silence throughout the meal and if one speaks, one has to mutter the words ‘Om bhūr bhuvaḥ svar-om’ and then eat further on. Others allow speech after *prāṇāhutis* for refusing food or condiments or for dharma. Vide Sm. M., āhnika p. 423 which quotes Śāṇḍilya that ‘silence is not necessary at meals for householders and one should show one’s solicitude for those who dine with one by talking to them.’ Śaunaka quoted by Sm. C. I., p. 223, Vṛddha-Hārīta 8.