History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c41.18

v3.c41.18

In the other gṛhya sūtras there is a good deal of divergence as to the mantras, the deities and the materials offered as oblations. Pār. gṛ. II. 10 says that the two ājya portions are offered and then oblations of ājya are to be made to the earth and fire if the Ṛgveda is to be studied, to the Airy region and to Vāyu if the Yajurveda, to the Heaven and the Sun if the Sāmaveda, to the quarters and the moon if the Atharvaveda and oblations are also offered to Brahmā, to the Chandases (metres) in all cases, and to Prajāpati, to the gods, to the Ṛṣis, to Śraddhā, to Medhā, to Sadasaspati, to Anumati. Then Pār. gṛ. (II. 10) proceeds "with the verse 'Sadaspatim' (Vāj. S. 32. 13=Ṛg. I. 18. 6) the teacher three times sacrifices fried grains. All (pupils) should repeat the verse after him. After each oblation they should each time put on the fire three pieces of udumbara wood that are fresh branches with leaves, anointed with ghee, reciting the Sāvitrī. And the pupils should put on samidhs in the manner stated above (Pār. gṛ. II. 4). With the verse 'Śaṁ no bhavantu' (Vāj. S. 9. 16) they should gulp down the fried grains without chewing them under the teeth. With the verse 'dadhikrāvṇo' (Vāj. S. 23. 32) they should eat curds. Whatever number of pupils he wishes to obtain so many sesame grains should the ācārya sacrifice by means of a dice board¹⁹³² with the Sāvitrī or with the *anuvāka* (Vāj. S. 17. 80-86). After they (the pupils) have eaten (the remainder) the teacher should pronounce the word *om* and then repeat the Sāvitrī three times and the beginnings of the adhyāyas to the students who are seated facing the east. All repeat "may it be ours in common; may it bless us in common; may this Brahman be powerful with us together. Indra knows that through which and in which no hatred may spring up among us."