History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c42.55

v3.c42.55

As this rite has totally gone out of practice only a brief description of it from the Mānava gṛhya¹⁹⁶⁸ (which is the briefest of all on this rite) is given here. ‘Śūlagava is to be performed in Śarad for (propitiating) Rudra. In the north-east of the village and not near it (it is to be performed) at night and there is to be a sacrificial post, not chiselled (into an octagonal shape as in other sacrifices), in the midst of oxen. Before the (final offering) to Agni Sviṣṭakṛt (i. e. after performing the usual homa with boiled rice up to this point) he should fill eight vessels made of leaves with blood and offer them in the principal quarters and the intermediate quarters with the eight *anuvākas* (Tai. S. IV. 5. 1 ff. and Vāj. S. 16th adhyāya) beginning with ‘adoration to thee, O Rudra, who are Manyu (wrath).’ He should not bring the uncooked offerings into the village. He should bury into the ground the rest (of the animal offered) and its skin also. Some ācāryas say that in the pākayajñas in which animals are sacrificed there is no sacrificial post.’