History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c47.s1.6

v3.c47.s1.6

²²³⁸ Several rules are laid down about the choosing of the place of worship (devayajana) in Śat. Br. III. 1. 1, Ait. Br. I. 3, Drāhyāyaṇa Śr. I. 1. 14–19 &c. It should be the highest place and in its vicinity there should be no spot which is on a higher level than it, it should be even and firm and incline towards the east or north, being a little higher in the south. It should have many plants growing on it and in front of it there should be water (a well &c.) or a large tree or a public road. The Śat. Br. III. 1. 1. 5 emphasizes that if one secures learned and skilful priests it does not matter what kind of sacrificial ground one selects. The Ait. Br. I. 3 requires that the dīkṣita is to walk about and sit usually in the devayajana, and he must not leave it at all at sunrise, sunset and when priests are engaged in āśrāvaṇa (saying 'O śrāvaya'). Vide Sāyaṇa on Tai. S. I. 2. 1 for yajñaśālā and com. on Kāt. VII. 1. 19–24 for the same. The yajñaśālā is called 'dīkṣitavimita' in the Ait. Br. I. 3 and it is the same as prācīnavamśa-śālā. Iṣṭis are performed in the prācīnavamśa-śālā, but the Uttaravedi required in animal, soma and some other sacrifices is outside it. Further rules are given under Agniṣṭoma.