History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c48.43

v3.c48.43

He washes his hands with water with the mantra "May I be able to carry out this rite meant for you two and for gods" (Tai. S. I. 1. 4. 1). From the place of the gārhapatya fire to the āhavanīya he spreads a line of dry kuśa grass continuously with their tips to the east (without leaving any space uncovered) with the mantra 'thou art the continuity of the sacrifice, I spread thee for the continuity of sacrifice, thee for the continuity of the sacrifice' (Tai. Br. III. 2.4) and then spreads another line of kuśas to the south and another to the north of this first line silently. To the south of the āhavanīya, seats of kuśa grass are made ready for the brahmā priest and the sacrificer, that of the brahmā being to the east of the seat of the sacrificer and directly to the south of the āhavanīya and of the sacrificer to the south of the south corner of the east side of the vedi. To the north of gārhapatya kuśas are strewn with their tips to the east or north and on them the sacrificial implements (yajñapātras) are placed in twos after being washed with water and with their mouths turned down, viz., the sphya and kapālas &c. (vide above note 2233 for the ten). This is called pātrāsādana (placing the utensils near).²²⁹⁶