History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c50.25.4

v3.c50.25.4

4–6, the adhvaryu makes one, two, three or four offerings of ājya, with mantras called *apāvya*, when fire is carried round the victim, when it is set free from the yūpa and led on (Tai. S. III. 1. 4. 1–2). The āgnīdhra, again taking up the same fire-brand, starts to go with his face to the north and the victim is led after the āgnīdhra by the śamitṛ (who takes away the cord of girdle from the victim's head and ties it round its neck). The pratiprasthātṛ (an assistant of adhvaryu) touches the animal (that is being led northward) from behind with two utensils (spits) made of kārśmarya wood (used for roasting vapā, omentum), the adhvaryu touches the pratiprasthātṛ and the sacrificer touches the adhvaryu.²⁵⁰² A pit is got dug (by a servant) for covering in it the undigested food and the fœces of the victim when killed. They (the priests and yajamāna) should not pass beyond the place for the śāmitra fire.