History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c51.23.3

v3.c51.23.3

He washes his hand (that has the piece of gold in it) on the 7th foot-print (of the cow), pours some water on the dust collected in a pot, divides the dust into three parts, one of which is placed on the cold ashes of the gārhapatya, the 2nd on the cold ashes of the āhavanīya and the third is given to the wife who places it in the house. The adhvaryu ties the piece of gold to his small finger (on which it must be at the time of āpyāyana and pressing of soma and at the time of taking the aṁśu and adābhya cups). The adhvaryu directs the sacrificer's servant to bring a piece of cloth for tying soma, another for covering it all round and a turban; the first is carried by the adhvaryu or yajamāna and the rest by the pratiprasthātṛ. They go with their faces to the east towards the soma which is in a four-wheeled cart covered all round and above with mats &c. Detailed rules follow how soma stalks (*aṁśu*) are selected and taken with the hand, tied in the cloth and covered with the turban (Āp. X. 24. 7-14, Kāt. VII. 7. 12-21). The yajamāna pays homage to soma and waits upon Aditi (Āp. X. 25. 1). The adhvaryu hands over the soma (so tied and turbaned) to the vendor of soma²⁵⁴⁸ and there ensues a dialogue (which is a mock drama) between the vendor and the adhvaryu wherein they higgle for the price of the soma (five times, beginning with a kalā or 1/16th or the thigh of the cow and ending with the whole cow).