History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c51.23.5

v3.c51.23.5

The adhvaryu spreads on the box of the cart a black antelope-skin with the neck portion to the east and hairy side upwards, places the soma thereon, covers it with another piece of cloth, ties a skin to a staff as a flag. Two oxen are yoked to the cart, the Subrahmaṇya priest ( an assistant to the udgātṛ ) standing on the ground between the two shafts of the cart drives the oxen holding two palāśa branches in his hand ( as whips ). The adhvaryu touches the cart and directs the hotṛ to repeat a verse for soma that is bought ( or being taken round ) and directs the subrahmaṇya priest to pronounce the Subrahmaṇyā invocation. The hotṛ stands three steps behind the cart between the two wheel-tracks, and while keeping his heels firm and unmoved throws up to the south with a verse ( tvam vipraḥ, Āśv. IV. 4. 2 ) clods ( or dust ) thrice with the forepart of his foot, then utters standing ' hiṁ bhūrbhuvaḥ svarom ' and a verse ' bhadrād abhi śreyaḥ prehi ' ( Āśv. IV. 4. 2). While following the moving cart between wheel-tracks he recites Ṛg. I. 91. 9-11, X. 71. 10, IV. 53. 7 ( half ) and stops. When the cart stops the hotṛ approaches the soma from the south side of the cart, and stands facing it. He touches the soma or the cloth covering it with two verses ( called paridhānīyā viz. Ṛg. I. 91. 19 and VIII. 42. 3 ). Then the sacrificer touches the soma and comes to the sacrificial hall ( śālā ) along with all the priests.