History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c51.23.6

v3.c51.23.6

The subrahmaṇya priest recites the famous subrahmaṇyā litany ²⁵⁵⁰ (which is an invitation to Indra). According to Lāṭ. I. 3. 1 this litany is recited after the performance of ātithyā iṣṭi, but according to Āp. and Kāt. it is recited before Ātithyā. At the time of each upasad the subrahmaṇyā litany is recited (Sat. VII. 4. p. 676). According to Lāṭ. the subrahmaṇya stands inside the spot where the altar would be prepared and recites the litany and the yajamāna touches him and the wife touches the yajamāna. The formula is 'O Subrahmaṇya (Indra who protects excellent prayers), come, O Indra! O Lord of *hari* (bay) steeds! Ram of Medhātithi! Menā (wife or daughter?) of Vṛṣaṇaśva! Attacking buffalo! Lover of Ahalyā! O Kauśika! O brāhmaṇa! Thou who callest thyself Gautama!'. Then he should state 'in so many days, to the soma feast.' Then he adds 'Ye Gods and brāhmaṇas! come hither!' While the Subrahmaṇyā is being recited the sacrificer mutters certain prayers (Āp. X. 28. 5). Near the eastern door of the prāgvaṁśa the pratiprasthātṛ stands holding by the ear a goat (as a present to king Soma) that has white and dark spots of hair or red and dark ones, that is hornless, fat and bearded. The cart is stopped to the east of the prāgvaṁśa with its shafts to the east or north, the yoke-pins are taken out; the oxen are released from the yoke (or only one ox, the northern one, is released).