History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c51.55.3

v3.c51.55.3

I. 3. 4. 2). Then the yajamāna gives up the intermediate dīkṣā after offering into the āhavanīya a samidh with the mantra ‘Agne vratapate’ (Tai. S. I. 2. 11. 1, Vāj. S. V. 40) i. e. he loosens his girdle and his fists (that so far had been clenched), gives up the vow of silence (to be observed at both sandhyās) and his fast food and he hands over his staff to maitrāvaruṇa (Āp. XI. 18. 6). He may on the next day (soma pressing day) partake of soma and the leavings of sacrificial food. Hereafter he may be addressed by name and food prepared in his house may be taken by others (Kāt. VIII. 7. 22). Then the sacrifice of the animal to Agni and Soma takes place (of the omentum, the paśupuroḍāśa and havis). Jai. after a lengthy discussion (VI. 8. 30-43) holds that this paśu must be a chāga (a goat). Jai. (VIII. 1. 12) states that the procedure of darśa-pūrṇamāsa is followed in this animal sacrifice and not of soma sacrifice. Vide also Jai. VIII. 2. 10-14. Animal sacrifice has already been described above (pp. 1109-1131); but there are a few points of difference between the nirūḍha-paśubandha and the agnīṣomīya paśu offered the day previous to the soma-pressing day; viz. the svaru is not offered into fire in the latter nor is the heart-spit discharged. According to Jai. III. 7. 43-45 the maitrāvaruṇa is the priest where praiṣa and anuvākyā are to be uttered (ordinarily the praiṣa is given by adhvaryu and the anuvākyā is uttered by hotṛ.).