History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c51.70.6

v3.c51.70.6

the adhvaryu alone performs) what are called 'viprud-dhomas'.²⁵⁸⁵ When the soma is being pressed drops of it are scattered about. In order to make these drops go to the gods and also as a sort of expiation this offering of ājya is made to Soma (in all the three savanas). Then the five priests touching each other (adhvaryu being the leader, brahmā being the last and the sacrificer touching him) creep with heads bent in a stealthy manner (like hunters pursuing a deer, according to Āp. XII. 17. 3–4) towards the north for the purpose of the Bahiṣpavamāna chant that is to be sung.²⁵⁸⁶ The adhvaryu takes two blades from the grass strewn on the altar, throws one in the cātvāla pit and the other in front of the udgātṛ priests or gives a handful of kuśa grass to the prastotṛ with 'Vāyu makes the him sound' (Tai. S. III. 3. 2. 1). The udgātṛ priests ask the permission of the brahmā priest 'shall we chant' (and also of Maitrāvaruṇa, according to Āśv. V. 2. 11) and he replies 'yes, do chant' (after repeating in the morning pressing 'bhūr-indravantaḥ', but with 'bhuvaḥ' and 'svaḥ' in the other pressings). Vide Āśv. V. 2. 12-13. According to Āp. XIV. 9. 7, X. 10. 1 the brahmā repeats the text 'deva savitar &c.' and then one of the texts called stomabhāgas (in Tāṇḍya I. 9-10), the one employed here being the first viz. 'raśmirasi' (thou art a ray, to thee for residence, give impulse to residence) and then gives permission. All pavamāna chants are introduced in this manner (i. e.