History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c52.7

v3.c52.7

Aptoryāma—This sacrifice is similar to Atirātra of which it appears to be an amplification. Only there are four additional stotras (i. e. 33 in all) and four additional śastras recited by the hotṛ and his assistants, and there are four camasas in relation to these last respectively for Agni, Indra, Viśve Devas and Viṣṇu (Āp. XIV. 4. 12–16, Sat. IX. 7 pp. 966–967, Śāṅ. XV. 5. 14–18 and Sat. X. 8. p. 1111). According to Āśv. (IX. 11. 1) he whose cattle do not live or who desires to secure cattle of good breed should perform the Aptoryāma. Āśv. (IX. 9. 22–23) says that in this the fee is more than a thousand (cows) up to an unlimited number and the hotṛ gets a special gift of a white chariot (plated with silver) to which female mules are yoked. This sacrifice is generally joined with others. The Tāṇḍya Br. (XX. 3. 4–5) states that the rite is so called because by its performance one secures whatever object one desires (from ‘āp’ to obtain).