History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c53.s2.12

v3.c53.s2.12

One of the most interesting day is the Mahāvrata, which is the last day but one in a sattra. Several strange and bizarre rites are performed on this day. This day is so called because it is specially meant for Prajāpati who is 'mahān' and mahāvrata means 'anna' (Tāṇḍya IV. 10. 2, Śat. Br. IV. 6. 4. 2). In this a mahāvratīya cup of soma is offered in addition to the usual ones and a victim is slaughtered for Prajāpati. In connection with this cup a mahāvrata sāman is chanted followed by the recitation of the Mahad-uktha (great laudation) of the hotṛ. Vide Haug's tr. of Ait. Br. p. 283 n, S. B. E. vol. 43 pp. 282-283 note 5. The chanting of the Pṛṣṭhastotras is started by a brāhmaṇa who plays on a harp (vāṇa) with a hundred strings of muñja grass (Śat. XVI. 7. 7-9, Tāṇḍya V. 6. 12-13). During the chanting the udgātṛ priest sits on a chair of udumbara, the hotṛ on a swing, the adhvaryu on a board and the other priests on seats of grass (Tāṇḍya V. 5. 1-12). A brāhmaṇa in the front part of the sadas and a śūdra at the back alternately belaud and abuse those engaged in the sattra, the former saying they have done well and the latter saying they have not done well (Tāṇḍya V. 5. 13). An ārya and a śūdra engage to the west of the āgnīdhra shed in a contest for a white circular skin that symbolizes the sun (for whom the Gods and Asuras fought laying claim to the Sun as their own), the fight being so arranged that it culminates in favour of the ārya (Tāṇḍya V. 5. 14-17, Śat. XVI. 7. 28-32). A harlot and a brahmacārin abuse each other on the northern hip of the altar.