History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c53.s2.13

v3.c53.s2.13

Sexual intercourse between a man and a woman (that are strangers to the sacrifice) takes place in a screened shed to the south of the mārjālīya shed (according to Kāt. XIII. 3. 9). This probably is a symbol for indicating creation of the world by Prajāpati to whom the mahāvrata specially appertains. A chariot is made ready to the east of the southern corner of the vedi. A noble or a kṣatriya in full armour occupies it, armed with a bow and three arrows. He goes round the vedi thrice and discharges three arrows at a hide but not so as to pierce it through and through (Śāṅ. XVII. 15).