History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c71.s1.544

v5.c71.s1.544

*PRĀJĀPATYA*—Vide under Kṛcchra above where it is shown that the word Kṛcchra without any qualifying epithet means Prājāpatya. Manu XI. 211, Yāj III. 319, Viṣṇu Dh. S. 46 10, Atri 119-120, Śaṅkha 18 3, Baud Dh. S. IV 5 6 mention the word Prājāpatya and define it. This Prājāpatya has several *varieties*. The first is that described by Manu XI. 211 and Vas. 21. 20 viz. four periods of three days each following one another in which there is respectively eating once only by day, once only by night, eating once only without asking for it and complete fast. The second is that described by Vas. 23. 43, where on the first day food is taken only by day, on the 2nd only at night, on the 3rd day food got without asking for it is taken and on the 4th a complete fast is observed and where the same process is repeated for two periods of four days each The first ³³³ is called Prājāpatya by 'sthānavivṛddhi' and the 2nd is called 'daṇḍakalita'. Further, both these are said to be made 'ānulomyena' (by the proper and straightforward order). If the sequence described above is reversed i. e if for three days there is first a total fast, then subsisting for 3 days on food got without asking for it, then for three days eating at night only and for three days eating by day only, it is Prājāpatya by ‘prātilomya’. Further it may be performed with recitation of Vedic texts or without (for women and śūdras)³³⁴