History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c72.223

v5.c72.223

He then sows seeds of all kinds of herbs with a single verse (Vāj. S 354); for long life he thereby prays for these (the performer's family) and accordingly each subsequent one of them dies of old age He then pours out that (jar of bones). He does so before sunrise so that the sun should rise over him while he is doing it He does so with Vāj S. 35. 5-6. He then says to some one 'Proceed in that (southern) direction without drawing breath and having thrown down the jar, return hither without looking behind.' He then mutters Vāj S. 35.7. He then arranges the dead man (the bones) limb by limb with Vāj. S. 35.8-9. Now thirteen unmarked ⁵⁶³ bricks each measuring a (human) foot (*pada*) have been made and are laid down silently (and not with mantras as in the case of the Agnicayana). One of the thirteen he places in the middle, with the front towards the east (this represents the trunk), three are placed in front (representing the head), three on the right (that is the right wing); three on the left (that represents the left wing); three behind (representing the tail). He then directs them to bring some soil from a cleft in the ground. Some dig in the intermediate (south-eastern) quarter and fetch it from there; others dig in the south-west and fetch it northwards; he may do as he likes (there is an option) Let him not make the sepulchral mound too large For a kṣatriya he may make it as high as a man with upstretched arms, for a brāhmaṇa reaching up to the mouth, for a woman up to the hips, for a vaisya up to the thighs, for a sūdra up to the knee, or let him rather make it so high (for all) as to reach below the knee. While the mound is being made, they hold a bundle of reed grass to the north of it. Let him not throw it down after holding it up or after bringing it, but let him set it up in the house (as it represents offspring) Having prepared it he sows barley grain, thinking 'May they ward off (*yavaya*) sin from me!' He covers it over with Avakā plants in order that there may be moisture (*ka* or joy) for him and with darbha grass for softness.