History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c72.241

v5.c72.241

The Sat. Śr describes in the 28th praśna what is called *pitṛmedha* while in praśna 29 it describes the *brahmamedha*. The difference between the two is pointed out in Sat. Śr. 29.3.4–18 and it is stated⁵⁷⁷ (in Sat. Śr. 29.3. 20, 22) that the mantras called 'catur-hotāraḥ' are spoken of as *brahma* (in Tai. Br. III. 12.5) and that the procedure of Brahmamedha is to be employed only for an *ācārya* or a *śrotriya* and for no one else. The Vaijayantī by Mahādeva states (in the introductory verses) that praśnas 28 and 29 of Sat. Śr. are taken from Bharadvāja. It may be stated here that the procedure of *dhana-a* described above in Sat Śr. is no longer followed in India in modern times. In the Baud. ⁵⁷⁸ P. S. I. 17 there are passages that bear a close resemblance to some passages of the Sat. Śr on *dhavana*. Similarly, Kāt Śr.⁵⁷⁹ 21. 3. 6 provides (immediately after the months in which mounds were to be constructed) that as many jars should be taken as there are persons performing *dhavana* (or *dhuvana*) and the commentator explains that word as meaning 'fanning'.