History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c73.t1.358.3

v5.c73.t1.358.3

bestow on me faith, memory, glory, intelligence, learning, intellect, wealth, strength, long life, brilliance, health.' He says 'offering has been made on the hand'. The response is 'suhutam'. Then he pours ghee on the vessel containing the food and repeats 'mūrdhānaṃ divaḥ' (Ṛg VI. 7. 1) Then the brāhmaṇas should cast the food on their hands in the vessel over which ghee has been poured and then mutter Trisuparṇa,¹¹⁰⁷ the hymns to *anna* (Ṛg. I. 187. 1-11 and several others) and other hymns. Then certain pauranic verses should be repeated, viz 'Devatābhyaḥ' (note 1020), the verse 'one should always recite at a śrāddha these holy places viz Kurukṣetra, Gayā, Gaṅgā Prabhāsa and Puṣkara', the two verses¹¹⁰⁸ 'saptavyādhā' (note 994a) and three more verses, one speaking of adoration to pitṛs and the other two praying to Viṣṇu and Śiva for favours. Then *savyam*. Then he sprinkles water (prokṣaṇa) on the food with the Gāyatrī mantra. Then bending his right knee he silently spills water. Then holding the plate with the right hand above and the left hand below he utters the mantra 'the earth is thy vessel1108a, the heaven is the lid. I sacrifice thee in the brāhmaṇa's mouth. I sacrifice thee in the Prāṇa (breath) and Apāna (breath) of learned brāhmaṇas. Thou art imperishable. Do not perish for these (Fathers) here and in the next world.' Then he repeats 'ato devā' (Ṛg. I. 22. 16) and 'O Viṣṇu, guard the sacrificial food'.