History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c73.t1.358.5

v5.c73.t1.358.5

Then silently sprinkling water round the plate, and touching the plate (of the pitrya brāhmaṇa) with the left hand above and the right hand below it, he repeats the formula 'pṛthivī te pātram ..loke' (vide p 444 note 992) and the verse 'idam Viṣṇur' (Rg. I. 22. 17) and say 'O Viṣṇu! guard the *kavya* food,' he should thrust the root of the thumb of the (*pitrya*) brāhmaṇa in the food (served in the plate) and revolve it from right to left. Then touching the plate (of the *pitrya* brāhmaṇa) with the left hand he should say 'the father, grand-father and great-grandfather are *devatā*, this food is of the nature of *kavya*, the brāhmaṇa is in place of the *āhavanīya* fire, this place is Gayā, this dining brāhmaṇa is Gadādhara, this food is Brahma, this silver plate is the shade of the Akṣayyavaṭa (at Gayā), svadhā to my father, grandfather and great-grandfather named so and so, of gotra so and so, that are Vasu, Rudra and Āditya respectively, this food with the side dishes that is already served in the plate and that may be served (later) is *kavya* up till this brāhmaṇa is satiated. Adoration! It is not mine. *Tat sat*. May the food given at the 14 spots such as Rudrapada at Gayā be inexhaustible May Gadādhara of Gayā be pleased.' The brāhmaṇa replies 'May he be pleased.' He then repeats the verse 'ye ceha pitaro' (Rg. X. 15. 13) and says 'May the food intended for the pitṛs please them'. Then *savyam*.¹¹⁰⁹ Then *naivedya* is offered with the verse 'brahmārpaṇam' (Gītā 4.