History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c89.144

v7.c89.144

Both Manu¹²¹⁷ and the Viṣṇudharmasūtra prescribe that *homas* in which the Sun is the deity worshipped and Śāntihomas should be performed by a householder on the *parvans* (i. e. on Paurṇamāsī and Amāvāsyā). These were śāntis at fixed periods. Similarly, when a person, male or female, of any caste completed sixty years, there was the possibility that he may die soon, or that he may lose his mother or father or his wife or sons or that various diseases may affect him; for removing this danger a śānti is prescribed (and is often performed even now) in order that he may enjoy a long life, be free from all calamities and for his complete prosperity. This is called Ṣaṣṭyabdapūrti (completion of sixty years) or Ugrarathaśānti.1217a One of the oldest available descriptions of the Ugraratha-śānti is found in the Baudhāyanagṛhyaśeṣa-sūtra (V. 8.). It is brief and the main items in it are set out here. It should be performed in the month of one's birth and on the nakṣatra of birth. A *vedi* as large as a bull's hide should be made, a jar full of water should be placed thereon and on the jar an image of Mṛtyu (Death) manufactured with two *niṣkas* (i. e. gold probably weighing as much) should be placed in the south-east corner; worship should be offered to the image and a *japa* of each of the mantras 'apaitu mṛtyuḥ' ('may Death go away', Tai. Br. III. 7. 14 4), 'param Mṛtyo' (O Death! follow the path beyond &c.', Tai. Br II. 7. 14. 5 and Ṛg. X. 18. 1), 'mā nas-toke' (O Rudra! do not injure our progeny' &c., Tai. S. III. 4. 11. 2 and Ṛg. I 114. 8), and 'Tryambakam' ('we offer sacrifice to Rudra', Tai. S. I 8. 6 2 and Ṛg. VII 59. 12) be made 108 times; he offers oblations of cooked food with the *puronuvākyā* (invitatory prayer) 'mā no mahāntam' (O Rudra! do not destroy our grown up ones &c', Tai S IV 5 10. 2 and Ṛg. I. 114. 7) and the *Yājyā* (offering prayer) 'Mā nas-toke' (Tai. S. III. 4. 11. 2 and Ṛg. I 114. 8). Then he makes subsidiary offerings of ghee with each verse of the Ghṛtasūkta¹²¹⁸ Then he sprinkles himself with water from the jar to the accompaniment of mantras from the Mṛtyusūkta, from the Āyuṣyasūkta and with Paurāṇika mantras, honours the officiating priest, gives dakṣiṇā to the brāhmaṇas and a dinner.