History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c89.32

v7.c89.32

In the Brāhmaṇas the means of appeasement are various but simple Often times the recitation of a Vedic verse or hymn effects śānti. For example, the Taittirīya-brāhmaṇa¹¹⁴⁹ prescribes the singing of sāmans at the time of consecrating the sacred śrauta fires; the three *sāmans* are Rathantara, Vāmadevya and Bṛhat, each being connected with the three worlds respectively. "When Agni is being taken out, he sings the Vāmadevya sāman; Vāmadevya is the atmospheric region and thereby (i. e. by singing Vāmadevya) he makes Agni established in the atmospheric region; Vāmadevya is śānti (means of bringing about the appeasement of Agni); (on singing Vāmadevya) he takes out Agni that has become appeased (beneficent) and as bestower of cattle". The Tai S. says¹¹⁵⁰ "he says 'weave ye with regular measure the work of the singers'. Whatever superfluity (or flaw) is committed in the sacrifice, this (recitation) serves to eradicate its evil effects". The Ait Br. provides "(the priest) who is about to sprinkle holy water over him¹¹⁵¹ (the king) should (himself first recite the mantra and) make the king repeat it (after him) 'O Waters' look on me with a beneficent eye, (and) touch my skin with (your) beneficent body. I invoke all the Agnis that dwell in waters for your sake; this should be done for the purpose that waters (the evil aspects of which have been) not appeased may not destroy the vigour of him who is being sprinkled over". The Hotṛ performs a *japa* before and after reciting the *sāmidhenī* verses. About this the Śāṅkhāyana-brāhmaṇa says¹¹⁵² that the sāmidhenīs are a thunderbolt and that if *japa* is performed thereby he appeases (*śamayati*) Agni (i. e. Agni becomes auspicious and beneficent).