History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c91.235.3

v7.c91.235.3

A few striking passages are set out here: 'Indeed, God Brahmanaspati (Lord of Prayer) proclaims the mantra fit for recitation (by the mouth of the hotṛ), in which the gods Indra, Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman make their abode, O Gods!', 'We utter that very mantra (in which Indra and other gods are praised together) in our sacrifices, the mantra being one that produces bliss and being free from all blemishes (or is incomparable), 'Do place among the Gods a mantra that is not short, that is well-arranged and that is well ornamented; ancient fetters do not reach him who is in (the good grace of) Indra by the sacrifice (or praise); 'I address the same mantra for you (all) and offer for you (all) one offering (into fire)'. From these passages it appears that when these verses were recited there was a body of already existing mantras; which were supposed to be inspired by the Lord of prayers (or speech) and from which the choice of a long and well-formed one was to be made. Apart from the above passages the word mantra occurs in Ṛg I. 31 13, I. 74 1, I. 147, 4, I. 152 2, II. 35 2, VI. 50 14, VII. 7 6, X. 50 4 and 6, X. 106. 11, in only one of which (Ṛg. II. 35. 2), apart from Ṛg I 67. 2 already quoted, the words 'hṛdā ā suṣṭaṣṭam mantram' (mantra well chiselled from the heart) are used and in another verse more simply the word 'atakṣan' (in VII. 7. 6 *mantram ye vāram naryā atakṣan*) alone is used. In two passages (Ṛg. X. 95. 1 and X. 191.