History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c99.534

v7.c99.534

Devatā: Discussion of question what is meant by D. with reference to which an offering is cast into fire leads to startling results in P. M. S 1207-09; D. is a subordinate element in a sacrifice and *havis* is principal matter and in a conflict between the two decision rests on *havis* (in PMS) 1207; D. is a matter of words (says Śabara) and when an offering is directed by Veda to be made to Agni, one cannot use a synonym like Pāvaka, 1207-8; Jaimini and Nirukta agree as to the nature and function of D. in a sacrifice, 1276, *phala* (reward) is conferred by the sacrifice and not by D. (like Agni etc.) 1208, several opinions on who the Devatās are, to whom a hymn is addressed or an *havis* is offered 1208, though some Vedic passages speak of the body of D. and that it drinks and is lord of heaven and earth, they are (merely) laudatory 1208.