Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s8.786

v2.c4.s8.786

Śmaśāna is the name of the ‘burial mound’ in which the bones of the dead man were laid to rest (cf. Anagnidagdha). It is mentioned in the Atharvaveda,¹ and often later.² The Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa³ prescribes a four-cornered mound facing the south-east, on ground inclined to the north, out of sight of the village, in a peaceful spot amid beautiful surroundings, or on barren ground. For an Agni-cit (‘builder of a fire-altar’) a funeral mound like a fire-altar is prescribed. The Easterners (Prācyāḥ) made their mounds round.