Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.2612

c4.2612

The Brāhmaṇa should rinse his mouth three times. Then he should wipe his mouth twice and face once. Then he should take water in his hand and sprinkle it on his hands and legs, and then sprinkle it on his head, eyes, nose, ears, chest and forehead. After that uttering the name of the place, date, time, star etc. he should say to himself, “I am beginning to perform Brahmayajña.” For this he should have to place two darbhas (grass—Poa cynosuroides) in his right hand, three in his left hand, one on the seat, one each on his Brahma-string (sacred string worn by brahmins), hair and legs, and then think of the time, place, etc. and say to himself, “I am about to perform Brahmayajña to please the gods known in the Sūktas (hymns in the Vedas) for the absolution of all my sins.” Then recite Gāyatrī (spell) thrice. Then recite the following Vedic mantras or spells, in the order given: Mantras beginning with; “Agnimīle”; “Yadaṅga”; “Agnirvai”; “Mahāvratām”; “Panthā etacca”; “Saṃhitavidāmaghavat”; “Mahāvratasya”; “Iṣe tvorje”, “Agna āyāhi” and śanno-devīḥ.” Then in conformity with the number of letters used, he should recite the grammatic Sūtra known as Vṛddhirādaic. (Devī Bhāgavata, Skandha 11).