The Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads v2.c30.s12.1

v2.c30.s12.1

The Agniṣṭoma is the model on which innumerable² other kinds of sacrifice can be formed, in order to bring about certain desires. The Viçvajit³ is occasionally mentioned: in it a man gives all his goods as the fee, or at least a thousand cattle and hundred horses. In the former case he first hands over to his eldest son his share in the property. After the offering he spends twelve nights in different places, three where an Udumbara is, eating fruits and roots only, three among Niṣādas, without eating the grains cultivated by them, three with folk, and three with folk like himself, or according to another view either Vaiçyas or Rājanyas. The symbolic nature of the rite is obvious.