The Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads v2.c30.s17.5

v2.c30.s17.5

Apart, however, from mere priestly inventions, there are clear traces of popular rites: the most interesting is the Çabalihoma,⁵ performed in spring to increase the herds. The sacrificer cuts hair and beard, puts on an unused garment, lies twelve nights on an uncovered elevated spot, and drinks hot milk. The fire in his house must be kept burning: no one, save a friend to give him the directions to perform his functions, must accompany him: he must say little and keep close. On the morning of the twelfth day he offers a libation of honey and sour milk with a formula addressed to Çabalī. Before the voices of beings are heard, he goes from the village to a wood where he can hear none of the sounds of the village animals, takes a bunch of grass and cries thrice with loud voice ‘Çabalī’: if any animal other than a dog or an ass replies, his sacrifice will be successful. If no answer comes he repeats the performance a year later; if, however, at the third time there is no reply, or an ass or dog answers his first appeal, he will have no success. In the view of Henry,¹ Çabalī is the personified cloud, of varied hue, whose purpose can be expressed by the cow rich in milk. Originally a rain spell, the rite was developed for more general purposes. The Pañcaviṅça Brāhmaṇa,² however, treats Çabalī, the wonder cow, as representing Vāc, speech.