The Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads v2.c31.s2.58

v2.c31.s2.58

In a period lying outside the Vedic period proper we are carried by the Caitya offering which is recorded in one Sūtra:¹ it is interesting, as it seems clearly to refer to the offering of homage to the memorials erected to the memory of some teacher or other distinguished personage. The procedure contemplates that the Caitya cannot be visited in person: therefore the sacrificer prepares two bales of food, and gives them to a messenger real or symbolical, to take to the destination, providing the messenger with a weapon and boat, if the journey is a long one. The offering to Dhanvantari, which is mentioned with emphasis as needing the co-operation of priests, is not explained in the texts.