Original Sanskrit Texts on the Origin and History of the People of India, their Religion and Institutions v5.c49.30

v5.c49.30

The Taitt. Sanh., ii. 3, 5, 1, relates that Prajāpati had thirty-three daughters whom he gave to king Soma. Soma, however, frequented the society of Rohiṇī only. This aroused the jealousy of the rest, who returned to their father. Soma followed, and asked that they should go back to him, to which, however, Prajāpati would not agree till Soma had promised to associate with them all equally. He agreed; but again behaved as before, when he was seized with consumption, etc. (*Prajāpates trayastrim̃śad duhitaraḥ āsan | tāḥ Somāya rājne 'dadāt | tāsām̃ Rohiṇīm upait | tāḥ īrshyantīḥ punar agachhan | tāḥ anvait | tāḥ punar ayāchata | tāḥ asmai na punar adadāt | so 'bravīd "ṛitam amīshva yathā samāvachhaḥ upaishyāmi atha te punar dāsyāmi" iti | sa ṛitam āmīt | tāḥ asmai punar adadāt | tāsām Rohiṇīm eva upait | yakshma ārchhat*). In the Taitt. Br. ii. 3, 10, 1 ff., another story is told of Soma. Prajāpati created him; and after him the three Vedas, which he took into his hand. Now, Sītā Sāvitrī loved Soma, while he loved Śraddhā. Sītā came to her father Prajāpati, and, saluting him, asked to be allowed to approach him with her complaint. She loved Soma, she said, while he loved Śraddhā. Prajāpati made for her a paste formed of a sweet smelling substance, to which he imparted potency by the recitation of certain formulas, and then painted it upon her forehead. She then returned to Soma, who invited her to approach him. She desired him to promise her his society, and to tell her what he had in his hand; whereupon he gave her the three Vedas; and in consequence women always ask for some gift as a price for their embraces, etc. The Brāhmaṇa goes on to recommend the use of the same paste, prepared with the same formulas, as a specific for producing love or good will (*Prajāpatiḥ Somaṁ rājānam asṛijata* | *taṁ trayo vedāḥ anv asṛijyanta* | *tān haste 'kuruta* | *atha ha Sītā Sāvitrī Somaṁ rājānaṁ chakame* | *S'raddhām u sa chakame* | *sā ha pitaram Prajāpatim upasasāra* | *taṁ ha uvācha "namas te astu bhagavaḥ* | *upa tvā ayāni* (2) *pra tvā āpadye* | *Somaṁ vai rājānaṁ kāmaye S'raddhām u sa kāmayate" iti* | *tasyai u ha sthāgaram alankāraṁ kalpayitvā daśahotāraṁ purastād vyākhyāya chaturhotāraṁ dakshiṇataḥ pañchahotāraṁ paśchāt shaḍḍhotāram uttarataḥ saptahotāram uparishṭāt sambhāraiś patnibhiś cha mukhe alankṛitya* | 3. *Asya arddhaṁ vavrāja* | *tāṁ ha udīkshya uvācha "upa mā varttasva" iti* | *taṁ ha uvācha "bho gantuṁ* (the commentator explains the phrase as if he read *bhogaṁ tu*) *me āchakshva* | *etan me āchakshva yat te pāṇāv" iti* | *tasyai u trīn vedān pradadau* | *tasmād u ha striyo bhogam eva hārayante*).