Buddha: His Life, his Doctrine, his Order c11.s1.22

c11.s1.22

The Kurukshetra is the place of sacrifice of the gods (“Çat.” iv, 1, 5, 13; xiv, 1, 1, 2). From the Camasa, which the gods used in the sacrifice, was produced the sacred tree Nyagrodha; the first-born of the Nyagrodha trees grow on the Kurukshetra (“Ait.” 7, 30). In the tale of the Purûravas and Urvaçîs the Kurukshetra plays a part (“Çat.” xi, 5, 1, 4; “Ind. Studien,” i, 197). The offerings which must be performed at the Sarasvatî, Drishadvatî and Yamunâ, are known (v. “Çâṅkh. çr.” 13, 29; “Kâty.” 24, 6; “Pañcav. Br.” 25, 10 seq). In the north, among the Kurupañcâlas, is the country, where the Vâc has her peculiar home; the Vâc, as she there is, is truly (nidânena) to be called a Vâc (“Çat.” iii, 2, 3, 15).† Some prefer the Pañcâvattam to the Caturavattam, but the Caturavattam follows the custom of the Kurupañcâlas, therefore let it be given the preference (“Çat.” i, 7, 2, 8). A saying of the Kurupañcâlas with reference to the kings of the Kurupañcâlas, who have performed the Râjasûya-sacrifice, v. “Çat.” v, 5, 2, 5. A form of the Vâjapeya-offering, which bears the name Kuru-vâjapeya, is explained at “Çâṅkh. çr.” xv, 3, 15. To a disaster which the Kurus sustained by a shower of stones, reference is made in “Chând. Up.” i, 10, 1. An old verse, in which it is said, “The mare saves the Kurus,” is quoted at id. iv, 17, 9. “The Kurus shall be obliged to fly from Kurukshetra,” a Brahman threatens and his threat is fulfilled; “Çâṅkh. çr.” xv, 15, 10.”—Cf. also “Taitt. Br.” i, 8, 4, 1, 2.