Studies in the Origins of Buddhism c13.170

c13.170

Soma sacrifices.—The soma sacrifices are chiefly remarkable for their complexity which reached enormous proportions in such sacrifices as Vājapeya, Rājasūya, and Aśvamedha. Vājapeya appears to have been originally a ksatriya rite for the sake of victory in war.¹³⁹ Iṣuprāsana, Ājidhāvana, Dundubhivādana and Madhugrahasamarpaṇa are perhaps the nuclear elements. Features like the Yūpārohaṇa appear to be later additions. The Horse-sacrifice shows clear traces of solar and fertility rites.¹⁴⁰ It might have originally celebrated the advent of the spring sun, the cause of fertility.