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The Texts of the White Yajurveda, tr. Ralph T.H. Griffith, [1899], at sacred-texts.com


p. iii

CONTENTS.

 

Page

PREFACE

xvii


BOOK I.

 

New and Full Moon sacrifices

1

Removal of the calves

1

The milking

2

Purification of the milk

2

The Vow of Abstinence

2

Preparation of the rice

3

Rice-cake offered to Agni

3

Rice-cake to Agni-Soma

3

Bringing forward the sacrificial waters

4

Purification of the waters

4

Spreading the black-antelope's skin

4

Pounding the rice

5

Putting potsherds on the fire

5

Placing the nether press-stone on the skin

6

Division of the dough: one lump for Agni and one for Agni-Soma

6

Exorcism of the fiend Araru

7

Drawing of lines on three sides of the altar

7

Exorcism of evil spirits

8

Girding the Sacrificer's wife as his associate

8


BOOK II.

 

Sprinkling of fuel, altar, and sacred grass

9

Placing of the Prastara or Grass-bunch on the covering grass

9

Laying the enclosing-sticks round the sacrificial fire

9

Kindling the fire

9

Exorcism of fiends

10

Spreading of the Prastara

10

Laying down the three offering-spoons

10

Election of Agni as Hotar

11

Prayers for the protection of the sacrifice

1l

p. iv

 

Anointing the enclosing-sticks

12

Throwing the sticks into the fire

12

The Sacrificer's wife unties the Veda or sacred Grass-bunch

13

Holy water poured on the altar

14

Portion of oblation allotted to Râkshasas

14

The three Vishnu-strides

14

Completion of the Vow of Abstinence

14

Pindapitriyajña or Obsequial Offerings to Ancestral Manes

15

Line drawn to keep off evil spirits

15

Threads, wool, or hair as raiment for the Manes

15

Formula recited by the Sacrificer's wife to obtain  a son

15

Water poured on the obsequial cakes

16


BOOK III.

 

Agnyâdhâna or Establishment of Sacrificial Fires

17

The Âhavanîya Fire

17

The Dakshinâgni or Southern Fire

17

Agnihotra, morning and evening milk-oblations

18

The Gârhapatya Fire

18, 19

Worship of Agni

18, 19

Address to the Cows

19

The Sâvitrî

21

Worship of the Gârhapatya and Âhavanîya Fires

21

Worship of Agni Purîshya

21

Four-monthly Sacrifices

22

Purificatory Baptism of the Sacrificer and his Wife

22

The Sâkamedha Offerings

23

Worship, with oblation, of Rudra Tryambaka

24

Ceremonial Shaving of the Sacrificer's head

25


BOOK IV.

 

Soma Sacrifice

26

Apsu-Dîkshâ, Consecration by Water, Baptism

26

Andgrabhana or Uplifting Ceremonies

27

Putting on the Sacrificial Girdle

27, 28

p. v

 

Tying on a black-buck's horn

28

Preparation of Vow-food

28

Hiranyavatî-âhuti, Offering with Gold

29

Reverence to the Soma purchasing Cow

29

Purchase of Soma plants

31

Introduction of Soma

33


BOOK V.

 

Âtithya, or Ceremonial Reception of Soma

34

Tânûnaptra, or Invocation of Agni Tanûnapât

34

Minor Consecration

35

Âpyâyana, Sprinkling of the Soma plants

35

Upasads, Reverential Services

35

Marking out the lines of the Soma altar

36

Providing earth for the High Altar

36

Anointing of the four corners of the Altar place

36

Construction of Havirdhânas or Soma cart sheds

37

Construction of the Priests’ Shed, the Pressing-place, and Dhishnyas

37

Preparation of the Uparavas or sound-holes

38

Erection of the Udumbara Poet in the Priests’ Shed

39

Enclosing of the Priests’ Shed with mats

40

Consecration of the Dhishnyas

40

Laying fire on the Âgnîdhra hearth

42

Deposition of Pressing-stones, Soma trough, and Soma vessels

42

Deposition of the Soma plant on a black-antelope's skin

42

Animal Sacrifice

42

Preparation of the Yûpa or Sacrificial Stake

42


BOOK VI.

 

Erection of the Stake

44

Binding and Slaughtering of the Victim

45

Roasting and offering of the omentum and flesh

47

Symbolical re-uniting of the separated portions

47

Dismissal of the re-united Victim to Heaven

48

Soma Sacrifice

48

p. vi

 

The Vasatîvarî water, to be used in the Soma-pressing

48

Taking the Soma plants from the cart and laying them on the pressing-stones

48

The Morning Pressing

49

The Upâmsu Press stone

49

The Nigrâbhyâ Water

49

Beating the Soma

50


BOOK VII.

 

Grahagrahana, Drawing Cups of Soma

51

Upâmsu Graha

51

Antaryâma Graha

51

Aindra-Vâyava Graha

52

Maitrâ-Varuna Graha

52

Âsvina Graha

52

Sukra Graha

53

Manthin Graha

53

Âgrayana Graha

54

Ukthya Graha

55

Dhruvâ Graha

55

Viprud-Homa, or Drop Oblation

55

Avakâsa Formulas

56

Ritu Grahas, Libations to the Seasons

56

Aindrâgna Cup

57

Vaisvadeva Cup

57

The Midday Pressing

57

Marutvatîya Cups

57

Mâhendra Graha, Cup for Mahendra

58

Dâkshina-Homa, Oblation in the Southern Fire

58

Address to the Guerdon-Cows

59


BOOK VIII.

 

The Third or Evening Pressing

60

Âditya Graha or Libation to the Âdityas

60

Sâvitra Graha, or Libation to Savitar

60

Mahâvaisvadeva Cup, or Libation to the Great All-Gods

61

p. vii

 

Pâtnîvata Cup, or Libation to Soma

61

Pâtnîvata Cup, or Libation to Agni

61

Hâriyojana Cup, a Libation to Indra

61

Splinters of the Sacrificial Stake thrown on the fire

62

Samishtayajus Ceremonies

62

Avabhritha, or Purifying Bath

64

Offering of the Vasâ, or Sacrificial Cow

61

Offering of the Embryo Calf

64

Additional Soma Sacrifices

65

Shodasî

65

Dvâdasâha

65

Atigrâhyas

65

Gavâmayana

66

Gargatrirâtra

66

Mahâvratîya Graha

67

Adâbhya Graha

67

Sattrotthâna, or Rising from a Sacrificial Session

63

Rectifying and Expiatory Formulas

68


BOOK IX.

 

The Vâjapeya, or Draught of Strength

71

Cups of Soma

71

Cup of Surâ

71

Chariot-race

72

Sprinkling and harnessing the horses

72

Beating the Drum

73

Address to the Horses

74

Twelve Oblations, one for each Month

74

Six Oblations, one for each Season

75

Enthronement of the Sacrificer

75

Vâjaprasavanîya, or Strength furthering, Oblations

75

Ujjitis, or Victory Formulas

76

The Râjasûya, or King's Inauguration

77

Preliminary Oblations

77

Apâmârga, or Exorcising, Oblation

77

Oblations to the Eight Devasûs or Furthering Gods

78

Presentation of the King to the People

78

p. viii

 


BOOK X.

 

The Abhisheka, Aspersion, or Consecration

79

Collection of the Consecrating Waters

79

Spreading the Tiger-skin

80

Robing with the Consecration Garments

81

Presentation of the Three Arrows

81

Formulas announcing and introducing the King

81

Ascending the Quarters

82

Sprinkling with Holy Water

83

The Capture of the Cows

83

Rathavimochanîya, or Car-unharnessing, Oblations

84

The Throwing of the Dice

84

The Dasapeya Libations

85

Samsrip, or,Creeping, Oblation

85

The Sautrâmanî

85


BOOK XI.

 

Agnichayana, Building of the Fire Altar

87

Taking up the Spade

88

Address to the Victims

83

The Clay Lump, representing Agni

89

Digging round the Clay Lump

91

The Lotus-leaf

91

Forming the Fire-pan

95

Address to the Fire-pan

96

Placing the Fire-pan on the Âhavanîya Fire

97

Address to Agni Purîshya

97


BOOK XII.

 

Raising the Ukhya, or Fire-pan, Agni, and setting it on a seat

100

The Sling in which the Ukhya Agni is to be carried about

100

The Vishnu-strides

101

The Vâtsapra Rite

102

Vanîvâ hanam, or Driving Hither and Thither of Agni

103

Construction of the Gârhapatya Hearth

105

Preparation of the Ground

105

p. ix

 

Laying the Bricks

106

Throwing the Ukhya Agni on the Hearth

107

The Altar of Nirriti

107

Preparation of the Site of the Fire Altar

109

Ploughing the Ground

109

Watering and Sowing

109

Address to the Plants

109

The first Layer of Bricks

112

Spreading Sand on the Altar

113

Address to the Fires

113


BOOK XIII.

 

The Lotus Leaf

114

The Piece of Gold

114

The Golden Man

114

The Porous Brick

116

The Dûrvâ Grass

116

The Dviyajus Bricks

117

The Retahsich Bricks

117

The Ritavyâ Bricks

117

The Ashâdhâ or Invincible Brick

117

The Tortoise

118

The Pestle and Mortar

118

The Fire-pan

119

The Victims’ Heads

119

The Gold Splinters

119

Worship of the Unfinished Altar

121

Apasyâ Bricks

122

Chhandasyâ Bricks

122

Prânabhrit Bricks

122

The Second Layer

124

Âsvinî Bricks

124

Ritavyâs

124

Vaisvadevis

125

Prânabhritas

125

Vayasyâs

125

The Third Layer

126

p. x

 

Central Porous Brick

126

Disyâs

126

Visvajyotis

126

Ritavyâs (Nabhas and Nabhasya)

126

Ritavyâs (Isha and Ûrja)

127

Prânabhritas

127

Chhandasyâs

127

Vâlakhilyâs

127

The Fourth Layer

128

Stomas

128

Spritas

129

Ritavyâs

129

Srishtis

129

The Fifth Layer

131

Asapatnâs

131

Virâjas

131

Stoma-bhâgâs

132

Nâkasadas

132

Pañchachûdâs

123

Chhandasyâs

134

Gârhapatya Hearth

133

Punaschiti

138

Ritavyâs

139

Visvajyotis

139

Lokamprinâs

139

Vikarnî

139

Porous Brick

139

Scattering Bits of Gold on the Altar

139


BOOK XVI.

 

The Satarudriya

140


BOOK XVII.

 

Taking Possession of the Altar

148

Frog, Avakâ, and Bamboo-shoot

148

Mounting the Altar

149

Oblation to Agni on the chief Porous Brick

149

p. xi

 

Sprinkling the Altar with curds, honey and butter

150

Oblations in the Hall Door Fire

150

Prayer to Indra as. God of Battles

152

Erection of the Variegated Stone

156

Mounting the Altar

156

Oblation of Milk from a Black Cow with a White Calf

157

Laying three Logs on the Fire

157

Oblations to Agni

158

Offering of Seven Rice Cakes to the Mutate

158

Eulogy of Ghrita

159


BOOK XVIII.

 

Consecration Service for Agni as King

162

Vasordhârâ, or Stream of Riches

162

Ardhendra, or Half-Indra, Oblations

163

Three sets of Grahas

164

Yajñakratus, or Sacrificial Rites

164

Enumeration of Stomas or Hymns of Praise

165

Age Libations

165

Name Libation

165

Kalpa, or Success, Libation

165

Vâjaprasavîya, or Strength-furthering, Libations

166

Râshtrabhrit, or Kingdom supporting, Libation

166

Oblations on the Head of the War-chariot

167

Wind Oblations

167

Lustrous Oblations

167

Arkâsvamedha-santati Oblations

168

Agniyojana, or Equipment of Agni

168

Samishtayajus, or Final Sacrificial, Oblations

169

Homage to the completed Fire Altar

170

Symbolical Meaning of the Construction of the Fire Altar

171


BOOK XIX.

 

The Sautrâmanî

172

Milk Libations to the Asvins, Sarasvatî, and Indra

173

Purification of the Sacrificer

173

p. xii

 

The Identification of the Sautrâmanî with Soma Sacrifice

174

Transubstantiation of the Surâ or Wine

176

Libations of Surâ in the Southern Fire

177

Oblation and Prayer to the Fathers

177

The Hundred-holed Jar of Surâ

177

Oblations to the Fathers

178

Residue drunk by the Sacrificer

179

Formulas addressed to the Somavat Fathers

179

Formulas addressed to the Barhishads

180

Formulas addressed to the Agnishvâttas

180

Prayer to Fathers of all Classes

181

Address to Agni

182

Address to Indra

182

Verses illustrative of Separation and Rejection

182

Thirty-two Oblations of Fat or Marrow

183

Re-creation of Indra

184


BOOK XX.

 

The Âsandî or Sacrificer's Seat

186

Sprinkling of the Sacrificer with Libation-fat

186

The Sacrificer's Benediction on all Parts of his Body

186

Further Self-benedictory Formulas

187

The Avabhritha or Purificatory Ceremony

187

Prayers for Remission of Sin

187

Laying Fuel on the Âhavanîya Fire

188

Mixing Surâ with Soma

189

Offering of a Rice Cake to Indra

189

The Thirty-third Oblation of Fat or Marrow

189

Inhaling the Odour of the Remains of the Oblation

190

Âprî Hymn

190

Invitation of Indra to the Sacrifice

190

Further Address to Indra

191

Praise of the Asvins and Sarasvatî

192

Prayer to Agni

195

Praise of Sarasvatî

195

Invitation to Indra and the Asvins

195

p. xiii

 


BOOK XXI.

 

Offering of a Rice Cake and prayer to Varuna

196

Prayer to Agni as Mediator

196

Prayer and Oblation to Aditi

196

Oblations to Mitra and Varuna as Rain-Gods

196

A Propitiatory Hymn in honour of Indra

197

Benedictions on Indra

198

Directions to the Hotar to worship various Deities and Sacred Objects

199

Benedictions on Indra

202

Conclusion of the Santrâmanî Ceremony

204


BOOK XXII.

 

The Asvamedha or Horse-Sacrifice

205

Investing the Sacrificer with the Gold Ornament

205

Address to the Ornament

205

Girding and Sprinkling of the Horse

205

Symbolical Slaughter of a Dog

205

Offering of Oblations to Ten Deities

205

Homage to the Horse

205

Prayers and Oblations to Savitar

205

Inviting Verses to Agni

206

Eulogy of the Horse

206

Protection invoked for the Horse

206

Oblations and Homage to Prajâpati and Other Deities

207

The King's Prayer for Blessings on his Kingdom

208

Homage and Oblations to Gods and deified Objects

208

Homage to the Genii of Numbers

209


BOOK XXIII.

 

Ceremonies after return of the Horse

210

Offering of two Mahiman Libations

210

Harnessing the Horse

210

Bathing the Horse

210

Anointing and Decking the Horse

211

A Brahmodyam

211

Binding the Horse to the Stake

211

Slaughter of the Horse

212

p. xiv

 

Circumambulation of the Horse

213

Ceremony performed by the Chief Queen

213

Marking the lines of dissection

213

A Brahmodyam

213

Mahiman Libation to Prajâpati

217


BOOK XXIV.

 

Enumeration of Animals to be tied up

218


BOOK XXV.

 

Continuation of the Horse Sacrifice

224

Oblations of the roasted flesh

224

Inviting and Offering Verses to Prajâpati

226

Inviting and Offering Verses to the All-Gods

226

The Eulogy of the Horse

227

Conclusion of the Sacrifice

230


BOOK XXVI.

 

Supplementary Texts and Formulas connected with various sacrifices

231


BOOK XXVII.

 

Supplementary Texts and Formulas continued

235


BOOK XXVIII.

 

Texts and Formulas of the Sautrâmanî Ceremony, supplementary to Books XIX-XXI.

240

An Âprî hymn

240


BOOK XXIX.

 

Supplementary Texts and Formulas of the Asvamedha or Horse-Sacrifice

247

Praise of the Home as identified with the Sun

248

An Âprî hymn

250

Eulogy of the Bow and Implements of War

251

Supplement to the List of Victims in Book XXIV

254


BOOK XXX.

 

The Purushamedha or Human Sacrifice

255

Enumeration of Victims. men and women, to be dedicated to various Deities and Abstractions

255

p. xv

 


BOOK XXXI.

 

The Purushamedha continued

260

The Purushasûkta

260

Glorification of the First Performer of the Purushamedha

263


BOOK XXXII.

 

Texts and Formulas of the Sarvamedha or Sacrifice for Universal Success and Prosperity

264

Eulogy of the Sacrificer

265

Prayer for Wisdom and Glory

266


BOOK XXXIII.

 

Continuation of the Sarvamedha Formulas

267

A Litany addressed to Agni

267

Glorification of Indra

269

Glorification, with Libations, of Sûrya

271

Unconnected verses in praise of various Deities

274


BOOK XXXIV.

 

The Sivasankalpa Upanishad

280

Miscellaneous Texts suitable for the General Sacrifice

280

Prayer to Bhaga

284

Praise of Pûshan

285

Investiture with a Golden Ornament

286

Prayer to Brahmanaspati

247


BOOK XXXV.

 

Formulas, connected with the Pitriyajña or Sacrifice to the Fathers or Ancestral Manes, to be used at funeral ceremonies

288

Purificatory and benedictive Formulas

289


BOOK XXXVI.

 

Preliminary Formulas of the Pravargya Ceremony

291


BOOK XXXVII.

 

Formulas to be used at the performance of the Pravargya

293

Fumigation of, and addresses to, the three Caldrons

294

p. xvi

 

Circumambulation of the Mahâvîra

295

The Rauhina Oblation

296


BOOK XXXVIII.

 

Continuation of the Pravargya Formulas

297

Calling and milking of the Cow

297

Anointing of the Mahâvîra

299

Address to Agni represented by the Mahâvîra

299

Remains of the contents drunk by Sacrificer and Priests

300


BOOK XXXIX.

 

Expiatory Formulas to remedy any defect in the performance of the Pravargya Ceremony

301

Various Deities represented by the Mahâvîra

301

Names of seven Maruts or Storm-Gods

302

Propitiation of various Deities

302

The Object of the Pravargya

302


BOOK XL.

 

The Îsâvâsyam or Îsopanishad

304

Îs, Lord, Soul of All, the only Absolute Reality

304

Renunciation and Religious Works or Karma

304

The Âtmâ or Self

305

Sambhûti and Asambhûti

306

Sambhava and Asambhava

306

Sambhûti and Vinâsa

306

Nescience and Science

307

The Prayer of the dying Devotee

307

Excursus on the Îsopanishad

308


APPENDICES:—

 

I. Index of Hymns and Verses reproduced from the Rigveda and the Atharva-veda

313

II. Index of Names, Etc.

318

III. Corrigenda

345


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