Philosophy and Religion / White Yajurveda (Vâjasaneyi-Sanhitâ)

    The White Yajurveda (Vâjasaneyi-Sanhitâ)

    Table of Contents

    Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith, 1899

    Preface

    Book I.

    New and Full Moon sacrifices
    Removal of the calves
    The milking
    Purification of the milk
    The Vow of Abstinence
    Preparation of the rice
    Rice-cake offered to Agni
    Rice-cake to Agni-Soma
    Bringing forward the sacrificial waters
    Purification of the waters
    Spreading the black-antelope's skin
    Pounding the rice
    Putting potsherds on the fire
    Placing the nether press-stone on the skin
    Division of the dough: one lump for Agni and one for Agni-Soma
    Exorcism of the fiend Araru
    Drawing of lines on three sides of the altar
    Exorcism of evil spirits
    Girding the Sacrificer's wife as his associate

    Book II.

    Sprinkling of fuel, altar, and sacred grass
    Placing of the Prastara or Grass-bunch on the covering grass
    Laying the enclosing-sticks round the sacrificial fire
    Kindling the fire
    Exorcism of fiends
    Spreading of the Prastara
    Laying down the three offering-spoons
    Election of Agni as Hotar
    Prayers for the protection of the sacrifice
    Anointing the enclosing-sticks
    Throwing the sticks into the fire
    The Sacrificer's wife unties the Veda or sacred Grass-bunch
    Holy water poured on the altar
    Portion of oblation allotted to Râkshasas
    The three Vishnu-strides
    Completion of the Vow of Abstinence
    Pindapitriyajña or Obsequial Offerings to Ancestral Manes
    Line drawn to keep off evil spirits
    Threads, wool, or hair as raiment for the Manes
    Formula recited by the Sacrificer's wife to obtain a son
    Water poured on the obsequial cakes

    Book III.

    Agnyâdhâna or Establishment of Sacrificial Fires
    The Âhavanîya Fire
    The Dakshinâgni or Southern Fire
    Agnihotra, morning and evening milk-oblations
    The Gârhapatya Fire
    Worship of Agni
    Address to the Cows
    The Sâvitrî
    Worship of the Gârhapatya and Âhavanîya Fires
    Worship of Agni Purîshya
    Four-monthly Sacrifices
    Purificatory Baptism of the Sacrificer and his Wife
    The Sâkamedha Offerings
    Worship, with oblation, of Rudra Tryambaka
    Ceremonial Shaving of the Sacrificer's head

    Book IV.

    Soma Sacrifice
    Apsu-Dîkshâ, Consecration by Water, Baptism
    Andgrabhana or Uplifting Ceremonies
    Putting on the Sacrificial Girdle
    Tying on a black-buck's horn
    Preparation of Vow-food
    Hiranyavatî-âhuti, Offering with Gold
    Reverence to the Soma purchasing Cow
    Purchase of Soma plants
    Introduction of Soma

    Book V.

    Âtithya, or Ceremonial Reception of Soma
    Tânûnaptra, or Invocation of Agni Tanûnapât
    Minor Consecration
    Âpyâyana, Sprinkling of the Soma plants
    Upasads, Reverential Services
    Marking out the lines of the Soma altar
    Providing earth for the High Altar
    Anointing of the four corners of the Altar place
    Construction of Havirdhânas or Soma cart sheds
    Construction of the Priests’ Shed, the Pressing-place, and Dhishnyas
    Preparation of the Uparavas or sound-holes
    Erection of the Udumbara Poet in the Priests’ Shed
    Enclosing of the Priests’ Shed with mats
    Consecration of the Dhishnyas
    Laying fire on the Âgnîdhra hearth
    Deposition of Pressing-stones, Soma trough, and Soma vessels
    Deposition of the Soma plant on a black-antelope's skin
    Animal Sacrifice
    Preparation of the Yûpa or Sacrificial Stake

    Book VI.

    Erection of the Stake
    Binding and Slaughtering of the Victim
    Roasting and offering of the omentum and flesh
    Symbolical re-uniting of the separated portions
    Dismissal of the re-united Victim to Heaven
    Soma Sacrifice
    The Vasatîvarî water, to be used in the Soma-pressing
    Taking the Soma plants from the cart and laying them on the pressing-stones
    The Morning Pressing
    The Upâmsu Press stone
    The Nigrâbhyâ Water
    Beating the Soma

    Book VII.

    Grahagrahana, Drawing Cups of Soma
    Upâmsu Graha
    Antaryâma Graha
    Aindra-Vâyava Graha
    Maitrâ-Varuna Graha
    Âsvina Graha
    Sukra Graha
    Manthin Graha
    Âgrayana Graha
    Ukthya Graha
    Dhruvâ Graha
    Viprud-Homa, or Drop Oblation
    Avakâsa Formulas
    Ritu Grahas, Libations to the Seasons
    Aindrâgna Cup
    Vaisvadeva Cup
    The Midday Pressing
    Marutvatîya Cups
    Mâhendra Graha, Cup for Mahendra
    Dâkshina-Homa, Oblation in the Southern Fire
    Address to the Guerdon-Cows

    Book VIII.

    The Third or Evening Pressing
    Âditya Graha or Libation to the Âdityas
    Sâvitra Graha, or Libation to Savitar
    Mahâvaisvadeva Cup, or Libation to the Great All-Gods
    Pâtnîvata Cup, or Libation to Soma
    Pâtnîvata Cup, or Libation to Agni
    Hâriyojana Cup, a Libation to Indra
    Splinters of the Sacrificial Stake thrown on the fire
    Samishtayajus Ceremonies
    Avabhritha, or Purifying Bath
    Offering of the Vasâ, or Sacrificial Cow
    Offering of the Embryo Calf
    Additional Soma Sacrifices
    Shodasî
    Dvâdasâha
    Atigrâhyas
    Gavâmayana
    Gargatrirâtra
    Mahâvratîya Graha
    Adâbhya Graha
    Sattrotthâna, or Rising from a Sacrificial Session
    Rectifying and Expiatory Formulas

    Book IX.

    The Vâjapeya, or Draught of Strength
    Cups of Soma
    Cup of Surâ
    Chariot-race
    Sprinkling and harnessing the horses
    Beating the Drum
    Address to the Horses
    Twelve Oblations, one for each Month
    Six Oblations, one for each Season
    Enthronement of the Sacrificer
    Vâjaprasavanîya, or Strength furthering, Oblations
    Ujjitis, or Victory Formulas
    The Râjasûya, or King's Inauguration
    Preliminary Oblations
    Apâmârga, or Exorcising, Oblation
    Oblations to the Eight Devasûs or Furthering Gods
    Presentation of the King to the People

    Book X.

    The Abhisheka, Aspersion, or Consecration
    Collection of the Consecrating Waters
    Spreading the Tiger-skin
    Robing with the Consecration Garments
    Presentation of the Three Arrows
    Formulas announcing and introducing the King
    Ascending the Quarters
    Sprinkling with Holy Water
    The Capture of the Cows
    Rathavimochanîya, or Car-unharnessing, Oblations
    The Throwing of the Dice
    The Dasapeya Libations
    Samsrip, or,Creeping, Oblation
    The Sautrâmanî

    Book XI.

    Agnichayana, Building of the Fire Altar
    Taking up the Spade
    Address to the Victims
    The Clay Lump, representing Agni
    Digging round the Clay Lump
    The Lotus-leaf
    Forming the Fire-pan
    Address to the Fire-pan
    Placing the Fire-pan on the Âhavanîya Fire
    Address to Agni Purîshya

    Book XII.

    Raising the Ukhya, or Fire-pan, Agni, and setting it on a seat
    The Sling in which the Ukhya Agni is to be carried about
    The Vishnu-strides
    The Vâtsapra Rite
    Vanîvâ hanam, or Driving Hither and Thither of Agni
    Construction of the Gârhapatya Hearth
    Preparation of the Ground
    Laying the Bricks
    Throwing the Ukhya Agni on the Hearth
    The Altar of Nirriti
    Preparation of the Site of the Fire Altar
    Ploughing the Ground
    Watering and Sowing
    Address to the Plants
    The first Layer of Bricks
    Spreading Sand on the Altar
    Address to the Fires

    Book XIII.

    The Lotus Leaf
    The Piece of Gold
    The Golden Man
    The Porous Brick
    The Dûrvâ Grass
    The Dviyajus Bricks
    The Retahsich Bricks
    The Ritavyâ Bricks
    The Ashâdhâ or Invincible Brick
    The Tortoise
    The Pestle and Mortar
    The Fire-pan
    The Victims’ Heads
    The Gold Splinters
    Worship of the Unfinished Altar
    Apasyâ Bricks
    Chhandasyâ Bricks
    Prânabhrit Bricks

    Book XIV.

    The Second Layer
    Âsvinî Bricks
    Ritavyâs
    Vaisvadevis
    Prânabhritas
    Vayasyâs
    The Third Layer
    Central Porous Brick
    Disyâs
    Visvajyotis
    Ritavyâs (Nabhas and Nabhasya)
    Ritavyâs (Isha and Ûrja)
    Prânabhritas
    Chhandasyâs
    Vâlakhilyâs
    The Fourth Layer
    Stomas
    Spritas
    Ritavyâs
    Srishtis

    Book XV.

    The Fifth Layer
    Asapatnâs
    Virâjas
    Stoma-bhâgâs
    Nâkasadas
    Pañchachûdâs
    Chhandasyâs
    Gârhapatya Hearth
    Punaschiti
    Ritavyâs
    Visvajyotis
    Lokamprinâs
    Vikarnî
    Porous Brick
    Scattering Bits of Gold on the Altar

    Book XVI.

    The Satarudriya

    Book XVII.

    Taking Possession of the Altar
    Frog, Avakâ, and Bamboo-shoot
    Mounting the Altar
    Oblation to Agni on the chief Porous Brick
    Sprinkling the Altar with curds, honey and butter
    Oblations in the Hall Door Fire
    Prayer to Indra as. God of Battles
    Erection of the Variegated Stone
    Mounting the Altar
    Oblation of Milk from a Black Cow with a White Calf
    Laying three Logs on the Fire
    Oblations to Agni
    Offering of Seven Rice Cakes to the Mutate
    Eulogy of Ghrita

    Book XVIII.

    Consecration Service for Agni as King
    Vasordhârâ, or Stream of Riches
    Ardhendra, or Half-Indra, Oblations
    Three sets of Grahas
    Yajñakratus, or Sacrificial Rites
    Enumeration of Stomas or Hymns of Praise
    Age Libations
    Name Libation
    Kalpa, or Success, Libation
    Vâjaprasavîya, or Strength-furthering, Libations
    Râshtrabhrit, or Kingdom supporting, Libation
    Oblations on the Head of the War-chariot
    Wind Oblations
    Lustrous Oblations
    Arkâsvamedha-santati Oblations
    Agniyojana, or Equipment of Agni
    Samishtayajus, or Final Sacrificial, Oblations
    Homage to the completed Fire Altar
    Symbolical Meaning of the Construction of the Fire Altar

    Book XIX.

    The Sautrâmanî
    Milk Libations to the Asvins, Sarasvatî, and Indra
    Purification of the Sacrificer
    The Identification of the Sautrâmanî with Soma Sacrifice
    Transubstantiation of the Surâ or Wine
    Libations of Surâ in the Southern Fire
    Oblation and Prayer to the Fathers
    The Hundred-holed Jar of Surâ
    Oblations to the Fathers
    Residue drunk by the Sacrificer
    Formulas addressed to the Somavat Fathers
    Formulas addressed to the Barhishads
    Formulas addressed to the Agnishvâttas
    Prayer to Fathers of all Classes
    Address to Agni
    Address to Indra
    Verses illustrative of Separation and Rejection
    Thirty-two Oblations of Fat or Marrow
    Re-creation of Indra

    Book XX.

    The Âsandî or Sacrificer's Seat
    Sprinkling of the Sacrificer with Libation-fat
    The Sacrificer's Benediction on all Parts of his Body
    Further Self-benedictory Formulas
    The Avabhritha or Purificatory Ceremony
    Prayers for Remission of Sin
    Laying Fuel on the Âhavanîya Fire
    Mixing Surâ with Soma
    Offering of a Rice Cake to Indra
    The Thirty-third Oblation of Fat or Marrow
    Inhaling the Odour of the Remains of the Oblation
    Âprî Hymn
    Invitation of Indra to the Sacrifice
    Further Address to Indra
    Praise of the Asvins and Sarasvatî
    Prayer to Agni
    Praise of Sarasvatî
    Invitation to Indra and the Asvins

    Book XXI.

    Offering of a Rice Cake and prayer to Varuna
    Prayer to Agni as Mediator
    Prayer and Oblation to Aditi
    Oblations to Mitra and Varuna as Rain-Gods
    A Propitiatory Hymn in honour of Indra
    Benedictions on Indra
    Directions to the Hotar to worship various Deities and Sacred Objects
    Benedictions on Indra
    Conclusion of the Santrâmanî Ceremony

    Book XXII.

    The Asvamedha or Horse-Sacrifice
    Investing the Sacrificer with the Gold Ornament
    Address to the Ornament
    Girding and Sprinkling of the Horse
    Symbolical Slaughter of a Dog
    Offering of Oblations to Ten Deities
    Homage to the Horse
    Prayers and Oblations to Savitar
    Inviting Verses to Agni
    Eulogy of the Horse
    Protection invoked for the Horse
    Oblations and Homage to Prajâpati and Other Deities
    The King's Prayer for Blessings on his Kingdom
    Homage and Oblations to Gods and deified Objects
    Homage to the Genii of Numbers

    Book XXIII.

    Ceremonies after return of the Horse
    Offering of two Mahiman Libations
    Harnessing the Horse
    Bathing the Horse
    Anointing and Decking the Horse
    A Brahmodyam
    Binding the Horse to the Stake
    Slaughter of the Horse
    Circumambulation of the Horse
    Ceremony performed by the Chief Queen
    Marking the lines of dissection
    A Brahmodyam
    Mahiman Libation to Prajâpati

    Book XXIV.

    Enumeration of Animals to be tied up

    Book XXV.

    Continuation of the Horse Sacrifice
    Oblations of the roasted flesh
    Inviting and Offering Verses to Prajâpati
    Inviting and Offering Verses to the All-Gods
    The Eulogy of the Horse
    Conclusion of the Sacrifice

    Book XXVI.

    Supplementary Texts and Formulas connected with various sacrifices

    Book XXVII.

    Supplementary Texts and Formulas continued.

    Book XXVIII.

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

    Book XXIX.

    Supplementary Texts and Formulas of the Asvamedha or Horse-Sacrifice
    Praise of the Home as identified with the Sun
    An Âprî hymn
    Eulogy of the Bow and Implements of War
    Supplement to the List of Victims in Book XXIV

    Book XXX.

    The Purushamedha or Human Sacrifice
    Enumeration of Victims. men and women, to be dedicated to various Deities and Abstractions

    Book XXXI.

    The Purushamedha continued
    The Purushasûkta
    Glorification of the First Performer of the Purushamedha

    Book XXXII.

    Texts and Formulas of the Sarvamedha or Sacrifice for Universal Success and Prosperity
    Eulogy of the Sacrificer
    Prayer for Wisdom and Glory

    Book XXXIII.

    Continuation of the Sarvamedha Formulas
    A Litany addressed to Agni
    Glorification of Indra
    Glorification, with Libations, of Sûrya
    Unconnected verses in praise of various Deities

    Book XXXIV.

    The Sivasankalpa Upanishad
    Miscellaneous Texts suitable for the General Sacrifice
    Prayer to Bhaga
    Praise of Pûshan
    Investiture with a Golden Ornament
    Prayer to Brahmanaspati

    Book XXXV.

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

    Book XXXVI.

    Preliminary Formulas of the Pravargya Ceremony

    Book XXXVII.

    Formulas to be used at the performance of the Pravargya
    Fumigation of, and addresses to, the three Caldrons
    Circumambulation of the Mahâvîra
    The Rauhina Oblation

    Book XXXVIII.

    Continuation of the Pravargya Formulas
    Calling and milking of the Cow
    Anointing of the Mahâvîra
    Address to Agni represented by the Mahâvîra
    Remains of the contents drunk by Sacrificer and Priests

    Book XXXIX.

    Expiatory Formulas to remedy any defect in the performance of the Pravargya Ceremony
    Various Deities represented by the Mahâvîra
    Names of seven Maruts or Storm-Gods
    Propitiation of various Deities
    The Object of the Pravargya

    Book XL.

    The Îsâvâsyam or Îsopanishad
    Îs, Lord, Soul of All, the only Absolute Reality
    Renunciation and Religious Works or Karma
    The Âtmâ or Self
    Sambhûti and Asambhûti
    Sambhava and Asambhava
    Sambhûti and Vinâsa
    Nescience and Science
    The Prayer of the dying Devotee
    Excursus on the Îsopanishad




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