HOME

TheInfoList



Click Here for Items Related To - Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa
OR:
Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa on:   [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Amazon]

The (
Sanskrit Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...
, meaning '
Brāhmaṇa The Brahmanas (; Sanskrit: , ''Brāhmaṇam'') are Vedic śruti works attached to the Samhitas (hymns and mantras) of the Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva Vedas. They are a secondary layer or classification of Sanskrit texts embedded within eac ...
of the school of Tittri', abbreviated to 'TB') is a commentary on the
Krishna Yajurveda The ''Yajurveda'' ( sa, यजुर्वेद, ', from ' meaning "worship", and ''veda'' meaning "knowledge") is the Veda primarily of prose mantras for worship rituals.Michael Witzel (2003), "Vedas and Upaniṣads", in ''The Blackwell C ...
. Considered by academics to be an appendix or extension of the Taittirīya
Samhita Saṃhitā literally means "put together, joined, union", a "collection", and "a methodically, rule-based combination of text or verses".''ashṭakas'') largely consist of hymns and
Mantra A mantra (Pali: ''manta'') or mantram (मन्त्रम्) is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words in Sanskrit, Pali and other languages believed by practitioners to have religious, ma ...
s to the
Vedic upright=1.2, The Vedas are ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism. Above: A page from the '' Atharvaveda''. The Vedas (, , ) are a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the ...
-era
Devas Devas may refer to: * Devas Club, a club in south London * Anthony Devas (1911–1958), British portrait painter * Charles Stanton Devas (1848–1906), political economist * Jocelyn Devas (died 1886), founder of the Devas Club * Devas (band), ...
, as well as Mythology,
astronomy Astronomy () is a natural science that studies astronomical object, celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and chronology of the Universe, evolution. Objects of interest ...
, and
astrology Astrology is a range of Divination, divinatory practices, recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century, that claim to discern information about human affairs and terrestrial events by studying the apparent positions of Celestial o ...
(i.e. the
Nakshatra Nakshatra ( sa, नक्षत्रम्, translit=Nakṣatram) is the term for lunar mansion in Hindu astrology and Indian Astronomy. A nakshatra is one of 27 (sometimes also 28) sectors along the ecliptic. Their names are related to a ...
s); the third book contains commentaries and instructions on
Vedic upright=1.2, The Vedas are ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism. Above: A page from the '' Atharvaveda''. The Vedas (, , ) are a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the ...
sacrificial Sacrifice is the offering of material possessions or the lives of animals or humans to a deity as an act of propitiation or worship. Evidence of ritual animal sacrifice has been seen at least since ancient Hebrews and Greeks, and possibly exis ...
rites such as the
Purushamedha Purushamedha (or Naramedha) is a Śrauta ritual of human sacrifice. The ''Vajasaneyi Samhita-Sataphana Brahmana-Katyayana Srauta Sutra'' sequence of Shukla Yajur Veda texts contains the most details. Whether actual human sacrifice was taking place ...
, Kaukili-Sutramani,
Ashvamedha The Ashvamedha ( sa, अश्वमेध, aśvamedha, translit-std=IAST) was a horse sacrifice ritual followed by the Śrauta tradition of Vedic religion. It was used by ancient Indian kings to prove their imperial sovereignty: a horse accomp ...
, and
Agnicayana The Agnicayana ('; ) or Athirathram ( ml, അതിരാത്രം) is a category of advanced Śrauta rituals. After one has established the routine of the twice-daily routine of Agnihotra offerings and biweekly ''dara-purna-masa'' offerin ...
. Recorded around 300–400 BCE, it is prevalent in southern
India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
in areas such in
Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...
, south and east of Narmada (Gujarat), and areas on the banks of the
Godavari The Godavari ( IAST: ''Godāvarī'' od̪aːʋəɾiː is India's second longest river after the Ganga river and drains into the third largest basin in India, covering about 10% of India's total geographical area. Its source is in Trimbakesh ...
river down to the sea.


Nomenclature

The (
Sanskrit Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...
) can be loosely translated as 'explanations of the sacred knowledge of the
school A school is an educational institution designed to provide learning spaces and learning environments for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is sometimes compuls ...
of Tittiri'. * (ब्राह्मण) means 'explanations of sacred knowledge or doctrine'. * (तैत्तिरीय) is derived from the name of the sage Taittiri (or Tittiri, ). It is pronounced as 'tai-tee-re-yah'.


Taittiri

According to the
Monier-Williams Sir Monier Monier-Williams (; né Williams; 12 November 1819 – 11 April 1899) was a British scholar who was the second Boden Professor of Sanskrit at Oxford University, England. He studied, documented and taught Asian languages, especially S ...
Sanskrit Dictionary, the sage Taittiri was a pupil of Yaska (estimated 300-400 BCE). According to the
Vishnu Purana The Vishnu Purana (IAST:, sa, विष्णुपुराण) is one of the eighteen Puranas#Mahapuranas, Mahapuranas, a genre of ancient and medieval texts of Hinduism. It is an important Pancharatra text in the Vaishnavism literature c ...
, Yaska was in turn a pupil of Vaiśampáyana (estimated 500 BCE). Taittiri is also stated in the
Mahabharata The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; sa, महाभारतम्, ', ) is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India in Hinduism, the other being the ''Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the struggle between two groups of cousins in the Kuruk ...
to have attended 'the Yaga
Vedic_ _upright=1.2,_The_Vedas_are_ancient_Sanskrit_texts_of_Hinduism._Above:_A_page_from_the_''_Atharvaveda''. The_Vedas_(,_,_)_are_a_large_body_of_religious_texts_originating_in_ancient_India._Composed_in_Vedic_Sanskrit,_the_texts_constitute_the__...
_Yajna.html" "title="Vedas.html" "title="nowiki/>Vedas">Vedic upright=1.2, The Vedas are ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism. Above: A page from the '' Atharvaveda''. The Vedas (, , ) are a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the ...
Yajna">ritual sacrifice Sacrifice is the offering of material possessions or the lives of animals or humans to a deity as an act of propitiation or worship. Evidence of ritual animal sacrifice has been seen at least since ancient Hebrews and Greeks, and possibly exis ...
] conducted by Uparichara Vasu, Uparicaravasu' (''Dvapara Yuga'', before 3000 BCE). Horace Hayman Wilson, H.H. Wilson states that 'the term Taittiríya is more rationally accounted for in the Anukramańí or index of the Krishna
Yajurveda The ''Yajurveda'' ( sa, यजुर्वेद, ', from ' meaning "worship", and ''veda'' meaning "knowledge") is the Veda primarily of prose mantras for worship rituals.Michael Witzel (2003), "Vedas and Upaniṣads", in ''The Blackwell C ...
. It is there said that Vaiśampáyana taught it to Yaska, who taught it to Tittiri, who also became a teacher; whence the term Taittiríya, for a grammatical rule explains it to mean, 'The Taittiríyas are those who read what was said or repeated by Tittiri'.'


Summary


Relation to the YajurVeda

The
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi is a premier government-funded arts organization in India. It is an autonomous institute under the Union Ministry of Culture (India), Ministry of Culture. History The Indira Ga ...
(IGNCA) states that the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa 'belongs to Krishna Yajurveda and sdivided into three ''khandas'' r ''ashṭakas'', i.e. books.. It has both mixtureof
Mantra A mantra (Pali: ''manta'') or mantram (मन्त्रम्) is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words in Sanskrit, Pali and other languages believed by practitioners to have religious, ma ...
s and Brahmans nstructions or explanationsand scomposed in poetic and
prose Prose is a form of written or spoken language that follows the natural flow of speech, uses a language's ordinary grammatical structures, or follows the conventions of formal academic writing. It differs from most traditional poetry, where the f ...
manner'. A.B Keith states that 'at a comparatively early period the formulae [i.e. mantras from the
Samhita Saṃhitā literally means "put together, joined, union", a "collection", and "a methodically, rule-based combination of text or verses".Symbol A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different conc ...
ical interpretations, the words of the texts commented on, and stories told to illustrate the sacrificial performance... a mass of old material, partly formulae, partly Brahmana, which had not been incorporated in the Taittiriya Samhita was collected together in the Taittiriya Brahmana, which in part contains matter more recent than the Samhita, but in part has matter as old as, at any rate, the later portions of that text'. M. Winternitz adds that the 'Taittiriya-Brahmana of the Krishna Yajurveda is nothing but a continuation of the Taittiriya-Samhita ymns and mantras for the Brahmanas were already included in the Samhitas of the Krishna YajurVeda. The Taittiriya-Brahmana, therefore, contains only later additions to the Samhita'. S. Shrava concurs, elaborating that 'This brahmana is an appendix to the Taittirīya saṁhitā. The main purpose of expounding the brahmana was to complete the incomplete portions of the main saṁhitā. It abounds with hymns... a subtle form of the story of
Yama Yama (Devanagari: यम) or Yamarāja (यमराज), is a deity of death, dharma, the south direction, and the underworld who predominantly features in Hindu and Buddhist religion, belonging to an early stratum of Rigvedic Hindu deities ...
and Nachiketā is available in the brahmana ee_Katha_Upanishad_of_the_Katha_Shakha,_also_related_to_the_Krishna_YajurVeda.html" ;"title="Katha_Upanishad.html" ;"title="ee Katha Upanishad">ee Katha Upanishad of the Katha Shakha, also related to the Krishna YajurVeda">Katha_Upanishad.html" ;"title="ee Katha Upanishad">ee Katha Upanishad of the Katha Shakha, also related to the Krishna YajurVeda.


Structure

Shrava states that the 'Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa has three ''ashṭakas'' [books]. The first two ''ashṭakas'' are named as ''pārakshudra'' and ''agnihotra''. Portions of the third ''ashṭaka'' are individually named [i.e. after the sacrificial rites expounded, etc.]. These three ''ashṭakas'' have 28 ''prapāṭhakas'' hapters Bhaṭṭa Bhāskara, in his commentary names these as ''praśnas''. isedition published from
Mysore Mysore (), officially Mysuru (), is a city in the southern part of the state of Karnataka, India. Mysore city is geographically located between 12° 18′ 26″ north latitude and 76° 38′ 59″ east longitude. It is located at an altitude of ...
enumerated 78 ''anuvākas'' ectionsin the first shṭaka 96 in the second and 179 in the third ''ashṭaka'', i.e. 353 ''anuvākas'' in all’. R.L. Kashyap further elaborates while differing from Sharva slightly, stating that each ''ashṭaka'' of the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa 'is divided into Prapāṭhakas which are divided into anuvāka-s. Each anuvāka is a long rhythmic prose passage without any punctuation. Ashṭaka 1 has 8 Prapāṭhakas, Ashṭaka 2 has 8 Prapāṭhakas, ndAshṭaka 3 has 12 Prapāṭhakas. All these 28 Prapāṭhakas (8+8+12) have 338 anuvākas 5 less than stated by Shrava The name Ashṭaka is given because each main part has 8 main parts or '.


Ashṭakas and Prapāṭhakas

Based on information provided by Kashyap and R. Mitra, the chapters (''prapāṭhakas'') for each of the books (''ashṭakas'' or sometimes referred to as ''kandas'') are as follows: * Ashṭaka 1: Pārakshudra ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 1: Explanation for the establishment of
Agni Agni (English: , sa, अग्नि, translit=Agni) is a Sanskrit word meaning fire and connotes the Vedic fire deity of Hinduism. He is also the guardian deity of the southeast direction and is typically found in southeast corners of Hindu ...
** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 2: (Devas, chants, Vishuvat,
Solstice A solstice is an event that occurs when the Sun appears to reach its most northerly or southerly excursion relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere. Two solstices occur annually, around June 21 and December 21. In many countr ...
s, Mahavrata, and the bird-shaped altar) ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 3: Vajapeya
Yajna Yajna ( sa, यज्ञ, yajña, translit-std=IAST, sacrifice, devotion, worship, offering) refers in Hinduism to any ritual done in front of a sacred fire, often with mantras.SG Nigal (1986), Axiological Approach to the Vedas, Northern Book ...
** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 4: Explanation of
Soma Soma may refer to: Businesses and brands * SOMA (architects), a New York–based firm of architects * Soma (company), a company that designs eco-friendly water filtration systems * SOMA Fabrications, a builder of bicycle frames and other bicycle ...
offerings ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 5: The powers of stars or
Nakshatra Nakshatra ( sa, नक्षत्रम्, translit=Nakṣatram) is the term for lunar mansion in Hindu astrology and Indian Astronomy. A nakshatra is one of 27 (sometimes also 28) sectors along the ecliptic. Their names are related to a ...
s, rites and
Rigveda The ''Rigveda'' or ''Rig Veda'' ( ', from ' "praise" and ' "knowledge") is an ancient Indian collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns (''sūktas''). It is one of the four sacred canonical Hindu texts (''śruti'') known as the Vedas. Only one Sh ...
Mantra A mantra (Pali: ''manta'') or mantram (मन्त्रम्) is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words in Sanskrit, Pali and other languages believed by practitioners to have religious, ma ...
s ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 6: (Unknown) ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 7: (Unknown) ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 8: (Unknown) * Ashṭaka 2: Agnihotra ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 1: The
Agnihotra Agnihotra (IAST: ''Agnihotra'', Devnagari: अग्निहोत्र) refers to the yajna of casting of ghee into the sacred fire as per strict rites, and may include twice-daily heated milk offering made by those in the Śrauta tradition. Th ...
Sacrifice ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 2: Dasahotra Sacrifice ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 3: Dasahotra Sacrifices concluded ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 4: Mantras for Subsidiary Sacrifices or Upahomas ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 5: Mantras for Subsidiary Sacrifices or Upahomas (Concluded) ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 6: Kaukila Sautramani or the Sacrifice with Spirituous Liquor ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 7: Ephemeral Sacrifices or Savas ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 8: Sacrifices with especial prayers (Kamya) * Ashṭaka 3: (Various) ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 1: Sacrifices to the Constellations – Nakshatra
Ishti An ishti in Hinduism is a series of oblations to different deities A deity or god is a supernatural being who is considered divine or sacred. The ''Oxford Dictionary of English'' defines deity as a god or goddess, or anything revered as divin ...
** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 2: Dars'a Ya'ga or Sacrifices meet on the wane of the Moon ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 3: Paurnamasa Ishti or Ceremonies to be performed on the full moon ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 4: On
Human sacrifices Human sacrifice is the act of killing one or more humans as part of a ritual, which is usually intended to please or appease gods, a human ruler, an authoritative/priestly figure or spirits of dead ancestors or as a retainer sacrifice, wherein ...
** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 5: Ishti Sacrifices ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 6: Pa'Shuka Hotra ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 7: Expiations for defects in the performance of ceremonies ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 8: On the operations of the first day of the
Asvamedha The Ashvamedha ( sa, अश्वमेध, aśvamedha, translit-std=IAST) was a horse sacrifice ritual followed by the Śrauta tradition of Vedic religion. It was used by ancient Indian kings to prove their imperial sovereignty: a horse accomp ...
sacrifice ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 9: On the operations of the second and third days of the horse sacrifice ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 10: Sa'vitra-Chayana or collection of fire for the adoration of the sun ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 11:
Nachiketa Nachiketa (), also rendered Nachiketas and Nachiketan, is a character in Hindu literature. He is the son of the sage Vājashravas, or Uddalaki, in some traditions. He is the child protagonist of an ancient Indian, dialogical narrative, about th ...
-Chayana, or collection of Nachiketa Fire ** ''Prapāṭhaka'' 12: Cha-tur-hotra and Vaisvasrij ceremonies


Ashṭaka 1: Pārakshudra


The Nakshatras

D.M. Harness states that the ''stars of the
Zodiac The zodiac is a belt-shaped region of the sky that extends approximately 8° north or south (as measured in celestial latitude) of the ecliptic, the Sun path, apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year. ...
al belt had a particular importance as reflecting and projecting heavenly influences that the
Planet A planet is a large, rounded astronomical body that is neither a star nor its remnant. The best available theory of planet formation is the nebular hypothesis, which posits that an interstellar cloud collapses out of a nebula to create a you ...
s travelling through them energised... The Vedic Nakshatras arose from a spiritual perception of the
cosmos The cosmos (, ) is another name for the Universe. Using the word ''cosmos'' implies viewing the universe as a complex and orderly system or entity. The cosmos, and understandings of the reasons for its existence and significance, are studied in ...
. Nakshatras are the mansions of the Gods or cosmic powers and of the
Rishi ''Rishi'' () is a term for an accomplished and enlightened person. They find mentions in various Vedic texts. Rishis are believed to have composed hymns of the Vedas. The Post-Vedic tradition of Hinduism regards the rishis as "great yogis" or ...
s or sages. They can also project negative or anti-divine forces, just as certain planets like
Saturn Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest in the Solar System, after Jupiter. It is a gas giant with an average radius of about nine and a half times that of Earth. It has only one-eighth the average density of Earth; h ...
have well known malefic effects. The term Nakshatra refers to a means (''tra'') of worship (''naksha'') or approach... The Nakshatras dispense the fruits of
karma Karma (; sa, कर्म}, ; pi, kamma, italic=yes) in Sanskrit means an action, work, or deed, and its effect or consequences. In Indian religions, the term more specifically refers to a principle of cause and effect, often descriptivel ...
... For this reason Vedic rituals and
Meditation Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally cal ...
s to the present day follow the timing of the Nakshatras...
hich Ij ( fa, ايج, also Romanized as Īj; also known as Hich and Īch) is a village in Golabar Rural District, in the Central District of Ijrud County, Zanjan Province, Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also ...
are of prime mportancein
muhurta Muhūrta ( sa, मुहूर्त, translit=muhūrtaṃ) is a Hindu unit of measurement for time along with nimiṣa, kāṣṭhā, and kalā in the Hindu calendar. In the Brāhmaṇas, ''muhūrta'' denotes a division of time: 1/30 of a day, ...
or electional
astrology Astrology is a range of Divination, divinatory practices, recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century, that claim to discern information about human affairs and terrestrial events by studying the apparent positions of Celestial o ...
for determining favorable times for actions, particularly sacramental or sacred actions like marriage... A system of 28 lunar mansions .e. Nakshatraswas used in the Middle East and in China as well. But in the West it was all but forgotten by a greater emphasis on the twelve signs of the Zodiac... Indeed, it could be argued that the signs arose from the Nakshatras'. Kashyap adds that the 28 Nakshatras - usually clusters rather than single stars - also determine favourable (and unfavourable) times for birth, elaborating that the 'star which is nearest to the
moon The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. It is the fifth largest satellite in the Solar System and the largest and most massive relative to its parent planet, with a diameter about one-quarter that of Earth (comparable to the width of ...
at their birth-time is the birth-star... ndEach star has its own deity'. The Nakshatras are detailed in 1.1.2, 1.5.1 (''ashṭaka'' 1); and 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 (''ashṭaka'' 3, see below). Kashyap lists them with corresponding deities, common names, and names in
Astronomy Astronomy () is a natural science that studies astronomical object, celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and chronology of the Universe, evolution. Objects of interest ...
(Volume 1, Appendix 3):


Avatars of Vishnu


Varaha the Boar Avatar

Varaha Varaha ( sa, वराह, , "boar") is an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, in the form of a boar. Varaha is generally listed as third in the Dashavatara, the ten principal avatars of Vishnu. Varaha is most commonly associated with the lege ...
is primarily associated with the
Puranic Purana (; sa, , '; literally meaning "ancient, old"Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature (1995 Edition), Article on Puranas, , page 915) is a vast genre of Indian literature about a wide range of topics, particularly about legends an ...
legend of lifting the Earth out of the
cosmic ocean A cosmic ocean or celestial river is a mythological motif found in the mythology of many cultures and civilizations, representing the world or cosmos as enveloped by primordial waters. In ancient creation texts, the primordial waters are often ...
. A.A. Macdonell states that this '
boar The wild boar (''Sus scrofa''), also known as the wild swine, common wild pig, Eurasian wild pig, or simply wild pig, is a suid native to much of Eurasia and North Africa, and has been introduced to the Americas and Oceania. The species is no ...
appears in a
cosmogonic Cosmogony is any model concerning the origin of the cosmos or the universe. Overview Scientific theories In astronomy, cosmogony refers to the study of the origin of particular astrophysical objects or systems, and is most commonly used i ...
character in the SB nowiki/>Shatapatha_Brahmana.html" ;"title="Shatapatha_Brahmana.html" ;"title="nowiki/>Shatapatha Brahmana">nowiki/>Shatapatha Brahmana">Shatapatha_Brahmana.html" ;"title="nowiki/>Shatapatha Brahmana">nowiki/>Shatapatha Brahmana(14, 1, 2) where under the name of ''Emũṣa'' he is stated to have raised up the earth from the waters. In the TS [Taittirīya Samhita] (7, 1, 5) this cosmogonic boar, which raised the earth from the primeval waters, is described as a form of Prajāpati. This modification of the myth is further expanded in the TB [Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa] (1, 1, 3). In the post-Vedic mythology of the Ramayana, Rāmāyana and the Purãṇas, the boar which raises the earth, has become of the
Avatar Avatar (, ; ), is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means "descent". It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a powerful deity, goddess or spirit on Earth. The relative verb to "alight, to make one's appearanc ...
of Vishnu'. Varaha is also mentioned in 1.7.9.56 (yád varāháḥ'''), but an English translation has not been found.


Vamana the Dwarf Avatar

Vamana is primarily associated with the Puranic legend of taking back the three worlds from the
Asura Asuras (Sanskrit: असुर) are a class of beings in Indian religions, Indic religions. They are described as power-seeking clans related to the more benevolent Deva (Hinduism), Devas (also known as Suras) in Hinduism. In its Buddhism, Buddhi ...
-king
Bali Bali () is a province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nu ...
in three steps. Here Vamana is explicitly mentioned in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa; the Sanskrit
transliteration Transliteration is a type of conversion of a text from one writing system, script to another that involves swapping Letter (alphabet), letters (thus ''wikt:trans-#Prefix, trans-'' + ''wikt:littera#Latin, liter-'') in predictable ways, such as ...
for this mention is (emphasis added): ' ''vaiṣṇaváṃ vāmanám ā́labante''' (1.2.5.40.4). As illustrated in the section below for ''ashṭaka'' 2, there are also several references to 'Vishnu steps' or 'Vishnu strides', associated with the Vamana avatar.


Narasimha the Man-Lion Avatar

Narasimha Narasimha ( sa, नरसिंह, lit=man-lion, ), sometimes rendered Narasingha, is the fourth avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. He is regarded to have incarnated in the form of a part-lion, part-man being to slay Hiranyakashipu, to end rel ...
is primarily associated with the Puranic legend of destroying the Asura-king
Hiranyakashipu Hiranyakashipu (; also known as Hiranyakashyap) was an Asura king of the ''daityas'' from the Puranic scriptures of Hinduism. His name literally translates to "clothed in gold" (''hiranya'' "gold" ''kashipu'' "soft cushion"), and is often inte ...
to protect the king's devotee son,
Prahlada Prahlada () is an asura king in Hindu mythology. He is known for his staunch devotion towards the preserver deity, Vishnu. He appears in the narrative of Narasimha, the man-lion avatar of Vishnu, who rescues Prahlada by slaying his wicked fa ...
. D.A. Soifer states that 'Brahmana literature yields what must be considered as the
prototype A prototype is an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process. It is a term used in a variety of contexts, including semantics, design, electronics, and Software prototyping, software programming. A prototyp ...
of that arasimhamyth, the
Indra Indra (; Sanskrit: इन्द्र) is the king of the devas (god-like deities) and Svarga (heaven) in Hindu mythology. He is associated with the sky, lightning, weather, thunder, storms, rains, river flows, and war.  volumes/ref> I ...
-Namuchi myth', adding that other academics such as Devasthali concur that although elements of the Namuchi legend are 'scattered throughout Brahmana literature (cf. VS Vajaseneyi_Samhita.html" ;"title="Vajasaneyi-Samhita.html" ;"title="nowiki/> Vajaseneyi_Samhita">Vajasaneyi-Samhita.html"_;"title="nowiki/>Vajasaneyi-Samhita">Vajaseneyi_Samhita10.34;_PB_[Pancavimsa_Brahmana.html" ;"title="Vajasaneyi-Samhita">Vajaseneyi Samhita">Vajasaneyi-Samhita.html" ;"title="nowiki/>Vajasaneyi-Samhita">Vajaseneyi Samhita10.34; PB [Pancavimsa Brahmana">Vajasaneyi-Samhita">Vajaseneyi Samhita">Vajasaneyi-Samhita.html" ;"title="nowiki/>Vajasaneyi-Samhita">Vajaseneyi Samhita10.34; PB [Pancavimsa Brahmana] 12.6.8, MS [Maitrayani Samhita] IV.34; ndTB [Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa] 1.7.1.6)', the fullest version is in the ''Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa''. An English translation of TB 1.7.1.6 referred to by Soifer has not been found. The
TITUS Titus Caesar Vespasianus ( ; 30 December 39 – 13 September 81 AD) was Roman emperor from 79 to 81. A member of the Flavian dynasty, Titus succeeded his father Vespasian upon his death. Before becoming emperor, Titus gained renown as a mili ...
Sanskrit transliteration for this mention is (emphasis added): '''námucim āsuráṃ na álabata''' (1.7.1.6.3). An indirect reference to the legend via a mention of Namuchi from 1.4.2.1 has been cited instead, as above. Notably, Prahlada, the
Vaishnava Vaishnavism ( sa, वैष्णवसम्प्रदायः, Vaiṣṇavasampradāyaḥ) is one of the major Hindu denominations along with Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. It is also called Vishnuism since it considers Vishnu as the ...
son of Hiranyakashipu in Puranic literature such as the
Bhagavata Purana The ''Bhagavata Purana'' ( sa, भागवतपुराण; ), also known as the ''Srimad Bhagavatam'', ''Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana'' or simply ''Bhagavata'', is one of Hinduism's eighteen great Puranas (''Mahapuranas''). Composed in Sa ...
, is also mentioned (e.g. 1.5.9.1 and 1.5.10.8) where he is explicitly stated to be the son of Kayadhu (wife of Hiranyakashipu).


''Kali Yuga''

There are four ''
yuga A ''yuga'', in Hinduism, is generally used to indicate an age of time. In the ''Rigveda'', a ''yuga'' refers to generations, a long period, a very brief period, or a yoke (joining of two things). In the ''Mahabharata'', the words ''yuga'' and ...
s'' in each cyclical era in
Hinduism Hinduism () is an Indian religion or '' dharma'', a religious and universal order or way of life by which followers abide. As a religion, it is the world's third-largest, with over 1.2–1.35 billion followers, or 15–16% of the global p ...
, with ''Kali Yuga'', the present ''yuga'', being the last and most destructive. K. Ishwaran seems to incorrectly state that 'there seems to be no unequivocal reference to the cyclical notion of time in the Sruti iterature.. the word ''yuga'' does not mean an age or the theory of four ''yugas'' (Kane 1946:886-8), and the words ''
Krta KRTA (610 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a Spanish music format. Licensed to Medford, Oregon, United States, the station serves the Medford-Ashland area. The station is currently owned by Opus Broadcasting Systems. References External lin ...
'', ''
Treta ''Treta Yuga'', in Hinduism, is the second and second best of the four '' yugas'' (world ages) in a ''Yuga Cycle'', preceded by '' Krita (Satya) Yuga'' and followed by '' Dvapara Yuga''. ''Treta Yuga'' lasts for 1,296,000 years (3,600 divine year ...
'', '' Dvapara'' and ''
Kali Kali (; sa, काली, ), also referred to as Mahakali, Bhadrakali, and Kalika ( sa, कालिका), is a Hinduism, Hindu goddess who is considered to be the goddess of ultimate power, time, destruction and change in Shaktism. In t ...
'' mean throws of dice (1946:886-8). The word ''Kali Yuga'' does not occur at all. Words like ''Krta Yuga'' occur (''Ṣaḍviṃṡa Brāhmaṇa'' V.6) but are not a part of any scheme of cosmic cycles'. This assertion would however seems to be contradicted by the ''Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa''. In the first instance (1.5.1, above), the assertion of Ishwaran, Kane, etc., would mean a throw of dice would affect whether one should recite four or five stomas for the ''Jyotishtoma'' sacrifice, which is nonsensical (the ''Jyotishtoma'' sacrifice itself requires 'sixteen officiating
priests A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deity, deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in p ...
... It is a sacrifice considered as the typical form of a whole class of sacrificial ceremonies. E. ''jyotis'' light, and ''stoma'' a sacrifice'). In addition, 3.4.16 (''Anuvāka'' 16, enumerated in the section on the third ''ashṭaka'') is listed as (emphasis added) 'To the presiding divinities of dice and of the Satya Yuga, etc., dice-players, those who frequent gambling halls, and the like...'. Thus, the concept of the ''yugas'' are connected with dice but do not seem to the same thing.


Animal welfare

Kashyap comments on a rite detailed in (1.1.6.8) that 'Offering an animal to
Rudra Rudra (; sa, रुद्र) is a Rigvedic deity associated with Shiva, the wind or storms, Vayu, medicine, and the hunt. One translation of the name is 'the roarer'. In the Rigveda, Rudra is praised as the 'mightiest of the mighty'. Rud ...
does not mean that the animal is killed. Often the animal which is offered becomes free and it lives on the grass in the common pasture of the community without being controlled by a human. The idea is mentioned in several places in the Yajur Veda'. Other relevant extracts include *1.1.8.4: 'Animals are for non-violence'. *1.1.9.9: 'During this
vrata Vrata is a Sanskrit word that means "vow, resolve, devotion", and refers to pious observances such as fasting and pilgrimage ( Tirtha) found in Indian religions such as Jainism and Hinduism. It is typically accompanied with prayers seeking hea ...
... One should not eat meat (''māmsam'')'. *1.1.9.10: 'One should avoid eating meat (''māmsam)'.''


Ashṭaka 2: Agnihotra

P. Mitra states that the Agnihotra is an
oblation Oblation, meaning "the act of offering; an instance of offering" and by extension "the thing offered" (Late Latin ''oblatio'', from ''offerre'', ''oblatum'', to offer), is a term used, particularly in ecclesiastical use, for a solemn offering, sa ...
to the fire-god, Agni. According to M. Rajendralala, as 'a manual of rituals the first ''kanda'' r p''rapāṭhaka''of the Taittirīya Brahmana opens with Agnihotra or the establishment of the household fire. This was the first duty of every householder and of a Brahman immediately after being invested with the Brahmanical cord, and marriage. Every householder and his wife had to devote their careful attention to the maintenance of this fire and to offering to it oblations of butter and the booking thereon of frumenty dish of hulled wheat boiled in milk'


Prapāṭhakas and Anuvākas

Mitra details all chapters (''prapāṭhakas'') and sections (''anuvākas'') of the second book (''ashṭaka'') with descriptive titles (8 ''prapāṭhakas'', consisting of 96 ''anuvākas''; original spelling unchanged): * Prapāṭhaka 1: The
Agnihotra Agnihotra (IAST: ''Agnihotra'', Devnagari: अग्निहोत्र) refers to the yajna of casting of ghee into the sacred fire as per strict rites, and may include twice-daily heated milk offering made by those in the Śrauta tradition. Th ...
Sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 1: Preliminaries regarding the Agnihotra ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: Agnihotra defined ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: Purification and manipulation of the
clarified butter Clarified butter is milk fat rendered from butter to separate the milk solids and water from the butterfat. Typically, it is produced by melting butter and allowing the components to separate by density. The water evaporates, some solids (i.e. w ...
, etc. ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: Subsidiary details regarding the performance of the ceremony ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: Subsidiary details regarding the articles required for the sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: Creation of the sacrificial cow, the boiling of the sacrificial milk, and the omission of the Homa ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: Milk in its different states and the divinities who like it most on those states ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: Details of milking a cow ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: Some Mantras of the Agnihotra ** ''Anuvāka'' 10: Different states of the sacrificial fire and the advantages of offering oblations thereon ** ''Anuvāka'' 11: Different modes of pouring the oblation * Prapāṭhaka 2: Dasahotra Sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 1: Details of Chitti, Chetta and other sacrifices to the number ten described in the
Aranyaka The Aranyakas (; sa, आरण्यक; IAST: ' ) are the part of the ancient Indian Vedas concerned with the meaning of ritual sacrifice. They typically represent the later sections of the Vedas, and are one of many layers of the Vedic texts. ...
** ''Anuvāka'' 2: Employment of different numbers of priests in different sacrifices, and the application of certain preliminary Mantras ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: Praises of the Chaturhotra
Mantra A mantra (Pali: ''manta'') or mantram (मन्त्रम्) is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words in Sanskrit, Pali and other languages believed by practitioners to have religious, ma ...
s, etc. ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: Praises of the mantras regarding the hotri-sacrifices ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: Acceptance of Dakshina or fee for performing a sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: Hotri mantras in connexion with the 10th night of the Dasahotri ceremony ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: Praises of the Sapta-hotri-mantra ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: Relation of the Hotri-mantras to the Soma Yaga ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: Creation of the world in connexion with the origin of Hotrimantras ** ''Anuvāka'' 10: Supremacy of
Indra Indra (; Sanskrit: इन्द्र) is the king of the devas (god-like deities) and Svarga (heaven) in Hindu mythology. He is associated with the sky, lightning, weather, thunder, storms, rains, river flows, and war.  volumes/ref> I ...
** ''Anuvāka'' 11: Application of the Hotri mantras * Prapāṭhaka 3: Dasahotra Sacrifices concluded ** ''Anuvāka'' 1: On the Uses of the Chatur-Hotri-mantra, i.e., those used by the four officiating priests Hota, Addharya, Agnidhra, and Brahma ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: On the Application of the Hotri-mantras to periodical rites ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: On shedding the hair of the head in conexion with Hotri rites ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: Purport of the mantras for the acceptance of fees ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: Questions to be asked by the officiating priests on the 10th day of the twelve-day rite, and the replies thereto hy the householder ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: Number of Rittikas to be employed on different sacrifices ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: On the Merits of the Agni-hotra. – The advantages of employing different numbers of rittikas to officiate at different rites ** ''Anuvāka'' 8:  On the Merits of the Agni-hotra, (continued). – The creation of the
Asura Asuras (Sanskrit: असुर) are a class of beings in Indian religions, Indic religions. They are described as power-seeking clans related to the more benevolent Deva (Hinduism), Devas (also known as Suras) in Hinduism. In its Buddhism, Buddhi ...
s, the
Pitris The pitrs () are the spirits of departed ancestors in Hinduism. Following an individual's death, the performance of the antyesti (funeral rites) is regarded to allow the deceased to enter Pitrloka, the abode of one's ancestors. The non-performance ...
, mankind and the
Devas Devas may refer to: * Devas Club, a club in south London * Anthony Devas (1911–1958), British portrait painter * Charles Stanton Devas (1848–1906), political economist * Jocelyn Devas (died 1886), founder of the Devas Club * Devas (band), ...
– through the Hotri mantras ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: On the mode of reflecting upon the Agni-hotra and the advantages thereof ** ''Anuvāka'' 10: On the Praises of the Hotri mantras ** ''Anuvāka'' 11: On the Praises of the Hotri mantras, (concluded) * Prapāṭhaka 4: Mantras for Subsidiary Sacrifices or Upahomas **''Anuvāka'' 1: Upahoma Mantras ** ''Anuvāka'' 2–8: Upahoma Mantras, (concluded). * Prapāṭhaka 5: Mantras for Subsidiary Sacrifices or Upahomas (Concluded). ** ''Anuvāka'' 1–7: Upahoma Mantras, (continued). ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: Upahoma Mantras, (concluded). * Prapāṭhaka 6: Kaukila Sautramani or the Sacrifice with Spiritous Liquor ** ''Anuvāka'' 1: On the Preparation of the spirituous liquor ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: Addresses to the spirit ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: Homas or fire-sacrifices in connexion with the spirit ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: Upahoma or subsidiary sacrifices in connection with the above ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: The abbisheka or bathing ceremony of the instituter of the sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: Bathing after the completion of the ceremony ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: Eleven exhortations (Prayaja Praisha) to be addressed by
Mitra ''Mitra'' ( Proto-Indo-Iranian: ''*mitrás'') is the name of an Indo-Iranian divinity from which the names and some characteristics of Rigvedic Mitrá and Avestan Mithra derive. The names (and occasionally also some characteristics) of these t ...
and
Varuna Varuna (; sa, वरुण, , Malay: ''Baruna'') is a Vedic deity associated initially with the sky, later also with the seas as well as Ṛta (justice) and Satya (truth). He is found in the oldest layer of Vedic literature of Hinduism, such ...
to the Hotra ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: Eleven addresses (Puro-ruk) in connexion with the above ** ''Anuvāka'' 10: Eleven exhortations (Praisha) in connexion with the Anuyajas or subsidiary oblations ** ''Anuvāka'' 11: Exhortations (Prayaja Praisha) with reference to the three animals to be sacrifices in the Kaukila Sautramani ** ''Anuvāka'' 12: Oblative mantras (Prayaja Yajya) corresponding to Exhortations of the eleventh Section 'Anuvāka''** ''Anuvāka'' 13: Invocatory and Oblative Mantras for the offering of Omentum, rice cake and clarified butter, each three times ** ''Anuvāka'' 14: Exhortations (Praisha) of
Mitra ''Mitra'' ( Proto-Indo-Iranian: ''*mitrás'') is the name of an Indo-Iranian divinity from which the names and some characteristics of Rigvedic Mitrá and Avestan Mithra derive. The names (and occasionally also some characteristics) of these t ...
and
Varuna Varuna (; sa, वरुण, , Malay: ''Baruna'') is a Vedic deity associated initially with the sky, later also with the seas as well as Ṛta (justice) and Satya (truth). He is found in the oldest layer of Vedic literature of Hinduism, such ...
in relation to the Anuyajas ** ''Anuvāka'' 15: Exhortation to Sutravaka ** ''Anuvāka'' 16: Mantras relating to offerings to the
manes In ancient Roman religion, the ''Manes'' (, , ) or ''Di Manes'' are chthonic deities sometimes thought to represent souls of deceased loved ones. They were associated with the ''Lares'', ''Lemures,'' '' Genii'', and ''Di Penates'' as deities ('' ...
** ''Anuvāka'' 17: Exhortations (Praisha) for the Prayaja in animal sacrifices to
Indra Indra (; Sanskrit: इन्द्र) is the king of the devas (god-like deities) and Svarga (heaven) in Hindu mythology. He is associated with the sky, lightning, weather, thunder, storms, rains, river flows, and war.  volumes/ref> I ...
** ''Anuvāka'' 18: Oblative mantras called Apri ** ''Anuvāka'' 19: Invocatory and oblative mantras for the sacrifice alluded to in Section nuvāka18 ** ''Anuvāka'' 20: Exhortations (Praisha) in connexion with the Anuyajas * Prapāṭhaka 7: Ephemeral Sacrifices or Savas ootnote: A sacrifice lasting generally one day and deifying anyone with an especial object, is called a sava** ''Anuvāka'' 1: Vrihaspati Sava or the sacrifice for attaining the rank of Vrihaspati ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: Vaisya Sava or the sacrifice for the attainment of nourishment or prosperity ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: Bramhana Sava or the sacrifice for the attainment of the glory of
Brahma Brahma ( sa, ब्रह्मा, Brahmā) is a Hindu god, referred to as "the Creator" within the Trimurti, the trinity of supreme divinity that includes Vishnu, and Shiva.Jan Gonda (1969)The Hindu Trinity Anthropos, Bd 63/64, H 1/2, pp. 21 ...
** ''Anuvāka'' 4:
Soma Soma may refer to: Businesses and brands * SOMA (architects), a New York–based firm of architects * Soma (company), a company that designs eco-friendly water filtration systems * SOMA Fabrications, a builder of bicycle frames and other bicycle ...
Sava or the sacrifice for the attainment of offspring ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: Prithi Sava or the sacrifice for the attainment of Supremacy ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: Go Sava or the sacrifice for the attainment of independence ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: Odana Sava or the sacrifice for the attainment of profusion of aliment ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: Odana Sava (Continued). Mantras to be repeated when ascending a car ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: Odana Sava (Concluded). Its origin and details ** ''Anuvāka'' 10: Rules for the panchas'aradiya sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 11: Animal meet for the sacrifice aforesaid ** ''Anuvāka'' 12: Addresses (Puroruks) in connexion with the Agnishtut sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 13: Addresses (Puroruks) in connexion with the Indrastut sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 14: Aptoryama rite by which animals intended for sacrifice, if lost, may be regained ** ''Anuvāka'' 15: Rules for emblematic coronation ceremony ** ''Anuvāka'' 16: Coronation ceremony (continued). Ceremony to be observed on first ascending a care, Rotharohana mantra ** ''Anuvāka'' 17: Coronation ceremony (Concluded). ** ''Anuvāka'' 18: Ephemeral or Vighana ceremony * Prapāṭhaka 8: Sacrifices with especial prayers (Kamya) **''Anuvāka'' 1: Sacrifices of goats, etc. ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: Sacrifices of sheep ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: Sacrifices to Soma, Vishnu, Indra, etc. ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: On the sacrifice of animals to Indra, etc. ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: On the sacrifices of animals to Indra and Agni ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: On the sacrifices of animals meet for Savita ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: On the sacrifices of animals meet for Surya (Sauryadipas'n). ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: On the sacrifices of animals that have miscarried ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: On the sacrifice of birth and death of animals


The Kaukili Sautramani Sacrifice

A.B. Keith states that the Kaukili (, Kaukila or Kaukila) 'Sautramani is not a
Soma Soma may refer to: Businesses and brands * SOMA (architects), a New York–based firm of architects * Soma (company), a company that designs eco-friendly water filtration systems * SOMA Fabrications, a builder of bicycle frames and other bicycle ...
sacrifice, but is classified by the
Sutra ''Sutra'' ( sa, सूत्र, translit=sūtra, translit-std=IAST, translation=string, thread)Monier Williams, ''Sanskrit English Dictionary'', Oxford University Press, Entry fo''sutra'' page 1241 in Indian literary traditions refers to an aph ...
s as a Haviryajna, though its chief characteristic in its form as recorded is the offering of Surā nowiki/>liquor.html"_;"title="liquor.html"_;"title="nowiki/>liquor">nowiki/>liquor">liquor.html"_;"title="nowiki/>liquor">nowiki/>liquor_It_has_two_distinct_forms,_the_Kaukili,_which_is_an_independent_offering,_the_other_the_Carakā,_an_offering_which_forms_part_of_another_offering,_as_the_
nowiki/>liquor.html"_;"title="liquor.html"_;"title="nowiki/>liquor">nowiki/>liquor">liquor.html"_;"title="nowiki/>liquor">nowiki/>liquor_It_has_two_distinct_forms,_the_Kaukili,_which_is_an_independent_offering,_the_other_the_Carakā,_an_offering_which_forms_part_of_another_offering,_as_the_ Rājasūya_[performed_by_Vedic_period.html"__"title="Rajasuya.html"_;"title="liquor">nowiki/>liquor.html"_;"title="liquor.html"_;"title="nowiki/>liquor">nowiki/>liquor">liquor.html"_;"title="nowiki/>liquor">nowiki/>liquor_It_has_two_distinct_forms,_the_Kaukili,_which_is_an_independent_offering,_the_other_the_Carakā,_an_offering_which_forms_part_of_another_offering,_as_the_Rajasuya">Rājasūya_[performed_by_Vedic_period">ancient_ Ancient_history_is_a_time_period_from_the_History_of_writing,_beginning_of_writing_and_recorded_human_history_to_as_far_as_late_antiquity._The_span_of_recorded_history_is_roughly_5,000_years,_beginning_with_the_Sumerian_language,_Sumerian_c_...
_Kshatriya.html" ;"title="Rajasuya">Rājasūya_[performed_by_Vedic_period.html" "title="Rajasuya.html" ;"title="liquor">nowiki/>liquor.html" ;"title="liquor.html" ;"title="nowiki/>liquor">nowiki/>liquor">liquor.html" ;"title="nowiki/>liquor">nowiki/>liquor It has two distinct forms, the Kaukili, which is an independent offering, the other the Carakā, an offering which forms part of another offering, as the Rajasuya">Rājasūya [performed by Vedic period">ancient Ancient history is a time period from the History of writing, beginning of writing and recorded human history to as far as late antiquity. The span of recorded history is roughly 5,000 years, beginning with the Sumerian language, Sumerian c ...
 Kshatriya">kings of
India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
] and the
Agnicayana The Agnicayana ('; ) or Athirathram ( ml, അതിരാത്രം) is a category of advanced Śrauta rituals. After one has established the routine of the twice-daily routine of Agnihotra offerings and biweekly ''dara-purna-masa'' offerin ...
uilding of a Fire-Altar.. The differences between the two forms are of detail: thus the Kaukili is marked by the singing by the Brahman of certain Sāmans ymns The use of the Surā is accompanied by offerings of animals, to Indra a bull, to
Sarasvati Saraswati ( sa, सरस्वती, ) is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. She is one of the Tridevi, along with the goddesses Lakshmi and Parvati. The earliest known mention of Saraswati as a god ...
a sheep, and to the
Ashvins The Ashvins ( sa, अश्विन्, Aśvin, horse possessors), also known as Ashwini Kumara and Asvinau,, §1.42. are Hindu deities, Hindu twin gods associated with medicine, health, dawn and sciences. In the ''Rigveda'', they are described ...
a goat'. R. Woodard adds that 'the Vedic Sautramani belongs chiefly to Indra, taking its name from his epithet ''Satraman'', 'good protector'. The Vedic rite is, however, rather complex; while Indra is the principal recipient, deities of the realm of fertility and fecundity eproductionfigure prominently'.


Avatars of Vishnu


Garuda the Mount of Vishnu, Kurma the Tortoise Avatar, and Krishna

Kurma Kurma ( sa, कूर्म; , 'Turtle', 'Tortoise'), is the second avatar of the Hindu preserver deity, Vishnu. Originating in Vedic literature such as the Yajurveda as being synonymous with the Saptarishi called Kashyapa, Kurma is most comm ...
is most commonly associated in the
Itihāsa Itihasa () refers to the collection of written descriptions of important events in Hinduism. It includes the Mahabharata, the Puranas and the Ramayana. The Mahabharata includes the story of the Kurukshetra War and preserves the traditions of ...
(epics) and Puranas with the legend of the churning of the
Ocean of Milk In Hindu cosmology, the Ocean of Milk (',', ''Malayalam: Pālāḻi'') is the fifth from the centre of the seven oceans. It surrounds the continent known as Krauncha. According to Hindu scriptures, the devas and asuras worked together for a mil ...
, referred to as the ''
Samudra manthan The Samudra Manthana ( sa, समुद्रमन्थन; ) is a major episode in Hinduism that is elaborated in the Vishnu Purana, a major text of Hinduism. The Samudra Manthana explains the origin of the elixir of eternal life, amrita. Nom ...
''. The ocean is churned with a mountain on the back of the Tortoise avatar to acquire the nectar of immortality called
Amrita ''Amrita'' ( sa, अमृत, IAST: ''amṛta''), ''Amrit'' or ''Amata'' in Pali, (also called ''Sudha'', ''Amiy'', ''Ami'') is a Sanskrit word that means "immortality". It is a central concept within Indian religions and is often referred to i ...
for the gods, led by Indra. From the Mahabharata: Garuda is also frequently mentioned in respect to Kurma and the ''Samudra manthan'' legend. For example, in the Mahabharata (1.29–31) Garuda seeks the Amrita produced by the churning of the ocean to free himself and his mother from slavery. In the ''Bhagavata Purana'' (Canto 8, Chapter 6),
Krishna Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...
carries the Mandara mountain on the back of Garuda to the Ocean of Milk. The tortoise ( or ) is also mentioned in 2.4.3.6 (2.4.3.23 of the TITUS transliteration; emphasis added): . Notably, 2.8.2.23 states that a mountain represents
ignorance Ignorance is a lack of knowledge and understanding. The word "ignorant" is an adjective that describes a person in the state of being unaware, or even cognitive dissonance and other cognitive relation, and can describe individuals who are unaware o ...
, and 2.4.6.21 states:


Vamana the Dwarf Avatar

Vamana Vamana (), also known as Trivikrama (), Urukrama (), Upendra (), Dadhivamana (), and Balibandhana () is an avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu. He is the fifth avatar of Vishnu, and the first Dashavatara in the Treta Yuga, after Narasimha. O ...
is most commonly associated with the
Puranic Purana (; sa, , '; literally meaning "ancient, old"Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature (1995 Edition), Article on Puranas, , page 915) is a vast genre of Indian literature about a wide range of topics, particularly about legends an ...
legend of taking back the three worlds from the
Asura Asuras (Sanskrit: असुर) are a class of beings in Indian religions, Indic religions. They are described as power-seeking clans related to the more benevolent Deva (Hinduism), Devas (also known as Suras) in Hinduism. In its Buddhism, Buddhi ...
-king
Bali Bali () is a province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nu ...
in three steps. N. Aiyangar notes that 'In the
Rig-Veda The ''Rigveda'' or ''Rig Veda'' ( ', from ' "praise" and ' "knowledge") is an ancient Indian collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns (''sūktas''). It is one of the four sacred canonical Hindu texts (''śruti'') known as the Vedas. Only one S ...
Vishnu Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism. Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" within t ...
is celebrated for his three strides by which he measures the whole universe'. These so-called 'Vishnu-strides' (
Symbol A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different conc ...
ically) factor into
Vedic upright=1.2, The Vedas are ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism. Above: A page from the '' Atharvaveda''. The Vedas (, , ) are a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the ...
sacrificial Sacrifice is the offering of material possessions or the lives of animals or humans to a deity as an act of propitiation or worship. Evidence of ritual animal sacrifice has been seen at least since ancient Hebrews and Greeks, and possibly exis ...
rites enumerated by Brahamical literature such as the Shatapatha Brāhmaṇa (e.g. 6.7.4.7–8) and the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa (e.g. 2.4.3.10, as quoted, and 2.4.6.3).


Narasimha the Man-Lion Avatar

Narasimha is primarily associated with the Puranic legend of destroying the Asura-king Hiranyakashipu to protect the king's devotee son, Prahlada. Further references to Namuchi, considered by Soifer to be the 'prototype' of the Narasimha legend, are made in 2.6.3.3 (defeated by the Ashvins rather than Indra) and 2.6.13.1 (stole
sacrificial Sacrifice is the offering of material possessions or the lives of animals or humans to a deity as an act of propitiation or worship. Evidence of ritual animal sacrifice has been seen at least since ancient Hebrews and Greeks, and possibly exis ...
offerings from Indra).


Duties of kingship


Animal welfare

Further to the duty of a king to take good care of animals (as elaborated in 2.7.15.2-3), Kashyap comments in regards to 2.1.1.4 that here 'is a brief mention of the human duty that the calves of the
cow Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, cloven-hooved, herbivores. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus ''Bos''. Adult females are referred to as cows and adult ma ...
giving milk have the highest priority. Only after their needs are satisfied sthe remaining milk... used for the Yajna. This discipline should be maintained for ten days and nights. If the milk remaining is given to the calves at night, then the Deva Rudra is not pleased since he is the lord of the cows. Ample milk should be given to the calves before the use of milk in the Yajna'.


Cutting down trees


Ashṭaka 3

Rajendralala states that the 'first subject treated of in the third kanda 'ashṭaka'', 'book'are the
Constellation A constellation is an area on the celestial sphere in which a group of visible stars forms Asterism (astronomy), a perceived pattern or outline, typically representing an animal, mythological subject, or inanimate object. The origins of the e ...
s, some of which are auspicious and others the contrary. Then we have the rites appropriate during the wane and waxing of the moon, ''Darsa paurnamasa'', as well as on the full moon and the new moon. The fourth chapter treats of human sacrifices, and then of a number of minor rites with special prayers. Then follow the mantras appropriate for the sacrifice of special animals. This is followed by a chapter on expiations and defects in the observance and performance of ceremonies. The eighth and ninth rapāṭhakas, 'chapters'are devoted to the horse sacrifice, which is the grandest ceremony enjoined on householders, especially appropriate for kings, and involves a number of rites and ceremonies (which are fully detailed in the table of contents) as also a number of ovations of different kinds'.


Prapāṭhakas and Anuvākas

W. E. Hale and B. Smith cite issues 92–108 of the academic journal ''
Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society ''Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society'' is a quarterly journal published by the American Philosophical Society since 1838. The journal contains papers which have been read at meetings of the American Philosophical Society each April ...
'', to enumerate the structure and content of the third ''ashṭaka.'' Mitra details all chapters (''prapāṭhakas'') and sections (''anuvākas'') with descriptive titles (12 ''prapāṭhakas'', consisting of 164 listed ''anuvākas''; original spelling unchanged): * Prapāṭhaka 1: Sacrifices to the Constellations – Nakshatra Ishti ** ''Anuvāka'' 1: Light Constellations. Deva Nakshatras ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: Dark Constellations. – The Yama Nakshatras ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: Invocatory and oblative Mantras for Sacrifices to the Moon (Chandramasa ishti), etc., etc. ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: Sacrifices to the Light Constellations. – Deva Nakshatras ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: Sacrifices to the Dark Constellations. – Yama Nakshatras ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: Sacrifices (ishti) to Chandrama, etc. * Prapāṭhaka 2: Dars'a Ya'ga or Sacrifices meet on the wane of the Moon ** ''Anuvāka'' 1: Separation of calf from the cow ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: Collection of the Kus'a Grass ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: Milking at Night ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: Duties enjoined on the first day of the Havirnivapa, Preparation of Paddy ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: Husking of the Paddy ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: Grinding of the rice ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: Placing of earthen Baking-pans on the fire ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: Baking of Rice Cake on the pans ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: Preparation of the Altar ** ''Anuvāka'' 10: Arranging of the sacrificial articles * Prapāṭhaka 3: Paurnamasa Ishti or Ceremonies to be performed on the full moon ** ''Anuvāka'' 1: Cleaning of the Sacrificial Vessels ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: Disposal of the instruments for cleaning sacrificial vessels ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: Offering of the clarified Butter ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: Heating of the clarified Butter ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: On looking at and taking the clarified Butter ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: Placing of the Butter with fuel and Kus'a grass before it ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: Offering of the first two sticks of wood (called Aghara) to the fire ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: Eating of Ida and the Puridas'a rice cakes ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: Lifting of the Srug ooden ladel used for pouring clarified butter on a sacrificial fire etc. ** ''Anuvāka'' 10: Mantras relating to the wife of the Yajamana ** ''Anuvāka'' 11: Throwing away of the Palas'a wood called Upavesha * Prapāṭhaka 4: On Human sacrifices ** ''Anuvāka'' 1: To Devas who claim to be the cases of brahmana, Kshatriya, etc., men of the Brahmana, Kshatriya, and the like castes, are to be sacrificed,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: To those who claim pre-eminence in singing, dancing, etc., men of the Suta, Sailusha, and the like castes, ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: To those who are the presiding divinities of labour, magic, etc., men of the potter, ironsmith, and the like castes, ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: To those who are the presiding divinities of (abhimani) or delight in promiscuous intercourse (sanghataka), bastards, and the like, ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: To those who preside over rivers, desert places, etc., men of the Kaivarta (fishermen), Nishada (hunters) and the like castes, ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: To those who delight in marring huan exertion, etc., hunchbacks, dwarfs, and the like, ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: To those who preside over robbery, etc., thieves, sandal-mongers, and the like, ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: To those who preside over light, etc., men who collect fuel, firemen and the like, ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: To those who preside over rapid motion, elephant-keepers, grooms, etc., ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 10: To those who are the presiding divinities of violent passions, etc., ironsmiths, men who run away with criminals condemned to death, and the like, ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 11: To the wife of Yama, women who have borne twins, to those who preside over the mantras of the Atharva Veda, women who have miscarried, etc., etc.,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 12: To those Devas who preside over tanks, ponds, etc., men who catch fish by putting up embankments (Dhivara), or by hooks (Dasa) and the like, ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 13: To those who preside over sounds, echoes, etc., collectors of news, retailers of incoherent speech, and the like, ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 14: To those who delight in detecting evil delight in splendor, etc., men who are always watchful, very sleepy, etc., ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 15: To the presiding divinities of wit, song, etc., prostitutes, female players on the Vina, and the like, ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 16: To the presiding divinities of dice and of the Satya Yuga, etc., dice-players, those who frequent gambling halls, and the like, ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 17: To the presiding divinities of land, fire, etc., men who move on crutches, those of the Chandala caste, and the like, ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 18: To the presiding divinities of speech, wind, etc., fat men, men of good wind, and the like, ditto,... ** ''Anuvāka'' 19: To the presiding divinities of ugliness, ambition, etc., tall men, short men, and the like, ditto,... * Prapāṭhaka 5: Ishti Sacrifices ** ''Anuvāka'' 1: Mantra to be recited by the Hota ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: Samidheni Mantras ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: Nirid and Pracara Mantras ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: Mantra for taking up the Sruk ooden spoon used in sacrifices** ''Anuvāka'' 5: Prayaja Mantras ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: Mantras for offering clarified butter, Ajya ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: Mantras for offering the rice cake ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: Preliminary to the Yajamana's eating of the Ida or remnant of the offering ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: Mantra for a supplementary offering – Anuyaja ** ''Anuvāka'' 10: Mantra (Suktanika) to be repeated by the Hota when the addhvaryyu is about to throw the Darbha grass bundle into the fire ** ''Anuvāka'' 11: Mantra in honor of Sanja, son of Brihaspati, – Sanjuvaka mantra ** ''Anuvāka'' 12: Mantra for the offering of oblations to the Wives of the Gods, etc. ** ''Anuvāka'' 13: Call for Ida for the wife of the Institutor of the sacrifice * Prapāṭhaka 6: Pa'Shuka Hotra **''Anuvāka'' 1: Purification of the Sacrificial Post to which the victim at a sacrifice is to be mounted ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: Exhortative (praisha) mantras in connexion with the Prayaja Sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: Oblative Mantras, called Apri, to be recited by the Hota at the Prayaja sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: Mantras to be repeated when turning a fire round the oblation (Paryaynikarama) ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: Exhortative (praisha) mantra to be addressed to the Hota by the slayer of the sacrifice – Samitri ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: Exhortative (praisha) mantra to be addressed by the Hota to the slayer of the sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: Invocation of Agni with reference to the droppings of the oblations ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: Puronurakya and Praisha mantras for the offering of omentum and rice cake ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: Oblative (Yajya) mantras for the offering of omentum and rice cake ** ''Anuvāka'' 10: Eulogistic mantras, called Manola, addressed to Agni ** ''Anuvāka'' 11: Invocatory (Puronuvakya) and exhortative (Praisha) mantras to be recited by Maitravaruna in offering clarified butter, wood and Svishtakrita ** ''Anuvāka'' 12: Oblative (Yajya) mantras for the offering of wood, clarified butter and the Svishtakrita ** ''Anuvāka'' 13: Exhortative mantras to be recited in connexion with the Anuyajas ** ''Anuvāka'' 14: Oblative mantras relating to the Anuyajas ** ''Anuvāka'' 15: Exhortative mantra for the Suktavaka * Prapāṭhaka 7: Expiations for defects in the performance of ceremonies ** ''Anuvāka'' 1: Expitations in connexion with the Dars'apaurnamasa ceremony ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: Expitations in connexion with the oblatory articles of the Agnihotra or fire sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: Substitutes for the sacrificial fire, etc. ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: Mantras to be recited by the Yajamana in course of Ishti rites ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: Mantras to be recited by the Yajamana in the Ishti rites – Continued ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: Mantras regarding the Ishti rites not given in the two preceding sections ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: Mantras for obviating defects in the ceremonial for the initiation of a neophyte (Dhiksha) in connexion with the Soma sacrifices ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: Mantras for obviating accidents in regard to Sacrificial animals ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: Mantras relating to yeast or ferment, etc. ** ''Anuvāka'' 10: Expiatory Mantras ** ''Anuvāka'' 11: Expiatory mantras for irregularities in connexion with the new and full moon sacrifices ** ''Anuvāka'' 12: Mantras to be repeated by the Yajamana in sanctifying twenty-one bundles of Kus'a grass ** ''Anuvāka'' 13: Mantras for sprinkling curds or milk mixed with honey of the frying pan at the concluding ceremony – Avabhritha ** ''Anuvāka'' 14: Sprinkling, etc., at the Avabhritha * Prapāṭhaka 8: On the operations of the first day of the Asvamedha sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 1: Preparations for the Asvamedha – the duties of the Yajamana ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: The Sacred Rice ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: Tying the horse with the rope ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: Bathing of the Horse after pulling on the halter ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: Water to be sprinkled on the Horse by the four principal officiating priests ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: Repetition of mantras on the drops of water as they trickle down from the body of the horse after it has been bathed ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: The Adhvaryu to sprinkle water from all the four sides ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: Oblations (Homas) with reference to the conduct and colour of the horse ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: Repeating the several epithets if the Horse over his ears, etc., and consecrating him ** ''Anuvāka'' 10: Homa to the Vis'vadevas as a Diskha sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 11: Mantras of the Diksha Ceremony ** ''Anuvāka'' 12: Ceremonies to be performed every day during the year that the horse roams about of his own accord ** ''Anuvāka'' 13: Addresses to the fire named Ukha on the completion of the year ** ''Anuvāka'' 14: Homa with boiled rice, etc., in connection with the Asramedha sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 15: Particulars regarding the aforesaid Homa ** ''Anuvāka'' 16: Explanation of the Mantras used in the above homa ** ''Anuvāka'' 17: Explanation of certain mantras of the 7th Kanda of the Sanhita relating to the rice homa ** ''Anuvāka'' 18: The same subject continued ** ''Anuvāka'' 19: On the planting of the sacrificial posts on the day preceding the first day of the Asvamedha ceremony ** ''Anuvāka'' 20: On the places appropriate for the different sacrificial posts ** ''Anuvāka'' 21: Peculiarities in regard to establishing of the fire in connexion with the horse sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 22: Certain details regarding the recitation of the Vahispuramana hymns ** ''Anuvāka'' 23: How the other animals are to be arranged about the horse * Prapāṭhaka 9: On the operations of the second and third days of the horse sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 1: How the wild and the domestic animals are dealt with ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: The Chaturmasya and other animals ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: Object of offering several animals to each divinity, and of mixing the fat of those animals together ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: On yoking the horse to a car and ornamenting and anointing him ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: On the Recitation of the Brahmodya Samvad ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: Ceremonies performed over the slaughtered horse ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: Ceremonies to be performed over the slaughtered horse, concluded ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: On the merits of sacrificing animals at the As'vamedha ceremony ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: Animals meet for the third day of the ceremony ** ''Anuvāka'' 10: On the Grahas called Mahimana ** ''Anuvāka'' 11: Offering homa with parts of the body of the slaughtered horse, and those called Svishtakrit ** ''Anuvāka'' 12: The Homa called As'vastomiya, in which the fat of the horse is offered between the S'arira and the S'vishtakrit homas, and the Homa with two-footed verses ** ''Anuvāka'' 13: Ishti ceremonies to be performed for a year before commencing the horse sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 14: Songs appropriate for the Ishtis ** ''Anuvāka'' 15: Special homa to Mritya in connection with the Avabhritha or supplementary homa ** ''Anuvāka'' 16: Mantra for tying the sacrificial animals to the principal post (Upakarana), and an Ishti ordained ** ''Anuvāka'' 17: Expiations for diseases and other accidents to the horse ** ''Anuvāka'' 18: The Brahmodana Ishti in connexion with the horse sacrifice ** ''Anuvāka'' 19: The twelve merits of the As'vamedha ** ''Anuvāka'' 20: The mod of sacrificing the horse ** ''Anuvāka'' 21: Offering on the northern altar – Attara Vedi ** ''Anuvāka'' 22: The sacrifice of a bull at the As'vamedha ** ''Anuvāka'' 23: On the meditating on different members of the horse * Prapāṭhaka 10: Sa'vitra-Chayana or collection of fire for the adoration of the sun ** ''Anuvāka'' 1: Placing of bricks on the altar ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: Placing of bricks in the name of Svayamatrinna ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: Invitation to the Adhvaryus ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: Invitation to the Yajamana ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: Praise of the fire by the Hota ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: The anointing of the face of the Yakamana with clarified butter ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: Offerings after the anointment ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: Offerings to Mrityu (Death) ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: The philosophy of the Savitra Agni explained ** ''Anuvāka'' 10: Advantages of knowing the different mantras of the Savitragni ** ''Anuvāka'' 11: The advantages of knowing and the disadvantages of not knowing the purport of the Savitragni * Prapāṭhaka 11: Nachiketa-Chayana, or collection of Nachiketa Fire ** ''Anuvāka'' 1: The mantras for placing of bricks, and the mode of placing them ** ''Anuvākas'' 2–5: Offering of oblations (homa) for the purpose
bove Bove is a surname. Notable people with the name include: * Carol Bove (born 1971), American artist * Davide Bove (born 1998), Italian footballer * Edward Bove, American surgeon * Linda Bove (born 1945), deaf American actress * Raphael Bove (born 19 ...
** ''Anuvāka'' 6: Mantras for touching the fire ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: Philosophy of the Nachiketa fire ** ''Anuvāka'' 8: Anecdote from the Katha Upanishad on the advantage of knowing and collecting the Nachiketa fire ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: Method of collecting the Nachiketa fire ** ''Anuvāka'' 10: Praise of the Nachiketa rite * Prapāṭhaka 12: Cha-tur-hotra and Vaisvasrij ceremonies ** ''Anuvāka'' 1: Divahs'yeni and Apadya rites, (Ishtis) being parts of one form of the Chatur-hotra ceremonies ** ''Anuvāka'' 2: The Divahs'yeni rites described ** ''Anuvāka'' 3: Invocatory and oblative mantras for the Apadya rite ** ''Anuvāka'' 4: Anecdotes regarding the Apadya rite ** ''Anuvāka'' 5: Chapurhotra-Chayana, or the observance of the Chaturhotra fire ** ''Anuvāka'' 6: Visvasrij-Chayana, or Collection of the Visvasrij fire ** ''Anuvāka'' 7: Details regarding the middle circle ricks to be used** ''Anuvāka'' 8: Mantras to be recited when placing the bricks ** ''Anuvāka'' 9: Certain details about the same


The Nakshatras

Details are provided in the section dealing with the first ashṭaka (see above).


The Purushamedha

D.M. Knipe states that there 'is no inscriptional or other record that a purusua-medha
human Humans (''Homo sapiens'') are the most abundant and widespread species of primate, characterized by bipedalism and exceptional cognitive skills due to a large and complex brain. This has enabled the development of advanced tools, culture, ...
-sacrifice'] was ever performed, leading some scholars to suggest it was simply invented to round out sacrificial possibilities... The significance of the entire enterprise is compromised when [the] SB [''Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa''] 13.6.2 presents a ''
deus ex machina ''Deus ex machina'' ( , ; plural: ''dei ex machina''; English "god out of the machine") is a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly and abruptly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence. Its function ...
'', an ethereal voice that intervenes to halt the proceedings: a sacrificer always eats the victim, man would therefore eat man, not an acceptable act, ergo, no performance'. The 'human sacrifice' was thus symbolic in nature, as were animal sacrifices (e.g. symbolised by plant-based foods offered and consumed in rituals, such as rice-cake; an example is found in 1.6.2.3–4 in the Shatapatha). The verse referred to by Knipe states: However, R. Mitra is less convinced, stating that neither ' Aspastambha ounder of a Shakha (school) of Yajurvedanor Sayana ommentator on the Vedic textshas a word to say about the human victims being Symbolical... it must be added, however, that Apastambha is very brief and obscure in his remarks, and it would be hazardous to draw a positive conclusion from the insufficient data supplied by him, particularly as the Satapatha Brāhmaṇa is positive on the subject of the human victims being let off after consecration; though the fact of the Brahmana being much later than the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa, may justify the assumption that the practice of the Kanva Madhyandina.html" ;"title="Madhyandina_Shakha.html" ;"title="nd Madhyandina Shakha">Madhyandina">Madhyandina_Shakha.html" ;"title="nd Madhyandina Shakha">Madhyandina can be no guide to the followers of the Taittiriyaka'.


The Ashvamedha

Rick F. Talbott states that the 'total ceremony of the Ashvamedha [meaning 'Horse-Sacrifice'] lasted over a year with the actual rites surrounding the sacrifice of the chosen horse taking only three days. The Ashvamedha was one of three royal sacrifices in Ancient India. Performance of this great sacrifice required a victorious
king King is the title given to a male monarch in a variety of contexts. The female equivalent is queen, which title is also given to the consort of a king. *In the context of prehistory, antiquity and contemporary indigenous peoples, the tit ...
, his three wives, hundreds of attendants, a swift steed with special markings, the special sacrificial grounds near a large quantity of water nd beingsupplied with a myriad of ritual utensils and materials. The Hose Sacrifice also required
our Our or OUR may refer to: * The possessive form of " we" * Our (river), in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany * Our, Belgium, a village in Belgium * Our, Jura, a commune in France * Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), a government utility regulato ...
types of priests... Only the victorious king could perform the Ashvamedha tself.. like all of the new or full moon ceremonies this rite had a special significance for the events that followed'.


References and commentaries

The commentator Apastambha (circa 600-300 BCE) has not been listed or discussed in this section as it seems he did not comment on the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa specifically, but rather on sacrificial rites in general, which are detailed in multiple Brāhmaṇas (e.g. as evidenced above, the Purushamedha is detailed in both the ''Shatapatha'' and ''Taittirīya Brāhmaņas''). The same principle applies to the commentator
Sureśvara Sureśvara (also known as Sureśvarācārya, was a 9th-century Indian Philosophy, philosopher, who studied under Adi Shankara, Śankara. Śankara is said to have entrusted to Sureśvara his first monastic institution, the Sringeri Sharada Peet ...
(circa 800 CE), whose ''Vartika'' works (e.g. 'Vartika on Sariraka Brāhmaṇa', 'Vartika on Saptanna Brāhmaṇa', and 'Vartika on Udgitha Brāhmaṇa', etc.), are commentaries on specific sacrificial rites enumerated in the Brāhmaṇas, not the Brāhmaṇas themselves.


The Nirukta

Recorded by the
grammar In linguistics, the grammar of a natural language is its set of structure, structural constraints on speakers' or writers' composition of clause (linguistics), clauses, phrases, and words. The term can also refer to the study of such constraint ...
ian Yaska (circa 300 BCE), the
Nirukta ''Nirukta'' ( sa, निरुक्त, , "explained, interpreted") is one of the six ancient Vedangas, or ancillary science connected with the Vedas – the scriptures of Hinduism.James Lochtefeld (2002), "Nirukta" in The Illustrated Encyclope ...
is one of the six
Smriti ''Smriti'' ( sa, स्मृति, IAST: '), literally "that which is remembered" are a body of Hindu texts usually attributed to an author, traditionally written down, in contrast to Śrutis (the Vedic literature) considered authorless, that ...
Vedanga The Vedanga ( sa, वेदाङ्ग ', "limbs of the Veda") are six auxiliary disciplines of Hinduism that developed in ancient times and have been connected with the study of the Vedas:James Lochtefeld (2002), "Vedanga" in The Illustrated Enc ...
s ('limbs of the Vedas') concerned with correct
etymology Etymology ()The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) – p. 633 "Etymology /ˌɛtɪˈmɒlədʒi/ the study of the class in words and the way their meanings have changed throughout time". is the study of the history of the Phonological chan ...
and interpretation of the Vedas. The Nirukta references and lists several Brāhmaṇas as sources, including the Taittirīya Brahmaṇa.


Sayana

The 14th-century Sanskrit scholar Sayana composed numerous commentaries on Vedic literature, including the Samhitas, Brahmanas,
Aranyaka The Aranyakas (; sa, आरण्यक; IAST: ' ) are the part of the ancient Indian Vedas concerned with the meaning of ritual sacrifice. They typically represent the later sections of the Vedas, and are one of many layers of the Vedic texts. ...
s, and
Upanishads The Upanishads (; sa, उपनिषद् ) are late Vedic Sanskrit texts that supplied the basis of later Hindu philosophy.Wendy Doniger (1990), ''Textual Sources for the Study of Hinduism'', 1st Edition, University of Chicago Press, , ...
. B.R. Modak states that one of those commentaries by Sayana, a member of the Taittirīya Shakha, was on the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa, and explains that 'king
Bukka Bukka Raya I (reigned 1356–1377 CE) was an emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire from the Sangama Dynasty.Phrof A V Narasimha MurthyRare Royal Brothers: Hakka and Bukka He was a son of Bhavana Sangama(Unofficial). Background The early life of Bu ...
356–1377 CErequested his preceptor and minister Madhavacharya to write a commentary on the Vedas, so that even common people would be able to understand the meaning of the Vedic
Mantra A mantra (Pali: ''manta'') or mantram (मन्त्रम्) is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words in Sanskrit, Pali and other languages believed by practitioners to have religious, ma ...
s. Madhavacharya told him that his younger brother Sayana was a learned person and hence he should be entrusted with the task'.


Bhava Swāmī, Bhaṭṭa Bhāskara, and Rāmānḍara

According to Shrava, the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa was also commented upon by: * Bhava Swāmī (circa 700 CE or earlier) * Kauśika Bhaṭṭa Bhāskara Miśra (preceding and referred to by Sayana nowiki/>Niruktaand Devarāja Yajvā nowiki/>Nighantu.html" ;"title="Nighantu.html" ;"title="nowiki/>Nighantu">nowiki/>Nighantu">Nighantu.html" ;"title="nowiki/>Nighantu">nowiki/>Nighantu * Rāmānḍara / Rāmāgnichitta (a manuscript of his ''bhāshya'' is not available)


Manuscripts and translations


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Taittiriya Brahmana Religious texts 4th-century BC literature Vedas Brahmanas Yajna