1. Now, then, as to the taking up of the two offering-spoons 2. Now, in this respect, some people,
3. Now as to the stepping past (the Vedi). By a thunderbolt, indeed, one, Adhvaryu scatters the Sacrificer's cattle, and by a thunderbolt another drives them together for him. Now that Adhvaryu, doubtless, scatters the Sacrificer's cattle by a thunderbolt, who steps past with his right (foot) 1 when he is
5. Now as to calling for the Sraushat 2: there are six (modes of) calling for the Sraushat,--the descending, the level, the ascending, the feeble, the outward-tending, and the inward-tending.
6. Now the descending mode, indeed, it is when he begins in a high tone and concludes in a low tone: whoever should wish that any one 3 should be poorer,
8. And the ascending one, indeed, it is when he begins in a low tone and concludes in a high tone: whoever should wish that any one should be more prosperous, let him begin for him in a low tone and conclude in a high tone; and he will thereby become more prosperous.
9. And the feeble one, indeed, it is when he calls for the Sraushat in a thin, long-drawn, toneless way: if, in that case, any one were to say of him, 'Surely, this Adhvaryu has made the Sacrificer feeble, and submissive to his spiteful enemy,' then that would indeed be likely to cone to pass.
10. And the outward-tending (bahih-sri) one, indeed, it is when he opens his lips wide and utters his call at a high, toneless pitch: tone being prosperity, he thereby puts prosperity (srî) outside (bahis) himself, and becomes hungry (poor).
11. And the inward-tending (antah-sri) one, indeed, it is when he closes his lips, and utters his call at a loud, toneful pitch: tone being prosperity, he thereby puts prosperity (srî) inside (antah) himself, and becomes an eater of food (rich).
13. Now as to the oblation. In this respect, some people, thinking themselves clever, having turned down the spoon eastwards, and poured out the oblation, turn it round and place it over the upabhrit. But let him not do this; for if, in that case, any one were to say of him, 'Surely, this Adhvaryu has made the Sacrificer dependent on, and submissive to, his spiteful enemy,' then that would indeed be likely to come to pass.
14. And some, having turned down the spoon sideways, and poured out the oblation, turn it round and place it over the upabhrit. But let him not do so; for if, in that case, any one were to say of him, 'Surely, this Advaryu has stopped the oblations by (following) the wrong way, he (the Sacrificer) will either be shattered, or become worm-eaten,' then that would indeed be likely to come to pass.
15. Let him rather do it in this way:--having turned down the spoon eastwards, and poured out the oblation, let him carry it up in the same way and place it over the upabhrit;--there is no question about this: it is good for (securing) cattle and life.
16. One Adhvaryu, indeed, burns the oblations, and another satisfies the oblations; and that Adhvaryu, assuredly, burns the oblations who, having offered ghee, offers portions (of sacrificial dishes): indeed, it is with reference to him that an invisible voice has said, 'Surely, this Adhvaryu burns the oblations.' And he, indeed, satisfies them who
17. Concerning this, Yâgñavalkya said 2, 'When, after making an underlayer (of ghee), and cutting portions (from the sacrificial dish), he bastes them (with ghee), then, indeed, he satisfies them; and, they being satisfied, the gods fill (for him) gold cups 3.' Now Saulvâyana was Adhvaryu to those who had Ayasthûna 4 for their Grihapati 5.
18. He said, 'Surely, this sacrificial session is supplied with lean cattle and scanty ghee; and yet this one, forsooth, thinks himself a Grihapati!'
19. He (Ayasthûna) said, 'Adhvaryu, thou hast insulted us; and there now are those two spoons which, for a whole year, thou hast not been able to take up (in the proper manner): if I were to instruct thee in (the use of) them, thou wouldst become multiplied in offspring and cattle, and wouldst lead (the Sacrificer) to heaven.'
20. He said, 'Let me become thy pupil.' He answered, 'Even now, indeed, art thou worthy (of being instructed), who hast been our Adhvaryu for a year: I will teach thee this even without thy
56:2 At the time when the sacrificial food (havis) is to be placed on the Vedi, the two offering-spoons, guhû and upabhrit, are filled with ghee, and then placed, the former on the Prastara-bunch (lying on the Vedi) with the bowl towards the east, and the latter north of it on the grass-cover of the Vedi; a third spoon, the dhruvâ, being again placed north of the upabhrit. The first libation of ghee (âghâra) is made from the dipping-spoon (sruva); but when about 58:2 The Adhvaryu's call is 'om srâvaya' (make him hear!) whereupon the Âgnîdhra responds 'astu sraushat' (yea, may he hear!). 58:3 Viz. any one for whom he (the Adhvaryu) performs a sacrifice, 61:2 Cf. I, 7, 2, 7-10; and part i, p. 192, note 1, where the procedure is explained. 61:3 One would expect an 'iti' here. 61:4 According to Sâyana, Ayasthûna is the name of a Rishi. 61:5 Literally, 'house-lord' or householder--the title of the Sacrificer at sacrificial sessions.
