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INTRODUCTION

ix

FIRST KÂNDA.

Darsapûrnamâseshtî, or New and Full-moon Sacrifices

1

   Vow of Abstinence

1

   Preparation of Offerings

6

      Leading forth of Pranîtâh

6

      Taking out of rice for the cakes

11

      Preparation of strainers and consecration of the rice by sprinkling with lustral water

19

      Husking and grinding of the rice

23. 38

      Putting on of the potsherds

32

      Preparation and baking of the cakes

42

   Preparation of the Altar

47

      Samishtayagus, or throwing away of the grass-bush

55

      Lines of enclosure

59

      Cleaning of spoons

67

      Girding of the sacrificer's wife and eyeing of the butter

71

      The offering-spoons

78

      Covering of the altar with sacrificial grass

83

      Enclosing of the fire with the Paridhis

87

   Kindling of the Fire

95

      The Pravara, or choosing of the Divine Hotri

114

   Âghârau, or two libations of ghee

124

      The Pravara, or choosing of Human Hotri

131

   Prayâgas, or fore-offerings

138

   Âgyabhâgau, or two butter-portions to Agni-Soma

159

   Special Preliminary Rites of New-moon Sacrifice

175

   Chief Offerings, viz.

190

      Cake to Agni.

      Low-voiced offering (upâmsuyâga) to Agni-Soma.

      Cake to Agni-Soma at Full-moon Sacrifice.

      Cake to Indra-Agni, or Sâmnâyya to Indra at New-moon Sacrifice.

      Oblation to Agni Svishtakrit

199

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      Brahman's portions

208

      Idâ

216

   Anuyâgas, or after-offerings

230

      Sûktavâka, Samyuvâka, and offering of remains

236

      Patnîsamyâgas

256

      Concluding ceremonies

262

SECOND KÂNDA.

Agnyâdhâna, or Establishment of Sacred Fires

274

      Sambhâras

276

      Asterisms suitable for Agnyâdhâna

282

      Seasons suitable for Agnyâdhâna

289

      Upavasatha

291

      Churning and laying down of fire

294

      Oblations

302

   Punarâdheya, or Re-establishment of Fire

313

Agnihotra, or Morning and Evening Milk-offerings

322

   Agnyupasthâna, or Worship of Fires

338

Pindapitriyagña, or Oblation of Obsequial Cakes to Deceased Ancestors

361

Âgrayaneshti, or Offering of First-fruits

369

Dâkshâyana (New and Full-moon) Sacrifice

374

Kâturmâsyâni, or Seasonal Sacrifices

383

      Vaisvadeva

384

      Varunapraghâsâh

391

      Sâkamedhâh

408

         Mahâhavih, or great oblation

417

         Mahâ-pitriyagña

420

         Oblation to Rudra Tryambaka

437

      Sunâsîrya

444

Additions and Corrections

452

Transliteration of Oriental Alphabets adopted for the Translations of the Sacred Books of the East

453