१६

1. One should perform optional sacrifices with animals on a new-moon or full-moon day.¹

2. The ritual of them is similar to that of the Nirudhapasu bandha.¹

3. The optional animal-sacrifices are described in the Brāhmaṇa-text beginning with vāyavyaṁ śvetam…¹

4. In those places (in the performance) in which insertions are to be made, (the Hotr̥ inserts six verses in accordance with the deities (to which the offerings are made), two each at the time of the offering of omentum,¹ sacrificial bread,² and the (chief) offering (of the limbs of the animal).³

5. The sections the first of which begins with pīvo’nnāṁ rayivr̥dhaḥ sumedhāḥ¹ are mentioned to be used in the sequence and in accordance with the characteristic words.

6. In all the black magical performances,¹ the priests wearing red turbans, red garments, with their upper garments hanging down from the neck, carry out their duties².

7. The word malhā means one having uvula near the dew-lap.¹

8. (The sentence) “One should seize (this victim) on an “uneven” (ground)¹ means that “uneven ground” should be the place of performance of this sacrifice or that one should seize the victim on an “uneven ground”.

9. About the deities (of the expiation) for whom ten bulls (are to be seized)¹ there is a discussion (as follows).

10. (This expiation-offering) should be (performed) for the Ādityas or Prajāpati ; or for the deities of the Eleven (victims)¹ or the should be the same as those to whom the pregnant (cows are offered).²

11. The word paryāriṇī means “One which gives birth (to a male and female-calf) alternately (parihārasūḥ).¹

12. (The expression) “Sphya (wooden-sword) is the sacrificial post”¹ means that the post should be of the shape of a wooden sword or (of the shape) as is common in the fire house.²

13. (The expression) “The male Vaḍava is (to be offered) to Tvastr̥¹” means a horse on whom being a male, another (horse) mounts.

14. The expression “in the joint of waters and of herbs” means in the rainy season or in the beginning of the autumn or rather on a place where waters and plants meet together.

15. The expression “Viśākha (forked) sacrificial post”¹ means that part (of the sacrificial post) which is above the string,¹ should be forked or that part which is above the Upara³ should be forked. Both the branches should be eight-cornered, and accompanied with a top-ring.

16. The words Prāśr̥ṅga (one with horns turned forwards)¹ Avāśr̥ṅga (one with horns turned downwards),² Ukṣan (bull)³ Vaśā (a sterile),⁴ Vehat (one who kills her embryos),⁵ Dhenu (one which yields milk),⁶ Vatsa (calf),⁷ R̥ṣabha (bull), Anaḍvān (ox), Punarutsrr̥ṣṭaḥ (one which is re-released),⁸ Gomr̥ga (bull like animal)[^9] refer to bovine (animals).

[^9] TS II.1.10.2.

17. For the sake (obtainment) of food, one should seize a Vehat, for the sake of speech a Vehat, for the sake of faith a Vehat, for the sake of Brahman (holy word), a bull.

18. (The eight verses brgining with ) ā agman¹ (are to be used in the) by-offerings.

19. For Mrtyu (Death) (one should seize) a Vehat.

20. At the time of this (animal-sacrifice) one should perform the by-offerings with (the Hymn) called Bhartr̥.¹

21. One should seize twin (-victims) one white and the other black at one and the same sacrificial post, for Sūrya and Candramas.¹

22. (One should seize) a Vehat for Waters.¹

23. At the time of this animal-sacrifice one should perform the by-offerings with the Salila-hymn.¹

24. (One should seize) a (cow) longing (for bull), for Bhaga.¹

25. For those animals which follow the one for Aśvins¹ the performance should be done in accordance to the order of the Sūktas.²