First Adhyâya

First Khanda

1. Now follows the Mahâvrata ceremony.


3. Some people say: “Let the priest make two (recitations with the offering of the) agya (ghee) on that day,” but the right thing is one.

4. He who desires prosperity should use the hymn, pra vo devayagnaye (Rv. III, 13, 1).


6. The people (visah) indeed are increase, and therefore he (the sacrificer) becomes increased.


8. “No,” he said, “let him take that hymn.

9. “For he who follows the good road and obtains distinction, he is an atithi (guest).

10. “They do not consider him who is not so, worthy to be (called) an atithi (guest).

11. “Therefore let him by all means take that hymn.

12. If he takes that hymn, let him place the (second) tristich, aganma vritrahantamam, “we came near to the victorious,” first.


14. The (next following) three tristichs begin with an Anushtubh. Now Brahman is Gâyatrî, speech is Anushtubh. He thus joins speech with Brahman.

15. He who desires glory should use the hymn, abodhy agnih samidha gananam (Rv. V, 1, 1).

16. He who desires offspring and cattle should use the hymn, hotaganishta ketanah (Rv. II, 5, 1).