The Vaitanasutra

This supplementary article continues a translation and commentary on the Vaitānasūtra, a late Vedic text concerned with Soma rituals. The author begins with the instruction that during the offering of the cakes from the Soma pressings, the Brahman priest should dedicate the portions reserved for Indra, accompanied by the appropriate mantra. When offering the Soma drink to multiple deities, the priest is instructed to recite stanzas to Vāyu and Indra-Vāyu, Mitra-Varuṇa and the Aśvins. The text then describes the Prasthita-homa: the Adhvaryu (chief priest) commands each ritual assistant—the Brahmanacchamsin, Potṛ, Nestr and Agnidh—to chant sacrificial formulas in sequence. The Brahmanacchamsin begins with the formula to Indra, while the Potṛ and Agnidhra follow with their respective mantras. The commentary notes that the final syllables of certain sacrificial formulas should be lengthened by three moras, a feature that emphasises ritual precision. The article proceeds to outline the distribution of Soma offerings: after the Prasthita-homa, the Brahman divides the Soma gifts dedicated to Indra among the various vessels such as the Sukṛ, Manthi and Camasa. Subsequent distributions to other deities—Mitra-Varuna, Indra, the Maruts, Tvaṣṭṛ and Agni—are accompanied by specific hymns. The ritual concludes with the Agnidhra announcing the completion of the sacrifice and with the priests drinking Soma while reciting hymns praising its invigorating qualities. Additional verses describe the metres appropriate for various hymns—Tristubh for the noon pressing, Jagati for the third pressing, Anuṣṭubh for the Paryuyāsa and Pankti for the Sandhi-stotra. The commentary provides cross-references to other Vedic texts and offers philological notes, such as an emendation by Caland suggesting that savaniyapurodāśānām should be read savanīyapurodāśān instead. By elucidating these ritual details, the article enhances our understanding of late Vedic sacrificial practice and shows how complex the Soma ritual had become by the time of the Vaitānasūtra.

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