Shukla Yajurveda

A Book Of Vedic Mantras

CONTENTS.
 
PREFACE

BOOK I. 
New and Full Moon sacrifices
Removal of the calves
The milking
Purification of the milk
The Vow of Abstinence
Preparation of the rice
Rice-cake offered to Agni
Rice-cake to Agni-Soma
Bringing forward the sacrificial waters
Purification of the waters
Spreading the black-antelope's skin
Pounding the rice
Putting potsherds on the fire
Placing the nether press-stone on the skin
Division of the dough: one lump for Agni and one for Agni-Soma
Exorcism of the fiend Araru
Drawing of lines on three sides of the altar
Exorcism of evil spirits
Girding the Sacrificer's wife as his associate

BOOK II.
Sprinkling of fuel, altar, and sacred grass
Placing of the Prastara or Grass-bunch on the covering grass
Laying the enclosing-sticks round the sacrificial fire
Kindling the fire
Exorcism of fiends
Spreading of the Prastara
Laying down the three offering-spoons
Election of Agni as Hotar
Prayers for the protection of the sacrifice

Anointing the enclosing-sticks
Throwing the sticks into the fire
The Sacrificer's wife unties the Veda or sacred Grass-bunch
Holy water poured on the altar
Portion of oblation allotted to Râkshasas
The three Vishnu-strides
Completion of the Vow of Abstinence
Pindapitriyajña or Obsequial Offerings to Ancestral Manes
Line drawn to keep off evil spirits
Threads, wool, or hair as raiment for the Manes
Formula recited by the Sacrificer's wife to obtain  a son
Water poured on the obsequial cakes

BOOK III.
Agnyâdhâna or Establishment of Sacrificial Fires
The Âhavanîya Fire
The Dakshinâgni or Southern Fire
Agnihotra, morning and evening milk-oblations
The Gârhapatya Fire
Worship of Agni
Address to the Cows
The Sâvitrî
Worship of the Gârhapatya and Âhavanîya Fires
Worship of Agni Purîshya
Four-monthly Sacrifices
Purificatory Baptism of the Sacrificer and his Wife
The Sâkamedha Offerings
Worship, with oblation, of Rudra Tryambaka
Ceremonial Shaving of the Sacrificer's head

BOOK IV.
Soma Sacrifice
Apsu-Dîkshâ, Consecration by Water, Baptism
Andgrabhana or Uplifting Ceremonies
Putting on the Sacrificial Girdle

Tying on a black-buck's horn
Preparation of Vow-food
Hiranyavatî-âhuti, Offering with Gold
Reverence to the Soma purchasing Cow
Purchase of Soma plants
Introduction of Soma

BOOK V.
Âtithya, or Ceremonial Reception of Soma
Tânûnaptra, or Invocation of Agni Tanûnapât
Minor Consecration
Âpyâyana, Sprinkling of the Soma plants
Upasads, Reverential Services
Marking out the lines of the Soma altar
Providing earth for the High Altar
Anointing of the four corners of the Altar place
Construction of Havirdhânas or Soma cart sheds
Construction of the Priests’ Shed, the Pressing-place, and Dhishnyas
Preparation of the Uparavas or sound-holes
Erection of the Udumbara Poet in the Priests’ Shed
Enclosing of the Priests’ Shed with mats
Consecration of the Dhishnyas
Laying fire on the Âgnîdhra hearth
Deposition of Pressing-stones, Soma trough, and Soma vessels
Deposition of the Soma plant on a black-antelope's skin
Animal Sacrifice
Preparation of the Yûpa or Sacrificial Stake

BOOK VI.
Erection of the Stake
Binding and Slaughtering of the Victim
Roasting and offering of the omentum and flesh
Symbolical re-uniting of the separated portions
Dismissal of the re-united Victim to Heaven
Soma Sacrifice

The Vasatîvarî water, to be used in the Soma-pressing
Taking the Soma plants from the cart and laying them on the pressing-stones
The Morning Pressing
The Upâmsu Press stone
The Nigrâbhyâ Water
Beating the Soma

BOOK VII.
Grahagrahana, Drawing Cups of Soma
Upâmsu Graha
Antaryâma Graha
Aindra-Vâyava Graha
Maitrâ-Varuna Graha
Âsvina Graha
Sukra Graha
Manthin Graha
Âgrayana Graha
Ukthya Graha
Dhruvâ Graha
Viprud-Homa, or Drop Oblation
Avakâsa Formulas
Ritu Grahas, Libations to the Seasons
Aindrâgna Cup
Vaisvadeva Cup
The Midday Pressing
Marutvatîya Cups
Mâhendra Graha, Cup for Mahendra
Dâkshina-Homa, Oblation in the Southern Fire
Address to the Guerdon-Cows

BOOK VIII.
The Third or Evening Pressing
Âditya Graha or Libation to the Âdityas
Sâvitra Graha, or Libation to Savitar
Mahâvaisvadeva Cup, or Libation to the Great All-Gods
p. vii
Pâtnîvata Cup, or Libation to Soma
Pâtnîvata Cup, or Libation to Agni
Hâriyojana Cup, a Libation to Indra
Splinters of the Sacrificial Stake thrown on the fire
Samishtayajus Ceremonies
Avabhritha, or Purifying Bath
Offering of the Vasâ, or Sacrificial Cow
Offering of the Embryo Calf
Additional Soma Sacrifices
Shodasî
Dvâdasâha
Atigrâhyas
Gavâmayana
Gargatrirâtra
Mahâvratîya Graha
Adâbhya Graha
Sattrotthâna, or Rising from a Sacrificial Session
Rectifying and Expiatory Formulas

BOOK IX.
The Vâjapeya, or Draught of Strength
Cups of Soma
Cup of Surâ
Chariot-race
Sprinkling and harnessing the horses
Beating the Drum
Address to the Horses
Twelve Oblations, one for each Month
Six Oblations, one for each Season
Enthronement of the Sacrificer
Vâjaprasavanîya, or Strength furthering, Oblations
Ujjitis, or Victory Formulas
The Râjasûya, or King's Inauguration
Preliminary Oblations
Apâmârga, or Exorcising, Oblation
Oblations to the Eight Devasûs or Furthering Gods
Presentation of the King to the People

BOOK X.
The Abhisheka, Aspersion, or Consecration
Collection of the Consecrating Waters
Spreading the Tiger-skin
Robing with the Consecration Garments
Presentation of the Three Arrows
Formulas announcing and introducing the King
Ascending the Quarters
Sprinkling with Holy Water
The Capture of the Cows
Rathavimochanîya, or Car-unharnessing, Oblations
The Throwing of the Dice
The Dasapeya Libations
Samsrip, or,Creeping, Oblation
The Sautrâmanî

BOOK XI.
Agnichayana, Building of the Fire Altar
Taking up the Spade
Address to the Victims
The Clay Lump, representing Agni
Digging round the Clay Lump
The Lotus-leaf
Forming the Fire-pan
Address to the Fire-pan
Placing the Fire-pan on the Âhavanîya Fire
Address to Agni Purîshya

BOOK XII.
Raising the Ukhya, or Fire-pan, Agni, and setting it on a seat
The Sling in which the Ukhya Agni is to be carried about
The Vishnu-strides
The Vâtsapra Rite
Vanîvâ hanam, or Driving Hither and Thither of Agni
Construction of the Gârhapatya Hearth
Preparation of the Ground
p. ix
Laying the Bricks
Throwing the Ukhya Agni on the Hearth
The Altar of Nirriti
Preparation of the Site of the Fire Altar
Ploughing the Ground
Watering and Sowing
Address to the Plants
The first Layer of Bricks
Spreading Sand on the Altar
Address to the Fires

BOOK XIII.
The Lotus Leaf
The Piece of Gold
The Golden Man
The Porous Brick
The Dûrvâ Grass
The Dviyajus Bricks
The Retahsich Bricks
The Ritavyâ Bricks
The Ashâdhâ or Invincible Brick
The Tortoise
The Pestle and Mortar
The Fire-pan
The Victims’ Heads
The Gold Splinters
Worship of the Unfinished Altar
Apasyâ Bricks
Chhandasyâ Bricks
Prânabhrit Bricks
The Second Layer
Âsvinî Bricks
Ritavyâs
Vaisvadevis
Prânabhritas
Vayasyâs
The Third Layer
p. x
Central Porous Brick
Disyâs
Visvajyotis
Ritavyâs (Nabhas and Nabhasya)
Ritavyâs (Isha and Ûrja)
Prânabhritas
Chhandasyâs
Vâlakhilyâs
The Fourth Layer
Stomas
Spritas
Ritavyâs
Srishtis
The Fifth Layer
Asapatnâs
Virâjas
Stoma-bhâgâs
Nâkasadas
Pañchachûdâs
Chhandasyâs
Gârhapatya Hearth
Punaschiti
Ritavyâs
Visvajyotis
Lokamprinâs
Vikarnî
Porous Brick
Scattering Bits of Gold on the Altar

BOOK XVI.
The Satarudriya

BOOK XVII.
Taking Possession of the Altar
Frog, Avakâ, and Bamboo-shoot
Mounting the Altar
Oblation to Agni on the chief Porous Brick

Sprinkling the Altar with curds, honey and butter
Oblations in the Hall Door Fire
Prayer to Indra as. God of Battles
Erection of the Variegated Stone
Mounting the Altar
Oblation of Milk from a Black Cow with a White Calf
Laying three Logs on the Fire
Oblations to Agni
Offering of Seven Rice Cakes to the Mutate
Eulogy of Ghrita

BOOK XVIII.
Consecration Service for Agni as King
Vasordhârâ, or Stream of Riches
Ardhendra, or Half-Indra, Oblations
Three sets of Grahas
Yajñakratus, or Sacrificial Rites
Enumeration of Stomas or Hymns of Praise
Age Libations
Name Libation
Kalpa, or Success, Libation
Vâjaprasavîya, or Strength-furthering, Libations
Râshtrabhrit, or Kingdom supporting, Libation
Oblations on the Head of the War-chariot
Wind Oblations
Lustrous Oblations
Arkâsvamedha-santati Oblations
Agniyojana, or Equipment of Agni
Samishtayajus, or Final Sacrificial, Oblations
Homage to the completed Fire Altar
Symbolical Meaning of the Construction of the Fire Altar

BOOK XIX.
The Sautrâmanî
Milk Libations to the Asvins, Sarasvatî, and Indra
Purification of the Sacrificer
p. xii
The Identification of the Sautrâmanî with Soma Sacrifice
Transubstantiation of the Surâ or Wine
Libations of Surâ in the Southern Fire
Oblation and Prayer to the Fathers
The Hundred-holed Jar of Surâ
Oblations to the Fathers
Residue drunk by the Sacrificer
Formulas addressed to the Somavat Fathers
Formulas addressed to the Barhishads
Formulas addressed to the Agnishvâttas
Prayer to Fathers of all Classes
Address to Agni
Address to Indra
Verses illustrative of Separation and Rejection
Thirty-two Oblations of Fat or Marrow
Re-creation of Indra

BOOK XX.
The Âsandî or Sacrificer's Seat
Sprinkling of the Sacrificer with Libation-fat
The Sacrificer's Benediction on all Parts of his Body
Further Self-benedictory Formulas
The Avabhritha or Purificatory Ceremony
Prayers for Remission of Sin
Laying Fuel on the Âhavanîya Fire
Mixing Surâ with Soma
Offering of a Rice Cake to Indra
The Thirty-third Oblation of Fat or Marrow
Inhaling the Odour of the Remains of the Oblation
Âprî Hymn
Invitation of Indra to the Sacrifice
Further Address to Indra
Praise of the Asvins and Sarasvatî
Prayer to Agni
Praise of Sarasvatî
Invitation to Indra and the Asvins

BOOK XXI.
Offering of a Rice Cake and prayer to Varuna
Prayer to Agni as Mediator
Prayer and Oblation to Aditi
Oblations to Mitra and Varuna as Rain-Gods
A Propitiatory Hymn in honour of Indra
Benedictions on Indra
Directions to the Hotar to worship various Deities and Sacred Objects
Benedictions on Indra
Conclusion of the Santrâmanî Ceremony

BOOK XXII.
The Asvamedha or Horse-Sacrifice
Investing the Sacrificer with the Gold Ornament
Address to the Ornament
Girding and Sprinkling of the Horse
Symbolical Slaughter of a Dog
Offering of Oblations to Ten Deities
Homage to the Horse
Prayers and Oblations to Savitar
Inviting Verses to Agni
Eulogy of the Horse
Protection invoked for the Horse
Oblations and Homage to Prajâpati and Other Deities
The King's Prayer for Blessings on his Kingdom
Homage and Oblations to Gods and deified Objects
Homage to the Genii of Numbers

BOOK XXIII.
Ceremonies after return of the Horse
Offering of two Mahiman Libations
Harnessing the Horse
Bathing the Horse
Anointing and Decking the Horse
A Brahmodyam
Binding the Horse to the Stake
Slaughter of the Horse

Circumambulation of the Horse
Ceremony performed by the Chief Queen
Marking the lines of dissection
A Brahmodyam
Mahiman Libation to Prajâpati

BOOK XXIV.
Enumeration of Animals to be tied up

BOOK XXV.
Continuation of the Horse Sacrifice
Oblations of the roasted flesh
Inviting and Offering Verses to Prajâpati
Inviting and Offering Verses to the All-Gods
The Eulogy of the Horse
Conclusion of the Sacrifice

BOOK XXVI.
Supplementary Texts and Formulas connected with various sacrifices

BOOK XXVII.
Supplementary Texts and Formulas continued

BOOK XXVIII.
Texts and Formulas of the Sautrâmanî Ceremony, supplementary to Books XIX-XXI.
An Âprî hymn

BOOK XXIX.
Supplementary Texts and Formulas of the Asvamedha or Horse-Sacrifice
Praise of the Home as identified with the Sun
An Âprî hymn
Eulogy of the Bow and Implements of War
Supplement to the List of Victims in Book XXIV

BOOK XXX.
The Purushamedha or Human Sacrifice
Enumeration of Victims. men and women, to be dedicated to various Deities and Abstractions

BOOK XXXI.
The Purushamedha continued
The Purushasûkta
Glorification of the First Performer of the Purushamedha

BOOK XXXII.
Texts and Formulas of the Sarvamedha or Sacrifice for Universal Success and Prosperity
Eulogy of the Sacrificer
Prayer for Wisdom and Glory

BOOK XXXIII.
Continuation of the Sarvamedha Formulas
A Litany addressed to Agni
Glorification of Indra
Glorification, with Libations, of Sûrya
Unconnected verses in praise of various Deities

BOOK XXXIV.
The Sivasankalpa Upanishad
Miscellaneous Texts suitable for the General Sacrifice
Prayer to Bhaga
Praise of Pûshan
Investiture with a Golden Ornament
Prayer to Brahmanaspati

BOOK XXXV.
Formulas, connected with the Pitriyajña or Sacrifice to the Fathers or Ancestral Manes, to be used at funeral ceremonies
Purificatory and benedictive Formulas

BOOK XXXVI.
Preliminary Formulas of the Pravargya Ceremony

BOOK XXXVII.
Formulas to be used at the performance of the Pravargya
Fumigation of, and addresses to, the three Caldrons

Circumambulation of the Mahâvîra
The Rauhina Oblation

BOOK XXXVIII.
Continuation of the Pravargya Formulas
Calling and milking of the Cow
Anointing of the Mahâvîra
Address to Agni represented by the Mahâvîra
Remains of the contents drunk by Sacrificer and Priests

BOOK XXXIX.
Expiatory Formulas to remedy any defect in the performance of the Pravargya Ceremony
Various Deities represented by the Mahâvîra
Names of seven Maruts or Storm-Gods
Propitiation of various Deities
The Object of the Pravargya

BOOK XL.
The Îsâvâsyam or Îsopanishad
Îs, Lord, Soul of All, the only Absolute Reality
Renunciation and Religious Works or Karma
The Âtmâ or Self
Sambhûti and Asambhûti
Sambhava and Asambhava
Sambhûti and Vinâsa
Nescience and Science
The Prayer of the dying Devotee
Excursus on the Îsopanishad

APPENDICES:—
I. Index of Hymns and Verses reproduced from the Rigveda and the Atharva-veda
II. Index of Names, Etc.
III. Corrigenda