Kanvasatapathabrahmanam : Vol: III (Kalamulasastra Series-30)

Contents: General editor\'s note. Abbreviations. Introduction. I. Adhvara Kanda: Chapter 1: 1. Brahmana I. Agnistoma--Construction of Yagasala; restrictions enjoined on the Yajamana to be initiated. 2. Brahmana II. Agnistoma--Process of initiation or diksa, starting with shaving..... Chapter 2: 1. Brahmana I. Agnistoma--Krsnajina or black antelope\'s skin; Mekhala or waistband of Munja grass as symbols of diksa; tying of the horn of antelope. 2. Brahmana II. Agnistoma--Rules governing the movements and routine of the Yajamana.... Chapter 3: 1. Brahmana I, II, III. Agnistoma--Purchasing of soma plants. 2. Brahmana IV. Agnistoma--Bringing the soma plant to the Yagasala. Chapter 4: 1. Brahmana I, II, III. Agnistoma--Atithyesti, Pravargya, Tanunaptra or oath-taking by touching ghee by the Rtviks and Yajamana for mutual cooperation. 2. Brahmana IV. Agnistoma--Upasad Istis. Chapter 5: 1. Brahmana I. Agnistoma--Making of the vedi for Soma; measurement of the high altar. 2. Brahmana II. Agnistoma--Sprinkling the vedis with special chants, enclosing the vedi with Palasa Sticks.... Chapter 6: 1. Brahmana I. Agnistoma--Planting of the Audumbara branch in the Sadas. 2. Brahmana II. Agnistoma--Setting up of the Dhisnyas or hearths, story of Suparni and Kadru.... Chapter 7: 1. Brahmana I. Agnistoma--Making the pit to install the yupa; winding of yupa with rope and the depth to which it should go inside the ground. 2. Brahmana II. Agnistoma--In the case of eleven yupas, their placement, description and the animals to be tied to them.... Chapter 8: 1. Brahmana I. Agnistoma--The eleven fore-offerings; taking the pasu round the fire; handing it over to the Samitra (Slaughterer) after taking a fire-brand for cooking the pasu; the process of strangling the pasu etc. 2. Brahmana II. Agnistoma--Sprinkling to purify the quietened pasu, cutting of the hind part of the pasu with mantra; taking out the vapa and cooking it, and offering of the vapa.... Chapter 9: 1. Brahmana I. Agnistoma--Pasvekadasini; involving eleven pasus intended respectively for Agni, Sarasvati, Soma, Pusan, Brhaspati, Visvedevas, Indra, Maruts, Indragni, Savitr and Varuna. 2. Brahmana II. Agnistoma--Collecting of Vasativari waters..... II. Graha Kanda: Chapter 1: 1. Brahmana I. Grahayagas--Details of soma cups (grahas) to be filled with soma for the morning savana are: (a) Upamsugraha. 2. Brahmana II. Grahayagas--(b) Antaryama graha.... Chapter 2: 1. Brahmana I. Grahayagas--(f) Sukra Graha. 2. Brahmana II. Grahayagas--(g) Agrayana graha.... Chapter 3: 1. Brahmana I. Grahayagas--Special rites to atone for the spilling of the soma juice at the time of pressing and offering; chanting of Bahispavamana stotra. 2. Brahmana II. Grahayagas--(j) Rtu-grahas--Twelve or thirteen in number to be collected from the dronakalasa (vessel where pressed soma is stored) each time with the same pair of cups; drinking the residue in both the cups.... Chapter 4: 1. Brahmana I. Daksina distribution for Soma Yaga. 2. Brahmana II. Grahayagas--Collecting of Soma Graha for the third savana; special features of Aditya Graha; mixing of the grahas meant for twin deities with the Aditya graha; collecting the Dadhi graha (cup of curd); offering of Agrayana graha.... Chapter 5: 1. Brahmana I. Grahayagas--Collecting the Hariyojana graha in the dronakalasa without Puroruk. 2. Brahmana II. Grahayagas--Offering of nine Samistayajus and their significance.... Chapter 6: 1. Brahmana I. Sodasisamstha--Extension of the Jyotistoma by additional graha called Sodasi in a four cornered vessel; its timing. 2. Brahmana II. Atigrahya grahas (grahas drawn in excess) are Agneya, Aindra and Saurya in Prsthyah Sadahah and Visvajit Ekahah.... Chapter 7: 1. Brahmana I. Corelation of Prana, anna, water and fire with grahas. 2. Brahmana II. Number of pasus for each Devata in each Samstha--for Agnistoma, Agneya pasu only; for Ukthya, Aindragna pasu besides Agneya; for Sodasi, Aindra-pasu in addition to the above two; and for Atiratra, Sarasvata pasu over and above the above three.... Chapter 8: 1. Brahmana I, II. Drawing of Amsu graha and Adabhya graha which are to be drawn and offered together. 2. Brahmana III. Satrotthana on the tenth day of the sastra which lasts for twelve days.... Pathavimarsa (Textual Notes).

"It is for the first time that a complete critical edition of the Satapathabrahmana of the Kanva School of the Sukla Yajurveda alongwith its English translation is published. This edition has taken into account the readings available in a few more manuscripts, besides those in the published edition in Telegu script, which were not available to Prof. Caland who brought out a critical edition of its first seven Kandas. It is also the first attempt at providing a complete English translation. No doubt the texts of the Satapatha of the Madhyandina and Kanva School do not differ much from Kandas VIII to XVI and Prof. Eggeling\'s translation of the former is available. Still a fresh attempt at translating the latter portion was felt necessary as a result of detailed discussions with traditional scholars who are actively engaged in Srauta sacrificial performances.

Textual notes to substantiate the choice of particular readings; a section under the heading Vimarsa discussing certain selected topics arising out of a study of the text; an exhaustive list of contents, Brahmana-wise and glossary of technical terms are some of the additional features of this attempt. The suggestions and guidance of traditional scholars who are experts in Srautayagas are the most important advantages of this edition." (jacket)