The Satapatha Brahmana, Part III by Julius Eggeling THE first of the three Kndas contained in the present volume continues the dogmatic discussion of the different forms of Soma-sacrifice, in connection with which two important ceremonies, the Vgapeya and Rgasya, are considered. From a ritualistic point of view, there is a radical difference between these two ceremonies. The Rgasya, or 'inauguration of a king,' strictly speaking, is not a Soma-sacrifice, but rather a complex religious ceremony which includes, amongst other rites, the performance of a number of Soma-sacrifices of different kinds. The Vgapeya, or 'drink of strength' (or, perhaps, 'the race-cup'), on the other hand, is recognised as one of the different forms (samsth) which a single Soma-sacrifice may take. As a matter of fact, however, this form hardly ever occurs, as most of the others constantly do, in connection with, and as a constituent element of, other ceremonies, but is almost exclusively performed as an independent sacrifice. The reason why this sacrifice has received a special treatment in the Brhmana, between the Agnishtoma and the Rgasya, doubtless is that, unlike the other forms of Soma-sacrifice, it has some striking features of its own which stamp it, like the Rgasya, as a political ceremony. According to certain ritualistic authorities, indeed, the performance of the Vgapeya should be arranged in much the same way as that of the Rgasya; that is, just as the central ceremony of the Rgasya, viz. the Abhishekanya or consecration, is preceded and followed by certain other Soma-days, so the Vgapeya should be preceded and followed by exactly corresponding ceremonies. The preceding Knda was chiefly taken up with a detailed discussion of the simplest form of a complete Soma-sacrifice, the Agnishtoma, serving as the model for all other kinds of one-day (ekha) Soma-sacrifices; and it also adverted incidentally to some of the special features of such of the remaining fundamental forms of Soma-sacrifice as are required for the performance of sacrificial periods of from two to twelve pressing-days--the so-called ahna-sacrifices--as well as for the performance of the sacrificial sessions (sattra) lasting from twelve days upwards. As the discussion of the Vgapeya presupposes a knowledge of several of those fundamental forms of Soma-sacrifice, it may not be out of place here briefly to recapitulate their characteristic features. For additional information on publishing your books on iPhone send your email to apps@credencys.com.
