Reading section 40

[236] This is Prakriti or supreme nature.

[237] There is another reading Pradhana purushattakam qualifying the universe i.e. universe consisting of inert nature and soul.

[238] The three naves are the three portions of the day namely, morning, noon and night; the five spokes are the five cyclic years and the six peripheries are the six seasons.

[239] It is a vedic verse in the shape of a short prayer to the sun.

[240] (a) The Saura containing the sun's passage through a sign of zodiac; (b) Chandra containing thirty lunations; (c) Savana containing thirty days of sunrise and sunset; (d) Nakshatra or the moon's revolution through the twenty-eight lunar mansions.

[241] That is performing the expiatory rites for their master.

[242] Therein another reading Agnisoma Bhutaya which professor Wilson has adopted i.e., who as fire and the moon.

[243] These are the subsidiary portion of the Vedas—namely (a) Siksha, rules for reciting prayers (b) Kalpa, ritual (c) Vyakarana, (grammar) (d) Nerukta, glossary (e) Chandas, metre (f) Voytish, astronomy.

[244] The third Muhurtta about two hours before sunrise.

[245] The mundane egg floating on the water at creation, of that metal, or similar colour from which the deity issued according to some legends; i.e. he should treat him with all reverence.

[246] The Brāhmans here are classed into Trinachiketa, Trimadhu and Trisuparna. The first is so called from reciting three Anuvakas of the Katha-Ka branch of the Yajur-veda, beginning with the term Trinachiketa &c.; the second from three Anuvakas of the Sama Veda beginning Madhuvata; and the third from a similar portion commencing Brahmavan namami.

[247] There is some difference between veda vit and Srotya—The first studies the Vedas only and the second practises the rites thereof.

[248] Yogi is one who practices strictest penances.

[249] A chanter of the principal Sama-veda. Portions of it contained in the Aranyaka are called the Jyestha ‘elder' or principal Saman.

[250] It is a ceremony which comprehends offerings to both paternal and maternal ancestors or ancestors in general.

[251] Havishya i.e. offerings made of rice or other grains with clarified butter.

[252] The expression Gavya literally means all that is derived from cow. But being associated with flesh readers may mistake it for the flesh of a cow. Though the sacrifice of a cow or calf formed part of the ancient Srāddha it is proscribed in the present age. So it must mean here milk or any preparation of it.

[253] Eunuch.

[254] One ejected from the society.

[255] A woman in her course.

[256] Sagara is still the name of the Bay of Bengal at the mouth of the Ganges which is held in great reverence by the Hindus. There is an island there of the same name where there is a pilgrimage of Kapila where still now takes place an annual fair.

[257] For this the Gangā is called Jāhnavi i.e. issuing from Jahnu.

[258] The word in the text is chakracharina—it means also those ascetics, who make wherever they arrive in the evening, their homes.

[259] The Rāsa dance is danced by men and women holding each other's hands going round in a circle singing the airs to what they dance.