Introduction ||

The Brahmana The portion of the Veda that explains the meaning and performance of rituals. sections first describe the Dikshaniyeishti A preliminary ritual of consecration for the patron of a sacrifice., stating that one should perform the offering of the Purodasha original: "Yajnapistaka"; a sacrificial cake made of ground grain.. (If the Ashvalayana Kalpa Sutra had followed the sequence found in the Brahmana section, it would have been appropriate to write about the Dikshaniyeishti first.) In response to these arguments, it is said that the Mantra-kanda The section of the Veda containing the actual hymns and formulas. follows the order of Brahmayagna The daily "sacred study" or recitation of the Vedas by a student or teacher. and Japa The meditative repetition of a mantra., rather than the sequence of ritual performance. (It is not the case that the mantras for rituals performed first are recorded first. Rather, the sequence depends on what must be taught to a disciple first—the tradition of study—and the order followed by priests based on the number of repetitions required.)

The rules for Brahmayagna are also observed; for instance, any recitation of a verse from the Rigveda, a melody from the Samaveda, or a formula from the Yajurveda constitutes a Brahmayagna. In this sacred study (when reading the Rigveda Samhita), the rule is to first read the hymn beginning with "I praise Agni" original: "Agnimile"; the opening words of the Rigveda.. In the Vachastoma A specific ritual of "speech-praise.", the rule is to recite every verse of the Rik, Yajus, and Saman. [Here, one must recite according to the sequence established by the Sampradaya—the traditional lineage of teachers.]

There is a rule stating that if the sun has not yet risen even after reaching the Ashvin Graha A specific cup-offering to the twin Ashvin deities during the morning ritual., one must recite all the Dashatari Literally "belonging to the ten"; referring to the ten books (Mandalas) of the Rigveda. mantras. Furthermore, it is prescribed that those who accept gifts and are fasting must recite the Vedas three times as a Prayashchitta An act of penance or atonement.. [In these cases as well, the sequence established by tradition is to be respected.]

Regarding the Viniyoga The specific application or "assignment" of a mantra to a particular ritual action. of these Mantras—meaning where specific mantras must be recited—the traditional sequence of the teachers [the order of before and after] must be accepted with respect. In assigning a specific mantra to a specific task, sages like Ashvalayana applied the mantras according to the proofs of Shruti (revelation), Linga (indicative mark), Vakya (contextual sentence), and Prakarana (subject matter), as established in the Mimamsa philosophy. (For a detailed explanation of Shruti, Linga, etc., see the Mimamsa Darshana.)

If this is understood, there is no conflict even if the sequence of the Mantra section does not match the ritual order. Mantras such as "For food, [I cut] thee" original: "Ishe tva"; the opening words of the Yajurveda. have been codified in the order they are used to support the ritual actions. Ashvalayana, Gobhila, and others have constructed their Kalpa Sutras according to this rule. Since they have been handed down through the sacred tradition in that order, that same order is to be accepted for chanting and study.