Manual for the Performance of Planetary Sacrifice

Regarding the four-verse sequence beginning with "By the door..." and so on: with these verses, the gatekeepers and protectors of the sacrifice perform the HomaA ritual wherein offerings are made into a consecrated fire. daily. They should repeat this until the completion of the sacrifice. Whether or not one should perform a full recitation of the Vedas at the conclusion of the fire ritual is debated. In this context, concerning the SamidhaSacred fuel sticks, usually from specific trees like Palasha or Khadira., one should use either one hundred and eight or twenty-eight. That is the rule for both sides. Therefore, for the primary deities, one should offer one hundred and eight sticks. For the presiding deities and those associated with the protective rituals, one should offer twenty-eight sticks each. In the main fire pit of the AcharyaThe head preceptor or lead priest., ten sticks are offered, while in the others, [the same amount] is given. If one follows the rule of twenty-eight sticks for the planetary deities, then that should be maintained.

Previously, it was stated that oblations of sesame seeds and fuel sticks are to be made in all the fire pits. In this tradition, for the presiding deities, a single oblation of fuel sticks is made in each pit. Using the verse "To the Eagle, the son of Vishnu..." and others for the Maruts and various deities, one hundred and eight fuel sticks of PalashaThe 'Flame of the Forest' tree (Butea monosperma), sacred in Vedic rituals. are offered in all pits. In the teacher's view, the count may be twenty. These are the Homa mantras. They are to be recited as prescribed during the installation. Then, in the main Acharya's pit, for the deities starting with the Sun and ending with Vasu, fifty oblations of 12 four-colored grains should be offered for each, while reciting: "We begin the sacrifice to King Soma..." 9 and "Know that..." 3, and the verses for Vishnu and the Sun. Following the natural order of the ritual, after performing the fire-cleansing ceremonies, one should carry out the Homa for the planets and the primary deities. The practices of the MadhyandinaA specific branch (shakha) of the White Yajur Veda. school are applicable here as they are common to all branches. Having described the planetary sacrifice in this way, we discuss the collection [of offerings]. In the Madhyandina

school, these practices are universal. All VajasaneyinsFollowers of the White Yajur Veda tradition. recognize the internal fire ritual. Although differences are seen in the various SmritisLegal and ritual texts based on tradition., only a few symbols are written here because the authority is common to all branches. Therefore, whatever is common is stated here for the sake of the ritual. In whichever branch a rule is prescribed, that rule should be followed without contradiction—such as the recitation of "To King Soma..." as mentioned. Indeed, the ritual is not completed without the specific Homa of one's own branch. Nor is it possible to provide a full explanation of all materials here. Whatever has been studied in one's own branch should be recited. Following the traditional interpretation, the application of the mantra "To King Soma..." is indicated by its opening symbol, as it is understood by those who know the source. The deities of this verse are the VishvedevasThe "All-Gods," a group of celestial beings invoked together in the Vedas..

"You, O Soma, are the protector..."—this indicates the ritual power. This verse serves as an invocation of the divine power of movement. If some say it is not appropriate to link these deities, that is merely a written opinion. One should remain established in the tradition of the RudrasA group of deities associated with storm and destruction, led by Shiva/Rudra.. Agni is the first... and then Varuna. Therefore, the final act of renouncing the fruit of the action in the name of Rudra is appropriate, as stated. Only the Acharyas themselves should perform this much. They should sit at the main pit like the head priest, and in all the pits, they should offer ten oblations each for the deities from the Sun to Vasu. The patron of the sacrifice should provide materials consisting of sesame seeds mixed with barley and smeared with clarified butter, and the priests should offer each oblation. Then, the chanters should recite the SuktasVedic hymns or praises..