"He (the sun) rests at the new moon of Magha, about to turn northward; these (the priests) rest (too), about to sacrifice with the introductory atiratra; so they obtain him first . . . [A clear reference to the winter solstice, after which the sun “turns northward,” i.e. begins to rise farther and farther to the north each day] He goes northward for six months; him they follow with six-day sacrifices in correct order. Having gone north for six months, he stays, about to turn south; they rest, about to sacrifice with the vifuvat ( midsummer) sacrifice; so they obtain him a second time. [A clear reference to the summer solstice, after which the sun “turns south,” i.e. begins to rise farther and farther to the south each day] He goes south for six months; they follow him with six-day sacrifices in reverse order. Having gone south for six months, he stays, about to return north; they rest, about to sacrifice with the mahavrata sacrifice; so they obtain him a third time [a clear reference to the winter solstice again]."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Kausitaki (or Sankhayana) Brahmana. 19.2-3 quoted from Hans Henrich Hock. Philology and the historical interpretation of the Vedic texts, in: Bryant, E. F., & Patton, L. L. (2005). The Indo-Aryan controversy : evidence and inference in Indian history. Routledge. 296-7
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Hindu_calendar
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Hindu calendar
11 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Hindu calendar →
Related Quotes
"They establish the consecration soma-pressings before(hand). They should consecrate themselves one day after the new …"
"Varuna knows the twelvefold months and their progeny, and he knows the one additionally born (I.25.8)."
"The Sun Gods (Adityas) ordain in harmony the year, the month and the day, the sacrifice, the night and the chant (VII…"
"He arises from his rest and divides the seasons. The Divine holy Sun has come (II.38.4)."
"He speaks according to the seasons the words that must be said (VII.9.3)13"
"The season was the Mother. From her work, instantly born, he entered into the plants in which he grew (11.13.1)."
"They guard the Divine order of the twelve months. The men do not violate the seasons. When the day of the rains comes…"
"When the Brahmins, in the Atiratra rite of Soma, sing like a lake that is full, on that day the year ends; when the f…"
"When for twelve days, oh Ribhus, you delighted, sleeping in the house of him who cannot be hidden, you made the field…"
"I saw the Shakadhuma by the solstice in the distance, dividing the superior from the inferior.25 The heroes cooked th…"