The Śatapatha-Brāhmaṇa According to the Text of the Mādhyandina School, Part I: Books I and II

Introduction: Discusses the place of the Brāhmaṇas in ancient Indian religious history, the role of sacrifice, the development of priestly authority, the Yajurveda schools, and the textual position of the Śatapatha-Brāhmaṇa. First Kāṇḍa — Darśapūrṇamāseṣṭi, or New- and Full-moon Sacrifices: Covers the vow of abstinence, preparation of offerings, taking out and consecrating rice, preparation of strainers, husking and grinding, potsherds, baking of cakes, preparation of the altar, sacrificial grass, enclosing of the fire, libations, fore-offerings, chief offerings, after-offerings, and concluding ceremonies. Second Kāṇḍa — Agnyādhāna, or Establishment of Sacred Fires: Presents the establishment of the sacred fires, suitable seasons and persons for Agnyādhāna, the churning and laying down of fire, and the associated oblations. Agnihotra, or Morning and Evening Milk-Offering: Explains the daily milk-offering ritual and its relation to the sacred fires. Agnyupasthāna, or Worship of Fires: Describes the ritual worship and maintenance of the sacrificial fires. Piṇḍapitṛyajña, or Oblation of Obsequial Cakes to Deceased Ancestors: Presents rites connected with offerings to the ancestors. Āgrayaṇeṣṭi, or Offering of First-fruits: Treats the ritual offering of the first produce. Dākṣāyaṇa, or New and Full-moon Sacrifice: Presents a related form of the lunar sacrifice. Cāturmāsya, or Seasonal Sacrifices: Includes Vaiśvadeva, Varuṇapraghāsa, Sākamedha, Mahāhavīḥ, Mahāpitṛyajña, oblation to Rudra Tryambaka, and Sunāsīrya. Additions and Corrections: Supplementary corrections to the text.