The Śatapatha-Brāhmaṇa According to the Text of the Mādhyandina School, Part II

Introduction: Discusses the ritual importance of the Soma sacrifice, the Soma cult among Vedic and Iranian traditions, the relation between Soma and Haoma, the myth of Soma’s descent, Soma’s connection with light, rain, lightning, Indra, Agni, and the scholarly problem of identifying the Soma plant. Third Kāṇḍa — The Agniṣṭoma: Presents the preparatory structure of the Soma sacrifice. Main topics include Dīkṣā or consecration, Prāyaṇīyeṣṭi or opening sacrifice, offering with gold, homage to the Soma-cow, purchase of Soma, procession and entrance of King Soma, Subrahmaṇyā litany, Atithya or guest-meal to King Soma, Tanūnaptra covenant, intermediate consecration, Upasads, preparation of the Soma altar, leading forward of the fire, construction of sheds and pressing-place, Dhishṇya-hearths, offerings, animal sacrifice, sacrificial stake, slaying of the victim, and related oblations. Fourth Kāṇḍa — Soma Feast and Pressings: Covers the ritual sequence of the Soma feast, including Upāṃśu-graha, great pressing, Antaryāma-graha, Aindravāyava-graha, Maitrāvaruṇa-graha, Aśvina-graha, Śukra and Manthin grahas, Āgrayaṇa-graha, Ukthya-graha, Dhruva-graha, Vaiśvānara and Dhruva-grahas, oblation of drops, morning, midday, and evening pressings, offerings to Soma, concluding ceremonies, Samiṣṭayajus, Avabhṛtha or purificatory bath, and Udavasānīyā-iṣṭi. Additional Forms of Soma Sacrifice: Includes Ṣoḍaśin, Dvādaśāha, Atigrāhyas, Avakāśa, Trirātra, Ṣaḍaha, Gavām ayanam, Mahāvrata-graha, Brāhma-sāman, Dīkṣā or consecration for sacrificial sessions, Sattritthā, Ṛsiṅg from a session, Sattra-hotra formulas, and Brāhmaṇya.