The Śatapatha-Brāhmaṇa according to the Text of the Mādhyandina School, Part III

Introduction: Explains the scope of the volume, especially the Vājapeya, Rājasūya, and the opening of the Agnicayana. It discusses the relation between Soma sacrifices, royal consecration, priestly ritual authority, Prajāpati, Agni, and the symbolic structure of the fire-altar. Fifth Kāṇḍa — A. The Vājapeya: Presents the Vājapeya as a major Soma sacrifice associated with strength, food, victory, priestly dignity, and royal elevation. It includes Soma cups, Sura cups, animal victims, consecration, chariot-race, Aṛti and Kḷpti formulas, mounting of the sacrificial post, seating on the throne-seat, Vāja-prasavanīya oblations, and Ujjiti victory formulas. Fifth Kāṇḍa — B. The Rājasūya, or Inauguration of a King: Describes royal consecration through preliminary offerings, seasonal offerings, Indraturīya oblation, Trishaṃyukta offerings, Ratna-haviṃshi or Jewel-offerings, offerings to Soma and Rudra, offerings to Mitra and Bṛhaspati, the Abhiṣecanīya consecration ceremony, preparation of consecration water, Pārtha oblations, investiture, stepping on tiger-skin, symbolic game of dice, sacrificial sword, Daśapeya, Keśavapanīya, and Sautrāmaṇī rites. Sixth Kāṇḍa — Agni-cayana, or Building of the Fire-altar: Begins the fire-altar ritual. Main topics include creation of the universe, animal sacrifices, altar layers and bricks, Savitṛ libations, the search for Agni as the lump of clay, the digging and making of the fire-pan, initiation, carrying of the Ukhya Agni, fashioning of embryonic Agni, Viṣṇu-strides, Vāstospati rite, and driving about the Ukhya Agni. Seventh Kāṇḍa — Agni-cayana Continued: Continues the fire-altar construction with the Gārhapatya hearth, pouring of the Ukhya Agni, the altar of Nirṛti, preparation of the Śyenaciti fire-altar, ploughing, watering and sowing the ground, bricks of the first layer, tortoise, gold plate, gold man, Svayamātṛṇṇā brick, Dūrvā plant, Dvi-yajus bricks, Retas bricks, Viśvajyotis brick, Ṛtavyā bricks, Aṣāḍhā brick, mortar and pestle, fire-pan, victims’ heads, Apasyā bricks, and Xandasya bricks.