The (Sanskrit , meaning 'BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa of the school of Tittri', abbreviated to 'TB') is a commentary on the Krishna Yajurveda. Considered by academics to be an appendix or extension of the Taittirëya Samhita, the first two books (ashá¹Âakas) largely consist of hymns and Mantras to the Vedic-era Devas, as well as Mythology, astronomy, and astrology (i.e. the Nakshatras); the third book contains commentaries and instructions on Vedic sacrificial rites such as the Purushamedha, Kaukili-Sutramani, Ashvamedha, and Agnicayana.
Recorded around 300âÂÂ400 BCE, it is prevalent in southern India in areas such in Andhra Pradesh, south and east of Narmada (Gujarat), and areas on the banks of the Godavari river down to the sea.
Nomenclature
The (Sanskrit ) can be loosely translated as 'explanations of the sacred knowledge of the school of Tittiri'.
- (à ¤¬à ¥Âà ¤°à ¤¾à ¤¹à ¥Âà ¤®à ¤£) means 'explanations of sacred knowledge or doctrine'.
- (à ¤¤à ¥Âà ¤¤à ¥Âà ¤¤à ¤¿à ¤°à ¥Âà ¤¯) is derived from the name of the sage Tittiri, (). It is pronounced as 'tai-ti-ree-yah'.
Tittiri
According to the Monier-Williams Sanskrit Dictionary, the sage Tittiri (or Taittiri) was a pupil of Yaska (estimated 300-400 BCE). According to the Vishnu Purana, Yaska was, in turn, a pupil of VaiÃ
Âampáyana (estimated 500 BCE). Tittiri is also stated in the Mahabharata to have attended 'the Yaga [<nowiki/>Vedic ritual sacrifice] conducted by Uparicaravasu' (Dvapara Yuga, before 3000 BCE).
H.H. Wilson states that 'the term TaittirÃÂya is more rationally accounted for in the AnukramaÃ
ÂÃÂ or index of the Krishna Yajurveda. It is there said that VaiÃ
Âampáyana taught it to Yaska, who taught it to Tittiri, who also became a teacher; whence the term TaittirÃÂya, for a grammatical rule, explains it to mean, 'The TaittirÃÂyas are those who read what was said or repeated by Tittiri'.'
Summary
Relation to the YajurVeda
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) states that the Taittirëya BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa 'belongs to Krishna Yajurveda and [is] divided into three khandas [or ashá¹Âakas, i.e. books]... It has both [a mixture] of Mantras and Brahmans [instructions or explanations] and [is] composed in poetic and prose manner'.
A.B Keith states that 'at a comparatively early period the formulae [i.e. mantras from the Samhitas of the YajurVeda] were accompanied by explanations, called Brahmanas, texts pertaining to the Brahman or sacred lore, in which the different acts of the ritual were given Symbolical interpretations, the words of the texts commented on, and stories told to illustrate the sacrificial performance... a mass of old material, partly formulae, partly Brahmana, which had not been incorporated in the Taittiriya Samhita was collected together in the Taittiriya Brahmana, which in part contains matter more recent than the Samhita, but in part has matter as old as, at any rate, the later portions of that text'.
M. Winternitz adds that the 'Taittiriya-Brahmana of the Krishna Yajurveda is nothing but a continuation of the Taittiriya-Samhita [hymns and mantras], for the Brahmanas were already included in the Samhitas of the Krishna YajurVeda. The Taittiriya-Brahmana, therefore, contains only later additions to the Samhita'. S. Shrava concurs, elaborating that 'This brahmana is an appendix to the Taittirëya saá¹ÂhitÃÂ. The main purpose of expounding the brahmana was to complete the incomplete portions of the main saá¹ÂhitÃÂ. It abounds with hymns... a subtle form of the story of Yama and Nachiketàis available in the brahmana [see Katha Upanishad of the Katha Shakha, also related to the Krishna YajurVeda]âÂÂ.
Structure
Shrava states that the 'Taittirëya BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa has three ashá¹Âakas [books]. The first two ashá¹Âakas are named as pÃÂrakshudra and agnihotra. Portions of the third ashá¹Âaka are individually named [i.e. after the sacrificial rites expounded, etc.]. These three ashá¹Âakas have 28 prapÃÂá¹Âhakas [chapters]. Bhaá¹Âá¹Âa BhÃÂskara, in his commentary names these as praÃ
Ânas. [His] edition published from Mysore enumerated 78 anuvÃÂkas [sections] in the first [ashá¹Âaka], 96 in the second and 179 in the third ashá¹Âaka, i.e. 353 anuvÃÂkas in allâÂÂ.
R.L. Kashyap further elaborates while differing from Sharva slightly, stating that each ashá¹Âaka of the Taittirëya BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa 'is divided into PrapÃÂá¹Âhakas which are divided into anuvÃÂka-s. Each anuvÃÂka is a long rhythmic prose passage without any punctuation. Ashá¹Âaka 1 has 8 PrapÃÂá¹Âhakas, Ashá¹Âaka 2 has 8 PrapÃÂá¹Âhakas, [and] Ashá¹Âaka 3 has 12 PrapÃÂá¹Âhakas. All these 28 PrapÃÂá¹Âhakas (8+8+12) have 338 anuvÃÂkas [15 less than stated by Shrava]. The name Ashá¹Âaka is given because each main part has 8 main parts or '.
Ashá¹Âakas and PrapÃÂá¹Âhakas
Based on information provided by Kashyap and R. Mitra, the chapters (prapÃÂá¹Âhakas) for each of the books (ashá¹Âakas or sometimes referred to as kandas) are as follows:
- Ashá¹Âaka 1: PÃÂrakshudra
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 1: Explanation for the establishment of Agni
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 2: (Devas, chants, Vishuvat, Solstices, Mahavrata, and the bird-shaped altar)
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 3: Vajapeya Yajna
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 4: Explanation of Soma offerings
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 5: The powers of stars or Nakshatras, rites and Rigveda Mantras
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 6: (Unknown)
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 7: (Unknown)
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 8: (Unknown)
- Ashá¹Âaka 2: Agnihotra
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 1: The Agnihotra Sacrifice
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 2: Dasahotra Sacrifice
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 3: Dasahotra Sacrifices concluded
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 4: Mantras for Subsidiary Sacrifices or Upahomas
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 5: Mantras for Subsidiary Sacrifices or Upahomas (Concluded)
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 6: Kaukila Sautramani or the Sacrifice with Spirituous Liquor
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 7: Ephemeral Sacrifices or Savas
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 8: Sacrifices with especial prayers (Kamya)
- Ashá¹Âaka 3: (Various)
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 1: Sacrifices to the Constellations â Nakshatra Ishti
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 2: Dars'a Ya'ga or Sacrifices meet on the wane of the Moon
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 3: Paurnamasa Ishti or Ceremonies to be performed on the full moon
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 4: On Human sacrifices
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 5: Ishti Sacrifices
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 6: Pa'Shuka Hotra
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 7: Expiations for defects in the performance of ceremonies
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 8: On the operations of the first day of the Asvamedha sacrifice
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 9: On the operations of the second and third days of the horse sacrifice
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 10: Sa'vitra-Chayana or collection of fire for the adoration of the sun
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 11: Nachiketa-Chayana, or collection of Nachiketa Fire
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 12: Cha-tur-hotra and Vaisvasrij ceremonies
Ashá¹Âaka 1: PÃÂrakshudra
The Nakshatras
D.M. Harness states that the <nowiki></nowiki>stars of the Zodiacal belt had a particular importance as reflecting and projecting heavenly influences that the Planets travelling through them energised... The Vedic Nakshatras arose from a spiritual perception of the cosmos. Nakshatras are the mansions of the Gods or cosmic powers and of the Rishis or sages. They can also project negative or anti-divine forces, just as certain planets like Saturn have well known malefic effects. The term Nakshatra refers to a means (tra) of worship (naksha) or approach... The Nakshatras dispense the fruits of karma... For this reason Vedic rituals and Meditations to the present day follow the timing of the Nakshatras... [which] are of prime [importance] in muhurta or electional astrology for determining favorable times for actions, particularly sacramental or sacred actions like marriage... A system of 28 lunar mansions [i.e. Nakshatras] was used in the Middle East and in China as well. But in the West it was all but forgotten by a greater emphasis on the twelve signs of the Zodiac... Indeed, it could be argued that the signs arose from the Nakshatras'.
Kashyap adds that the 28 Nakshatras - usually clusters rather than single stars - also determine favourable (and unfavourable) times for birth, elaborating that the 'star which is nearest to the moon at their birth-time is the birth-star... [and] Each star has its own deity'. The Nakshatras are detailed in 1.1.2, 1.5.1 (ashá¹Âaka 1); and 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 (ashá¹Âaka 3, see below). Kashyap lists them with corresponding deities, common names, and names in Astronomy (Volume 1, Appendix 3):
Avatars of Vishnu
Varaha the Boar Avatar
Varaha is primarily associated with the Puranic legend of lifting the Earth out of the cosmic ocean. A.A. Macdonell states that this 'boar appears in a cosmogonic character in the SB [<nowiki/>Shatapatha Brahmana] (14, 1, 2) where under the name of EmÃ
©á¹£a he is stated to have raised up the earth from the waters. In the TS [Taittirëya Samhita] (7, 1, 5) this cosmogonic boar, which raised the earth from the primeval waters, is described as a form of PrajÃÂpati. This modification of the myth is further expanded in the TB [Taittirëya BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa] (1, 1, 3). In the post-Vedic mythology of the RÃÂmÃÂyana and the Purãá¹Âas, the boar which raises the earth, has become of the Avatar of Vishnu'. Varaha is also mentioned in 1.7.9.56 (yád varÃÂháḥ<nowiki/>'), but an English translation has not been found.
Vamana the Dwarf Avatar
Vamana is primarily associated with the Puranic legend of taking back the three worlds from the Asura-king Bali in three steps. Here Vamana is explicitly mentioned in the Taittirëya BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa; the Sanskrit transliteration for this mention is (emphasis added): ' vaiá¹£á¹ÂaváṠvÃÂmanám ÃÂÃÂlabante<nowiki/>' (1.2.5.40.4). As illustrated in the section below for ashá¹Âaka 2, there are also several references to 'Vishnu steps' or 'Vishnu strides', associated with the Vamana avatar.
Narasimha the Man-Lion Avatar
Narasimha is primarily associated with the Puranic legend of destroying the Asura-king Hiranyakashipu to protect the king's devotee son, Prahlada. D.A. Soifer states that 'Brahmana literature yields what must be considered as the prototype of that [Narasimha] myth, the Indra-Namuchi myth', adding that other academics such as Devasthali concur that although elements of the Namuchi legend are 'scattered throughout Brahmana literature (cf. VS [<nowiki/>Vajaseneyi Samhita] 10.34; PB [<nowiki/>Pancavimsa Brahmana] 12.6.8, MS [<nowiki/>Maitrayani Samhita] IV.34; [and] TB [Taittirëya BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa] 1.7.1.6)', the fullest version is in the Ã
Âatapatha BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa.
An English translation of TB 1.7.1.6 referred to by Soifer has not been found. The TITUS Sanskrit transliteration for this mention is (emphasis added): '<nowiki/>námucim ÃÂsuráṠna álabata<nowiki/>' (1.7.1.6.3). An indirect reference to the legend via a mention of Namuchi from 1.4.2.1 has been cited instead, as above. Notably, Prahlada, the Vaishnava son of Hiranyakashipu in Puranic literature such as the Bhagavata Purana, is also mentioned (e.g. 1.5.9.1 and 1.5.10.8) where he is explicitly stated to be the son of Kayadhu (wife of Hiranyakashipu).
Kali Yuga
There are four yugas in each cyclical era in Hinduism, with Kali Yuga, the present yuga, being the last and most destructive. K. Ishwaran seems to incorrectly state that 'there seems to be no unequivocal reference to the cyclical notion of time in the Sruti [literature]... the word yuga does not mean an age or the theory of four yugas (Kane 1946:886-8), and the words Krta, Treta, Dvapara and Kali mean throws of dice (1946:886-8). The word Kali Yuga does not occur at all. Words like Krta Yuga occur (á¹¢aá¸Âviá¹Âṡa BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa V.6) but are not a part of any scheme of cosmic cycles'.
This assertion would however seems to be contradicted by the Taittirëya BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa. In the first instance (1.5.1, above), the assertion of Ishwaran, Kane, etc., would mean a throw of dice would affect whether one should recite four or five stomas for the Jyotishtoma sacrifice, which is nonsensical (the Jyotishtoma sacrifice itself requires 'sixteen officiating priests... It is a sacrifice considered as the typical form of a whole class of sacrificial ceremonies. E. jyotis light, and stoma a sacrifice'). In addition, 3.4.16 (AnuvÃÂka 16, enumerated in the section on the third ashá¹Âaka) is listed as (emphasis added) 'To the presiding divinities of dice and of the Satya Yuga, etc., dice-players, those who frequent gambling halls, and the like...'. Thus, the concept of the yugas are connected with dice but do not seem to the same thing.
Animal welfare
Kashyap comments on a rite detailed in (1.1.6.8) that 'Offering an animal to Rudra does not mean that the animal is killed. Often the animal which is offered becomes free and it lives on the grass in the common pasture of the community without being controlled by a human. The idea is mentioned in several places in the Yajur Veda'. Other relevant extracts include
- 1.1.8.4: 'Animals are for non-violence'.
- 1.1.9.7: 'During this vrata... One should not eat meat (mÃÂmsam)'.
Ashá¹Âaka 2: Agnihotra
P. Mitra states that the Agnihotra is an oblation to the fire-god, Agni. According to M. Rajendralala, as 'a manual of rituals the first kanda [or prapÃÂá¹Âhaka] of the Taittirëya Brahmana opens with Agnihotra or the establishment of the household fire. This was the first duty of every householder and of a Brahman immediately after being invested with the Brahmanical cord, and marriage. Every householder and his wife had to devote their careful attention to the maintenance of this fire and to offering to it oblations of butter and the booking thereon of frumenty [a dish of hulled wheat boiled in milk].'
PrapÃÂá¹Âhakas and AnuvÃÂkas
Mitra details all chapters (prapÃÂá¹Âhakas) and sections (anuvÃÂkas) of the second book (ashá¹Âaka) with descriptive titles (8 prapÃÂá¹Âhakas, consisting of 96 anuvÃÂkas; original spelling unchanged):
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 1: The Agnihotra Sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 1: Preliminaries regarding the Agnihotra
- AnuvÃÂka 2: Agnihotra defined
- AnuvÃÂka 3: Purification and manipulation of the clarified butter, etc.
- AnuvÃÂka 4: Subsidiary details regarding the performance of the ceremony
- AnuvÃÂka 5: Subsidiary details regarding the articles required for the sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 6: Creation of the sacrificial cow, the boiling of the sacrificial milk, and the omission of the Homa
- AnuvÃÂka 7: Milk in its different states and the divinities who like it most on those states
- AnuvÃÂka 8: Details of milking a cow
- AnuvÃÂka 9: Some Mantras of the Agnihotra
- AnuvÃÂka 10: Different states of the sacrificial fire and the advantages of offering oblations thereon
- AnuvÃÂka 11: Different modes of pouring the oblation
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 2: Dasahotra Sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 1: Details of Chitti, Chetta and other sacrifices to the number ten described in the Aranyaka
- AnuvÃÂka 2: Employment of different numbers of priests in different sacrifices, and the application of certain preliminary Mantras
- AnuvÃÂka 3: Praises of the Chaturhotra Mantras, etc.
- AnuvÃÂka 4: Praises of the mantras regarding the hotri-sacrifices
- AnuvÃÂka 5: Acceptance of Dakshina or fee for performing a sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 6: Hotri mantras in connexion with the 10th night of the Dasahotri ceremony
- AnuvÃÂka 7: Praises of the Sapta-hotri-mantra
- AnuvÃÂka 8: Relation of the Hotri-mantras to the Soma Yaga
- AnuvÃÂka 9: Creation of the world in connexion with the origin of Hotrimantras
- AnuvÃÂka 10: Supremacy of Indra
- AnuvÃÂka 11: Application of the Hotri mantras
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 3: Dasahotra Sacrifices concluded
- AnuvÃÂka 1: On the Uses of the Chatur-Hotri-mantra, i.e., those used by the four officiating priests Hota, Addharya, Agnidhra, and Brahma
- AnuvÃÂka 2: On the Application of the Hotri-mantras to periodical rites
- AnuvÃÂka 3: On shedding the hair of the head in conexion with Hotri rites
- AnuvÃÂka 4: Purport of the mantras for the acceptance of fees
- AnuvÃÂka 5: Questions to be asked by the officiating priests on the 10th day of the twelve-day rite, and the replies thereto hy the householder
- AnuvÃÂka 6: Number of Rittikas to be employed on different sacrifices
- AnuvÃÂka 7: On the Merits of the Agni-hotra. â The advantages of employing different numbers of rittikas to officiate at different rites
- AnuvÃÂka 8:àOn the Merits of the Agni-hotra, (continued). â The creation of the Asuras, the Pitris, mankind and the Devas â through the Hotri mantras
- AnuvÃÂka 9: On the mode of reflecting upon the Agni-hotra and the advantages thereof
- AnuvÃÂka 10: On the Praises of the Hotri mantras
- AnuvÃÂka 11: On the Praises of the Hotri mantras, (concluded)
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 4: Mantras for Subsidiary Sacrifices or Upahomas
- AnuvÃÂka 1: Upahoma Mantras
- AnuvÃÂka 2âÂÂ8: Upahoma Mantras, (concluded).
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 5: Mantras for Subsidiary Sacrifices or Upahomas (Concluded).
- AnuvÃÂka 1âÂÂ7: Upahoma Mantras, (continued).
- AnuvÃÂka 8: Upahoma Mantras, (concluded).
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 6: Kaukila Sautramani or the Sacrifice with Spiritous Liquor
- AnuvÃÂka 1: On the Preparation of the spirituous liquor
- AnuvÃÂka 2: Addresses to the spirit
- AnuvÃÂka 3: Homas or fire-sacrifices in connexion with the spirit
- AnuvÃÂka 4: Upahoma or subsidiary sacrifices in connection with the above
- AnuvÃÂka 5: The abbisheka or bathing ceremony of the instituter of the sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 6: Bathing after the completion of the ceremony
- AnuvÃÂka 7: Eleven exhortations (Prayaja Praisha) to be addressed by Mitra and Varuna to the Hotra
- AnuvÃÂka 8: Eleven addresses (Puro-ruk) in connexion with the above
- AnuvÃÂka 10: Eleven exhortations (Praisha) in connexion with the Anuyajas or subsidiary oblations
- AnuvÃÂka 11: Exhortations (Prayaja Praisha) with reference to the three animals to be sacrifices in the Kaukila Sautramani
- AnuvÃÂka 12: Oblative mantras (Prayaja Yajya) corresponding to Exhortations of the eleventh Section [AnuvÃÂka]
- AnuvÃÂka 13: Invocatory and Oblative Mantras for the offering of Omentum, rice cake and clarified butter, each three times
- AnuvÃÂka 14: Exhortations (Praisha) of Mitra and Varuna in relation to the Anuyajas
- AnuvÃÂka 15: Exhortation to Sutravaka
- AnuvÃÂka 16: Mantras relating to offerings to the manes
- AnuvÃÂka 17: Exhortations (Praisha) for the Prayaja in animal sacrifices to Indra
- AnuvÃÂka 18: Oblative mantras called Apri
- AnuvÃÂka 19: Invocatory and oblative mantras for the sacrifice alluded to in Section [AnuvÃÂka] 18
- AnuvÃÂka 20: Exhortations (Praisha) in connexion with the Anuyajas
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 7: Ephemeral Sacrifices or Savas [footnote: A sacrifice lasting generally one day and deifying anyone with an especial object, is called a sava]
- AnuvÃÂka 1: Vrihaspati Sava or the sacrifice for attaining the rank of Vrihaspati
- AnuvÃÂka 2: Vaisya Sava or the sacrifice for the attainment of nourishment or prosperity
- AnuvÃÂka 3: Bramhana Sava or the sacrifice for the attainment of the glory of Brahma
- AnuvÃÂka 4: Soma Sava or the sacrifice for the attainment of offspring
- AnuvÃÂka 5: Prithi Sava or the sacrifice for the attainment of Supremacy
- AnuvÃÂka 6: Go Sava or the sacrifice for the attainment of independence
- AnuvÃÂka 7: Odana Sava or the sacrifice for the attainment of profusion of aliment
- AnuvÃÂka 8: Odana Sava (Continued). Mantras to be repeated when ascending a car
- AnuvÃÂka 9: Odana Sava (Concluded). Its origin and details
- AnuvÃÂka 10: Rules for the panchas'aradiya sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 11: Animal meet for the sacrifice aforesaid
- AnuvÃÂka 12: Addresses (Puroruks) in connexion with the Agnishtut sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 13: Addresses (Puroruks) in connexion with the Indrastut sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 14: Aptoryama rite by which animals intended for sacrifice, if lost, may be regained
- AnuvÃÂka 15: Rules for emblematic coronation ceremony
- AnuvÃÂka 16: Coronation ceremony (continued). Ceremony to be observed on first ascending a care, Rotharohana mantra
- AnuvÃÂka 17: Coronation ceremony (Concluded).
- AnuvÃÂka 18: Ephemeral or Vighana ceremony
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 8: Sacrifices with especial prayers (Kamya)
- AnuvÃÂka 1: Sacrifices of goats, etc.
- AnuvÃÂka 2: Sacrifices of sheep
- AnuvÃÂka 3: Sacrifices to Soma, Vishnu, Indra, etc.
- AnuvÃÂka 4: On the sacrifice of animals to Indra, etc.
- AnuvÃÂka 5: On the sacrifices of animals to Indra and Agni
- AnuvÃÂka 6: On the sacrifices of animals meet for Savita
- AnuvÃÂka 7: On the sacrifices of animals meet for Surya (Sauryadipas'n).
- AnuvÃÂka 8: On the sacrifices of animals that have miscarried
- AnuvÃÂka 9: On the sacrifice of birth and death of animals
The Kaukili Sautramani Sacrifice
A.B. Keith states that the Kaukili (, Kaukila or Kaukila) 'Sautramani is not a Soma sacrifice, but is classified by the Sutras as a Haviryajna, though its chief characteristic in its form as recorded is the offering of SurÃÂ [<nowiki/>liquor]. It has two distinct forms, the Kaukili, which is an independent offering, the other the CarakÃÂ, an offering which forms part of another offering, as the RÃÂjasÃ
«ya [performed by ancient kings of India] and the Agnicayana [building of a Fire-Altar]... The differences between the two forms are of detail: thus the Kaukili is marked by the singing by the Brahman of certain SÃÂmans [hymns]. The use of the Suràis accompanied by offerings of animals, to Indra a bull, to Sarasvati a sheep, and to the Ashvins a goat'.
R. Woodard adds that 'the Vedic Sautramani belongs chiefly to Indra, taking its name from his epithet Satraman, 'good protector'. The Vedic rite is, however, rather complex; while Indra is the principal recipient, deities of the realm of fertility and fecundity [reproduction] figure prominently'.
Avatars of Vishnu
Garuda the Mount of Vishnu, Kurma the Tortoise Avatar, and Krishna
Kurma is most commonly associated in the ItihÃÂsa (epics) and Puranas with the legend of the churning of the Ocean of Milk, referred to as the Samudra manthan. The ocean is churned with a mountain on the back of the Tortoise avatar to acquire the nectar of immortality called Amrita for the gods, led by Indra. From the Mahabharata:
Garuda is also frequently mentioned in respect to Kurma and the Samudra manthan legend. For example, in the Mahabharata (1.29âÂÂ31) Garuda seeks the Amrita produced by the churning of the ocean to free himself and his mother from slavery. In the Bhagavata Purana (Canto 8, Chapter 6), Krishna carries the Mandara mountain on the back of Garuda to the Ocean of Milk. The tortoise ( or ) is also mentioned in 2.4.3.6 (2.4.3.23 of the TITUS transliteration; emphasis added): . Notably, 2.8.2.23 states that a mountain represents ignorance, and 2.4.6.21 states:
Vamana the Dwarf Avatar
Vamana is most commonly associated with the Puranic legend of taking back the three worlds from the Asura-king Bali in three steps. N. Aiyangar notes that 'In the Rig-Veda Vishnu is celebrated for his three strides by which he measures the whole universe'. These so-called 'Vishnu-strides' (Symbolically) factor into Vedic sacrificial rites enumerated by Brahamical literature such as the Shatapatha BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa (e.g. 6.7.4.7âÂÂ8) and the Taittirëya BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa (e.g. 2.4.3.10, as quoted, and 2.4.6.3).
Narasimha the Man-Lion Avatar
Narasimha is primarily associated with the Puranic legend of destroying the Asura-king Hiranyakashipu to protect the king's devotee son, Prahlada. Further references to Namuchi, considered by Soifer to be the 'prototype' of the Narasimha legend, are made in 2.6.3.3 (defeated by the Ashvins rather than Indra) and 2.6.13.1 (stole sacrificial offerings from Indra).
Duties of kingship
Animal welfare
Further to the duty of a king to take good care of animals (as elaborated in 2.7.15.2-3), Kashyap comments in regards to 2.1.1.4 that here 'is a brief mention of the human duty that the calves of the cow giving milk have the highest priority. Only after their needs are satisfied [is] the remaining milk... used for the Yajna. This discipline should be maintained for ten days and nights. If the milk remaining is given to the calves at night, then the Deva Rudra is not pleased since he is the lord of the cows. Ample milk should be given to the calves before the use of milk in the Yajna'.
Cutting down trees
Ashá¹Âaka 3
Rajendralala states that the 'first subject treated of in the third kanda [ashá¹Âaka, 'book'] are the Constellations, some of which are auspicious and others the contrary. Then we have the rites appropriate during the wane and waxing of the moon, Darsa paurnamasa, as well as on the full moon and the new moon. The fourth chapter treats of human sacrifices, and then of a number of minor rites with special prayers. Then follow the mantras appropriate for the sacrifice of special animals. This is followed by a chapter on expiations and defects in the observance and performance of ceremonies. The eighth and ninth [prapÃÂá¹Âhakas, 'chapters'] are devoted to the horse sacrifice, which is the grandest ceremony enjoined on householders, especially appropriate for kings, and involves a number of rites and ceremonies (which are fully detailed in the table of contents) as also a number of ovations of different kinds'.
PrapÃÂá¹Âhakas and AnuvÃÂkas
W. E. Hale and B. Smith cite issues 92âÂÂ108 of the academic journal Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, to enumerate the structure and content of the third ashá¹Âaka. Mitra details all chapters (prapÃÂá¹Âhakas) and sections (anuvÃÂkas) with descriptive titles (12 prapÃÂá¹Âhakas, consisting of 164 listed anuvÃÂkas; original spelling unchanged):
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 1: Sacrifices to the Constellations â Nakshatra Ishti
- AnuvÃÂka 1: Light Constellations. Deva Nakshatras
- AnuvÃÂka 2: Dark Constellations. â The Yama Nakshatras
- AnuvÃÂka 3: Invocatory and oblative Mantras for Sacrifices to the Moon (Chandramasa ishti), etc., etc.
- AnuvÃÂka 4: Sacrifices to the Light Constellations. â Deva Nakshatras
- AnuvÃÂka 5: Sacrifices to the Dark Constellations. â Yama Nakshatras
- AnuvÃÂka 6: Sacrifices (ishti) to Chandrama, etc.
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 2: Dars'a Ya'ga or Sacrifices meet on the wane of the Moon
- AnuvÃÂka 1: Separation of calf from the cow
- AnuvÃÂka 2: Collection of the Kus'a Grass
- AnuvÃÂka 3: Milking at Night
- AnuvÃÂka 4: Duties enjoined on the first day of the Havirnivapa, Preparation of Paddy
- AnuvÃÂka 5: Husking of the Paddy
- AnuvÃÂka 6: Grinding of the rice
- AnuvÃÂka 7: Placing of earthen Baking-pans on the fire
- AnuvÃÂka 8: Baking of Rice Cake on the pans
- AnuvÃÂka 9: Preparation of the Altar
- AnuvÃÂka 10: Arranging of the sacrificial articles
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 3: Paurnamasa Ishti or Ceremonies to be performed on the full moon
- AnuvÃÂka 1: Cleaning of the Sacrificial Vessels
- AnuvÃÂka 2: Disposal of the instruments for cleaning sacrificial vessels
- AnuvÃÂka 3: Offering of the clarified Butter
- AnuvÃÂka 4: Heating of the clarified Butter
- AnuvÃÂka 5: On looking at and taking the clarified Butter
- AnuvÃÂka 6: Placing of the Butter with fuel and Kus'a grass before it
- AnuvÃÂka 7: Offering of the first two sticks of wood (called Aghara) to the fire
- AnuvÃÂka 8: Eating of Ida and the Puridas'a rice cakes
- AnuvÃÂka 9: Lifting of the Srug [wooden ladel used for pouring clarified butter on a sacrificial fire], etc.
- AnuvÃÂka 10: Mantras relating to the wife of the Yajamana
- AnuvÃÂka 11: Throwing away of the Palas'a wood called Upavesha
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 4: On Human sacrifices
- AnuvÃÂka 1: To Devas who claim to be the cases of brahmana, Kshatriya, etc., men of the Brahmana, Kshatriya, and the like castes, are to be sacrificed,...
- AnuvÃÂka 2: To those who claim pre-eminence in singing, dancing, etc., men of the Suta, Sailusha, and the like castes, ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 3: To those who are the presiding divinities of labour, magic, etc., men of the potter, ironsmith, and the like castes, ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 4: To those who are the presiding divinities of (abhimani) or delight in promiscuous intercourse (sanghataka), bastards, and the like, ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 5: To those who preside over rivers, desert places, etc., men of the Kaivarta (fishermen), Nishada (hunters) and the like castes, ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 6: To those who delight in marring huan exertion, etc., hunchbacks, dwarfs, and the like, ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 7: To those who preside over robbery, etc., thieves, sandal-mongers, and the like, ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 8: To those who preside over light, etc., men who collect fuel, firemen and the like, ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 9: To those who preside over rapid motion, elephant-keepers, grooms, etc., ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 10: To those who are the presiding divinities of violent passions, etc., ironsmiths, men who run away with criminals condemned to death, and the like, ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 11: To the wife of Yama, women who have borne twins, to those who preside over the mantras of the Atharva Veda, women who have miscarried, etc., etc.,...
- AnuvÃÂka 12: To those Devas who preside over tanks, ponds, etc., men who catch fish by putting up embankments (Dhivara), or by hooks (Dasa) and the like, ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 13: To those who preside over sounds, echoes, etc., collectors of news, retailers of incoherent speech, and the like, ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 14: To those who delight in detecting evil delight in splendor, etc., men who are always watchful, very sleepy, etc., ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 15: To the presiding divinities of wit, song, etc., prostitutes, female players on the Vina, and the like, ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 16: To the presiding divinities of dice and of the Satya Yuga, etc., dice-players, those who frequent gambling halls, and the like, ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 17: To the presiding divinities of land, fire, etc., men who move on crutches, those of the Chandala caste, and the like, ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 18: To the presiding divinities of speech, wind, etc., fat men, men of good wind, and the like, ditto,...
- AnuvÃÂka 19: To the presiding divinities of ugliness, ambition, etc., tall men, short men, and the like, ditto,...
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 5: Ishti Sacrifices
- AnuvÃÂka 1: Mantra to be recited by the Hota
- AnuvÃÂka 2: Samidheni Mantras
- AnuvÃÂka 3: Nirid and Pracara Mantras
- AnuvÃÂka 4: Mantra for taking up the Sruk [wooden spoon used in sacrifices]
- AnuvÃÂka 5: Prayaja Mantras
- AnuvÃÂka 6: Mantras for offering clarified butter, Ajya
- AnuvÃÂka 7: Mantras for offering the rice cake
- AnuvÃÂka 8: Preliminary to the Yajamana's eating of the Ida or remnant of the offering
- AnuvÃÂka 9: Mantra for a supplementary offering â Anuyaja
- AnuvÃÂka 10: Mantra (Suktanika) to be repeated by the Hota when the addhvaryyu is about to throw the Darbha grass bundle into the fire
- AnuvÃÂka 11: Mantra in honor of Sanja, son of Brihaspati, â Sanjuvaka mantra
- AnuvÃÂka 12: Mantra for the offering of oblations to the Wives of the Gods, etc.
- AnuvÃÂka 13: Call for Ida for the wife of the Institutor of the sacrifice
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 6: Pa'Shuka Hotra
- AnuvÃÂka 1: Purification of the Sacrificial Post to which the victim at a sacrifice is to be mounted
- AnuvÃÂka 2: Exhortative (praisha) mantras in connexion with the Prayaja Sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 3: Oblative Mantras, called Apri, to be recited by the Hota at the Prayaja sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 4: Mantras to be repeated when turning a fire round the oblation (Paryaynikarama)
- AnuvÃÂka 5: Exhortative (praisha) mantra to be addressed to the Hota by the slayer of the sacrifice â Samitri
- AnuvÃÂka 6: Exhortative (praisha) mantra to be addressed by the Hota to the slayer of the sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 7: Invocation of Agni with reference to the droppings of the oblations
- AnuvÃÂka 8: Puronurakya and Praisha mantras for the offering of omentum and rice cake
- AnuvÃÂka 9: Oblative (Yajya) mantras for the offering of omentum and rice cake
- AnuvÃÂka 10: Eulogistic mantras, called Manola, addressed to Agni
- AnuvÃÂka 11: Invocatory (Puronuvakya) and exhortative (Praisha) mantras to be recited by Maitravaruna in offering clarified butter, wood and Svishtakrita
- AnuvÃÂka 12: Oblative (Yajya) mantras for the offering of wood, clarified butter and the Svishtakrita
- AnuvÃÂka 13: Exhortative mantras to be recited in connexion with the Anuyajas
- AnuvÃÂka 14: Oblative mantras relating to the Anuyajas
- AnuvÃÂka 15: Exhortative mantra for the Suktavaka
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 7: Expiations for defects in the performance of ceremonies
- AnuvÃÂka 1: Expitations in connexion with the Dars'apaurnamasa ceremony
- AnuvÃÂka 2: Expitations in connexion with the oblatory articles of the Agnihotra or fire sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 3: Substitutes for the sacrificial fire, etc.
- AnuvÃÂka 4: Mantras to be recited by the Yajamana in course of Ishti rites
- AnuvÃÂka 5: Mantras to be recited by the Yajamana in the Ishti rites â Continued
- AnuvÃÂka 6: Mantras regarding the Ishti rites not given in the two preceding sections
- AnuvÃÂka 7: Mantras for obviating defects in the ceremonial for the initiation of a neophyte (Dhiksha) in connexion with the Soma sacrifices
- AnuvÃÂka 8: Mantras for obviating accidents in regard to Sacrificial animals
- AnuvÃÂka 9: Mantras relating to yeast or ferment, etc.
- AnuvÃÂka 10: Expiatory Mantras
- AnuvÃÂka 11: Expiatory mantras for irregularities in connexion with the new and full moon sacrifices
- AnuvÃÂka 12: Mantras to be repeated by the Yajamana in sanctifying twenty-one bundles of Kus'a grass
- AnuvÃÂka 13: Mantras for sprinkling curds or milk mixed with honey of the frying pan at the concluding ceremony â Avabhritha
- AnuvÃÂka 14: Sprinkling, etc., at the Avabhritha
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 8: On the operations of the first day of the Asvamedha sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 1: Preparations for the Asvamedha â the duties of the Yajamana
- AnuvÃÂka 2: The Sacred Rice
- AnuvÃÂka 3: Tying the horse with the rope
- AnuvÃÂka 4: Bathing of the Horse after pulling on the halter
- AnuvÃÂka 5: Water to be sprinkled on the Horse by the four principal officiating priests
- AnuvÃÂka 6: Repetition of mantras on the drops of water as they trickle down from the body of the horse after it has been bathed
- AnuvÃÂka 7: The Adhvaryu to sprinkle water from all the four sides
- AnuvÃÂka 8: Oblations (Homas) with reference to the conduct and colour of the horse
- AnuvÃÂka 9: Repeating the several epithets if the Horse over his ears, etc., and consecrating him
- AnuvÃÂka 10: Homa to the Vis'vadevas as a Diskha sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 11: Mantras of the Diksha Ceremony
- AnuvÃÂka 12: Ceremonies to be performed every day during the year that the horse roams about of his own accord
- AnuvÃÂka 13: Addresses to the fire named Ukha on the completion of the year
- AnuvÃÂka 14: Homa with boiled rice, etc., in connection with the Asramedha sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 15: Particulars regarding the aforesaid Homa
- AnuvÃÂka 16: Explanation of the Mantras used in the above homa
- AnuvÃÂka 17: Explanation of certain mantras of the 7th Kanda of the Sanhita relating to the rice homa
- AnuvÃÂka 18: The same subject continued
- AnuvÃÂka 19: On the planting of the sacrificial posts on the day preceding the first day of the Asvamedha ceremony
- AnuvÃÂka 20: On the places appropriate for the different sacrificial posts
- AnuvÃÂka 21: Peculiarities in regard to establishing of the fire in connexion with the horse sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 22: Certain details regarding the recitation of the Vahispuramana hymns
- AnuvÃÂka 23: How the other animals are to be arranged about the horse
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 9: On the operations of the second and third days of the horse sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 1: How the wild and the domestic animals are dealt with
- AnuvÃÂka 2: The Chaturmasya and other animals
- AnuvÃÂka 3: Object of offering several animals to each divinity, and of mixing the fat of those animals together
- AnuvÃÂka 4: On yoking the horse to a car and ornamenting and anointing him
- AnuvÃÂka 5: On the Recitation of the Brahmodya Samvad
- AnuvÃÂka 6: Ceremonies performed over the slaughtered horse
- AnuvÃÂka 7: Ceremonies to be performed over the slaughtered horse, concluded
- AnuvÃÂka 8: On the merits of sacrificing animals at the As'vamedha ceremony
- AnuvÃÂka 9: Animals meet for the third day of the ceremony
- AnuvÃÂka 10: On the Grahas called Mahimana
- AnuvÃÂka 11: Offering homa with parts of the body of the slaughtered horse, and those called Svishtakrit
- AnuvÃÂka 12: The Homa called As'vastomiya, in which the fat of the horse is offered between the S'arira and the S'vishtakrit homas, and the Homa with two-footed verses
- AnuvÃÂka 13: Ishti ceremonies to be performed for a year before commencing the horse sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 14: Songs appropriate for the Ishtis
- AnuvÃÂka 15: Special homa to Mritya in connection with the Avabhritha or supplementary homa
- AnuvÃÂka 16: Mantra for tying the sacrificial animals to the principal post (Upakarana), and an Ishti ordained
- AnuvÃÂka 17: Expiations for diseases and other accidents to the horse
- AnuvÃÂka 18: The Brahmodana Ishti in connexion with the horse sacrifice
- AnuvÃÂka 19: The twelve merits of the As'vamedha
- AnuvÃÂka 20: The mod of sacrificing the horse
- AnuvÃÂka 21: Offering on the northern altar â Attara Vedi
- AnuvÃÂka 22: The sacrifice of a bull at the As'vamedha
- AnuvÃÂka 23: On the meditating on different members of the horse
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 10: Sa'vitra-Chayana or collection of fire for the adoration of the sun
- AnuvÃÂka 1: Placing of bricks on the altar
- AnuvÃÂka 2: Placing of bricks in the name of Svayamatrinna
- AnuvÃÂka 3: Invitation to the Adhvaryus
- AnuvÃÂka 4: Invitation to the Yajamana
- AnuvÃÂka 5: Praise of the fire by the Hota
- AnuvÃÂka 6: The anointing of the face of the Yakamana with clarified butter
- AnuvÃÂka 7: Offerings after the anointment
- AnuvÃÂka 8: Offerings to Mrityu (Death)
- AnuvÃÂka 9: The philosophy of the Savitra Agni explained
- AnuvÃÂka 10: Advantages of knowing the different mantras of the Savitragni
- AnuvÃÂka 11: The advantages of knowing and the disadvantages of not knowing the purport of the Savitragni
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 11: Nachiketa-Chayana, or collection of Nachiketa Fire
- AnuvÃÂka 1: The mantras for placing of bricks, and the mode of placing them
- AnuvÃÂkas 2âÂÂ5: Offering of oblations (homa) for the purpose [above]
- AnuvÃÂka 6: Mantras for touching the fire
- AnuvÃÂka 7: Philosophy of the Nachiketa fire
- AnuvÃÂka 8: Anecdote from the Katha Upanishad on the advantage of knowing and collecting the Nachiketa fire
- AnuvÃÂka 9: Method of collecting the Nachiketa fire
- AnuvÃÂka 10: Praise of the Nachiketa rite
- PrapÃÂá¹Âhaka 12: Cha-tur-hotra and Vaisvasrij ceremonies
- AnuvÃÂka 1: Divahs'yeni and Apadya rites, (Ishtis) being parts of one form of the Chatur-hotra ceremonies
- AnuvÃÂka 2: The Divahs'yeni rites described
- AnuvÃÂka 3: Invocatory and oblative mantras for the Apadya rite
- AnuvÃÂka 4: Anecdotes regarding the Apadya rite
- AnuvÃÂka 5: Chapurhotra-Chayana, or the observance of the Chaturhotra fire
- AnuvÃÂka 6: Visvasrij-Chayana, or Collection of the Visvasrij fire
- AnuvÃÂka 7: Details regarding the middle circle [bricks to be used]
- AnuvÃÂka 8: Mantras to be recited when placing the bricks
- AnuvÃÂka 9: Certain details about the same
The Nakshatras
Details are provided in the section dealing with the first ashá¹Âaka (see above).
The Purushamedha
D.M. Knipe states that there 'is no inscriptional or other record that a purusua-medha [meaning 'human-sacrifice'] was ever performed, leading some scholars to suggest it was simply invented to round out sacrificial possibilities... The significance of the entire enterprise is compromised when [the] SB [Ã
Âatapatha BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa] 13.6.2 presents a deus ex machina, an ethereal voice that intervenes to halt the proceedings: a sacrificer always eats the victim, man would therefore eat man, not an acceptable act, ergo, no performance'. The 'human sacrifice' was thus symbolic in nature, as were animal sacrifices (e.g. symbolised by plant-based foods offered and consumed in rituals, such as rice-cake; an example is found in 1.6.2.3âÂÂ4 in the Shatapatha). The verse referred to by Knipe states:
However, R. Mitra is less convinced, stating that neither 'Aspastambha [founder of a Shakha (school) of Yajurveda] nor Sayana [commentator on the Vedic texts] has a word to say about the human victims being Symbolical... it must be added, however, that Apastambha is very brief and obscure in his remarks, and it would be hazardous to draw a positive conclusion from the insufficient data supplied by him, particularly as the Satapatha BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa is positive on the subject of the human victims being let off after consecration; though the fact of the Brahmana being much later than the Taittirëya BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa, may justify the assumption that the practice of the Kanva [and Madhyandina] can be no guide to the followers of the Taittiriyaka'.
The Ashvamedha
Rick F. Talbott states that the 'total ceremony of the Ashvamedha [meaning 'Horse-Sacrifice'] lasted over a year with the actual rites surrounding the sacrifice of the chosen horse taking only three days. The Ashvamedha was one of three royal sacrifices in Ancient India. Performance of this great sacrifice required a victorious king, his three wives, hundreds of attendants, a swift steed with special markings, the special sacrificial grounds near a large quantity of water [and being] supplied with a myriad of ritual utensils and materials. The Horse Sacrifice also required [four] types of priests... Only the victorious king could perform the Ashvamedha [itself]... like all of the new or full moon ceremonies this rite had a special significance for the events that followed'.
References and commentaries
The commentator Apastambha (circa 600-300 BCE) has not been listed or discussed in this section as it seems he did not comment on the Taittirëya BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa specifically, but rather on sacrificial rites in general, which are detailed in multiple BrÃÂhmaá¹Âas (e.g. as evidenced above, the Purushamedha is detailed in both the Shatapatha and Taittirëya BrÃÂhmaÃ
Âas). The same principle applies to the commentator SureÃ
Âvara (circa 800 CE), whose Vartika works (e.g. 'Vartika on Sariraka BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa', 'Vartika on Saptanna BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa', and 'Vartika on Udgitha BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa', etc.), are commentaries on specific sacrificial rites enumerated in the BrÃÂhmaá¹Âas, not the BrÃÂhmaá¹Âas themselves.
The Nirukta
Recorded by the grammarian Yaska (circa 300 BCE), the Nirukta is one of the six Smriti Vedangas ('limbs of the Vedas') concerned with correct etymology and interpretation of the Vedas. The Nirukta references and lists several BrÃÂhmaá¹Âas as sources, including the Taittirëya Brahmaá¹Âa.
Sayana
The 14th-century Sanskrit scholar Sayana composed numerous commentaries on Vedic literature, including the Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads. B.R. Modak states that one of those commentaries by Sayana, a member of the Taittirëya Shakha, was on the Taittirëya BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa, and explains that 'king Bukka [1356âÂÂ1377 CE] requested his preceptor and minister Madhavacharya to write a commentary on the Vedas, so that even common people would be able to understand the meaning of the Vedic Mantras. Madhavacharya told him that his younger brother Sayana was a learned person and hence he should be entrusted with the task'.
Bhava SwÃÂmë, Bhaá¹Âá¹Âa BhÃÂskara, and RÃÂmÃÂná¸Âara
According to Shrava, the Taittirëya BrÃÂhmaá¹Âa was also commented upon by:
- Bhava SwÃÂmë (circa 700 CE or earlier)
- KauÃ
Âika Bhaá¹Âá¹Âa BhÃÂskara MiÃ
Âra (preceding and referred to by Sayana [<nowiki/>Nirukta] and DevarÃÂja YajvÃÂ [<nowiki/>Nighantu])
- RÃÂmÃÂná¸Âara / RÃÂmÃÂgnichitta (a manuscript of his bhÃÂshya is not available)
Manuscripts and translations
References