456 Mr, CoLEBROOKE on the Philosophy of the Hiudtis. 



are types of all the rest : the consecration of a sacrificial fire, the presenting 

 of an oblation, and the preparation of the soma. The oblation which serves as 

 a model for the rest, is that whicli is offered twice in each month, viz. at the 

 full and change of tiie moon. It is accompanied, more especially at the 

 new moon, with an oblation of whey from new milk. Accordingly, the 

 Yqjurveda begins with this rite. It comprehends the sending of selected 

 cows to pasture after separating their calves, touching them with a leafy 

 branch of paldsa (butea frondosa) cut for tiie purpose, and subsequently 

 stuck in the ground in front of the apartment containing the sacrificial fire, 

 for a protection of the herd from robbers and beasts of prey : the cows are 

 milked in the evening and again in the moniing ; and, from the new milk, 

 whey is then prepared for an oblation. 



Concerning this ceremony, witli all its details, numerous questions arise, 

 which are resolved in tlie Mimdnsd : for instance, the milking of the cows 

 is pronounced to be not a primary or main act, but a subordinate one ; and 

 the parting of the calves from their dams is subsidiary to that subordinate 

 act.* The whey, which in fact is milk modified, is the main object of the 

 whole preparation ; not the curd, which is but incidentally produced, not 

 being sought nor wanted.t 



In the fourth chapter of the first book, the author discriminates terms 

 that modify the precept from sucli as are specific denominations. Several 

 of the instances are not a little curious. Thus it is a question, whether the 

 hawk-sacrifice {syena-ydga), wliicli is attended with imprecations on a hated 

 foe, be performed by tlie actual immolation of a bird of that kind. The 

 case is determined by a maxim, that " a term intimating resemblance is de- 

 " nominative." Hatvlc, tlien, is the name of that incantation : " it pounces 

 " on the foe as a falcon on his prey."t So tongs is a name for a similar 

 incantation, " which seizes tlie enemy from afar as witli a pair of tongs ;" 

 and co'w, for a sacrifice to avert such imprecations. 



It is fit to remark in this place, that incantations for destruction of hated 

 foes, though frequent in tlie vedas (and modes of performing them, with 

 greater or less solemnity, are there taught), cannot be deemed laudable acts 

 of religion ; on the contrary, they are pronounced to be at least mechately 



* Mim. 4. 3. 10. \ lb. 4. 1. 9. % lb. I. 4. 5 and 3. 7. 23. 



