364 ON THE RELIGIOUS CI. II E M ON IES 



V 



lecture, and read as much of the vidas as may be 

 practicable fur hint, continuing the practice daily until 

 lie have read the whole of the vfdas ; and then re- 

 commencing the courie. 



Praver on beginning a lecture of the Ripveda : 

 c: I praife the blazing lire., which is fir ft placed at 

 " religious rites, which effects the ceremony, for the 

 " benefit of the votary, which performs the eflential 

 " part of the rite, which is the moil: liberal giver of 



a 



gems. 



On beginning a leclure of the Yajurveda : " I ga- 

 Ci ther thee, O branch of the veda, for the fake of rain ; 

 " I pluck thee for the fake of ftrength. Calves ! ye 

 " are like unto air; (that is, as wind fupplies the world 

 " by means of rain 3 fo do ye fupply Sacrifices by the 

 " milking of cows). May the luminous generator of 

 " worlds, make you attain fuccefs in the belt of la- 

 cc craments.V 



On the begin nine: a lecture of the Scmiaveda : " Re- 



>l gent of lire, who doft effect all religious ccremo- 

 ,; nies, approach to tafte my offering ; thou who art 

 " praifed for the fake of oblations, [it down on this 

 gl aia . 



The text which is repeated on commencing a lec- 

 ture of the ji/har/ua veiia ha been already quoted 

 on another occaiion : " May divine waters be aulpi- 

 " cious to us 5 &x." 



manner mould a ire of. the ve'das, or of 



the v/t/angas, of the facred poems and mytholo- 

 gical hiftory of law and other branches or iound 

 rature be* conducted. The prielt mould next 

 proceed to offer barley, f'ila and water to the manes.. 

 Turning his face towards the earl:, wearing thffl 

 iaeriiicial cord on his left moulder, he ihoulcl 

 lit down and fprcad etifa exafs before him 



with 



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