LXXXVI.

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1. Now follows the ceremony of setting a bull at liberty, (which should take place)

2. On the days of full moon in Kârttika or Âsvina.

When performing this rite, he must first examine the bull.

[63. The term manogña, 'a pleasant spot,' means 'a place close by the house, where sacred basil is planted,' or other such places. (Nand.)

67. ¹ See the next chapter,

LXXXVI. 1-18. Pâr. III, 9; Sânkh. III, 11. Regarding the corresponding section of the Kâthaka Grihya-sûtra, see Introduction.]

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4. (The bull must be) the offspring of a milch cow having young ones living.

5. He must have all marks.

6. He must be dark-coloured;

7. Or red, but having a white mouth, a white tail.. and white feet and horns.

8. He must be one who protects the herd.

9. Then, after having (kindled) a blazing fire among the cows (in the cow-pen) and strewed Kusa grass around it, let him boil with milk a dish sacred to Pûshan, and offer (two oblations) in the fire with the Mantras, 'May Pûshan follow our cows^[1],' and 'Here is pleasure^[2].' And let a blacksmith mark the bull.

10. On the one flank (the right), with a discus; on the other flank (the left), with a trident.

11. After he has been marked, let him wash the bull with the four Mantras, (beginning with the words), 'The golden-coloured^[1],' and with (the five Mantras, beginning with the words), 'May the divine (waters help and propitiate us')^[2].

12. Having washed and adorned the bull, he must bring him near, together with four young cows,

[5. 'I.e. the bull must not be deficient in any limb.' (Nand.) This interpretation is supported by the Grihya-sûtras.

6. Nand. mentions two interpretations of the term nîla, 'dark-coloured:' 1. a bull who is all white, and is therefore said to be of the 'Brâhmana kind;' 2. one whose body is white, whereas his tail, his hoofs, and his face are black, and his horns blue. Cf. L, 25.

8. Nand. interprets yûthasyâkhâdakam by nishektâram, 'one who covers the cows.' My rendering is based upon Devapâla's comment on the corresponding passage of the Kâthaka Grihya-sûtra. See also Pâr. and Sânkh. loc. cit.

9. ¹ Rig-veda VI, 54, 5, &c.--² Vagas. Samh. VIII, 51; Kâth. Âsv. IV, 6, &c.

11. ¹ Taitt. Samh. V, 6, 1, 1, 2, &c. Rig-veda X, 9, 4 -8. &c.]

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which must also have been washed and decorated, and he must mutter the Rudras^[1], the Purushasûkta, and the Kûshmândîs^[2].

13. Then let him pronounce in the bull's right ear the Mantra, 'The father of calves;'

14. And the following (Mantras):

15. 'Holy law is a bull and is declared to have four feet^[1]: him I choose for the object of my worship; may he protect me wholly.

16. 'This young (bull) I give you as husband (O ye calves), roam about sportingly with him for your lover. May we not be deficient in progeny, O king Soma, and may we live long, and may we not be oppressed by our enemies.'

17. He must drive away the bull together with the calves in a north-eastern direction and give a pair of garments, gold, and a vessel made of white copper to the officiating priest.

18. The blacksmith shall receive as wages as much as he claims, and food prepared with a great deal of butter, and (three) Brâhmanas shall be fed.

19. Any pool from which the bull drinks after

[12. 'Taitt. Samh. IV, 5, 1-11.--² See LVI, 7.

13. Nand. states expressly that this Mantra is from the Kâthaka. It is found Kâth. XIII, 9; Taitt. Samh. III, 3, 9, 2; Kâth. Grihya-sûtra XLVII.

15. ¹ This term refers perhaps to the 'four feet of a judicial proceeding.' See Nârada I, 11; 2, 9.

16. Taitt. Samh. III, 3, 9, 1, &c. The second half of this Mantra is found in the Kâthaka Grihya-sûtra only.

18. The clause regarding the 'food,' which has been rendered in accordance with Nand.'s Commentary, might also be construed with 'fed,' which would bring the whole into accordance with the precepts of the Kâthaka Grihya-sûtra and of the two other Grihya-sûtras.]

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having been set at liberty) that entire pool will refresh the manes of him who has set the bull at liberty.

20. The earth which is anywhere dug up by the bull exulting in his strength, is converted into delicious food and drink to satisfy the manes.