There is hardly a shortage of references to the Agnihotra. The ZB is primarily concerned with it in 2.1.1--with the Agnyaadhaana through the actual performance, concluding in 2.4.2. There are several mythological significations given to contextualize its performance. Frequently these build upon the notion of the breaths--(thus drawing a need for an e-text of the JB per Bodewitz' study of the PraaNaagnihotra)--and weave basic links between the self, the cosmos, the sun, death, Prajaapati and the year.
ZB 2.1.4.10 ff.
in the discussion of the Agnyaadhaana, Prajaapati's creation of the cosmos with "
bhuur, bhuuvaH, svaH"
(2.1.4.11ff)
This explanation is given in answer to the question in .10 as to why neither
Rk,
nor
saaman,
nor
yajus
, is recited for the setting up of the fires. The
brahmán
(m) priest, being speech and truth, thus establishes the fire. While the notation of
accent
seems to indicate
udaatta
on the first syllable, Weber's edition follows the mss. in marking
anudaatta,
thus the accent falls on the second syllable.
ZB 2.2.1.4f
Prajaapati, Agni Pavamaana, and breaths are again asssociated via
svaahaa
utterances during these oblations.
ZB 2.2.4.1f
tells the basic "
idam agra"
formulaic creation/sacrificial explication with agni created from his mouth.
ZB 2.3.3.1f
again, Prajaapati creates Agni, but here he is in danger of burning everything up, so the reproduction and maintenance of the fires is prescribed.
Home
VRML Vedi
Shatapatha links
RV Links