Asva

Created by Jijith Nadumuri at 20 Oct 2011 11:27 and updated at 20 Oct 2011 11:27

BRIHADARANYAKA UPANISHAD NOUN

BrihadArUpa1

2 The (gold) vessel called Mahiman in front of the Horse, which appeared about it (i.e. pointing it out), is the day. Its source is the eastern sea. The (silver) vessel Mahiman behind the Horse, which appeared about it, is the night. Its source is the western sea. These two vessels called Mahiman appeared on either side of the Horse. As a Haya it carried the Devas, as a Vajin the Gandharvas, as an Arvan the Asuras, and as an Asva men. The Supreme Self is its stable and the Supreme Self (or the sea) its source.

BrihadArUpa1

7 He desired, Let this body of mine be fit for a sacrifice, and let me be embodied through this (and entered it). Because the body swelled Asvat(), therefore it came to be called Asva Horse(). And because it became fit for a sacrifice, therefore the Horse sacrifice came to be known as Asvamedha. He who knows it thus indeed knows the Horse sacrifice. (Imagining himself as the Horse and) letting it remain free, he reflected (on it). After a year he sacrificed it to himself, and dispatched the (other) animals to the Devas. Therefore (priests to this day) sacrifice to Prajapati the sanctified Horse() that is dedicated to all the Devas. He who shines yonder is the Horse sacrifice; his body is the year. This fire is Arka; its limbs are these worlds. So these two (fire and the Sun) are Arka and the Horse sacrifice. These two again become the same Deva, Death. He (who knows thus) conquers further death, death cannot overtake him, it becomes his self, and he becomes one with these deities.

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