From: mvishnu@morse.uwaterloo.ca (m vishnu)
Subject: Re:  Animal Sacrifices in the Rig-Veda
Originator: mvishnu@morse.uwaterloo.ca
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 18:08:26 GMT


A number of netters send me e-mail denying the fact that Vedas contains
description of animal sacrifices and that they advocate animal sacrifices.


Here is a hymn that is sung during the Horse Sacrifice (Aswa Medha Yaga).
This translation is taken from the book 'Rig Veda selected, translated and
annotated by Wendy Doniger O'Flaherty'.  I selected this book because it is
commonly available in almost all the bookstores. 


Begin quote
-------------------------------------------------------------
The Horse Sacrifice

Strickingly concrete in its detail, this hymn describes the ancient
Indian horse sacrifice, beginning with the ceremonial procession
of the horse with the scapegoat, leading to the actual slaughter
(vv.1-7).  It then dwells upon the material instruments of the
sacrifice which are to accompany the horse to heaven.


1.  Mitra, Varuna, Aryaman the Active, Indra the ruler of the Rbhus, and 
    the Maruts--let them not fail to heed us when we proclaim in the 
    assembly the heroic deeds of the racehorse who was born of the
    gods.

2.  When they lead the firmly grasped offering in front of the horse that
    is covered with cloths and heirlooms, the dappled goat goes bleating
                                          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    straight to the dear dwelling of Indra and Pusan.
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

3.  This goat for all the gods is led forward with the racehorse as the
    share for Pusan.  When they lead forth the welcome offering with the
    charger, Tvastr urges him on to great fame.

4.  When, as the ritual law ordains, the men circle three times, leading 
    the horse that is to be the oblation on the path to the gods, the
    goat who is the share for Pusan goes first, announcing the sacrifice
    to the gods.

5.  The Invoker, the officiating priest, the atoner, the fire-kindler, 
    the holder of the pressing-stones, the reciter, the priest who
    prays--fill your bellies with this well-prepared, well-sacrificed
    sacrifice.

6.  The hewers of the sacrificial stake and those who carry it, and
    those who carve the knob for the horse's sacrifical stake, and
    those who gather together the things to cook the charer--let their
    approval encourage us.

7.  The horse with his smooth back went forth into the fields of the gods,
    just when I made my prayer.  The inspired sages exult in him.  We have
    made him a welcome companion at the banquet of the gods.

8.  The charger's rope and the halter, the reins and bridle on his
    head, and even the grass that has been brought up to his mouth--let
    all of that stay with you even among the gods.

9.  Whatever of the horse's flesh the fly has eaten, or whatever stays
    stuck to the stake of the axe, or to the hands or nails of the
    slaughterer--let all of that stay with you even among the gods.

10. Whatever food remains in his stomach, sending forth gas, or whatever
                                          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    smell there is from his raw flesh--let the slaughterers make that 
    well done; let them cook the sacrificialanimal until he is perfectly
    cooked. 

11. Whatever runs off your body when it has been placed on the spit and 
    roasted by fire, let it not lie there in the earth or on the grass,
    but let it be given to the gods who long for it.

12. Those who see that the racehorse is cooked, who say, 'It smells 
    good! Take it away!', and who wait for the doling out of the 
    flesh of the charger--let their approval encourage us.

13. The testing fork for the cauldron that cooks the flesh, the pots
    for pouring for the broth, the cover of the bowls to keep it warm, 
    the hooks, the dishes--all these attend the horse.

14. The place where he walks, where he rests, where he rolls, and the
    fetters on the horse's feet, and what he has drunk and the fodder
    he has eaten--let all of that stay with you even among the gods.

15. Let not the fire that reeks of smoke darken you, nor red-hot 
    cauldron split into pieces.  The gods receive the horse which
                                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    has been sacrificed, worshipped, consecrated, and sanctified
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    with the cry 'Vasat!'

16. The cloth that they spread beneath the horse, the upper covering, 
    the golden trappings on him, the halter and the fetters on his
    feet--let these things that are his own bind the horse among the
    gods.

17. If someone riding your has struck you too hard with heel or whip
    when you shied, I make all these things well again for you with
    prayer, as they do with the oblation's ladle in sacrifices.

18. The axe cuts through the thirty-four ribs of the racehorse who
    is the companion of the gods.  Keeep the limbs undamaged and 
    place them in the proper pattern. Cut them apart calling out 
    piece by piece.

19. One is the slaughterer of the horsep of Tvastr;m two restrain him.
    This is the rule.  As many of your limbs as I set out, according
    to the rules, so many balls I offer into fire.

20. Let not your dear soul burn you as you go away.  Let not the axe
    do lasting harm to your body.  Let no greedy, clumsy slaughterer
    hack in the wrong place and damage your limbs with his knife.

21. You do not really die through this, nor are you harmed.  You go to
                                                             ^^^^^^^^^
    the gods on paths pleasant to go on.  The two bay stallion, the 
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    roan mares are now your chariot mates.  The racehorse has been in
    the donkey's yoke.

22. Let this racehorse bring us good cattle and good horses, male 
    children and all-nourishing wealth.  Let Adit make us free from sin.
    Let the horse with our offerings achieve sovereign power for us.
----------------------------------------------
End quote.

It is clear from the above hymn that a horse is being slaughtered.  It is 
also said the horse goes to heaven.  The horse sacrifice is done to obtain
cattle, horses, *male-children*, and wealth.

So what is the problem? Ok I can hear you hard-core Vedic Hindus who sent 
me e-mail saying "All these are misinterpretation of our holy-Veda".  Fine!
No arguments!


Meenan Vishnu

PS:

(There are more *filthy* stuff from Rig-Veda translated by O'Flaherty.
 For example, on page 247, there is a hymn describing incest (sex between
 a brother and sister).  There is also a hymn descring bestiality (Indra
 having sex with a monkey) on page 257.  In this poem, Indrani, the wife
 of Indra is angry and says "No woman has finer loins than I, or is better at
 making love.  No women thrusts against a man better than I,
 or raises and spreads her thighs more..." (page 259 verse 6). Rape of
 a woman is described in the hymn on page 275.)


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