Artic Home of the Aryans by Lokamanya Bal ... - Mandhata Global

181
1-2 ),* and further describes the cows’ session as follows: —
“The cows held this sacrificial session, being hornless (and)
desiring to obtain horns. Their session lasted (for) ten months; then
when the horns grew (up), they said, ‘We have gained, let us rise, we
have obtained the desire for which we sat (commenced the session).’
Half, or as many, of them as said, ‘We shall certainly sit for the two
twelfth (two last) months, and rise after completing the year,’ (some of
them had horns in the twelfth month by trust, (while) by distrust those
that (are seen) hornless (remained so). Both, that is, those who got
horns, and those who obtained vigor (ûrjam), thus attained their
object. One who knows this, prospers, whether rising (from the
sacrifice) in the tenth month or in the twelfth. They indeed go by the
path (padena); he going by the path indeed attains (the end). This is
that successful ayanam (session). Therefore, it is go-sani (beneficial
to the cows).”
This passage, in its first part repeats the story given in the
previous anuvâka of the Samhitâ and in the Aitareya Brâhmana with
slight variations. But the latter part contains two important statements:
firstly that whether we complete the sacrifice within ten months or
twelve months the religious merit or fruit obtained is the same in
either case, for both are said to prosper equally; and secondly this is
said, to be the case because it is the “path” or as Sâyana explains
“an immemorial custom.” The Samhitâ is, in fact, silent as to the
reason why an annual sattra which ought to, and as a matter of fact
does, now last for twelve months could be completed in ten months;
* Taitt. Sam. VII, 5, 2, 1-2.