[118] Probably a tree with black blossoms, perhaps काल स्कन्ध kála-shandha, a sort of ebony; or the tamála, bearing dark blossoms.
[119] अग्निष्टोम According to Wilson’s Dict., a sacrifice, or rather a series of offerings, to fire, for five days, to be celebrated in the spring, from Agni, “the deity presiding over fire,” and Stoma, “an offering.”
[120] Perhaps युग्मकं yugmakam, “couple.”—A. T.
[121] वाजपेय from waj, “the acetous fermentation of meal and water,” and pèya, to be drunk (by the gods).
[122] ज्योष्टिोम from jyotish, “light,” and stóma, “an offering;” a particular sacrifice, at which sixteen priests are required.
[123] पञ्जहोम From panja, “five,” and hóma, “a burnt offering.”
[124] The months are so called from certain Nakshatras, or the twenty-seven stellar mansions, two and one quarter of which make up each sign of the zodiac. The sun passes through those signs in twelve months, and the moon through each sign in two days and a quarter. Mágha is so called from the tenth Nakshatra Mágha, represented by a house; Vaiśaka, from Viśakha, the sixteenth, represented by a festoon; and Márgaśirsha, from the fifth Mriga-siras, or the antelope’s head.—D. S.
[125] Here terminates the translation of the late D. Shee, p. 201, l. 9, of the Calcutta edition.
[126] According to the Institutes of Manu (chap. VII. sl. 94-95): “The soldier who, fearing and turning his back, happens to be slain by his foes in an engagement, shall take upon himself all the sin of his commander, whatever it be: and the commander shall take to himself the fruit of all the good conduct which the soldier who turns his back and is killed, had previously stored up for a future life.”
(Transl. of Sir W. Jones.)