The horse sacrifice, the human sacrifice,
sammāpāsa, vājapeyya, niraggaḷa1
—great sacrifices, greatly violent—
bear no great fruit.
Where goats, rams, & cattle
of various kinds are killed:
Those of right conduct, great seers,
don’t attend that sacrifice.
But sacrifices free from violence,
offered always in line with family custom,
where goats, rams, & cattle
of various kinds are not killed:
Those of right conduct, great seers,
attend that sacrifice.
The wise person should offer that.
This sacrifice bears great fruit.
For one who offers this,
things get better, not worse.
The sacrifice is abundant,
and the devatās are appeased.
Notes
1. Three types of sacrifice defined by details in the equipment used.
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