Shatapatha Brahmana
Shatapatha Brahmana
The Shatapatha Brahmana is a part of the Śukla Yajurveda. It is attributed to the Vedic sage Yajnavalkya. Described as the most complete, systematic, and important of the Brahmanas, it contains detailed explanations of Vedic sacrificial rituals, symbolism, and mythology.
"Verily, in the beginning this [world] was water… The waters desired a way to be reproduced… When they were heated up a golden egg was produced… In a year’s time… Prajapati [=Lord of creatures, Creator-god] was produced therein... He broke open this egg."
"The nymph Urvasi loved Pururavas, the son of Ida. When she wedded him, she said, ‘Thrice a day thou shalt embrace me; but do not lie with me against my will, and let me not see thee naked, for such is the way to behave to us women.’"
"[One] should,therefore, consecrate [the sacred fires] on Krittikah. These, certainly, do not deviate from the Eastern direction. All other naksatras deviate from the Eastern direction."
"(Uttering), bhuh,’ Prajapati generated this earth. (Uttering) bhuvah ’ he generated the air, and (Uttering) svah he generated the sky. This universe is co-extensive with these worlds. (The fire) is placed with the whole. Saying bhuh,’ Prajapati generated the Brahman ; saying bhuvah,’ he generated the Kshattra ; (and saying) ‘svah,’ he generated the Vis. The fire is placed with the whole. (Saying) bhuh,’ Prajapati generated himself ; (saying) bhuvah,’ he generated offspring; saying ‘svah,’ he generated animals. This world is so much as self, offspring, and animals. (The fire) is placed with the whole."
