50 অসমীয়া ব্যাকৰণ আৰু ভাষাতত্ত্ব were not so. The Vedic Indians held a Sattra or sacrificial session of a year's duration every year. It began on the night of the autumnal equinox when Atiratra sacrifice was performed. This was followed at the winter solstice by the Mahavrata sacrifice and then on the day of the vernal equinox by the Visuvaha sacrifice. The germs of these sacrifices which marked important points on the sun's path along the ecliptic were apparently brought by the Aryans from their original home. | (a) Kati Bihu --This sacrifice was performed in honour of Afvins. In the Aitareya Brahmana Atiritra sacrifice is enjoined as a part of the Asvin sastra. This is performed for acquisition of wealth and progeny. In the Gavamayana (ayana of cattle) Sattra the whole year of 360 days is divided into 2 parts of 180 days each. The first part begins at the Autumnal equinox when day and night are cqual. From this point the sun begins to move towards the south (downward ) and to prevent it from falling at winter solstice certain hymns are recited with certain rites. Similarly from the point of the vernal equinox the sun after crossing the equator continues to move northward ( upward). To prevent it from going too high at the summer solstice similar contrivance is adopted. On the night of the autumnal equinox the Atiratra sacrifice is performed. The spoon of “Soma” (nectar) is passed round the fire thrice as the night is divided into three equal parts and the devotees walk round it drinking Soina and reciting certain hymns of the Rig-Veda. This is, I think, still practised in a crude and slightly altered form by the Assamese on the night of the last day of Asvin (equinoxial night) under the name of Kuti Bihu. On this occasion the children run round the altar singing- “Tulasir gore gore urga pahu ghure, | etc. etc. etc.". (b) Magh Bihu : This is in honour of the fire-god. In the course of the above sacrificial session (sattra) the Mahavrata sacrifice was per- formed by the Vedic Indians at the winter solstice for the purpose of driving away influences hostile to the return of the sun. A special sort of drum, the earth drum" (Dundubhi ), was made by digging a hole in the ground and covering it with a hide. At the Mahavrata maidens dance_round the fire as a spell to bring down rain for the crops, and to secure the prosperity of the herds.” “The same ceremony is also marked by a curious episode; a Brahmin student and a hetera are introduced as engaged in 1 See Aitareya Brahmana IV. 4.18. 2 Aitareya Brahmana IV. 18.4. 3 Rk. I. 46.15. See Aitareya Brahmana -by R, S. Trivedi, p. 337. 4 Kathaka Sam. XXXIV, 5; Samgkh, Sir. Sutra XVIl. 141. Rk. 6.16.16. Rk. I. 28.5; vi, 47. 29.30. ৫ The Sanskrit Drama by Dr. Keith : P. 26. See also
