Chapter 11 - Verse 48

Though a regular study of the four Vedas includes that of the sacrifices also, the study of the sacrifices is separately mentioned in order to imply that a knowledge of the sacrifices is necessary.* Rituals: such as Agnihotra. Austerity: such as Chandrayana.†

Some believe that the study of the Vedas consists in learning the texts by rote without understanding the meaning. It is therefore necessary to separately enjoin that the meaning of the Vedas. i.e., of the nature of the sacrifices treated of in them, should also be learnt,—(B.)

‘It consists in’diminishing the daily consumption of food by one mouthful every day for the dark half of the month beginning with 15th at the full moon until the quantity is reduced to zero at the new moon and then increasing it in like manner during the fortnight of the moon’s increase.’