Question

Match the ritual and numerical symbolism of the Aitareya Brahmana in List I with their correct ritual identifications in List II:
List I:
A. sa vā eṣa gāyatraiva (He is indeed Gayatri-natured)
B. caturviṃśatyakṣarā vai (Consisting of twenty-four syllables)
C. caturvimshtir-agniṣṭomasya (Twenty-four are of the Agnishtoma)
D. pañcadaśa prayāṇīye (Fifteen are in the initial offering)
List II:
I. stutaśastrāṇi (Chants and recitations)
II. gāyatrī (The Gayatri meter)
III. yad-agniṣṭomaḥ (Because it is the Agnishtoma)
IV. sāmidhenīranvāha (The fire-lighting verses recited)

• A. A-IV, B-I, C-II, D-III
• B. A-III, B-II, C-I, D-IV
• C. A-II, B-I, C-III, D-IV
• D. A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV

Hint:

Ritual Constant: 24 = Gayatri = Stutashastrani. 15 = Samidheni. If you see "15" (Panchadasha) in a Rigvedic ritual context, it almost always refers to the number of fire-kindling verses. This "15-Samidheni" link is a high-speed solving key.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Brahmana literature relies heavily on "Numerical Mysticism" or symbolism to unify the cosmos (the year/time), the ritual (the sacrifice), and the word (the meter). The number 24 (Chaturvimshati) is the most prominent number in the Aitareya Brahmana because it represents the 24 half-months of the year and the 24 syllables of the Gayatri meter. This question tests the understanding of these fundamental ritual correlations.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the symbolic identifications found in Aitareya 1.1 and 1.5:

1. A. sa vā eṣa gāyatraiva - II. gāyatrī: The text starts by identifying the Agnishtoma sacrifice itself with the Gayatri meter. Since Agni is the deity and Gayatri is his meter, the sacrifice is "Gayatra-natured." Thus, A matches II.

2. B. caturviṃśatyakṣarā vai - I. stutaśastrāṇi: The Aitareya explains that the 24 syllables of the Gayatri are physically manifested in the sacrifice through the 24 Stutras and Shastras (12 chants by the Udgatr and 12 recitations by the Hotr). This creates a perfect mathematical harmony between the sound and the ritual act. Thus, B matches I.

3. C. caturvimshtir-agniṣṭomasya - III. yad-agniṣṭomaḥ: The text asserts that the Agnishtoma is "24-fold." This matches the total number of primary ritual components described in the first Panchika. It reinforces the solar/yearly symbolism of the sacrifice. Thus, C matches III.

4. D. pañcadaśa prayāṇīye - IV. sāmidhenīranvāha: In the Prayaniya Ishti (the opening sacrifice), the Hotr priest is required to recite exactly fifteen (Panchadasha) Samidheni verses (verses used to kindle the fire). This number 15 represents the 15 days of the half-month. It is a strict liturgical rule for the Hotr. Thus, D matches IV.

Conclusion:
The mapping A-II, B-I, C-III, D-IV represents the "Science of Numbers" used in the Brahmanas to prove that the human ritual is a reflection of the cosmic order (Rta). For students, the two "Magic Numbers" to remember for Rigvedic ritual are 24 (Gayatri) and 15 (Samidheni). These are frequently used in matching and statement-type questions in NTA NET.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The numerical ritualisms are correctly matched in option (3).