Question

"Punarva etanmrtvijo garbham kurvanti yam dikshayanti" (The priests make him a fetus again, whom they initiate). This famous ritualistic statement is found in which chapter of the first Panchika of the Aitareya Brahmana?

• A. Second chapter
• B. First chapter
• C. Third chapter
• D. Fourth chapter

Hint:

For the Aitareya Brahmana, remember the 'Rule of Three': Rebirth through Diksha is the core theme of the 3rd Adhyaya. Chapters 1-2 are preparation; Chapter 3 is the core transformation.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question explores the philosophical and ritualistic depth of the Aitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda. The Brahmanas are primarily concerned with the 'Vidhivada' (instructions) and 'Arthavada' (symbolic explanations) of sacrifices. One of the most profound concepts in Vedic ritualism is the idea of spiritual rebirth during the 'Diksha' (initiation) ceremony. A person is considered to have been born once from a mother, but through the sacrifice, he is born a second time into the world of the gods. This is why higher Vedic practitioners are called 'Dvija' (twice-born).

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The Aitareya Brahmana is organized into 8 Panchikas (groups of five chapters), totaling 40 chapters. The first Panchika deals with the Agnishtoma sacrifice, specifically the preparatory rites.

In the Third Chapter (Adhyaya 3) of the first Panchika, the text provides a symbolic biological metaphor for the ritual of Diksha. It explains that the priests (Ritvijas) act as the facilitators of this spiritual birth.

The Symbolism Explained:
1. The Fetus: The initiate (Yajamana) is likened to a fetus. When he enters the ritual enclosure, it is as if he has entered the womb.
2. The Womb: The 'Prachinvamsha' (the specialized ritual hut) represents the womb of the sacrifice.
3. The Rebirth: The various constraints placed on the initiate—such as keeping his fists closed, maintaining silence, and wearing specific garments—are all likened to the state of a child in the womb. He stays in this state until the day of the Soma-pressing, which is his "birth" into a divine state.

The text explicitly states: "Punarva etanmrtvijo garbham kurvanti yam dikshayanti." (The priests indeed make him a fetus again, whom they initiate). This highlights that the Diksha is not just a formality; it is a profound ontological transformation. The initiate is cleansed of his mundane identity and prepared to interact with the deities. In NTA Sanskrit papers, specific locations (chapters) of such key philosophical declarations are frequently tested. Knowing that the 'Initiation-Rebirth' theory is central to the 3rd chapter of the 1st Panchika is essential for advanced Vedic studies.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The statement is found in the Third chapter of the first Panchika. Therefore, option (3) is correct.