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36
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
and so!' The moment it (the potsherd) has been put down (and while it is still being touched) with the (fore-)finger of his left hand,
8. He seizes a (second) coal, lest the evil spirits, the Rakshas, should in the meantime rush in here. For the Brâhman is the repeller of the Rakshas 1 : hence, the moment it (the potsherd) has been put down (and while it is still being touched) with the finger of his left hand,
9. He pushes the coal on it, with the text (Vâg. S. I, 18 a) : 'Accept, O Agni, this holy work (brahman) 2!' He says this, lest the evil spirits, the Rakshas, should rush in here before ; for Agni is the repeller of the Rakshas : this is the reason why he pushes it on (the potsherd).
10. He then puts on that (potsherd) which is (to stand) behind (or west of the first or central one), with the text (Våg. S. I, 18 b): A support art thou! make firm the aërial region !' Under the form of the atmosphere he makes this (sacrifice) firm; by this he chases away the spiteful enemy. He adds : 'Thee, devoted to the brahman, devoted to the kshatra, devoted to the (sacrificer's) kinsmen, I put on for the destruction of the enemy!'
11. He then puts on that one which is (to stand) before (i. e. east of the first potsherd), with the text (Vâg. S. I, 18 c): 'A stay art thou ! do thou make firm the sky!' Under the form of the sky he makes this same (sacrifice) firm ; by it he chases away the spiteful enemy. He adds: “Thee, devoted to the brahman, devoted to the kshatra, devoted to the kinsmen, I put on for the destruction of the enemy!'
· Cf. I, 1, 4, 6.
2 Mahîdhara admits the alternative interpretation, Receive (me the priest l'
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| SR No. | 007670 |
| Book Title | Upnishad |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Max Muller |
| Publisher | Oxford |
| Publication Year | 1879 |
| Total Pages | 1835 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 35 MB |