Dhammapada

SR No.: 007674
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Max Muller
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1881
Total Pages: 2540
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 45 MB

Page 1027

I KÂNDA, 7 ADHYAYA, 2 BRAHMANA, 16.
195
is yonder (sky)? He recites the gâyatri verse, thereby reciting yonder (sky), for the invitatory formula (anuvâk ya) is yonder (sky). He recites this (earth), for the gâyatri verse (viz. the offeringformula) is this (earth).
16. He then presents the offering with a trishtubh verse, thereby presenting it by means of this
In this passage the invitatory formula (anuvâk yâ or puro'nuvâkyâ), which is in the gâyatri metre, is identified with the sky, and the offering-formula (yag yâ), which is in the trishtubh metre, with the earth. On the other hand, the gayatri also is the earth (cf. I, 4, 1, 34), and the trishtubh the sky; so that, according to this mode of reasoning, there is not only an intimate connexion between the two metres, but actual identity. The gayatri verse, used as invitatory formula, on the occasion of the ricecake offering to Agni, is Rig-veda VIII, 44, 16 [agnir murdha divah kakut, 'Agni, the head and summit of the sky,' &c.]; with that to Agni and Soma, at the full-moon sacrifice, Rig-veda I, 93, 3 agnishomau savedasau, sahûtî vanatam girah, 'O Agni and Soma, of self-same wealth and invocation, accept this song !' &c.]; and to Indra and Agni, at the new-moon, Rig-veda VII, 94, 7 [indrågni avasâ gatam, 'O Indra and Agni, come to us with favour l' &c.]; or with the (optional) milk-offering (sân nâyyam), at the new moon, Rig-veda I, 8, 1 [endra sânasim rayim, hither, O Indra, bring abundant treasurel'&c.], if to Indra; or Rig-veda VIII, 6, 1 (mahân indro ya Ogasa parganyo vrishtimân iva, 'the Great Indra, who in might is equal to the rainy thunder-cloud,' &c.], if to Mahendra.
3 The trish/ubh verse, used as offering-formula with the oblation of cake to Agni, both at the new and full moon, is Rig-veda X, 8, 6 [bhuvo yagñasya ragasas ka neta ... agne ...,'be thou the leader of the sacrifice and welkin, ...0 Agni!' &c.]; with that to Agni and Soma, at the full moon, Rig-veda I, 93,5 [yuvam etâni divi rokanâni ... agnîshomau..., 'you, O Agni and Soma, (fixed) those lights in the heaven,' &c.]; with that to Indra and Agni, at the new moon, Rig-veda VII, 93, 4 [gîrbhir viprah pramatim ikkhamâna ... indragnî..., 'the bard, seeking your grace by songs ..., O Indra and Agni,' &c.]; and with the milk-offering, at the same sacrifice, if to Indra, Rig-veda X, 180, 1 (pra sasáhishe puruhůta satrún ... indrâ ..., 'thou, O Indra, the much-invoked, hast vanquished the enemies l' &c.]; or, if to Mahendra, Rig-veda X, 50, 4 [bhuvas
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