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 1035

I KÂNDA, 7 ADHYÂYA, 3 BRÂHMANA, 14.
203
favourite dainties !' thereby he refers to Agni as Hotri; for after the gods had set apart this oblation for him, they still further propitiated him by this (formula), and invited him to his favourite dainty": this is the reason why he thus enumerates.
12. Here now some make (the name of) the deity precede the ‘may he offer (ayat)!' thus— Of Agni may he offer (the favourite dainties)!' 'Of Soma may he offer!' But let him not do this; for those who make the deity precede the 'may he offer!' violate the proper order at the sacrifice, since it is by pronouncing the 'may he offer,' that he pronounces what comes first here: let him therefore place the 'may he offer' first.
13. [The Hotri continues to recite]: ‘May he sacrifice to his own greatness!' When, on that occasion ?, he asks him (Agni) to bring hither the deities, he also makes him bring hither his own greatness; but before this no worship of any kind has been offered to his (Agni’s) own greatness :' and he therefore now gratifies him, and thus that (fire) has been established so as to prevent failure on his (the sacrificer's) part. This is the reason why he says 'may he sacrifice to his own greatness.'
14. By sacrifice may he obtain for himself food worthy of sacrifice 3!' the food, doubtless, is these creatures: he thereby makes them eager to sacrifice, and these creatures go on sacrificing, worshipping and performing austerities.
· Or, resort, abode, dhå man. 9 Viz. at the devatânâm âvahanam,' cf. I, 4, 2, 17; p. 118, n. 1.
s'Âyagatâm egyâ ishah.' Mahîdhara, on Vâg. S. XXI, 47, interprets it thus: "May these (ishah) desirous (creatures), fit for sacrifice, sacrifice properly!' Similarly perhaps Sâyana on our passage.
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