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 852

SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
in accordance with the measure of that (process of breathing), therefore there are two (strainers).
3. There may also be three: for the vyâna (or pervading vital air) is a third (kind of breathing); but in reality there are only two. Having then strained the sprinkling water 2 with these two (strainers), he sprinkles with it. The reason why he strains it with the two (strainers) is this:
4. Vritra in truth lay covering all this (space) which here extends between heaven and earth. And because he lay covering (vri) all this, therefore his name is Vritra.
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5. Him Indra slew. He being slain flowed forth stinking in all directions towards the water; for in every direction lies the ocean. And in consequence of this, some of the waters became disgusted, and, rising higher and higher, flowed over : whence (sprung) these grasses (of which the strainers are made); for they represent the water which was not putrified. With the other (water), however, some
three vital airs; where prâna is taken by Professors Haug and Müller as 'in-breathing' ('respiration' or 'expiration,' Röer), and apâna as 'out-breathing' ('inspiration,' Röer). Five vital airs are generally enumerated (Sat. Br. IX, 2, 2, 5); but theological speculation evidently considered these bodily processes a very convenient source of symbolism, as we find mention made in the Sat. Br. of six (XIV, 1, 3, 32); seven (III, 1, 3, 21; XIII, 1, 7, 2); nine (I, 5, 2, 5); and ten (XI, 6, 3, 7) breaths or vital airs.
1 'A combination of the out-breathing and in-breathing;' but as there is no distinction between this kind of breath and the others (combined), two must be considered as the normal number of strainers. Schol.
He pours water into the Agnihotra ladle (in which some of the awn of the rice remains), and after cleaning it with the two strainers, he sprinkles with it. Kâty. II, 3, 33 seq. The details of this process are given in par. 6 seq.
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