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 872

SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
grain; and it is with the intention that it may gratify the gods' that the rice-oblation is taken.
19. He then grinds it, with the text (Vâg. S. I, 20): 'For out-breathing (I grind) theel for in-breathing thee! for through-breathing (pervading vital air) 1 thee! May I impart a long duration to the life (of the sacrificer) 2!' He pours it (the ground rice on the skin), with the text (ib.): May the divine Savitri, the golden-handed, receive thee with a flawless hand 3!' For his (the sacrificer’s) eye (I look at thee?!'
20. The reason why he thus grinds it, is that the sacrificial food of the gods is living, is amrita (ambrosia, or not dead) for the immortals. Now with the mortar and pestle, and with the two millstones they kill this rice-offering (haviryag ña).
21. When he now says: 'For out-breathing thee! for in-breathing thee!' he thereby again imparts out-breathing and in-breathing (to it), and by saying 'for through-breathing theel' he imparts throughbreathing (to it). By may I impart a long duration to the life !'he bestows life on it. By may the divine Savitri, the golden-handed, receive thee with a flaw
1 On the three kinds of breathing, see I, 1, 3, 2-3.
According to Katyâyana (II, 5, 7) and Mahîdhara, this last formula (May 1,' &c.) should be joined to the one that follows, and pronounced by the Adhvaryu whilst he pours the ground rice on the skin. Mahîdhara interprets it thus: 'I put thee, (O rice! on the black antelope skin) for increasing) the life (of the sacrificer) with a view to a long continuance (of the sacrificial work);' or 'I place thee along the long expanse (i.e. the skin) for thy (the rice's) long life !'
3 See I, 1, 4, 23.
+ Thus, according to Kâty. or Mahîdh., whilst he looks at the ground rice on the skin.
Digitized by Google