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 892

60
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
were not offended at this, but said: 'Much indeed they gave us, who gave us what is equal in size to the sacrifice.'
6. Having then laid him down eastwards, they enclosed him on all (three) sides with the metres, saying (Vág. S. I, 27), on the south side, With the Gayatri metre I enclose thee!' on the west side :
With the Trishtubh metre I enclose thee!' on the north side: ‘With the Gagati metre I enclose thee?!'
7. Having thus enclosed him on all (three) sides, and having placed Agni (the fire) on the east side, they went on worshipping and toiling with it (or him, i.e. Vishnu, the sacrifice). By it they obtained (sam-vid) this entire earth; and because they obtained by it this entire (earth), therefore it (the sacrificial ground) is called vedi (the altar). For this reason they say, 'As great as the altar is, so great is the earth ;' for by it (the altar) they obtained this entire (earth). And, verily, he who so understands this, wrests likewise this entire (earth) from his rivals, excludes his rivals from sharing in it.
8. Thereupon this Vishnu became tired; but being enclosed on all (three) sides by the metres, with the
where the gods are granted by the Asuras as much as they can enclose ; and by the Vasus being placed in the south, the Rudras in the west, the Adityas in the north, and Agni in the east, they obtain the whole of the earth.
In the actual performance of the sacrifice this represents the půrva-parigraha, or first enclosing of the altar by a single line being drawn with the wooden sword on each of the three sides (viz. S.W. to S. E.; S.W. to N.W.; N.W. to N. E.) whilst muttering the respective texts. Before doing so he has, however, to ask and receive the permission of the Brahman, mutatis mutandis, in the usual way (cf. p. 7 note): the same forms have to be gone through at the marking of the second and third enclosures. Katy. II, 6, 25 seq. On the ritualistic application of the metres, see note on I, 3, 2, 9.
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