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III KÂNDA, 4 ADHYÂYA, 2 BRÂHMANA, 3.
93
THE TÂNÚNAPTRA, OR COVENANT OF
TANÛNAPÂT'
SECOND BRÂHMANA. 1. When the gods had performed the guestoffering, discord befell them. They separated into four different parties, unwilling to yield to each other's excellence,-Agni with the Vasus, Soma with the Rudras, Varuna with the Adityas, and Indra with the Maruts. Brihaspati with the All-gods, say some?, but, indeed, those who separated into four parties were all the gods.' When they were separated, the Asura-Rakshas came after them and entered between them.
2. They became aware of it,- Forsooth, we are in an evil plight, the Asura-Rakshas have come in between us: we shall fall a prey to our enemies. Let us come to an agreement and yield to the excellence of one of us!' They yielded to the excellence of Indra; wherefore it is said, 'Indra is all the deities, the gods have Indra for their chief.'
3. For this reason let not kinsmen fall out, for any (enemy) of theirs, be he ever so far away, steps in between them; they do what pleases their enemies and fall a prey to their enemies: therefore let them not fall out. For he who, knowing this, quarrels not, does what displeases his enemies and
· The Tânûnaptra is a solemn covenant made by the sacrificer and his priests, in the name of Tanûnapât, and while touching sacrificial butter; thereby pledging themselves not to injure each other.
2 Thus Ait. Br. I, 24, where moreover the Rudras are assigned to Indra, (the Vasus to Agni, and the Adityas to Varuna.)
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