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SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
approved my consecration; the lord of penance hath approved my penance.' Thereby he frees himself visibly from Agni, and sacrifices with a self (body) now his own: hence they now partake of his food, for he is a man (again); hence they now use his (real) name, for he is a man. And as to their not eating (of his food) heretofore, it is as one would not eat of sacrificial food, before offering has been made thereof: therefore let no one partake of the food of one consecrated. He now loosens his fingers.
THE ANIMAL SACRIFICE TO AGNI AND SOMA.
Fourth BRAHMANA. A. THE SETTING UP OF THE SACRIFICIAL STAKE. 1. Being about to cut the sacrificial stake, he offers a with a verse addressed to Vishnu. For the stake belongs to Vishnu; therefore he offers with a verse addressed to Vishnu.
2. And again, why he offers with a verse addressed to Vishnu—Vishnu being the sacrifice, he thus approaches the stake by means of the sacrifice: therefore he offers with a verse addressed to
Vishnu
3. If he offers with the offering-spoon, he offers after taking ghee by four ladlings; and if he offers with the dipping-spoon, he offers after 'cutting out' (some ghee from the pot) with the dipping-spoon ;with the text (Våg. S. V, 41), Stride thou widely,
On the Animal Sacrifice, cp. Dr. J. Schwab's dissertation, 'Das altindische Thieropfer,' 1882.
• This oblation is called yû på huti, or 'stake-offering.'
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