Satapatha Bramhana Part 02

SR No.: 007678
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Julius Eggeling
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1885
Total Pages: 2521
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 44 MB

Page 264

III KÂNDA, 9 ADHYAYA, 3 BRÂHMANA, 10.
229
the early-coming! Now the early-coming gods are the metres, as the after-offerings are the metres; and the after-offerings are performed with, Prompt (the Hotri to recite) to the gods! Recite (the offeringprayer) to the gods!'
9. And so some say, ' Recite to the gods?!' But let him not say so; for the early-coming gods are the metres, as the after-offerings are the metres, and the after-offerings are performed with, ‘Promptto the gods! Recite (the offering-prayer) to the gods !' therefore let him say, 'Recite to the gods, the early-coming!
10. And when he puts on a kindling-stick, it is the metres he thereby kindles. And when the Hotri recites the morning-prayer”, he thereby
Here now, some say only, 'Recite to the early-coming!' not to the ... gods!' but let him not say this. Kanva text.
· The Prâtar-anuvâka, or morning-prayer (matin chant), has to be recited by the Hotri in the latter part of the night before any sound (of birds, &c.) is to be heard. It may begin immediately after midnight, and conclude as soon as daylight appears. When called upon by the Adhvaryu to recite the morning-prayer, the Hotri first makes an oblation of ghee on the Âgnîdhra fire, with the mantra, Protect me from the spell of the mouth, from every imprecation, Haill' and then two oblations on the Ahavanîya with appropriate mantras. Thereupon he betakes himself to the Havirdhana (cart-shed), in entering which, by the east door, he touches successively the front-wreath (rarâlâ, cf. III, 5, 3, 9) and the doorposts, with formulas. He then squats down between the yokepieces of the two Soma-carts, and begins his recitation with Rig-veda X, 30, 12, 'Ye, O wealthy waters, verily possess good things; ye confer desirable energy and immortality; ye command riches with abundant offspring: may Sarasvatî (the river S., and Speech) bestow on the bard that vital vigourl' The early-coming' deities to whom the recitation is successively addressed, are Agni, Ushas (the dawn), and the two Asvins (the precursors of the sun); the prayer thus consisting of three sections, termed kratu (Agni
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