________________
IV KÂNDA, 6 ADHYAYA, 9 BRAHMANA, 25.
455
24. Let them release their speech with this (Vâg. S. VIII, 53), 'Earth! Air! Sky!' Thus they render their speech auspicious by means of the truth, and with that auspicious (speech) they pray for blessings,—May we be abundantly supplied with offspring!'—thereby they pray for offspring; —May we be abundantly supplied with men!' —thereby they pray for men ;-May we be abundantly supplied with food!' thereby they pray for prosperity.
25. Thereupon the Grihapati, or whomsoever the Grihapati may call upon, recites the Subrahmanya litany! Some, indeed, recite the Subrahmanya each separately; but rather let the Grihapati, or whomsoever the Grihapati may call upon, recite the Subrahmanya. Having desired an invitation to that (Atirâtra feast), they put kindling-sticks on the fire ?
• See III, 3, 4, 17 seq.
• According to the comm. on Kâty. XII, 4, 28 it is the reciter of the Subrahmanya who, having said 0 Subrahmanya, invite me thereto l' puts sticks on the fire.
Digitized by Google
