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54
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
layer. In that (brihati set of bricks) the gods come last (or, are highest).
9. And, again, as to why he lays down these bricks. When Pragâpati became relaxed, all living beings went from him in all directions.
10. Now that same Pragâpati who became relaxed is this very Agni (fire-altar) that is now being built up; and those living beings which went from him are these bricks: hence when he lays down these (bricks), he thereby puts back into him (Pragâpati-Agni) those same living beings which went from him.
11. Now when he first lays down ten (Prânabhrits), they are the moon. There are ten of these,-the Virág consists of ten syllables, and the Virág is food, and the moon is food. And when subsequently he lays down thirty-six (Khandasyâs), they are the halfmonths and months—twenty-four half-months and twelve months: the moon, doubtless, is the year, and all living beings.
12. And when the gods restored him (PragapatiAgni), they put all those living beings inside him, and in like manner does this one now put them therein. He lays them down so as not to be separated from the seasonal (bricks): he thus establishes all living beings in the seasons.
Fourth BRÂHMANA. 1. He then lays down the Vâlakhilyas ;-the Valakhilyâs, doubtless, are the vital airs: it is the vital airs he thus lays (into Agni). And as to why they are called Valakhilyâs,—what (unploughed piece of ground lies) between two cultivated fields is called
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