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SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
Agni: as great as Agni is, as great as is his measure, with so much he thus deposits him.
13. He then stands worshipping by him; for he makes, as it were, light of him, when he strides with him through these worlds both thus (upwards), and thus (downwards): he now makes amends to him, so that he (Agni) may not hurt him.
14. And, again, why he stands by him ;-the gods at that time were afraid, lest he should injure these worlds of theirs from anigh: they thereby appeased him towards these worlds; and in like manner does he (the Sacrificer) now appease him towards these worlds.
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15. [Vâg. S. XII, 15-17] 'Seat thee in this thy mother's lap, thou, O Agni, knowing all ordinances! burn her not with thy heat, thy flame! shine in her with a brilliant light!-Glowing with light and heat within thine own seat, be thou gracious unto this Ukhâ, O knower of beings! Being gracious unto me, O Agni, now seat thee graciously! seat thee here in thine own seat, having made happy all the regions!'-by saying 'Gracious-Gracious,' he appeases him, so that he may not injure any one, and thus he, being appeased, does not injure these worlds.
16. With three (verses) he stands by worshipping;-three in number are these worlds, and threefold is Agni: as great as Agni is, as great as is his measure, with so much he thereby makes amends to him, and with so much does he thereby appease him towards these worlds.
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