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XII KÂNDA, I ADHYÂYA, I BRÂHMANA, 3.
135
TWELFTH KÅNDA.
THE SACRIFICIAL SESSION (SATTRA).
First ADHYAYA. FIRST BRÂHMANA. 1. Verily, this sacrifice is the same as this blowing (wind): it is that they wish to secure who take the vow of initiation for a year. Of them the Grihapati is initiated first ; for the Grihapati is this (terrestrial) world, and upon this world everything here is established; and so, indeed, are his fellowsacrificers established in the Grihapati: it is thus after they have become established on a firm foundation that they are initiated.
2. He (the Adhvaryu) then initiates the Brahman (priest). Now the Brahman is the moon, and the moon is Soma, and plants belong to Soma 8 : he thus connects the plants with this (terrestrial) world. Therefore no other person should be initiated between those two; for, assuredly, were any one else to be initiated between those two, he would separate (tear up) the plants from this (terrestrial) world, and they would be liable to dry up: let therefore no other person be initiated between those two.
3. He then initiates the Udgatri. Now, the Udgâtri is the thunder-cloud, and from the thundercloud rain is produced: he thus connects the rain
· Viz. the wind as the vital air pervading man; see paragraph 11. ? He, as well as the first three priests, is initiated by the Adhvaryu.
* Soma is the king of plants, whence these are called 'somarâgii,' II, 3, 4, 4; V, 4, 2, 3; Rig-veda S. X, 97, 8.
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