________________
212
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
side of the sacrifice, and protects the sacrifice on the right side. If, however, the Brahman should not know (these formulas and oblations), any one who knows them may perform them; but (let him do so) after applying for leave to the Brahman, and with his permission. Now as to the meaning of these (formulas). Vasishtha knew the Virag': Indra coveted it.
39. He spake, 'Rishi, thou knowest the Virág: teach me it!' He replied, “What would therefrom accrue to me?'- I would teach thee the expiation for the whole sacrifice, I would show thee its form.' -He replied, 'Well, but tell me, if thou wert to teach me the expiation for the whole sacrifice, what would become of him to whom thou wouldst show its form ?'- Verily, he would depart from this world to the heaven of the living.'
40. The Rishi then taught Indra that Virág ;but the Virág, they say, is this (earth), whence he who possesses most thereof is the most powerful.
41. And Indra then taught the Rishi this expiation from the Agnihotra up to the Great Litany. And formerly, indeed, the Vasishtkas alone knew these utterances, whence formerly only one of the Vasishtha family became Brahman; but since nowadays anybody (may) study them, anybody (may) now become Brahman? And, indeed, he who thus knows these utterances is worthy to become
That is, the ‘far-shining,' or 'far-ruling' (metre). • Professor Delbrück, Altindische Syntax, p. 570, takes this clause thus : and therefore even now he who remains of them (i.e. of the Vasishtha family) is (? becomes) Brahman. This rendering takes, however, no account of the 'tu'; and, indeed, it will hardly fit in with the relative clause which precedes it.
Digitized by Google