Satapatha Bramhana Part 05

SR No.: 007680
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Julius Eggeling
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1900
Total Pages: 2017
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 44 MB

Page 989

310
VEDIC HYMNS.
worshipful gods, the guest of all men, Agni, choosing (for us) the protection of all gods—may he, Gâta vedas, be merciful.
NOTES.
The Rishi is Vamadeva, the metre Trishtubh, except in verses 1-3, the metres of which are Ashti, Atigagats, and Dhriti respectively.—Verses 4-5=VS. XXI, 3-4; TS. II, 5, 12, 3; IV, 2, 11, 3; TB. III, 7, 11,3; 12, 6; TÅ. II, 4, 4; IV, 20,3; MS. IV, 10,4; 14, 17. Verse 20=VS. XXXIII, 16; TB. II, 7, 12, 5.—The hymn has been translated and commented upon by Bergaigne, Quarante Hymnes du Rig-véda, p. 11 seq.
This Sakta seems to be composed of two independent hymns. Grassmann believed that the first three verses are the fragment of one hymn, and that verses 4-20 form a second hymn. His reason was that verses 1-3 are composed in metres similar to Atyashti, while the rest are composed in Trishtubh. I think that he was on the right way, but his opinion should be slightly modified. In verses 1-5 Agni is invoked to appease the anger of Varuna ; while, on the other hand, no allusion to Varuna occurs in verses 6-20. I believe, therefore, that the first hymn should be considered as consisting of verses 1-5; it is composed in the metres of the Atyashti class (1-3) with two concluding Trishtubh verses (4, 5). The second hymn comprises the verses 6-20. The arrangers of the Samhita, however, considered these two hymns as one, as is shown by the position which they have assigned to it, before the second Sakta, which has the same number of verses (20) as this first Sakta. Comp. my Prolegomena, p. 141.
Verse 1.
Note 1. I.e. with the intention that he should act as the steward of the gods. As to sti krátva, comp. I, 138, 3. iti
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