________________
268
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
by means of all the trees the gods bore (or, maintained) it, and by means of all the trees does he now bear it.
14. It (the seat) is a span high ; for Vishnu, as an embryo, was a span high: he thus makes the womb equal in size to the embryo. It is a cubit across ; for the cubit is the length of) the (fore-) arm, and strength is exerted by the arm. It thus is made equal to strength, and strength is indeed capable of sustaining him (Agni): by means of strength the gods did bear him, and by means of strength does he now bear him.
15. The feet and boards are four-cornered; for there are four regions, and the regions are able to sustain him : by means of the regions the gods bore him, and by the regions does he now bear him. It is interwoven with cords of reed-grass, triple ones,—the significance of this has been explained ;—and smeared over with clay,-(the significance of this also has been explained; but it also serves to keep them from taking fire ?
16. Now he carries him (Agni, the fire) by means of a netting :,-he, Agni, is these worlds, and the netting is the regions, for by means of the regions these worlds are able to stand; and inasmuch as they are so able (sak), it is called a netting (sikya) : he thus carries him by means of the regions. It is furnished with six strings,--for there are six
· That is, the boards forming the seat itself, and being a cubit long.
? Lit. from (the fire in the pan) burning over (or through the clay);' or 'from (their) being burnt over.'
• Apparently a round netted mat, on which the fire-pan is to be placed, and which is fastened to a cord by means of six strings, thus somewhat resembling the scale of a balance.
Digitized by Google