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SATAPATHA-BRÂHMANA.
4. This Agni is Pragàpati ; and Pragậpati is both the gods and men. Now when the Vishnu-strides and the Vâtsapra are (performed), he thereby makes up that form of his which is divine; and when he drives him about he thereby makes up that form of his which is human. Verily, then, he who, knowing this, drives him about, makes up that whole and entire Pragapati: let him therefore by all means drive him (Agni) about.
5. Now on any day on which he may intend to drive, he gets the chariot placed north of the fire (with the pole) to the east; and puts a kindling-stick on it (the fire); for at that time the gods first regaled him (Agni) with food, with that kindling-stick, when he was about to start: and in like manner does this one now first regale him with food, with that kindlingstick, when he is about to start.
6. [Vâg. S. XII, 30; Rik S. VIII, 44, 1] 'With fuel serve ye Agni!'--that is, 'with fuel worship ye Agni !'-—'with draughts of ghee awake ye the guest, offer ye libations unto him!'-that is, 'with (draughts of) ghee do ye awake the guest, and offer libations unto him 1'—with a (verse) containing (the verb) 'awake' he awakens him for the starting.
7. He then lifts him the fire) up, with (Vág. S. XII, 31), Upwards may the All-gods bear thee, O Agni, by their thoughts!'-at the beginning all the gods did indeed bear him upwards by their thoughts, for that (or, he) was then their thought: in like manner does this (Sacrificer) now bear him upwards by his thoughts, for this now is his thought;
- be thou gracious unto us, of fair look, and rich splendour!'-as the text, so its meaning. From the south he places him (Agni) northwards
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