Questions of King Milinda Part 01

SR No.: 007681
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T W Rhys Davids
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1890
Total Pages: 2695
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 47 MB

Page 1329

324
SATAPATHA-BRÂHMANA.
and Agni is Gayatra : as great as Agni is, as great as is his measure, by so much he thus repels evil, corruption.
17. On the space between (the Sacrificer and the bricks) he pours out a jarful of water, -water is a thunderbolt : with a thunderbolt he thus separates from himself evil, corruption. With ‘Homage to (the goddess of) Prosperity who hath done this!' they rise, for it was with a view to prosperity that the gods at first performed this rite, and to that (goddess) they then rendered homage ; and for prosperity indeed this (Sacrificer) now performs this rite, and to that (goddess) he now renders homage. They go back (to the sacrificial ground) without looking back: they thus abandon evil, corruption, even without looking back to it.
18. Having returned, he stands worshipping by the fire; for when he goes into that (south-western) direction whilst Agni is only half built up, he does what is improper : he now makes amends to him to prevent his doing any harm.
19. And again, why he stands by (the fire). The Gârhapatya (hearth) is this (terrestrial) world ; for the Gårhapatya is a foundation, and the foundation doubtless is this (earth). Now when he goes into that direction, he goes where there is no path; and when he stands by (the fire), he thereby returns to this (earth), the foundation, and establishes himself upon this foundation.
20. [He worships, with Vâg. S. XII, 66] 'The harbourer and gatherer of riches,' for a harbourer this world indeed is, a gatherer of riches ;'all form he watches over with his favours,'that is, 'all forms (of being) he watches over with
Digitized by Google