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200
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
and of mortals,'—for this (Agni) is indeed the eye of both gods and men ;-'they who love to sacrifice together with the Bhrigus,'--that is, 'sacrificing together with the Bhrigus,'—'let the offerers go unto heaven, haill'—that is,'may the offerers
go to the heavenly world, hail!' · 29. Now, the gods thereby (viz. by these five
verses) wrested from the Asuras the five regions which are in yonder world, and then ascended them; and so does the Sacrificer thereby wrest them from his hateful enemy, and then ascend them. And by means of them the gods attained thither, and so also does this (Sacrificer) by means of them attain thither.
30. He then makes offering on that (firebrand);for now that he (Agni) had arrived the gods thereupon gratified him with food, this oblation; and in like manner does this (Sacrificer), now that he (Agni) has arrived, thereupon gratify him with food, this oblation. With milk from a black (cow) which has a white calf (he makes offering); the black (cow) with a white calf is the night, and her calf is yonder sun: he thus regales him with his own share, with his own relish. On it (the firebrand, he offers) while it is held above (the naturally-perforated brick); for above (everything) is he whom he thereby gratifies. By means of the milk-pail (he offers), for with the milk-pail milk is given away.
31. And, again, as to why he makes offering upon it. That (Âhavaniya) fire is the head of the sacrifice, and milk means breath: he thus puts breath into the head. He should make the offering so that it (the milk) flows on the naturally-perforated (brick); -the naturally-perforated one is breath, and this
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