Satapatha Brahmana

SR No.: 011120
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Max Muller, Julius Eggeling
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1987
Total Pages: 433
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 36 MB

Page 136

IIO
SATAPATHA-BRÂHMANA.
Agni (fire-altar) He now wished for distinction"; for, indeed, heretofore he was not equal thereto, that he should sustain distinction; whence people here say even to this day, 'This one is not equal to sustain distinction, either in regard to kingship or to headmanship. The gods bestowed on him this distinction, these Khandasyâs; for the metres (Khandas) are cattle, and cattle are food, and (a position of) distinction is food.
2. He lays down triplets, for the beast is threefold-father, mother, son; and, embryo, amnion, chorion ; and food also is threefold-ploughing, rain, seed. One of them is an Atikhandas ? (excessive metre); for even whilst being one, that one is beyond all the metres. And as to that distinction, it is this great hymn of praise 3 ; and as to this great hymn of praise, it is these Khandasyâs.
Gârhapatya on the front, or east, side); 3. gagati, on the Retahsik range (joining the Gâi hapatya on the west side); 4. anushtubh, immediately behind (west) of the preceding set; 5. brihatî, immediately in front (east) of the Ashâdhâ range (on which the ring of Stomabhagas lies); 6. ushnıh, immediately behind (west of) the Gayatıis; 7 kakubh, immediately in front of the brihati bricks; 8. panktı, at the right (south) end of the cross-spine'; 9. padapankti, at the left (north) end of the cross-spine'; 1o. the single atikhandas, immediately in front (east) of the fifth Asapatna (see p. 84, note 1); 11. (three) dvipa då at the back, or west, end of the 'spine,
* That is, a position of honour, or dignity (srî).
? By the metres, here and in the sequel, we have to understand bricks laid down with verses of the respective metres (Våg. S. XV, 20 seq.).
$ That is, the so-called Great Litany (mahad uktham) recited, by the Hotri, in response to the Mahâvrata-sâman, or Chant of the Great Rite, at the midday service of the last but one day-the so-called Mahâvrata day of the sacrificial session called 'Gavâm ayanam,' or 'cows' walk.' The Great Litany consists of numerous