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276
BAUDHAYANA.
II, 10, 17.
it with the skin of a black antelope, and remains awake during that night.
21. A Brâhmana who, knowing this, dies after fasting during the night of Brahman and repositing within himself the sacred fires, conquers all guilt, even (that of) killing a Brâhmana.
22. Then he rises in the muhůrta sacred to Brahman, and offers the early Agnihotra just at the (appointed) time.
23. Next, after covering the (part of the altar called) Prishthyâ and bringing water, he prepares (an offering) to (Agni) Vaisvânara (which is cooked) in twelve potsherds. That (well-)known Ishti is the last (which he performs).
24. Afterwards he throws the sacrificial vessels, which are neither made of earth nor of stone, into the Âhavaniya fire,
25. (And) throwing the two Aranis into the Gârhapatya fire (with the words), ‘May ye be of one mind with us,' he reposits the sacred fires in himself.
26. (Reciting the sacred text), O Fire, that body of thine, which is fit for the sacrifice,' he inhales the smell of (the smoke of) each fire thrice three times.
27. Then, standing within the sacrificial enclosure, (he says) thrice in a low voice and thrice aloud, 'Om, Bhah, Bhuvah, Svah, I have entered the order of ascetics, I have entered the order of ascetics, I have entered the order of ascetics.'
21. The night during which the ascetic keeps watch near the fires is called the night of Brahman.'
25. The Aranis are the two pieces of wood used for producing fire by friction, Taittirîya Samhitâ I, 3, 7, 1-2.
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