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OF THE HINDUS.
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wise fathers who, happy with Yama, enjoy happiness.”—Rv. X, 14, 10.
The heart of the animal is put on his heart and, according to some, two cakes of ground rice. Others recommend these cakes only if the kidneys are wanting; nay, according to some accounts, all these parts of the animal may be shaped of ground rice and be burnt instead of the real animal. However, where a real animal is burnt with the dead, it is first to be cut up, and the limbs so thrown on the dead that every limb of the animal lies upon a corresponding part of the corpse; the hide is to be thrown over the whole, and a libation to be made with the following words:
“Agni, do not destroy this vessel, which is dear to the gods and our exalted fathers; this is the vessel from which the gods drink; in it the immortals rejoice." —Rv. X, 16, 8.
The chief performer of the sacrifice then kneels down on his left knee, and throws the oblations of Ajya into the Dakshina fire, saying “Sváhá to Agni, the lover of Sváhá, Sváhá to the world, Sváhá to Anumati, Sváhá!
The fifth oblation is to be offered on the breast of the dead, with the following (not-vaidik) words: Thou (fire) hast been produced by hiin; may he be reproduced from thee, that he may obtain the region of eternal bliss!
Thereupon the word is given, “Light the fire at
once!”
