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VIII KÂNDA, 2 ADHYAYA, 2 BRAHMANA, 6. 31
gods' (bricks). These indeed are those same All-gods who saw this second layer, and who came nigh with that life-sap: it is them he thereby bestows, that is, all these creatures. He lays them down in the range of the Retahsik; for the Retahsik are these two (heaven and earth): within these two (worlds) he thus places creatures; whence there are creatures within these two (worlds). He places (bricks) on every side: he thus places creatures everywhere, whence there are creatures everywhere. He places them alongside of the regional ones': he thus places creatures in the regions (quarters); whence there are creatures in all the (four) quarters.
5. And, again, as to why he lays down the Allgods' (bricks). When Pragâpati had become relaxed, all creatures went forth from the midst of him, from that birth-place of theirs. When that (central part) of his body had been restored, they entered him.
6. Now the Pragâpati who become relaxed is this very Agni (fire-altar) that is now being built up; and the creatures who went forth from the midst of him are these same All-gods' bricks; and when he lays these down, he causes those creatures, which went forth from the midst of him, to enter him. In the range of the Retahsik (he places the Vaisvadevi bricks), for the Retahsik are the ribs, and the ribs
1 The Asvini (or Disyâ) bricks were placed in a circle round the centre, at the distance of a foot from where the central brick (Svayamâtrinnâ) was placed in the first layer,-that is to say, in the third place from the centre. They were, moreover, placed in the second space (or at the distance of half a foot) from the two spines, see p. 23, note 1. The five Vaisvadevîs are then placed alongside of the Âsvinîs, so as to fill up the first spaces,' that is to say, to lie on the spines themselves; each of the two half-foot bricks laid down in the south being, as it were, halved by the spine.
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