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78
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
3. Then as to the subsequent (bricks). Alongside of the one in front) containing the Trivrit he lays down one containing the Trivrit; alongside of that (at the back) containing the Ekavimsa (he lays down) one containing the Ekavimsa ; alongside of that (on the south, or right side) containing the Pañkadasa (he lays down) one containing the Saptadasa ; alongside of that (on the north, or left, side) containing the Saptadasa (he lays down) one containing the Pañkadasa. And because he thus changes in laying them down!, therefore they (the bricks) are of diverse stomas; and because these stomas are then otherwise with regard to the former ones ?, therefore also they (the bricks) are of diverse stomas. And in this way the gods laid them down, and otherwise the Asuras; whereupon the gods succeeded, and the Asuras came to naught: he who knows this, succeeds of himself, and his hateful enemy comes to naught.
4. Now, this Agni (fire-altar) is an animal, and he is made up (restored) here whole and entire. His head is the two (bricks) containing the Trivrit; and as to why these two are such as contain the Trivrit,
—the head is threefold (trivrit). There are two of them, because the head consists of two bones (kapala). He lays them down in front, for this head is in the front (of the animal).
5. The two (behind) containing the Ekavimsa are the foundation (the feet). And as to why these are such as contain the Ekavimsa,—the Ekavimsa is
i The Sanskrit text, as usual, makes our gerundial clause the principal clause: 'because he lays them down in changing them.'
. On the south side a Sprit representing the Saptadasa is placed immediately north of a stoma (brick) representing the Pañkadasa; and vice versâ on the north (left) side.
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