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SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
here; but this (earth) is the foundation: the gods came back to this (earth), the foundation; and in like manner does the Sacrificer now come back to this
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(earth), the foundation. And that last set of ten is this world hence, even as (takes place) that start from the first set of ten, so from the last; for this is the same, those two sets of ten (the first and last) are this (terrestrial) world.
17. Now these are forty bricks and forty formulas, that makes eighty, and eighty (astti) means food1: thus whatever he now says that he makes to be food, astti, and gives it him, and thereby gratifies him (Agni).
THIRD BRAHMANA.
1. He then lays down the Stomabhâgâ (praisesharing bricks). For at that time Indra set his mind upon that food of Pragâpati, and tried to go from him. He spake, 'Why dost thou go from me? why dost thou leave me?'-'Give me the essence of that food: enter me therewith!'-'So be it!' so he gave him the essence of that food, and entered him therewith.
2. Now he who was that Pragâpati is this very Agni (the fire-altar) that is now being built up; and that food is these Khandasyâ (bricks); and that essence of food is these Stomabhâgâs; and he who was Indra is yonder Âditya (the sun): he indeed is the Stoma (hymn of praise), for whatsoever praises they sing, it is him they praise thereby, it is to that same Stoma he gave a share; and inasmuch as
The author apparently connects 'asîti' with the root 'as,' to eat.
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