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146
SATAPATHA-BRÂHMANA.
is because they (the gods) saw them separately; and as to their having the same finale (nidhana), it is because there is only one foundation, only one finale to the sacrifice-even heaven: therefore they have 'svar-gyotis (heaven-light)' for their finale.
7. He then bestrews him (Agni, the fire-altar and Agni's body) with chips of gold. Now that whole Agni had been completed, and the gods bestowed on him immortality, that highest form; and in like manner does this one now bestow upon him that highest, immortal form.
8. And, again, as to why he bestrews him with chips of gold. Now on that former occasion he first lays into him that pleasing form, the gold plate and the (gold) man 2; and he now decks him all over with a pleasing form.
9. With two hundred (chips he bestrews him) each time,-two-footed is the Sacrificer, and Agni
(5) the 'purusha-saman,' beginning 'purushâh-purusha-hoyi' &c.; which are similarly chanted by the Sacrificer at the beginning of the first layer, when laying down the lotus leaf (part iii, p. 363, where note I should be corrected in accordance with the present note), and the gold man (ib. p. 369, where the note requires likewise to be corrected), as the 'kitre gâyati,' he sings on the bright one,' of the text cannot refer to the Kitra-sâman' there referred to. Cf. Lâty. S. I, 5, 8.-In regard to these samans (hymnverses), the text might lead one to suppose that they only consist of two, instead of the usual four parts (omitting the intermediate Udgîtha and Pratihâra, cf. part ii, p. 310 note). The sâman being, however, sung by the Sacrificer himself, the usual distinction into parts to be performed by different chanters was probably dispensed with.
That is, the Sacrificer bestows it on Agni; with probably, however, the double entente, 'this Adhvaryu priest bestows it on the Sacrificer.'
* See VII, 4, 1, 10 seq.; 15 seq.
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