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278
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
whatsoever is not yet secured for him; and thus, moreover, the two deities1 receive the same (amount) for their share.' Let him, however, not do so, for surely those seven (verses) are (equal to) eight anushubh (verses), and thus he even therein obtains whatever wished-for object there is in the eightversed (hymn).
10. With (verses) addressed to Indra and Agni he approaches (the fire); the fire-altar belongs to Indra and Agni: as great as Agni is, as great as is his measure, by so much he thus gains for him whatever has not been gained for him. And Indra and Agni are all the gods, and the fire-altar belongs to (or Agni is) all the deities: as great as Agni is, as great as is his measure, by so much he thus gains for him whatever has not been gained for him.
11. Now some make this (hymn) the opening rite of every performance, saying, 'Freed from evil, we must perform this sacred work!' And others, indeed, say, 'Let him approach reverently (each) layer when it is covered with soil, for therein that (layer) becomes whole and complete.' Let him, then, do as he chooses. So much as to the building; now as to the non-building.
2
12. Verily, there are three oceans,—the Fire-altar (being the ocean) of Yagus-formulas, the Mahâvrata (-sâman) that of Sâmans (hymn-tunes), and the Mahad uktham (Great Litany 3) that of Rik (verses). Whoever performs these (three rites) for another
Viz. Indra and Agni, having each four verses addressed to them.
See p. 282, note 5.
See p. 110, note 3; p. III, note 1.
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