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SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
should dig a line for the enclosing-stones outside (the altar-ground).
7. Two cubits he gives to the two wings: he thereby lays strength into the wings. And the wings are (the bird's) arms, and by means of the arms food is eaten it is thus for the sake of food that he gives them that space; and when he gives two cubits to the two wings, it is because food is taken from the distance of a cubit.
8. To the tail he gives a span: he thus lays strength into the support, for the tail is the support. The span means the hand1, and by means of the hand food is eaten it is thus for the sake of food that he gives it that space; and when he gives a span to the tail, he thereby settles him (Agni) in (the midst of) food; and when he gives less (space) to this (part of the body), it is because he thereby settles him in (the midst of) food. But, indeed, so much does this (the bird's wing) measure, and so much this (the bird's tail), and hence when he thus measures them, it is for the sake of securing for him that (natural measure).
THIRD BRAHMANA.
I. Now this Vedi (altar-ground, viz. the Mahâvedi of the Soma-sacrifice) is just that (right) measure for the Vedi of the sevenfold3 (fire-altar).
The span of thumb and little finger is taken to be equal to the distance from the wrist to the tip of the middle finger.
2 That is to say, he makes him so as to occupy but small space, and to be surrounded by abundant food.
That is, measuring seven times the length of a man standing with upstretched arms.
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