________________
X KÂNDA, 4 ADHYAYA, 3 BRÂHMANA, 10. 357
unlimited enclosing-stones, unlimited Yagushmati (bricks), unlimited Lokamprina (bricks), even as some lay them down to this day, saying, 'The gods did so.' They did not attain immortality.
6. They went on praising and toiling, striving to win immortality. Pragàpati then spake unto them, 'Ye do not lay down (put on me) all my forms; but ye either make (me) too large or leave (me) defective: therefore ye do not become immortal.'
7. They spake, 'Tell thou us thyself, then, in what manner we may lay down all thy forms!'
8. He spake, 'Lay ye down three hundred and sixty enclosing-stones, three hundred and sixty Yagushmat (bricks), and thirty-six thereunto; and of Lokamprina (bricks) lay ye down ten thousand and eight hundred; and ye will be laying down all my forms, and will become immortal.' And the gods laid down accordingly, and thereafter became immortal.
9. Death spake unto the gods, 'Surely, on this wise all men will become immortal, and what share will then be mine?' They spake, .Henceforward no one shall be immortal with the body: only when thou shalt have taken that (body) as thy share, he who is to become immortal either through knowledge, or through holy work, shall become immortal after separating from the body.' Now when they said, “either through knowledge or through holy work,' it is this fire-altar that is the knowledge, and this fire-altar that is the holy work.
10. And they who so know this, or they who do this holy work, come to life again when they have died, and, coming to life, they come to immortal life. But they who do not know this, or do not do this
Digitized by Google
