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I KÂNDA, 8 KANDIKÂ, 1.
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verse,) 'Tread on this stone ; like a stone be firm. Tread the foes down; turn away the enemies.'
2. He then sings a song : Sarasvati! Promote this (our undertaking), O gracious one, bountiful one, thou whom we sing first of all that is, in whom what is, has been born, in whom this whole world dwells—that song I will sing to-day which will be the highest glory of women.'
3. They then go round (the fire) with (the verse, which the bridegroom repeats)
"To thee they have in the beginning carried round Sûryâ (the Sun-bride) with the bridal procession. Mayst thou give back, Agni, to the husbands the wife together with offspring.'
4. Thus (the same rites are repeated) twice again, beginning from the fried grain.
5. The fourth time she pours the whole fried grain by the neb of a basket (into the fire) with (the words), · To Bhaga svâhâ !'
6. After he has led her round (the fire) three times, and has sacrificed the oblation to Pragâpati
KANDIKÂ 8. 1. Then he makes her step forward in a northern direction seven steps (with the words),
One for sap, two for juice, three for the prospering of wealth, four for comfort, five for cattle, six for the seasons. Friend! be with seven steps (united to me). So be thou devoted to me.'
4. See chap. 6, 1.
5. Comp. Khâdira-Grıhya I, 3: sårpena sishtân agnâv opya prâgudîkîm utkramayet. See also Gobhila II, 2; Âsvalâyana 1, 7, 14.
8, 1. The parallel texts have sakhâ and saptapadî for sakhe and saptapadâ of Paraskara.
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