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340
PÂRASKARA-GRIHYA-SOTRA.
not yet been washed, they'redescend,' having bathed, wearing garments which have not yet been washed: the master (of the house) southward, his wife to the north (of her husband, and then the other persons belonging to the house) so that each younger one lies more to the north.
7. Having caused the Brahman to sit down southward, and having placed to the north a water-pot, a Sami branch, an earth-clod taken out of a furrow, and a stone, he murmurs, looking at the fire: This Agni is most valiant, he is most blessed, the best giver of a thousand boons, highly powerful. May he establish us both in the highest place.
8. To the west of the fire he joins his hands (and holds them) towards the east.
9. With the three (verses), “The divine ship’ (Vâg. Samh. XXI, 6–8) they ascend the layer (of straw).
10. He addresses the Brahman: Brahman, we will redescend.'
II. The Brahman having given his permission, they redescend with (the words), Life, fame, glory, strength, enjoyment of food, offspring !
12. Those who have received the initiation murmur, ‘May a good winter, a good spring, a good summer be bestowed on us. Blessed may be to us the rains; may the autumns be blessed to us.'
13. With the verse), 'Be soft to us, O earth' (Vâg. Samh. XXXV, 21), they lie down on their right sides, their heads turned towards the east.
IO, II, See the note on $ 6.
12. On upeta, which means a person for whom the Upanayana has been performed, see my note, Sankhayana-Grihya II, 1, 1.
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