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SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA. THIRD KÅNDA.
BRAD
W OF TE THE AGNISHTOMA.UNIVERSITY
CALTOR THE DIKSHÂ, OR CONSECRATION.
First ADHyÂYA. First BRÂHMANA. 1. They choose a place of worship. Let them choose (the place) which lies highest, and above which no other part of the ground rises '; for it was from thence that the gods ascended to heaven, and he who is consecrated indeed ascends to the gods. He thus sacrifices on a place of worship frequented by the gods; but were any other part of the ground to rise above it, he would indeed be lowered while sacrificing : let them therefore choose (the place) which lies highest.
2. While being high, that place should be even; and being even, it should be firm; and being firm, it should incline towards the east, since the east is the quarter of the gods; or else it should incline
1 Abhi-st, to lie or rise above,' with Sây. Dr. Lindner takes bhameh as abl., and translates 'whereon nothing but earth lies.' The Kânva rec. has bhûmeh (gen.) likewise in the preceding clause : tad yad eva varshishlham bhūmes tad eva devayaganam syâd yatrânyad bhûmer nâbhisayfteto vai devå, &c.' The gods evidently ascended to heaven from the highest spot of the earth, and so is the sacrificer to choose the highest available place. See Kâty. VII, 1, 11 scholl.; Låły. S. I, 1, 17, na kasya sthalataram (higher place) adure syât.'
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