Satapatha Bramhana Part 02

Author(s): Julius Eggeling
Publisher: Oxford

Page 39

SATAPATIIA-BRAHMANA.
head towards the west, lest he should sleep stretching (his legs) towards the gods. The southern quarter belongs to the Fathers; and the western one to the snakes; and that faultless one is the one where the gods ascended (to heaven); and the northern quarter belongs to men. Hence in human (practice) a hall or shed is constructed with the top-beams running from south to north, because the north is the quarter of men. It is only for a consecrated, not for an unconsecrated person that it is (constructed) with the top-beams running from west to east.
8. They enclose it on every side, lest it should rain upon (the sacrificer, while being consecrated): this, at least, is (the reason for doing so in) the rainy season! He who is consecrated, truly draws nigh to the gods, and becomes one of the deities. Now the gods are secreted from men, and secret also is what is enclosed on every side: this is why they enclose it on every side.
9. Not every one may enter it, but only a Brâhman, or a Râganya, or a Vaisya, for these are able to sacrifice.
10. Let him not commune with every one; for he who is consecrated draws nigh to the gods, and becomes one of the deities. Now the gods do not commune with every one, but only with a Brahman, or a Râganya, or a Vaisya; for these are able to sacrifice. Should there be occasion for him to converse with a Sadra, let him say to one of those, 'Tell this one so and so! tell this one so and so!'
(7) Iti nv eva varshah. The same particles occur III, 2, 1, 11. The Kanva text has,-lest it should freeze in winter, lest it should pour in the rainy season, and lest there should be burning heat in summer.'
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