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SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
the midday-pressing, and the Visve Devah the third pressing
17. The Gayatri (received) the morning-pressing, the Trishtubh the midday-pressing, and the Gagati the third pressing. The gods went on worshipping and toiling with that headless sacrifice.
18. Now Dadhyañk Åtharvana knew this pure essence!, this Sacrifice, — how this head of the Sacrifice is put on again, how this Sacrifice becomes complete.
19. He then was spoken to by Indra saying, 'If thou teachest this (sacrificial mystery) to any one else, I shall cut off thy head.'
20. Now this was heard by the Asvins,— Verily, Dadhyañk Åtharvana knows this pure essence, this Sacrifice,-how this head of the Sacrifice is put on again, how this Sacrifice becomes complete.'
21. They went up to him and said, 'We two will become thy pupils.'—What are ye wishing to learn ?' he asked. — This pure essence, this Sacrifice,-how this head of the Sacrifice is put on again, how this Sacrifice becomes complete,' they replied.
22. He said, 'I was spoken to by Indra saying, If thou teachest this to any one else, I shall cut off thy head;' therefore I am afraid lest he should indeed cut off my head : I cannot take you as my pupils.'
23. They said, 'We two shall protect thee from him.'— How will ye protect me?' he replied.They said, 'When thou wilt have received us as thy
· Viz. the Madhu (honey') or sweet doctrine of the Pravargya, or pot of boiled milk and ghee.
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