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XIV KÂNDA, 1. ADHYÂYA, 2 BRÂHMANA, 17. 453
side: whilst proceeding towards that (shed) they mutter (Vâg. S. XXXVII, 7; Rig-v. I, 40, 3), “May Brahmanaspati go forward !'-Brahmanaspati (the lord of devotion) doubtless is he that shines yonder, and the Pravargya also is that one: it is him he thus gratifies; hence he says, May Brahmanaspati go forward;'-'may the goddess Gladness go forward !'--for the goddess Gladness she (Vâk ) is ;-'unto the hero, kindly to men and the dispenser of fivefold (offerings),'-— he thereby praises and magnifies it (the Pravargya),
- unto the sacrifice may the gods lead us!'he thereby makes all the gods its guardians.
16. It is an enclosed space ;—for at that time the gods were afraid, thinking, 'We hope that the fiends, the Rakshas, will not injure here this our (Pravargya):' they accordingly enclosed for it this stronghold, and in like manner does this (Sacrificer) now enclose for it this stronghold.
17. He then deposits (the sambhåras ) on the mound with, 'For Makha thee! for Makha's head thee!' the import of this is the same as before. He then takes a lump of clay and makes the Mahavira (pot) with, 'For Makha thee! for Makha's head thee,'—the import of this is
The place is to the north of the antakpâtya peg, the black antelopeskin being spread to the south of it (and immediately north of the materials used in making the pot).
Thus Mahidhara, on Våg. S. XXXIII, 89. ? Vîra,' apparently an allusion to 'Mahå-vîra' (great hero), the name of the pot used at the Pravargya.
• Viz. as placed on the black antelope-skin which is carried northwards to the enclosed place by the Adhvaryu and his assistants taking hold of it on all sides.
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