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488
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
as to why he does not look at it.--once for all the Fathers have passed away.
36. `Hail to Heaven and Earth!'-heaven and earth being the out (and in)-breathing and the up-breathing, it is the out and up-breathing he thus bestows upon him. Having offered (with the fifth stick) he leans it against the middle enclosing-stick.
37. 'Hail to the All-gods!'—the Visve Devåk being the vital airs, it is the vital airs he thus bestows upon him. Having offered (with the sixth stick) he leans it against the middle enclosing-stick.
38. (Vag. S. XXXVIII, 16,] Hail to Rudra, praised by the Rudras'!'-even without offering (with this, the seventh stick), he, looking southwards, hands it to the Pratiprasthàtri, and the latter throws it outside (the offering-ground) northwards to the north of the hall, for this is the region of that god : he thus gratifies him in his own region. And as to why he does not look at it, he does so thinking, 'Lest Rudra should do me harm.'
39. There are seven of these oblations, for seven in number are these (channels of the) vital airs in the head: it is these he thus bestows upon him.
40. He then pours (the remaining milk and ghee) from the Mahavira into the supporting-tray with, Hail, light with light!'--for light indeed the milk was in the one (vessel), and light it is in the other, and these two lights thus unite with each other. The call of 'hail!'he places first, and the deity last : the mystic import of this is the same as before.
"Or, 'having his praises sung by the chanters,' as Mabidhara takes rudrahti.'
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