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I KÂNDA, 3 ADHYÂYA, 3 BRÂHMANA, 7.
85
which is left on the roots of the (grass) plants, with the text (Våg. S. II, 2), 'A moistening art thou for Aditi!' Aditi, indeed, is this earth; hence it is for the latter that he thus moistens the roots of the plants: thereby these plants become root-moistened; and even if their tops are dry, their roots at least remain moist.
5. Having thereupon untied the knot, he takes the prastara bunch from the front (of the barhis), with the text (Våg. S. II, 2), Vishnu's crest art thou!' Vishnu, namely, is the sacrifice, and this (the prastara) is his top-knot or crest: this he thereby makes it at this sacrifice! From the front he takes it, because this top-knot also is (worn) on the front (of the head): for this reason he takes it from the front.
6. He then undoes the band (of the barhis). His (the sacrificer's) wife is sure to bring forth without difficulty?, thinking thus he undoes the band. He puts it down on the right hip (of the altar); for this represents his (the sacrificer's) waist-band, and it is on the right side that the waist-band is (tied): this is the reason why he puts it down on the right hip. He again covers it over (with sacrificial grass); for the waist-band also is covered (by the upper garment): for this reason he again covers it.
7. He now spreads the barhis (on the altar). For the prastara is the top-knot; and this other
Because, according to Sâyana, it lies on the front, or eastern side of the altar, near the Ahavaniya fire, and men also wear their topknot (in the form of a ball or lump) on the fore-part of their head. The prastara he hands to the Brahman-priest. Kâty. II, 7, 22.
Prakliptam; Sayana takes it in the sense of a completely formed (child).'
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