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SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
to this sacrifice!.—Bring Agni hither, O Agni !' this he says in order that he may bring Agni to the butter-portion intended for Agni. Bring Soma hither!' this he says in order that he may bring Soma to the butter-portion intended for Soma.'Bring Agni hither!' this he says in order that he (Agni) may bring Agni hither to that indispensables cake which is offered to Agni on both occasions (at the new and the full-moon sacrifices).
17. And in the same way) according to the respective deities. He then continues, "Bring hither the butter-drinking gods!' this he says in order that he may bring hither the prayâgas and anuyâgas (fore and after-offerings), for the prayâgas and anuyagas (represent) indeed the butter-drinking gods.— Bring Agni hither for the Hotriship!' this he says in order that he may bring Agni hither for the office of Hotri.— Your own greatness bring hither!' this he says in order that he (Agni) may
1 Here begins what is called the devatânâm âvahanam, or invitation (lit. bringing) of the deities to the oblations. Whilst the Hotri recites these formulas, the Adhvaryu performs what is set forth in I, 4, 5, 2 seq.
Akyuta, lit. 'not fallen,' i. e. immutable, invariable. For the legendary explanation of this epithet of Agni and his oblation, see I, 6, 1, 6; 2, 5-6.
: The three preceding in vocations are used alike at the new and full-moon sacrifices, but the subsequent ones differ according to the oblations that are made, viz. a rice-cake to Indra-Agni (or an oblation of mixed milk and butter to Indra) at the new-moon ceremony; and to Agni-Soma at the full-moon sacrifice. Previously to these an upâmsuyaga or 'low-voiced oblation' is made by some to Agni-Soma at the full moon, and one to Vishnu (or to Agni-Soma) at the new-moon sacrifice; according to others also one to Pragapati,- the names of the gods being whispered in the respective formulas.
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