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196
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
(earth), for the offering-formula (yâgya) is this (earth). Over yonder (sky) he places the vashat, for yonder (sky) also is the trishtubh. Thereby he makes those two (sky and earth) yoke-fellows; and as such they feed together; and after their common meal all these creatures get food?.
17. Let him pronounce the invitatory formula lingering, as it were: the invitatory formula, namely, is yonder (sky), and the brihat(-saman) also is yonder (sky), since its form is that of the brihat. With the offering-formula let him, as it were, hurry on fast: the offering-formula, doubtless, is this (earth), and the rathantara(-saman) also is this (earth), since its form is that of the rathantara?. With the invitatory formula he calls (the gods), and with the
tvam indra brahmanâ mahân, mighty, O Indra, mayest thou be through (our) prayer!' &c.].
For the notion that there is rain (and consequently food) when heaven and earth are on friendly terms with each other, see 1,8,3,12. The rain is the food of the earth; and the food, produced thereby, in its turn furnishes food for the sky (or the gods) in the form of oblations.
* The brihat-sâ man (tvam id dhi havâmahe, on thee, indeed, we call,' &c., Sama-veda II, 159-160=Rig-veda VI, 46, 1-2) and the rathantara-sâman (abhi två sûra nonumah, 'to thee, O Hero, we call,' &c., Sâma-veda II, 30-31=Rig-veda VII, 32, 22-23) are two of the most highly prized Sâma-hymns, which are especially used in forming the so-called prishthas, or combinations of two hymns in such a way that one of them (being a mystic representation of the embryo) is enclosed in the other, which is supposed to represent the womb. In these symbolical combinations the brihat and rathantara, which must never be used together, are often employed as the enclosing chants, representative of the womb. They are already mentioned in Rig-veda X, 181. See also Sat. Br. IX, 1, 2, 36-37. Taitt. S. VII, 1, 1, 4, Pragâpati is said to have first created from his mouth Agni together with the Gayatrî, the Rathantarasaman, the Brâhmana, and the goat; and then from his chest and arms Indra, the Trishtubh, the Brihat-sâman, the Råganya, and the ram.
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