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SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
stand there facing the west. The horse doubtless represents strength : hence he makes it turn round again in order that this strength shall not turn away from him (the sacrificer).
24. He lays that (fire) down on the horse's footprint"; for the horse represents strength, so that he thereby lays it down on strength : for this reason he lays it down on the horse's foot-print.
25. In the first place he silently touches (the footprint with the burning fire-wood). He then lifts it up and touches once more with it; and at the third time he lays it down with (Våg. S. III, 5) 'Earth! ether ! heaven!' For there are three worlds indeed; so that he thereby obtains these (three) worlds. This now is one (mode of laying down the fire).
26. Then there is this other. Silently he touches (the foot-print with it) in the first place; he then lifts it up, and at the second time lays it down with 'Earth! ether! heaven !' For he who wants to lift a load without having a firm footing on this (earth), cannot lift it; nay, it crushes him.
27. Now, when he touches it silently he thereby takes a firm footing on this resting-place; and having obtained a firm footing on it, he lays down (the fire): and thus he wavers not. Here now Åsuri, Pâñki, and Madhuki held it (the fire) slightly to the back (or west of the fire-place) 2. 'For, they argued,' everything else (that is on the hearth)
1 Taitt. Br. I, 1, 5, 9, on the contrary, forbids the fire to be laid down on the horse's foot-print, as the sacrificer's cattle is thereby surrendered to Rudra. Moreover, the horse is there made to step beside, not upon, the hearth-mound.
2 The Kânva text reads : Tad v Âsurih Parkir Madhukir iti dadhrire,'here now they held it thus.'
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