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II KÂNDA, 2 ADHYAYA, 2 BRÂHMANA, 6.
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(sacrifice). Whatever, therefore, fails in this sacrifice when slain, that he now again invigorates by means of gifts to the priests; whereupon the sacrifice becomes successful: for this reason he makes gifts to the priests.
3. He may give six (cows)"; for six seasons, indeed, there are in the year, and the sacrifice, Pragâpati, is the year : thus as great as the sacrifice is, as large as its extent is, by so many (gifts, dakshinas) does he thereby invigorate it.
4. He may give twelve ; for twelve months there are in the year, and the sacrifice, Pragâpati, is the year: thus as great as the sacrifice is, as large as its extent is, by so many (gifts) does he thereby invigorate it.
5. He may give twenty-four; for twenty-four half-moons there are in the year, and the sacrifice, Pragâpati, is the year: thus as great as the sacrifice is, as large as its extent is, by so many (gifts) does he thereby invigorate it. Such is the measure of the priests' fees; but he may give more, according to (the depth of) his faith. The reason why he gives fees to the priests is this.
6. Verily, there are two kinds of gods; for, indeed, the gods are the gods; and the Brâhmans who have studied and teach sacred lore are the human gods. The sacrifice of these is divided into two kinds: oblations constitute the sacrifice to the gods; and gifts to the priests that to the human gods,
1 Viz. at the tanha vir-ishtis together, or at least three cows at each ishh if there are two ishfis. The greater the gift, the greater the merit. According to the Paddhati on Kâty. IV, 10, he is also to entertain a hundred Brâhmans at the end of the performance. See also Taitt. Br. I, 1, 7, 9-11.
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