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SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
him. For the offering-prayer he recites, “May Agni graciously accept of the butter!'
22. And, if they determine upon (offering the second butter-portion to) Agni Pavamâna, let him then say, 'Pronounce the invitatory prayer to Agni Pavamâna; and he (the Hotri) recites (Rig-veda IX, 16, 19), 'O Agni, thou breathest forth life; produce thou food and sap for us! drive far away misfortune!' For thus, indeed, it becomes of the nature of Agni. Pavamâna (the one that becomes purified) means the Soma; but this (Soma-element) they eliminate from the butter-portion of Soma?. For the offering-prayer he recites, May Agni Pavamâna graciously accept of the butter!'
23. If, on the other hand, they determine upon (offering to) Agni Indumat, let him say, 'Pronounce the invitatory prayer to Agni Indumat!' He (the Hotri) recites (Rig-veda VI, 16, 16), Come hither, I will gladly sing to thee yet other songs, O Agni! mayest thou grow strong by these draughts (indu, drop).' Thus, indeed, it becomes of the nature of Agni: the draught doubtless means Soma, but this (Soma-element) they eliminate from the butterportion of Soma. For the offering-prayer he recites, ‘May Agni, the drop-abounding, graciously accept of the butter!' And thus he makes it all of the nature of Agni.
24. He then says, as to the chief offering (havis), 'Pronounce the invitatory prayer to Agni!' 'Pronounce the offering-prayer to Agni!' Pronounce the invitatory prayer to Agni Svishtakrit (the maker of good offerings)! Pronounce the offering
1 Viz. that second butter-portion which by right belongs to Soma (see I, 6, 1, 20 seq.), but is here offered to Agni.
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