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SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
18. The reason why he offers only a little for the first libation, is that the gods are fewer than men; and why he offers somewhat more for the second libation, is that men are more numerous than the gods; and why he leaves still more in the ladle, is that cattle are more numerous than men. And, verily, whosoever, knowing this, offers the Agnihotra, his cattle will be more numerous than those (human beings) that have to be supported by him : for he, indeed, is in a prosperous condition whose cattle are more numerous than those (human beings) dependent on his support.
THIRD BRAHMANA. 1. Now when Pragậpati, in creating living beings, created Agni, the latter, as soon as born, sought to burn everything here: and so everybody tried to get out of his way. The creatures then existing sought to crush him. Being unable to endure this, he went to man.
2. He said, 'I cannot endure this : come, let me enter into thee! Having reproduced me, maintain me; and as thou wilt reproduce and maintain me in this world, even so will I reproduce and maintain thee in yonder world!' He (man) replied, “So be it.' And having reproduced him, he maintained him.
3. Now when he establishes the two fires, he reproduces that (Agni); and having reproduced him, he maintains him; and as he reproduces and maintains him in this world, even so does he (Agni) reproduce and maintain him in yonder world.
4. One must not, therefore, remove it (the sacrificial fire from the hearth) prematurely, for too
1 Ity abilam asa, i. e. 'there was a (general rush) to a hole,' (or perhaps 'to the outlet.)
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