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II KÂNDA, 3 ADHYÂYA, 4 BRAHMANA, 20.
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15. 'In accordance with his old (pratna) splendour, the dauntless have milked the shining juice from the wise one that giveth a hundredfold.' The richest of gifts, indeed, is the hundredfold gift; and in order to obtain that (giver) he says, 'the wise one that giveth a hundredfold.'
16. This is a hymn of six verses collected (from the Rik); the first of them containing (the word)
upon, and the last containing (the word) 'old' (pratna). And this we recited, because she (the earth) is the one that contains the (word) upon;' and that which is 'old' doubtless is yonder (sky), for as many gods as there were 'of old,' in the beginning, so many gods there are now, and hence the 'old' means yonder (sky). Now within these two (worlds) all desires are contained; and these two are in accord with each other for his (the sacrificer's) benefit, and concede all his wishes.
17. Thrice he mutters the first (verse) and thrice the last; for of threefold beginning are sacrifices, and of threefold termination : therefore he mutters thrice the first and the last (verses).
18. Now, in offering the Agnihotra, whatever mistake one commits, either in word or deed, thereby he injures either his own body, or his life, or his vigour, or his offspring.
19. Accordingly (he mutters the texts, Vag. S. III, 17), 'Thou, O Agni, art the protector of bodies: protect my body! Thou, O Agni, art the giver of life: give me life! Thou, O Agni, art the giver of vigour: give me vigour! O Agni, what defect there is in my body, supply that for me!'
20. And whatever mistake he commits, in offering the Agnihotra, either in word or deed, thereby he
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