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II KÂNDA, 3 ADHYAYA, 4 BRAHMANA, 27. 353
of the Rishis-;' this he says, because he himself now approaches (and worships, praises, the fire); to the favourite abode (or dainty);' his (Agni's) favourite abode doubtless are the offerings: 'to offerings' he thereby says. May I attain to long life, to lustre, to offspring, to increase of wealth!' whereby he says, 'Even as thou didst attain to those (qualities), so may I attain to long life, lustre, offspring, affluence, that is to say, to prosperity.'
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25. He then approaches the cow', with the text (Vâg. S. III, 20), 'Food ye are: may I enjoy your food! wealth ye are: may I enjoy your wealth !'— whereby he means to say, 'whatever energies are yours, whatever riches are yours, may I enjoy them.' -Strength ye are: may I enjoy your strength !' whereby he says, 'sap ye are: may I enjoy your sap!'-'Affluence ye are : may I enjoy your affluence!' whereby he says, 'abundance ye are : may I enjoy your abundance !'
26. 'Ye prosperous ones, disport yourselves—;' cattle are prosperous: therefore he says, 'ye prosperous ones, disport yourselves-;' '-in this seat, in this fold, in this place, in this homestead: remain here, go not from hence!' this he. says with reference to himself,-'go not away from me!'
27. He then touches the cow, with the text (Vâg. S. III, 22 a), 'Motley thou art, of all shapes ;'for cattle are indeed of all shapes: therefore he calls her all-shaped; -come to me with sap and possession of cattle!' when he says 'with sap,' he means
1 Viz. the Agnihotra cow, which has supplied the milk for the morning and evening libation; or any cow, if other material than milk be used.
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