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356
SATAPATHA-BRAHMANA.
mighty, the heavenly, the unassailable favour of the three, Mitra, Aryaman, and Varuna, be (with us)! For the wicked enemy lords it not over them (that are protected by these gods), neither at home nor on dangerous paths: for those sons of Aditi bestow undying light on the mortal that he may live !'-In this (prayer) he says, nor on dangerous paths;' for dangerous indeed are the paths that lie between heaven and earth: those he now walks, and therefore he says, 'nor on dangerous paths.'
38. Then follows a verse to Indra (Vag. S. III, 34); for Indra is the deity of the sacrifice, and with Indra therefore he now connects the fire-worship: 'At no time, O Indra, art thou barren; and never dost thou fail the worshipper-;' the worshipper, doubtless, is the sacrificer: 'never dost thou harm the sacrificer,' this is what he thereby says: '- but more and evermore is thy gift increased, O mighty god!' thereby he says, 'do thou make us ever more prosperous here!'
39. Then follows a verse to Savitri 1 (Vag. S. III, 35),- for Savitri is the impeller (prasavitri) of the gods; and thus all his (the sacrificer's) wishes are fulfilled, impelled as they are by Savitri.—(He mutters), 'May we obtain the glorious light of the divine Savitri, who, we trust, may inspire our prayers !'
40. Thereupon a verse to Agni (Vág. S. III, 36),— whereby he finally makes himself over to Agni for protection : "May thine unapproachable chariot, wherewith thou protectest the worshippers, encircle us on every side!' The worshippers, doubtless, are
1 Or, the Savitrî, that is, the sacred prayer to Savitri, the sun, also called Gayatri, Rig-veda III, 62, 10. Cl. p. 344, note 1.
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