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II KÂNDA, 4 ADHYÂVA, 2 BRÂHMANA, 4.
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SECOND BRÂHMANA. III. THE PINDAPITRIYAGÑA OR OBLATION OF OBSE
QUIAL CAKES TO THE FATHERS. 1. Now the living beings once approached Pragapati — beings doubtless mean creatures and said,
Ordain unto us in what manner we are to live!' Thereupon the gods, being properly invested with the sacrificial cord ? and bending the right knee, approached him. To them he said, The sacrifice (shall be) your food; immortality your sap; and the sun your light!'
2. Then the fathers approached, wearing the cord on the right shoulder, and bending the left knee. To them he said, “Your eating (shall be) monthly; your cordial (svadhâ) your swiftness of thought; and the moon your light!
3. Then the men approached him, clothed and bending their bodies. To them he said, 'Your eating (shall be) in the evening and in the morning; your offspring your death; and the fire (Agni) your light!
4. Then the beasts approached him. To them he granted their own choice, saying, 'Whensoever ye shall find anything, whether in season or out of season, the house with the formula Vág. S. III, 43, line 3, 'For safety, for peace I resort to thee: be there kindliness, happiness, all-hail, and blessing!' Thereupon, according to the Schol., he is to proceed in accordance with the rules laid down in the Grihya-sutras; cf. Pârask. G. I, 18; Âsv. G. I, 15, 9.
1 Yagñopavitin,' sacrificially invested,' i. e. wearing the sacrificial cord in the ordinary way, on the left shoulder and under the right arm. In any performance connected with the deceased ancestors, the cord has to be shifted from the left to the right shoulder and under the left arm (pråkinopavitin, lit. eastward invested').
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